The NOT The East Coast Three Men In A Boat Trip Report

DaveA · Post by **DaveA** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:16 pm

Well apparently Lincolnshire and anywhere North of The Orwell, doesn't count as East Coast unless we want to travel down to play there so here we go with the report from last weekend

For anyone not already aware, Sixpence has been plagued by engine problems from day two after her launch, and I am now on my fourth outboard, on loan from SandbanksSimon

Saturday
Well the day started off well, I managed to get out of bed

But after that it went downhill fast as the engine refused point blank to start

Sunday
Well SandbanksSimon answered my plea for help and arrived on his steed to sort out the engine, and after about six pulls it finally started, don't think engines like me

So we moved down to a concrete pontoon which is safer to get on and off the boat from, and MadMatt the SweatySockJock turned up for a ride

Wife turned up and we were off, with camera clicking all the way

Engine started for me this time, must have been frightened by SandbanksSimon

so we set off to test the engine before we can move onto tidal water, and three men in a boat wanted to do some scouting out for more moorings

MadMatt on the left, SandbanksSimon looking after the engine

all trying to decide where to go

well it's not exactly something we have a lot of choice about here

yours truly trying to look all professional

and dodging other river users was fun too

with spectators watching every move

and navigation hazards with no warning markers in sight

CoolShadesDave carried on trying to look, well, cool

the compulsory wake shot

and hatching plans for a BBQ soon

steak on the hoof

before finally reaching the end of navigation and found a new mooring for MadMatt

before heading for home

not much of a river, but at least I got to have a play

hope the story was worth reading

DaveA · Post by **DaveA** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 10:12 pm

And the other direction

For the second weekend in a row, I managed to get the outboard started and we went for a look at our last hurdle.

The river is much better now so although we still fouled up quite a few times we did have plenty of clear water too

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/ ... End002.jpg

Quite a few others out and about but surprisingly loads tied up and people cutting the lawn

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/ ... End005.jpg

But at least I got the chance to relax

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/ ... 7382_2.jpg

While Louise decided to see how fast we could go

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/ ... End016.jpg

Who said a Debutante 21 could only do 4kn ?

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/ ... End014.jpg

That was after she slowed down a bit too

But then we arrived at this

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/ ... 7379_5.jpg

Here you can see our last hurdle, and the source of so much frustration for us. The rain a short while ago caused the river level to rise so high that it's been impossible to get through the tunnel on the left due to the height clearance, and the exit has to be timed perfectly because the lock keeper can only open the lock at certain times because it opens up the river to the tidal Welland, which he can only do when the water level is the same both sides. We only just clear the height and width so when the water level is up it's impossible to get through.

So then it was time for the deck candy to pose as we headed for home again

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/ ... End011.jpg

Two hours to get there, two hours to get back, excluding the stop for a couple of pints of rather tasty Bombardier

bobholiday · Post by **bobholiday** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:22 pm

Hi Dave - ah, some nice days out on your lovely boat, excellent!

So what's the plan then next for Sixpence? You going to get a mooring somewhere where you can more easily access some sailing? Or stay on the canal?

DaveA · Post by **DaveA** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 2:09 pm

Hi Bob, one job for this week is to try and sort that out, but amazingly the lock keeper is apparently away on holiday

I have been given permission from the owner of one of the tidal moorings to stick her on there so we can sail straight out into the Wash, but definately no way do I want to stop here, it's just so restricting chugging up and down the river. Plus I would need a BSS and river licence and I don't see the point in either for a sea going boat. All good fun, but hopefully moving very soon, fingers crossed.