Ramsgate to Southampton - Saturday 31 March 2007

benc · 28 March 2007, 15:24

Just wondering if anyone is out and about this weekend, anywhere between Ramsgate and Southampton ?

If all goes to plan, I am bringing a 30ft cruiser back from Ramsgate, should be fun providing the weather holds out. Currently the forecasts are estimating a 14mph wind... which is manageable - would prefer it to be like today though, seems to be no wind at all looking out of the window at the office in warsash!

Pete7 · 28 March 2007, 18:15

Should be a great trip, if the boat hasn't moved at sea for a while, pick up some spare fuel filters and belts on your way.

Bon voyage,

Pete

benc · 28 March 2007, 18:18

Going to get those on saturday morning, checking all oil/water levels etc too.

Hopefully going to take laptop with me, and update the thread as I go

Then worst case, later it can be retitled to "How not to drive a power boat"

:P

Pete7 · 28 March 2007, 18:45

Great idea, fit a webcam and we can all watch

. Nothing like having 2000 of your contemporaries watching you moor a completely strange boat for the first time.

Boat looks superb, are you going to post a piccy otherwise everyone will wonder who is that waving at us

Why is everyone buying gin Palaces?

Pete

The Jackeens · 28 March 2007, 18:45

It's looking a little blowy but it might change Ben. We'll be out at some stage if the resident yottie is not too tired!

Look forward to your report!

Kathleen & Paul

benc · 28 March 2007, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Great idea, fit a webcam and we can all watch

. Nothing like having 2000 of your contemporaries watching you moor a completely strange boat for the first time.

Maybe not pics!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Boat looks superb, are you going to post a piccy otherwise everyone will wonder who is that waving at us

Picture attached!

benc · 28 March 2007, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

It's looking a little blowy but it might change Ben. We'll be out at some stage if the resident yottie is not too tired!

Look forward to your report!

Kathleen & Paul

Yeah, I have been checking metcheck for the last week or so, seems its gonna be 15-20mph winds - not ideal - but manageable - its annoying, the weather has been soooo nice the last few days

SDGANDER · 28 March 2007, 21:40

Those winds are nothing to worry about in a 30ft boat... might be idea to try and plan to be going through the Beachy Head overfalls and/or the Looe Channel to avoid wind over tide thou if you want a smooth(er) trip.

SDG.

Pete7 · 29 March 2007, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by benc

Yeah, I have been checking metcheck for the last week or so, seems its gonna be 15-20mph winds - not ideal - but manageable - its annoying, the weather has been soooo nice the last few days

Ben using the wind speed to judge sea conditions isn't ideal. For example a F5 from the South West (prevailing weather for Southern England) would produce quite a nasty head sea (due to the long fetch of the waves) for you during the second half of the voyage and would slow you right down. On the other hand an F5 from the North would be completely different. With little fetch because you are hugging the coast, would produce a good sea state again for the second half of the voyage. So if its okay out of Ramsgate and the wind maintains NNE you should have a good trip. I think the key though is to look at those channel bouys and see what conditions they are giving in real time when you are about to leave.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/b...elbuoy#results

and

http://www.channelcoast.org/data_man...ink=waves.html

Pete

Jon Brooks · 29 March 2007, 10:26

Ben

When you arriving in sunny Ramsgate then?

Cheers

Jon

benc · 29 March 2007, 11:21

Hey Jon,

Will be getting their sometime tomorrow afternoon!

No idea where we are staying yet! Will find out more later.

Ben

Jon Brooks · 29 March 2007, 14:29

Might see you down the harbour then!

All the best

benc · 29 March 2007, 17:56

Will look out for you!

ozz · 30 March 2007, 10:30

Hi Benc,
I am doing this in reverse over easter, going from Southampton to Ramsgate and then into London on the Easter Fri/Sat.

Let me know if you have any tips! (like praying for the wind to be from the West or NW)

Cheers

Ozz

benc · 01 April 2007, 22:08

Wind has been too bad to make the journey over the last couple of days, so still havent left ramsgate yet. Possibly tomorrow, but will have to wait for the weather in the morning.

benc · 02 April 2007, 19:26

Decided not to make the journey, weather didnt ease up, pretty much a 5-6 constantly over the last few days. Sea state was 2-3 meters too.

Didnt see many other boats going out at all, so that helps to numb the disappointment of not making the journey back now.

Have decided to bring the boat back to the solent by road now. Should be back and launched by the weekend, so hope to be out this weekend.

Alex Brown · 02 April 2007, 23:15

Gaffa tape a 1ft diameter tube all the way round the hull and you'll be fine

-Alex