“Devocean” Maiden Voyage……….. and then some.

Well we took the plunge to upgrade before we get to old, found a suitable part ex deal on “Rebecca” and arranged to swap boats at 11 am on the Saturday, the first day of our fortnights Holiday. For this we had to travel from the South to North Broads. For those not familiar this involves navigating a notorious inland tidal lake, which dries out either side of deep-water channel some 4 miles long 1 mile wide with low bridges at the end to access the northern rivers. We, no, I decided that 0300 hrs would be the right time for low water (went down really well with crew). Visibility at that time would be poor mainly due to light contamination from Yarmouth town and asda so we set a GPS course by going over and back keeping to the starboard side of the channel both ways at 20.00 hrs. Mooring etc at the Berney Arms and setting off at 0300hrs this worked a treat staying between the lines set on GPS kept us in the deep water channel. Funny how red and green posts look the same colours in the dark! Catching up with sleep and waiting for incoming tide at Caister on the northern side of the bridges. We arrived at Horning at 11.15 just as our new acquisition was being put on the moorings after being polished, gaitered and re anoded (new stern drive gaiters fitted and new anodes etc, has relevance later) We set off back to the southern rivers promising never to go north in August again, Hire boat hell! Especially when you have just picked up a major investment and learning how to navigate with two engines. Guess we were as bad as the hire boats but we had more to lose.

Heading back to the low bridges with a quick tide and low water we caught the mud with the starboard prop’ I quickly turned to port and cut starboard engine, I am now travelling sideways in a narrow cut with boats coming towards me, following me and moored on my port bank! Somehow managed to complete the 180 degree turn and carried on astern for some 50 metres until clear to put in another 180 to end up facing the correct way just in time for the first bridge. Luck was on my side bewildered hire boaters confused as we travelled towards them going backwards was a sight I wish I had had time to savour.

Oh bliss, back to the south and on to Oulton Broad to meet up with friends, next day out of Lowestoft at 0630 to catch tides and miss forecasted high winds (possibly tail end of Gary’s American hurricane) set off for Harwich. Past Southwold and Sizewell power station, all fine until we get level with Orford Ness where the currents meet and the wind blew up to about force 6 gusting 7. Our friends in a Broom ocean 37(Royal Blue) were seen corkscrewing down the back of waves and then launching out through the next this was spectacular, you rarely see the whole side of a 37 foot hull from deck to keel.

Keeping a GPS course was difficult but so satisfying when the buoy used as a way point looms up towards you. Some 15 miles of this at 6 knots max then having crossed the shipping lanes at the 90 degrees specified we decided to get in to the nearest marina at Harwich so pulled in to Shotley Point (recommended)

Royal Blues fridge re installed (found in middle of cabin) launderette visited showered and refreshed we set off up to Ipswich with my personal pilot (Steve from “Cabriolet” who joined us for this stretch of the Orwell) under the Orwell Bridge and moored up in Ipswich Haven Marina for a couple of nights.

On to TitchMarsh Marina (Walton on the Naze) then on to the River Deben with its shifting sands entrance, we were given the latest co- ordinates at Titchmarsh, a couple of nights weather dodging at Tide mill (Woodbridge) then a proposed night on a Deben river buoy at Ramsholt, two thirds of the way back to the River entrance in readiness for an early start next morning. Bad move! We were now towing a tender, purchased from Titchmarsh and decided to pick up the buoy from the bathing platform, yes I know now but high bow and short-armed crew, seemed a good idea at the time. When the port engine stalled I realised the rope from the buoy was well wrapped round the prop. Now kneeling in dinghy with Stanley knife, out drive raised hacking at ropes when a voice from a guy stood next to me (yes 1/2 mile out in the middle of river dull raining 7 pm at night a little surprising )George the local warden guy in a broad Suffolk accent “arving problems?” He was a good help after his moaning stopped, then he just disappeared as he arrived in to the gloom. No apparent damage put some alcohol in to the crew and get ready for a meal at the pub.

In by dinghy to the pub (Ramsholt Arms) leaving an anchor light on, good tip as when you come out at midnight a little worse for wear with about 100 boats moored in the river yours is recognised as one of three with lights on. Another tip don’t switch the dinghy engine off until firm grip of boat, as the crew of Royal blue found as the current swept them from their boat panicking to restart the outboard, they never start easily in these situations! Now rowing against the current with four on board meant they stood still, Just.

Luckily other, new made friends came to their assistance and got them back as we were oblivious to it all (honest) until the morning as we had got onboard our boat.

Leaving the Deben at dawn and back up to Lowestoft in one hit to miss forecasted winds that did not show this time, (new friends went on to Wells on route to the Welland)

Lowestoft for a few nights then joined by Steve and Barbara with their new boat “Aquafylte” a trip to sea was organised, cruise down to a beach off Hessingland anchor up in the now glorious Sun for a couple of hours/beers then off up to Yarmouth for the 1600hrs bridge. Really flat sea and a fast trip up to Yarmouth rounded the holiday off nicely, Until after sitting on tick over awaiting Haven Bridge lift we eventually put the power on and veered to Port almost hitting bridge parapets. Port engine would rev like mad, starboard would not get above 2000 rpm limped embarrassed across Breydon water with other boats coming by me quickly, not a normal occurrence I now have some sympathy for slower/hire boats on this stretch. It will wear off.

On inspection at the first pub’ assuming the worst, engine knackered, blown turbo, we discovered a prop had come off. So it was in for a pint with the relieved feeling that only a simple bolt job and nothing serious. Glad we had two engines to crawl home on one. Well I made use of the club discount at Volspec ordered all the parts and we are now back cruising on two engines. I am still disputing the bill for the gaiters and anodes as the prop’s would have been removed/replaced at this time. Nothing to do with wrapping a buoy rope around it at Ramsholt I am sure.

We learnt a great deal on our Holiday had some good and not so good experiences can’t wait until next season.

Steve & Chris “Devocean”