Penarth Sat 29th April.

[keana]

Well got into the lock (carpark) at 10.00. Luckily I was first in and consequently first out. Followed by a long stream of boats I headed off into the channel until I realised I was heading uncontrollably towards the Outer Wrack Buoy. My steering cables had parted company with the helm. I was now wallowing in a heavy swell (heavy for my boat anyway) hitting my broadside with a wicked current trying its damnest to take me down channel as the stream of boats passed me on their way out to their days fishing leaving me cursing my luck again. I thought after getting my engine sorted that there was nothing else to go wrong. Steering problems never even entered my head. The first thing that went through my head as I realised my plight was the RNLI. Then a bit of rational thinking saw me hugging my outboard, turning it manually into the swell and then onwards back to the safety of the lock. Luckily I was able to sit on the transom seat and from there I could operate the throttle and turn the outboard to steer home. Bashed into the sides of the lock a few times but that was a small price to pay for getting back there. It was a bit scarey at times as I was on my own also. I looked skywards in the lock and this skipper chatted to me from his flybridge and asked me if I needed a tow across the bay. Nice of him to ask but I declined as the worst was now over.
Got the boat home eventually and fixed the steering in about 10 minutes. I thought the cables had snapped but in fact the union had just come unscrewed from behind the wheel. Of course this was all behind some bulkhead timber so I couldnt see it clearly whilst at sea. Had I known I probably could have headed off out into a calmer area of the chanel dropped anchor and fixed it. In hindsight I probably did the right thing....Phew.
I should be looking forward to next weekend now and getting some more bait together.........What more can go wrong?????

[BaggieRich]

At least you got back home safe and sound Andy.... That's got to be a small price to pay for a lack of fishing......

They say: "that which does not kill us, makes us stronger..."

But then a square kick in the groin wouldn't kill you and I'm not sure how that'd make you stronger exactly, so what do I know???

Anyway, like you say, there's always next time...

Cheers,

Rich.

[plugger]

glad to hear you got back safely keana, i know how you feell though having had a few teething problems when we first bought the boat, ie couldnt select reverse gear, oil light kept flashing. also what br kaptin cod was saying about being wet moored in cbyc having to row out to boat in windy conditions, first attempt my mate only moved to put oars in water and then fell in.all sortes now we have been given a berth so we also have a tender for sale.

anyway the main thing is your safety, good luck for the future.

plugger



peter

[keana]

lol.....These things are said to try us eh fellas?