[Salty Bottoms Whitson]

Met prediction for sunday just updates....

AM NW 8 gusting 34

PM and Night northerly 13 gusting 42

Monday AM Northerly 10 gusting 35

Does this mean I need to fit a mast and buy a spinnaker?

Think we will potter down to Oulton Broad then send the kiddies home and join you guys on tuesday if you are still there

[Davits]

..and I thought you were going to hang an anvil off each one and see if the princess will fully plane!!!

"....The lift is provided by strapping and I need to attach something to the eyes on the dinghy and also use something on the fixed rings on the davits.,..."

In the past I have bought stainless steel rings from the chandelry and either re-repoed my tender and spliced them into place or used the clip on type.. I'll have a peep and see if I can find any pics from the last time I did this.

[Shore Lines]

Some excellent advice there... sounds like you need some long ropes then!!!!!

Hopefully we will join you ... in that case I'd better make sure I've got some bloomin' long ropes with me too!!! And We'll be popping my hand up for help as well as Annie would really like to skipper any sea journey we do this weekend to build up her sea miles..!!!

[Liferaft Hire]

I would have thought an inflatable ready for quick use would be more than enough for a trip along the coast.

[Shore Lines]

Wayne,

depending on where you are rafted depends on whether you are advised to use shore lines...let me explain, if you are the 2nd boat in the raft then shore lines work very well along with the normal springs and breasts onto the adjoining vessel, if, however, you are then the third or 4th rafted boat things get a little complicated as the heights of the vessels and lengths can make things a little tricky as the shore lines will need to extend outrageously.

Because of the tidal flow a Southwold shore lines of course are preferable but if space is tight and you are the third rafted vessel it won't be commiting the biggest sin if you only use a bow and stern breast lines and springs to the inner vessel. (Ensure that the inner vessels aren't leaving before you though as they will set you afloat and ensure that they have substatial mooring lines)

As for rope - 14mm three strand will be fine - 16mm for a 33ft boat isn't necessary nor cost effective for long shore lines, and long lengths of double braided 'woven' rope stretch considerably under load!!!

Hope this helps

[Salty Bottoms Whitson]

..Just read the rest of his online log...excellent reading and actually some really helpfull stuff

We are going to have a good look at the weather toward the end of the week before we make final plans, but will def be on the boat from Friday with no ties to being back anytime before the end of the following week and so are 60/40 about joining the cruise down to Southwold. Ann would really like to as she is chomping at the bit to put that newly qualified day-skipper ticket to good use!!

[Salty Bottoms Whitson]

Hi guys

Whilst trying to find slack water times for Southwold, where do I find them please??? I came across someone's blog which charts there time through the broads, out through Lowestoft to Southwold and down the suffolk coast. Enjoyable reading.

http://www.starry-night.org.uk/2004period5.html

Just read it with a wry grin....although I got stuck at Reedham for two days last year... I'll blame the sun being too strong, the wind being too cold and completely not mention the roaring hangover that I was suffering thanks to Rod, John and a few others... and a night of John Colleridge and copious volumes of Humpty........

[Pass the wet wipes!]

looks like a ball of snot from the end of her nose

I bet its lovely to get a blast out at sea on such a nice day

Jonny

Looks like her eyeball's popped out!!

[Salty Bottoms Whitson]

Not sure entirely what our plans are yet as we may join you, then trundle off to Ipswich for the end of the week, dump off the junior crew and wait out for some fine weather for a blast back up...

Just to add food for thought - Ipswich Haven Marina - £2.12inc VAT per metre which includes electricity and water and a group of 3 or more ensures a 20% discount. On the marina is the last anchor, but on the wet dock itself are some great new bar developments and only a short walk to the town centre...

[Salty Bottoms Whitson]

I thought the S41 had caught your eye yesterday Gav

For me it was a toss up between the S41 and the Phantom 38... unfortunately Ann has the key to the moneybox and I'm not aloud to spend it because apparently we have to have a really extravagent extention on the house, whereby I'm thinking that a garage conversion is quite sufficient!

[Pass the wet wipes!]

whoever hired 'Neptune 1' has managed to leave her high and dry on the mudbanks, abandoned with the canopy still left open and all soft furnishings exposed, and at quite a steep angle over on her side due to the fairly deep keel!

Julz

The top was left open by the Inshore lifeboat who took the hirers off - I heard that because of the 'twist' on her hull, the top couldn't slide - noticed no mud weight so will probably end up further up the mud today...

Not sure where we overtook you on the way back down yesterday as we left Salhouse at 8 and were low tide on Breydon (12:40ish)... hope it wasn't on Breydon...I'm sure we didn't swamp your bow.. although did grin a little ...or maybe alot whist crossing.. :

[Salty Bottoms Whitson]

Looks like there are far too many Sealines congregating for the weekend - we may have to come along and break up the monopoly,.....

(Not a good time to mention that we are looking at a 310 anda 330 this week I guess!!)

[Pass the wet wipes!]

Ah so that's where Sea Jem went!! I remember seeing her last year just before she went onto brokerage and have to say that she is a stunning Mk1... probably the best one around - a great buy and great news that you are having so much fun with her!!

[Pictures from the NBN Easter Salties Weekend]

Gav would like to announce that he has been safely returned, stood upright outside of Annie's door, the door bell was rang and the courier ran like hell.......... a scene somewhat reminiscent of Hannibal Lectur strapped to a sackbarrow...

However, after seeing little but sand and dust for half a year, now believes that a Falcon 27 can easily take on the Bay of Biscay in a 10....but happy to get the bottom salty at any opportunity....

Now that Annie has passed her Day Skipper I'll hitch a lift with someone else and take the camera - I'm sure she'll handle it solo!!! hehe

Absolutely fab pics by the way - Looking forward to tagging along next time!