QE2 & QM2 > we made it

Andre · 16 April 2005, 20:34

Having made a few attempts in the last few weeks to head into the Solent today was the day we made it. Who was out today in the Solent will agree that the weather was good. We left LAmpton at 9AM and 1 hour and 30 minutes later we were taking snaps of both magnificent vessels. Next lunch in Cowes and taking the short cut passing Boulder and Pullar off Selsy Bill. See last photo. Good route for those joining the LAmpton cruise. As you can see from the photo rather calm sea and it only took us 1 hour and 10 minutes from Cowes to LA at 26 knots most of the way . Thanks Phil for coming along

Andre · 16 April 2005, 20:38

and a few more

Martin · 16 April 2005, 21:55

Looks like a nice day. All we need to do now is get our boat ready

Martin

ollyit · 16 April 2005, 22:32

looks perfect conditions

Phil Chitty · 16 April 2005, 22:46

It was a great day. The weather and conditions couldn't have been better.

I was goning to start this thread tomorrow morning and call it "Today I saw two Queens" but thinking about that now it might not be the best title!

Heres a few more pics.

1. Conditions couldn't have been better.
2. I think this one is Horse Sand Fort? (Help please Solent types!)
3. QE2 head on.
4. My gracious hosts who let me tag along for the day. Cheers guys, it was fab.

5. QM2 in all her glory.

Sammo · 16 April 2005, 22:47

Made it out also this evening to watch the QMII and the QEII Leaving Port only managed to follow them out to Calshot though as it was getting dark and I had no nav lights

Sammo

Phil Chitty · 16 April 2005, 22:48

6. I thought this was great. Two little guys on a platform doing a bit of touching up whilst being watched from above by an Engineering Officer!
7. Boy, thats a big ship!

Phil Chitty · 16 April 2005, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammo

Made it out also this evening to watch the QMII and the QEII Leaving Port only managed to follow them out to Calshot though as it was getting dark and I had no nav lights

Sammo

I bet seeing them under way is mighty impressive.

I envy you that one Sammo.

Sammo · 16 April 2005, 23:04

It was a sight to see,

seeing that I had never seen either before,

It was one evening to remember

Sammo

RIVA · 17 April 2005, 09:45

no mans land fort . is the one thats got a house on top

Hightower · 17 April 2005, 10:01

what time did they slip their berths? I was fishing off the blocks by Horse sands fort and was waiting for their cruise passed.

Andy

jackeen · 17 April 2005, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andre

taking the short cut passing Boulder and Pullar off Selsy Bill

Hi ,
looks like you all had a nice flat day

and heaps of fun running around the solent.

just had a look at the route you took thru Boulder/ pullar (see pic). Any particular reason not too take the boulder/street route ?. theres seems to be 1 or 2 shallows (ringed in yellow one down to 0.5 off map) there . does it get a bit bumpy over them ? .

thinking about your cruise shortly

as the route i posted on the thread was the boulder/street markers.

seee ya soon

paul

Phil Chitty · 17 April 2005, 17:18

Hi Paul

The route throught The Street works well if you have plenty of water there. I've been caught out badly here before and bumped my skeg on a rock but that was at low tide on a spring.
My stupid fault for being there at the time.

Yesterday Andre and I got through here no trouble half way up a rising tide.

Theres no doubt that it is always safer to go out to the Outer Owers and then back in again as this will avoid all the rocks completely, but having been through here a few times now it is a route I would use on the upper end of any tide.

Phil Chitty · 17 April 2005, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIVA

no mans land fort . is the one thats got a house on top

Thanks RIVA!

Ribald · 17 April 2005, 17:30

And it's on the market for the princely sum of £7,000,000

Louise · 17 April 2005, 22:40

Looks like you had a great time. I wish we could have been out on the water but had to finish fitting the radio.

Looking forward to seeing you at Littlehampton.

The Jackeens · 17 April 2005, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Chitty

Theres no doubt that it is always safer to go out to the Outer Owers and then back in again as this will avoid all the rocks completely, but having been through here a few times now it is a route I would use on the upper end of any tide.

Cheers Phil.

Us

John Kennett · 18 April 2005, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackeen

just had a look at the route you took thru Boulder/ pullar (see pic). Any particular reason not too take the boulder/street route ?. theres seems to be 1 or 2 shallows (ringed in yellow one down to 0.5 off map) there . does it get a bit bumpy over them ?

The biggest challenge with the inshore route is the overfalls that you tend to get. They only last about half a mile though, and can give some very entertaining conditions!

Once you are through the Boulder/Street "gate" keep the Mixon beacon close to port and it's fine.

John

Phil Chitty · 18 April 2005, 13:08

Completely agree JK.

I've been out there before in a mirror calm sea at a high end of tide and the sea can boil in this area.

Just makes it more fun to be there!

The Jackeens · 19 April 2005, 08:46

Thanks for (combined) advice.

We'll keep an eye on conditions

Us