solent this weekend (26-27 Apr)

[Daniel]

Anyone out and about this weekend?

I was planning a blast across the channel but the weather isn't looking great so might pull the boat out tomorrow and tow down to Solent Sat or Sun.

Anyone about? We're a 7m Ballistic (just updated my profile)

[Daniel]

Gonna be raining all weekend in the Solent isn't it, now I know why no one playing...

Plan "C" we will probably leave Ramsgae, turn left and perhaps run upto London tommorow, should be sheltered from the F5/6 in the Thames estuary.

Not forecast rain here!

[longjohn]

not a cloud in the sky right now

[Daniel]

Nor here in limehouse marina :-)

[Crusher]

Can't believe how rubbish the forecast was and how nice it's actually been! Bloody weathermen!


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[Low Flyer]

Today not so good.


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[Daniel]

Well cracking run up on Saturday, F5 gusting 6 but pretty sheltered in the Thames estuary, Ramsgate to Limrhouse in about 3 hrs including the last 45 mins from just before the barrier at 12knts. The speed limit is new since I last did this trip 10 yrs ago.

Sunday a bit less pleasant - still aching Tuesday from 3 hrs wind over tide into a headsea & the RAIN - thank goodness for gecko helmets.

It was a lot windier than forecast Sunday and made for a slow trip home.

Limehouse were very hospitable and have a good number of visitor berths. Country to what the almanac says they are accessible HW +/- 5hrs approx for small rib's. Call them first and they will work it out on the phone.

Oh you also have to book your lock out time the night before (no one told us that though so it took a while).

[Daniel]

[Daniel]

We also detoured to Chatham for food and fuel on the way home. This is a 20 mile detour, and due to 6kn speed limit probably an hour each way plus locking-in, fuelling up, locking out. Total detour including lunch over 3 hrs.

Given the conditions back to north foreland though, we were light on fuel so this was both necessary and a welcome break for lunch.

[JCW]

Looks like you had a great trip. I am surprised you only needed one fuel stop, how much do you hold?
I normally use Chatham as a stop off point myself before going up the Thames into London.

Let me know if you plan to visit Burnham, I will have your drinks ready.

[Daniel]

Hey, never been to burnham, be a good trip.

The ballistic holds 225 I believe, but I'm 100% trusting previous owner to rely on this so 30 spare onboard too.

We could have gone to limehouse and back on that but calculated as tight so I topped up with the 30 in London and got a friendly mini-cab to run me to the garage to refill the reserve. Should have been plenty.

But given the conditions decided needed more, oh an a break... Probably had just enough in realty but always like some spare!!

Used 300li including the detour which is a good 20nm / 2hrs.

[Daniel]

The 250 hpdi and ballistic hull seams to have a sweet spot at 30 knts, 4000 rpm and 40li/hr.

It's a wee bit more jucy per mile above this, about 60li/hr at 40knts, but a bit more fun once into the Thames proper (gravesend to dartford ish I guess) where it's lovely and flat.

In the ruff Sunday, we were down to less than 15 knts but sill burning 30 li/hr OUCH.

[JCW]

It is good that you are getting out and using your Rib as intended. You made the right decision refilling with fuel and having a break in Chatham.
I have not been by Boat to Ramsgate so I should add that to my itinerary.

[Daniel]

Come down... We have petrol ! Oh and we're close enough to goto Dunkirk for lunch ;-)

Rib has to get tucked away for May, busy month with other projects ;-((

Catch up in June ?

[JCW]

Ok will catch up, probably have to be July on due to other commitments.