Mont St. Michel & Avranches estuary - Page 4

karlT · 24 December 2010, 18:17

I have my thermals ready, flask, supplies, neck gator and my gecko is getting an outing !!!

I have also packed the sunnies and hoping for a day like today, forecast is light NE

martini · 24 December 2010, 20:27

You want to stand next to me wearing a Gecko?

Kidding, anything that keeps the cold out is essential!

gotchiguy · 24 December 2010, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

You want to stand next to me wearing a Gecko?

I love mine - as you know

GJ0KYZ · 25 December 2010, 00:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

You want to stand next to me wearing a Gecko?

Kidding, anything that keeps the cold out is essential!

Won't it have to spend six months in quarantine after we come back?

Erin · 25 December 2010, 09:34

I didn't think Granville was on the passage plan? What happened?

martini · 25 December 2010, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

I didn't think Granville was on the passage plan? What happened?

Yep, the Mont St Michel Christmas Special didn't quite go to plan!

Left St. Helier at 07.15 in the dark, the first 15 mins weren't bad but once out of the lee of Jersey's south east the seas started to build with an F5 against the tide all the way down to Chausey. We passed east about Chausey, down past Granville after which the sea started to calm down slightly and MstM was visible through the early morning mist.

Unfortunately, once 3 or 4 nm SW of Granville, GJ0KYZ's Etec decided to do what Etec's do best

and throw a wobbler, went in to limp home citing lack of oil. Making very little headway against the tide, I took Archangel under tow back to Granville marina. Shortly before arrival normal service was resumed on the Etec but we decided to carry on in to Granville anyway for a bit of a break, stretch legs, bite to eat etc.

Took a walk up to the Coastguard watch tower then back to the boats and headed back out again for Jersey. It didn't take long for the sea to build again but we took it easy, 18-20 knots through most of it I think, the general consensus being that it was the hammering that Archangel was taking on the way out that caused the Etec to have a fit.

KarlT's the man with the photos, he'll be posting them up later tonight

Erin · 25 December 2010, 16:16

That's a pity. It seemed quite calm here, so I assumed you'd be having a fairly pleasant ride. Obviously not.

GJ0KYZ · 25 December 2010, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

That's a pity. It seemed quite calm here, so I assumed you'd be having a fairly pleasant ride. Obviously not.

It was rough most of the way, especially off Chausey. Yes, the E-Tec had one, big style today. A great pity really as we were only about 8 miles from MSt.M. Blo*dy disappointing all round actually. I don't know what caused the alarm to go off; it was rougher coming back for a while than going and the motor behaved itself all the way home. Maybe it didn't like working on Christmas day. I'm aching all over now and fell asleep for three hours this afternoon I was so knackered.

karlT · 26 December 2010, 09:09

As Matt and Paul have said, bit gutted we did not make it as we got so close.

An early start for xmas day, we did not bump into Santa.

The problems that arose led us to a sensible diversion to Granville for refreshments / appraisal. The morning was stunning apart from the sea state still being a little choppy in places mainly to the East of Chausey.

Sunrise over Granville on the way South

Mont St Michel appears like a Mirage over the Horizon through the morning mist and sunshine.

Fortunately we had both stopped when this pic was taken not just the Etec

Boat in tow for a couple of miles into Granville

Archangel arriving in Granville under her own power again.

A very pleasant stroll around Granville and upto the lighthouse and CG station

Our return trip

Chris · 26 December 2010, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

It was rough most of the way, especially off Chausey. Yes, the E-Tec had one, big style today. A great pity really as we were only about 8 miles from MSt.M. Blo*dy disappointing all round actually. I don't know what caused the alarm to go off; it was rougher coming back for a while than going and the motor behaved itself all the way home. Maybe it didn't like working on Christmas day. I'm aching all over now and fell asleep for three hours this afternoon I was so knackered.

Quote from owners manual...

IMPORTANT: When operating in conditions
under 32°F (0°C), Evinrude/Johnson XD100
oil must be used.

Not sure what the temperatures were when you were out yesterday or the time before however if you are not using XD100 all year round it might be worth running it whilst temps are so low.

BTW, you don't need a dealer to switch you over if you are set to the XD50 setting just chuck it in the oil tank.

gotchiguy · 27 December 2010, 00:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

BTW, you don't need a dealer to switch you over if you are set to the XD50 setting just chuck it in the oil tank.

Or, even better: use Blackpig (Pikey Dave)'s trick

GJ0KYZ · 27 December 2010, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Quote from owners manual...

IMPORTANT: When operating in conditions
under 32°F (0°C), Evinrude/Johnson XD100
oil must be used.

Not sure what the temperatures were when you were out yesterday or the time before however if you are not using XD100 all year round it might be worth running it whilst temps are so low.

BTW, you don't need a dealer to switch you over if you are set to the XD50 setting just chuck it in the oil tank.

I've only ever used XD100 unfortunately so that can't be the problem. Thanks for the tip though.

Chris · 27 December 2010, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

I've only ever used XD100 unfortunately so that can't be the problem. Thanks for the tip though.

Oh well at least you can rule that out...

If it happened immediately after a big jolt I guess that could point to a wiring fault or duff sensor.

I hope they sort it at the next service.

GJ0KYZ · 27 December 2010, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Oh well at least you can rule that out...

If it happened immediately after a big jolt I guess that could point to a wiring fault or duff sensor.

I hope they sort it at the next service.

Yes, I think that's what the problem was. Normally I wouldn't be that worried as it did sort itself after half an hour but at MSt.M time and tide wait for no man, woman, rib or E-Tec. The engine's still under guarantee so they can have a good look when doing the service.

GJ0KYZ · 10 January 2011, 18:34

Im off to MSt.M on Saturday 22 January. High tide is at 08:00 UTC with a height of 38ft (coefficient 105). I'll be staying in Granville the night before and returning to Granville Saturday night, coming back to Jersey on Sunday morning. If you'd like to join me either rendezvous 100m west of Tombelaine at 07:45 Saturday morning or come to Granville on the Friday. Of course, all this is wx and E-Tec permitting. Mrs GJ0KYZ may even be coming along (!).

martini · 19 January 2011, 19:43

Today would have been ideal, forecast says back up to F5 all weekend.

GJ0KYZ · 19 January 2011, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

Today would have been ideal, forecast says back up to F5 all weekend.

I know, it's a big bucket of suck. I'm not doing 80nm in a F5 again in a hurry. By the way, what the planned departure date for the Paris trip?

martini · 19 January 2011, 21:44

I think it's 22nd April I was looking at. I've started to write up some details on my site but I'm only part way through it. http://www.martini.je/_/Paris_22_04_2011.html

GJ0KYZ · 14 February 2011, 20:01

I'm going to try and get to Avranches again this Sunday on the morning tide. The plan is go to Granville Saturday evening and then leave at about 06:30 Sunday morning so as to arrive at the estuary at sunrise (07:10). This will leave 40 minutes to travel the six miles upstream to Avranches. I will not have any help this time as Ian the guide is unwell. The last time he kayaked the river it was very shallow but he thinks the tide on Sunday will probably be high enough to allow a realistic chance of success. I will have to stay the day in Avranches and return to Jersey early Monday; you can't get back down the river on the same tide. It will feel very exposed on my own so I was wondering if anyone else wanted to come along.

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/o...l/46035357.jpg

Erin · 14 February 2011, 20:19

I'm gonna be off island Saturday, otherwise I would have come with you.