2 March Splash - Solent

[Andy]

The long awaited Feb cruise became smaller affair starting at Camber Dock, Porstmouth.

The attendees where:

JCW - Jason and crew
DJL - Daniel and Dylon(crew)
Thorper and Andy

Ribald - There to see us off but stayed on land
Aging Youth - Had technically issues on launch and unfortunately bailed.

Me and Ricky (Thorper), planned to run around the Isle of White but cruise with the others up to Cowes, as lunch at the Folly would not give us that much of a run. DJL, decided he wanted to join us, and JCW fancyed a look up the Hamble, then up to the Folly.

The circumnavigation (65miles) was enjoyable and conditions where good, although a little bigger round the back of the white.

At Bemberidge we turned off back to Portsmouth as my half day pass out was running out with the misses! DJL contined towards Cowes to meet JCW ...... what happened next guys?

Photos of the trip to appear here soon .. once developed.

[Daniel]

What you did not know Andy was that I too was there although i missed everyone because i could not find Camber before 11am!

With RIBnet being unavailable i had not got anyones phone number so explored the area a little on my own before locating the Folly Inn about 1pm for lunch.

JCW (Jason and Jason) arrived with Daniel and Dylon just as i was finishing my beer - so we stayed for another. Kevin never caught up hope he got back OK!

Anyway nice to meet the few people i did! Faces to names and all that.

I'll post photos this evening.

Daniel

[Dylan]

Andy, once you and Thorper left us I phoned Aging Youth to see if he had got on the water yet - he had!! and was just heading up the Hamble to meet JCW at the Jolly Sailer, so me and DJL headed up there to meet them. Just as we got to the mouth of the Hamble JCW and Aging Youth were coming out and heading over to Cowes, as Aging Youth wanted some fuel, so we joined them. However both fuel pontoons were closed, but Aging Youth did manage to buy some off a local man in a RIB!!!!! As he was doing this me and DJL, and JCW headed up to the Folly, where we met Daniel!!!! Aging Youth didn't come up to the Folly, but he had mentioned he had to get back soon earlier. Anyway after a quick bite to eat we headed back to Portsmouth, where Daniel and JCW recovered their boats, then me and DJL went back to Hythe (where we had launced from). All in all an excellent day!!!!!

Dylan

[JCW]

Guys,
Had a great day out in very good conditions. A pleasure to cruise will you all. This was only my second time out in the Solent, the first being a circumnavigation back in Nov 2001 with an overnight stay in Yarmouth.
I enjoyed the trip up the River Hamble and visit to the Jolly Sailor, the 6 Knot speed limit enabled me to listen to the football on Radio 5 Live!!

The Folly Inn was also a great stop. The benefits of a Rib certainly came in handy when we departed the pontoon with less than 3 feet of water under our Hulls!!

Thanks to all, and look forward Ribbing with you again.

Daniel, we must discuss the plans for the overnighter in France.

P.S Ribald (Peter) Thanks for the escort to Camber Dock Slip. Very useful.

[Daniel]

Yes Jason – overnight to france for sure but lets wait ‘till June / July and bear in mind it’ll be very much subject to weather. Also best check your insurance, I was only covered upto 10 miles offshore, when I asked about france they said yes, you are covered in france - 10 miles offshore! I pointed out I wanted to travel in the boat – went silent for a moment and the guy exclaimed that cover for channel crossings was for boats over 7m in length. Anyway, I ended up getting special dispensation from the underwriters given the nature of the vessel, with clause of forcast to be Force 5 or less! Fair enough.

Arguably the following should be posted in the ‘gallery’ section but seam more appropriate here. I’ll post the best shots from the weekend here and the rest on my website grayswish.rib.net when I update it later in the week.



(1) My Crew playing Skipper mored in Cowes (on our own 'coz we missed everyone
)

[Daniel]

Grayswish (Daniel Hawkes - me) + Bumble Bee (Daniel AKA: DJL) + JCW AKA: Jason's Ribcraft 585 mored @ the Folly

[Daniel]

Getting ready for the off after a quick Beer

[Daniel]

Crawling back out towards the Solent (Observing the speed limit and warming up engines)

[Daniel]

Mid Channel (Sorry to Jason who did not appreciate the splashing game i started!)

[Daniel]

Don't worry boys i can catch up (easily) but can i afford to??? (Was very impressed with consumption figured the 4-stroke boys were quoting whilst watching my flow-meter registering 30Li/Hr @ 4000 RPM at this point)