Parker Baltic 900 with 2 x 275hp Verado's

[Nauti Buoy]

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

Part 3 : Sunday 12th November

‘Allo ‘Allo!!

10) Bit ‘Parky’ innit!!! But Nauti's flippin glowing with pride!!!

hmmm Mr P Shop!!!

[Mike C]

It's not James Bond....

He's Simon Templer!

Da dee di di dah dah

[The Jackeens]

Part Four : A good throttling...

Conditions were quite testing as we tackled the TSS at the correct angle. Richard pushed the boat gradually as it became apparent that it was relishing the challenge of lofty seas and the occasional smack in the face. Seabirds swooped and dived either side as the distinctive shape of the Goodwin lightship materialised ahead. Toy-like ships on the horizon became rapidly-moving monsters up close, hell-bent on reaching northerly ports.

The crew settled in as the boat responded to the demand of the waves and Richard’s answer on the throttle. Snug in our drysuits and Geckos, with air temperature still in double figures (typical of this exceptionally balmy November) we were able to enjoy the scenery and the warming sunshine while Mike monitored instruments and corrected headings. Every now and then the snarl of the props surfacing brought a grin to our faces as the skipper soldiered on, averaging 30 knots and growing in confidence in his new boat’s abilities.

Having delivered a bit of a hammering on our channel crossing , the seas backed down a little as we gained the relative shelter of the English coast. Not to be completely outdone the wind swung a little more to the west just to keep it interesting. Our speed picked up and the RIB tore across the chop past the south-easterly ports and on to the boxy shapes of the Dungeness power stations.

Richard offered the helm to Simon who indulged his powerboat racing abilities and immediately sought to explore the capabilities of the new RIB. Flatter water provided a new assessment opportunity for Parker’s design as throttles hit the console and the hull divorced itself completely from water. If we were all delighted with the feeling of solidity and security in the big waves off Calais, here was a further thrill as the boat took off like a rocket and sped at 50 + (53.4!!!!) knots in the direction of Dungeness. The boat kept its poise and the horizon was true as a spirit level while we powered along . The crew were safely ensconced in the solid jockeys and comfortable wraparound backrests.

We slowed towards Dungeness and inspected the bleak structure impassively facing the ocean. More function than form. Someone should have asked Derek Jarman to draw up the design.


It was a relief to press on for the more natural formation of the chalky coastline ahead.

12) Beachy Head. (This photo is sourced from Wikipedia. If there's any copyright probs please remove JK, ta.)

[Milan]

Sorry but have I missed a bit or lost the plot here Mrs. Jackeen is there a vehicle somewere abandoned and forgotten on or near the French coast in favour of a rib ride back to blighty.
Or have I jumped to far ahead in my eagerness to hear the end of the tale.

[DM]

Originally Posted by Milan

is there a vehicle somewere abandoned and forgotten on or near the French coast

There's probably a rusty old white escort diesel van, belonging to Jackeen, lying about somewhere.

DM

[The Jackeens]

Oh behave DM He'll be very upset

Originally Posted by Milan

Sorry but have I missed a bit or lost the plot here Mrs. Jackeen is there a vehicle somewere abandoned and forgotten on or near the French coast in favour of a rib ride back to blighty.
Or have I jumped to far ahead in my eagerness to hear the end of the tale.

The whole mission was carefully planned by Baron Andre and Skipper NautiBuoy, Milan.

But well done for your detective qualities!

Richard hired a large vehicle to accommodate all our portly frames from Portsmouth to Dover. He then parked it in a most orderly fashion in the appointed car-hire return spot in Dover before we all walked on board.

Precision Stuff.

[Andre]

Originally Posted by Milan

Sorry but have I missed a bit or lost the plot here Mrs. Jackeen is there a vehicle somewere abandoned and forgotten on or near the French coast in favour of a rib ride back to blighty.
Or have I jumped to far ahead in my eagerness to hear the end of the tale.

Richard had hired a car and it was returned at the ferry terminal in Dover. We boarded the ferry as foot passengers, quite an experience for someone who has always taken a car

[Milan]

PHeweeeeeeeeee

[Mollers]

Thanks for the account of the adventure by the Jackeens. Very detailed, it must have been thrilling. Well done to you all.

