1st and 2nd time out on the sea

Duluxdoggy · 04 July 2017, 00:03

Ok, so we ventured out on the sea launching from Porth Eirias.

On Saturday Katie and I went out as the tide was coming in and had a short bit of beach to cross. Even though the sea was fairly calm it was still challenging getting the boat out enough to lower the engine. We ended up wading out quite far whilst being thrashed by incoming waves! Once out and thoroughly soaked (Katie may have fallen in) it was plain sailing (Hehe).

Returning to the ramp later with the tide fully in was easy. Just a slog to get the boat up the ramp.

On Sunday I went out with a friend. He suggested we launch with the outgoing tide to assist us. When we got to the beach the tide was quite far out and we had a lot of fun dragging the 100kg+ boat/engine/fishing gear etc across the soft sand. We ended up having the same fun getting it in the water as on Saturday.

Again though once in the water the boat is great, the floor does flex a lot but feels stable, getting a bit bouncy at WOT!

Upon returning to the ramp the tide was completely out and we had a repeat performance dragging the boat back.

I ended up tying the rope from the bow to a bracket inside the car to tow it up as we had used up all our strength to get to the ramp (not dragging tho).

So to summarize:

Getting into and out of the sea is bloody hard work compared to the river.
Wear sun cream.
Take a jacket.

Fenlander · 04 July 2017, 08:26

Well done on getting onto the sea.

>>>Getting into and out of the sea is bloody hard work

It's a personal thing but I never launch other than where there is a hard slip useable at 100% of tide states and easy/clean for 90% of the time. From what we want out of family boating the physical effort of long beach transits and challenging nature of surf launches is a step too far.

The only time we do this is visiting a beach mid trip and I tend to constantly tinker with the boats position as the tide rises/falls.

I must admit one of the reasons we have enjoyed the Scottish west coast so much is it's easy to find places with quite small tidal ranges and with the often rocky steep sided nature of the coast many slips fire you straight into a decent depth of water the moment you are afloat.

Are there no slips near you with greater tidal range access?

Duluxdoggy · 04 July 2017, 08:43

Not that I am aware of. Further research is required for that.

Max... · 04 July 2017, 08:45

To launch at sea (in anything other than the flattest, mildest surf) you really need three people and two of them prepared to get wet!

One in the boat to start the engine (start in highest low water running position possible) - generally bow to beach so much less depth required and one each side of the bow to steady it, keep it stern to waves and push it out.

Again, in any notable surf the person in the boat will get wet too from waves over the transom.

Or two of you can try and row it out but again not easy in any surf.

jeffstevens763@g · 04 July 2017, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duluxdoggy

Not that I am aware of. Further research is required for that.

google earth is a good way to start or grid reference finder to explore possibilities.

Mikefule · 04 July 2017, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

google earth is a good way to start or grid reference finder to explore possibilities.

Boatlaunch

jeffstevens763@g · 04 July 2017, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikefule

Boatlaunch

Yep to a certain extent but been issues with it recently as per thread

HDAV · 05 July 2017, 00:08

Congrats, a bit further down the A55 there are marina slips you can use launching from a ramp into still water is easier
http://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Resident/...-Locations.pdf
, much easier, but using a rope and motor to assist is good thinking! Might be worth considering a tow bar for this purpose ( always claim it's for a bike rack) I recommend "cag" a dry top used by dingy sailors really cuts down on wind chill about £30 in sales if your lucky
Cag & Spraytops | Gul Watersports

Most important you enjoyed and had fun, what was he motor like WOT? Should have put a smile on your face!

Duluxdoggy · 05 July 2017, 00:39

we planned to look at the beacons next time. and the other slips in the area.

once initial startup (took a few pulls to draw the fuel through) the motor runs great. re-starts very easily.

It's good fun going flat out across the undulating water. I may not even bother taking the rods next time, and just have a bit of fun blasting around!

HDAV · 05 July 2017, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duluxdoggy

It's good fun going flat out across the undulating water. I may not even bother taking the rods next time, and just have a bit of fun blasting around!

Yep or blast round to a nice beach with a nice pub for lunch and then back

One of the best days I had was turning up on a sunny spring bank holiday at a npbeach where it was rammed no where to park just idled up the beach dropped anchor walked to pub and had none of the parking and traffic hassle (had come from slip 10+ miles up the coast) then off and back made for a lovely day...

rossymtb · 06 July 2017, 20:35

Porth Eirias Colwyn bay is the easiest slipway there is around this area.

Conwy is also pretty easy but very tidal.

I prefer to take the 1hr 30min drive down to shell island where I can launch straight Into the harbour so no waves to deal with.

At the size you have 3.8m life starts to get very hard and heavy without a trailer. Now I know you said storage is a no no. But is there no were off site you can store the boat on a trailer few miles away from home?

rossymtb · 06 July 2017, 20:37

Or a collapsible road trailer maybe. Otherwise boating gets old very fast when the enjoyment is overwhelmed with the stress and weight of dragging it up and down the slip.

Duluxdoggy · 06 July 2017, 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossymtb

Porth Eirias Colwyn bay is the easiest slipway there is around this area.

Conwy is also pretty easy but very tidal.

I prefer to take the 1hr 30min drive down to shell island where I can launch straight Into the harbour so no waves to deal with.

At the size you have 3.8m life starts to get very hard and heavy without a trailer. Now I know you said storage is a no no. But is there no were off site you can store the boat on a trailer few miles away from home?

To go somewhere like shell island I think I would prefer to make that a couple of day trip tbh. I know it is relatively local. But would be a good excuse to have a mini holiday!

rossymtb · 06 July 2017, 21:45

Parents have boat down there and I pay for a yearly pass. Makes the journey alot more worth it.

Few decent places on Anglesey to. But a few of them are more suited to trailers and not really accessible to be inflating the boat on site.