Bristol Channel meet ?

[Mike B]

All,

Just thought I'd see if there was any interest from anyone in this neck of the woods to meet up at some point over the next couple of months.

No plans as such but may be a rendezvous at Steep Holm, Pub lunch in Cardiff Bay or Fish and Chips in Weston-Super-Mare.

Let me know

Cheers

Mike

[simmons0]

Ill be up for that(when the boat arrives)

Just a bit over an hour to tow to Bristol.

[Seb]

Im in and i know of a few other RIB owners who will be too....keep me posted with details etc.

With regards to destinations.....Watchet marina is quite a nice place to visit as it has good facilities and is within sensible distance. Porlock and Ilfracombe are also well worth considering although landing is highly dependant on the tide.

Cheers

SEB

[John Kennett]

Minehead is worth a stop for a beer if the tides are right. For something a bit more adventurous how about making a day trip to the Gower Peninsular for a beach barbecue?

John

[Mike B]

Great some interest !

Probably looking at mid to end of May (poss second May Bank Holiday if that doesn't clash with too many peoples other plans and subject to SWMBO's approval and completion of house decorating ).
Simmons0 does this fit in with your new arrival ?

I am slightly restricted by amount of fuel I can carry (currently 66 lts) so I think Ilfracombe and Gower are out for me. But nothing to stop you big boys carrying on.

Both Watchet and Minehead sound good.

Any other suggestions and then we can put it to a vote nearer the time.

I am likely to be out for short spins over the next few weekends so if any one is in the Cardiff, Barry, Flat / Steep Holm area give me shout or keep your eyes open for the Rib.net Burgee.

Cheers

Mike

[simmons0]

It does fit in with the arrival but im staying on Lake Windermere that week so i guess i wont be at this meet.

[woot]

Mike B
Where do you launch from on your short trips out? I am in my first year with a RIB and live in Newport/ work in Cardiff but keep the RIB in Pembrokeshire. In the summer I am thinking of bringing it to stay in the Newport / Cardiff areas for spells to allow me to get on in the evenings and weekends. The other thing that is holding me back is I have nowhere to store the boat at home. Do you know of a secure boatyard or somewhere similar that will accommodate short stays of a week or fortnight at a time? Would definitely be interested to hear of your trips out to get an idea of the sort of trips you are taking on.

[Mike B]

Simmons0

I thought it may be the case that people had already got plans for the bank holiday. I can be quite flexible with this and will try and fit in with what ever weekend the most people can make.

Options are any of the following dates for me.

22nd / 23rd May
29th / 30 / 31 May
5th / 6th June





Woot,

There are a few options for launching - Channel View Leisure Centre has the Council slip within the barrage (£6 plus £5 deposit) but strangely this is only open 10:00 till 4:00 at the moment and 10:00 till 5:00 in the summer. It is a great slip, no tides to worry about and has secure car parking.

I have a key for the North slipway at Penarth from Vale of Glamorgan Council £25 a year but they have a limited number. Roughly 1/2 tidal range

There is a free council slip at Sully but it is a bit ropey and exposed.

As for storage you could try Cambrian Marine in Cardiff Bay (029) 2034 3459 but would think they are quite expensive as alternatives there are two Clubs in the bay that may be able to offer storage facilities. But my suggestion would be try some local farms or caravan storage facilities. I'm spoilt in that I can get the boat on my drive (just).

Most of my trips in the area have involved one or more of the following:

Flat Holm, Steep Holm, Weston-Super-Mare, Barry, Sully, Southerndown, Porthcawl, Ogmore. Usually with a quick stop off at the pontoons at Mermaid Quay for bite to eat.

Usually I cover around 20 Nm round trip.

I've also been lucky enough to take the boat down to Milford Haven to see Skomer a few times and have also spent a bit of time on the Humber.

In September we are trailering the boat down to Bay of Roses in Spain for a week where we have managed to find what looks like a great Villa with its own mooring so I am looking to extend the range of trips in preparation for some good runs out there.

If you get the boat up here and fancy meeting up sometime give me shout.

Cheers

Mike

[woot]

Thanks for that Mike all good interesting info, I will look into storage and doing a bit of local boating. If you are ever going to the Milford area make sure you post or let me know via e-mail and we can sort out a trip. Myself and Alex Brown were due to do Skomer followed by Grassholm on Easter Monday but a thick fog scuppered our plans. There is plenty of scope for extended trips from the Haven in good weather. Haven't done any myself yet but had a few really good days out over the Easter cruising around and watching the seals after beach launching at Broad Haven.

[simmons0]

5th/6th June is Ribex.

Ive spoken to Lee today and his main laminator is off work

Delivery date was supposed to be 1st week of may but i cant see that happening, ive e-mailed him again to ask for a revised delivery date but im assuming it will be delayed a week or 2.

[Mike B]

5th and 6th is out then (sadly I cant make it over to RIBEX but I'm guessing a lot of people will) so 22nd or 23rd of May is sounding good.

SEB does that fit ok with you and your mates ?

Woot, hoping to get down to either Milford or St Davids in the near future so will be in touch. Last time I was down we launch at Gellyswick which is nice slip.

[Seb]

Definately count me in and ill try and get the other guys to come along too...

With regards to destinations (taking into account your fuel limitations) Watchet seems to be ideal (as long as the tide is sensible on the day) as there are good refuelling and mooring facilities there as well as a number of pub/restaurants!!!

The trip could be made via say Flat Holm and Steep Holm on the way to add a bit of scenery!?

Would be up for St Davids/Dale/Milford also when the weather picks up....great boating to be done there!

Cheers

SEB

[nugent]

also interested ride round that way reqular.
launch from burnham everey other weekend for sum fishing and bit a sight seeing... be interested to see what dates you pick....+ weather permitting

[jools]

Yep - count me in - as long as I'm free

Would plan to launch from Portishead - so dependant on tides

Cheers
Jools

[simmons0]

Delivery date has been set for 15th May

So i should be good for 22nd/23rd of May.

[Mike B]

Has anyone got tide tables for Watchet area ?

If so can you let me know the tides for weekend of 22 / 23 May ?

I've grown too reliant on Easytide which only predicts 6 days ahead.

Cheers

Mike

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Mike B

Has anyone got tide tables for Watchet area ?

If so can you let me know the tides for weekend of 22 / 23 May ?

I've grown too reliant on Easytide which only predicts 6 days ahead.

Cheers

Mike

Mike,
Sat 22nd - HW @ 0913hrs - 10.1m, LW @ 1517 Hrs - 1.9m, HW@ 21.28hrs - 10.0m
Sun 23rd - HW @ 0947hrs - 9.8m, LW @ 15.50 - 2.2m, HW @ 22.02hrs - 9.7m

Courtesy of Bellfield Tideplotter which is based on SH of UKHO and very close to full blown UK Hydrographic tables

Hope this helps

[Mike B]

Cheers Jeff

[Seb]

Take a look at www.watchet-harbour-marina.com

Gives tide and gate opening/closing times....

[Mike B]

22nd / 23rd suddenly doesn't seem as good !

If am reading it right we can enter harbour
Saturday
Between 06:41 and 11:41 and then 18:56 and 23:56

Sunday
07:18 and 12:12 and than after 19:32

The Bank holiday weekend looks alot better eg Sunday 30th access between 13:55 and 18:32

Alternative we could look at 12th June with access between 13:28 and 17:44

Any thoughts anyone ?

Cheers

Mike