[The Jackeens]

Thanks Mollers for the positive feedback on the report! Much appreciated. It was indeed a thrilling adventure for us and the final part of the tale from the Crew shall follow in a day or so.

Meanwhile Richard and Sarah took us for a little run to Gunwharf today and Nautibuoy was properly christened Thanks for a great day peeps!

Kathleen & Paul

[tim griffin]

Excellent account of a great adventure looking forward to reading the report in the magazine .

[MarkWildey]

Richard

I'm surprised that you let Paul on board given everyone else made an effort to wear matching yellow dry suits.

It wasn't Customs and Excise that boarded you it was the fashion police.

What a disgrace.

Mark

[Nauti Buoy]

Originally Posted by MarkWildey

Richard

I'm surprised that you let Paul on board given everyone else made an effort to wear matching yellow dry suits.

It wasn't Customs and Excise that boarded you it was the fashion police.

What a disgrace.

Mark

[The Jackeens]

Originally Posted by MarkWildey

Richard

I'm surprised that you let Paul on board given everyone else made an effort to wear matching yellow dry suits.

It wasn't Customs and Excise that boarded you it was the fashion police.

What a disgrace.

Mark

Hehehehe



The question is Mark...are you Trinny or Susannah?

K & P

P.S. Thank you for feedback Tim. Much appreciated

[alt]

Nauti - As a diesel fan I must ask...

Did you ever consider diesel? If so, what were the advantages of the petrol outboards?

[Nauti Buoy]

Originally Posted by alt

Nauti - As a diesel fan I must ask...

Did you ever consider diesel? If so, what were the advantages of the petrol outboards?

Yes I did look at Diesel, and I decided for the cost of running (servicing), purchasing of the engines in the first place, that is a lot of extra petrol I can use to justify the difference. Plus if one of the outboards was to go completely pair shape it is far quicker to unbolt the engine and bolt a new one on to replace it.

Plus I also want to be able to tow a wakeboard behind and diesel did not have that inital get up and go, also I would have lost a lot of deck space to the engine box, ok I have a huge sunpad on the front, but then that has a lot of storage underneath, more than enough to take 6 people's luggage for a weekend in France and still have unused space under the jockey seats, and anchor locker box.

Not forgetting of course those Verado 275's are mighty sexy and I would like to say sound so sweet but you cannot hear them until you nail it and the Super Charger kicks in, then you get the factor.

[alt]

That's a good enough explination for me!

Might want to inform Customs of the next long distance trip you make though

[The Jackeens]

Part 5 'We sailed by Beachy,….'


The grand structure of Beachy Head seemed an age away but impressive nonetheless. It was thus far taking the brunt of wind-whipped waves on the far side so once again we enjoyed faster speeds in the dying light.
The memorable chalky heights demanded that we pay our respects so we slowed and admired Beachy’s stature. Arising from the ocean (with a lighthouse like a nicely-placed table lamp at its base!) it couldn’t disguise the whiff of tragedy as it yielded its own life (and at times that of others) to the hungry seas below.

But it was time to press on and the undulating forms of the Seven Sisters paved the way to Brighton and beyond. Darkness was sneakily photo-shopping out the last streaks of colour in the sky as Nautibuoy took on the building waves beyond the headland with great aplomb. All on board voted to skip Brighton and keep going to the more distant harbour of Littlehampton.

Bit by bit the coastline went all theatrical on us and it became floodlit in the darkness, every now and then punctuated by poppy fireworks. The RIB remained solid and unwavering in the conditions as once again our intrepid Snail-eating Skipper took the helm and settled the boat into steadier night speeds. It was difficult by eye to identify each town in the necklace of lights to starboard.

It was time to tune into Channel 77 as we hoped to be met by Andre’s boating friends from Littlehampton. Little did we know that a much bigger welcoming party than expected were preparing to meet and greet us on our waiting berth!!!!

13) Seven Sisters sourced from www.sevensisters.org.uk (Please remove if copyright is an issue. Ta. All cameras were safely stowed at this stage!!!!)

[codprawn]

You would have had serious problems if you had taken that photo from the boat!!!

[The Jackeens]

Hehehehehe

A very fair point Codprawn!!!


K