Some of you may remember that a few months ago I went on a Squeaker experience in the Solent as a gift for my birthday - I put together a bit of a report with some pics but they wouldn't upload from my uni internet, so I've had to wait until now to post them!
Anyway, we (myself and Dad) turned up around 9:30am at Ocean Village, looked over the railings and saw our ride for the day:
The weather was somewhat overcast, with the odd half hour of bright sunshine here and there! Very windy though!
Making our way out of OV, skipper at the helm for this bit:
Once out of the marina, we do a bit of a blast up to where the Southampton boat show usually is:
Me at the wheel - there was about 7 of us and we all had a good turn each driving thorughout the day, I was worried we wouldn't get much of a drive but we did! (Excuse my scummy trainers):
We then turned and came back the way we came:
It did get a bit chilly and choppy, I couldn't feel my face at the end of it because it was so numb, but it just added to the experience!
Around lunchtime, we decided to head over to a marina and get off and have some lunch - too choppy to get to the Folly where we planned, and I forget the name of this place, it'll come to me at some point...
Sun shining, we enetered the marina:
Parked up in the marina - the skipper did an excellent job and got us into a very tight berth!:
We went to lunch at a place called The Bugle or something like that, the burger was great, we were given our own room upstairs and the meal was very good.
After that, we left the marina and performed a variety of turns and doughnuts out in the open, great fun!
I was trying to mow down a few raggies, unfortunately the skipper told me it was poor boating etiquette and our boat would get damaged. To compensate, I launched the boat at full throttle and washed all aboard the yot into the drink with the wash. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Finally, we returned to OV, the skipper once again executed a parking job that was tighter than a camel's arse in a sandstorm - we then said our goodbyes and left! The day finished at around 5pm.
I had an absolutely brilliant time, and would definitely recommend the guys at SunseekerExperience.co.uk for a fun day out!
Hope you enjoyed the pics!
Chris
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"It's not that I think I'm better than you, it's just I'm a bit cleverer than you need to be to work here."
375, I think. We were rafted up in Yarmouth last weekend...
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The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, and is not preceded by a period of worry and doubt.
<span style="color:blue"> Nereid Charter
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Well, not very comfortable apparently, it was either an F7 or an F8 according to VHF weather forecast, plus it was raining in that direction - I realise my summary of events is actually naff [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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"It's not that I think I'm better than you, it's just I'm a bit cleverer than you need to be to work here."
What a fab day - the great thing about this kind of set up is that you go out in much more marginal conditions than if it were your own boat...
a) Cos you paid for the day and
b) Cos somebody is paying you for the day
With your own boat after a few years you tend to only venture out when the conditions are 'perfect' and forget that you can have as much, if not more fun when it's a bit blowy.
Oh, and I think I'm falling in leeerve with Sunseekers - anybody wanna swap one for a Princess?
Ideally a Superhawk 34..... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Nice report. My first Sunseeker experience was doing a Round Ireland trip in a Manhattan 52 a few weeks back - it was amazing [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
I was fortunate enough to have a Sunseeker experience recently with Roy (the owner) as skipper.
The 1st Crew (Acer - strange name / but very funny/helpful guy) did everything he could to make the experience run smoothly as well as point out some of the local attractions.
As with the previous posts it was a fantastic day with plenty of opportunity to enjoy the thrill and exhilaration of taking a turn at the wheel.
The experience was bought for me as a birthday gift (from ebay I believe?), as was worth every penny - such a great day!!!!!
I would recommend to anyone wanting to experience the thrill of driving a power boat and plan to go again next year - have not come across anyone else offering the same package for such good value.
A friend of mine in the marina sent me link to this forum and its brilliant to see/hear such great positive responses to my company abk Charters which runs the brand sunseekerexperience.co.uk.
Just a couple of points I would like to pick up on.
1) The main story/pics was the first Sunseeker Experience we did this season (2009) and Paul was skippering this day and I was 1st crew, both Paul and I had been watching the weather closely for a few days due to forecasts, but decided to go ahead due to Southampton Water being completely calm, as we went out towards the Solent we could see a wall of waves and lots of rain, we ventured up closer and decided the conditions were what we call boat breaking conditions and would give the passengers a proper Sunseeker Experience and one that they would never forget (ie Thrown around the boat and get soaked through to the skin).
This was the only time this whole season we didn't make it across (so far anyway).
2) Thank you for the pictures Chris, Im glad you had a great day.
3) Anyone else who has been out with us this season would have had me as the Skipper and Asa as 1st crew as this has been the format since that day, I have met many great people whilst doing it and all seem to be having a great time, but on that note feedback to me as the owner of the boat and the business is always necessary.
4) The format has hanged a little this season (that first charter and 2 others were carried over from last season on the old format) due to high demand (and I cant afford to buy another Sunseeker) this season we are missing the lunch bit and just going for the boating which we have done many now and it seems to be working out just fine with all concerned, they are mostly on Saturdays and I will Skipper all.
5) Now for the Harry Enfield bit, Chris, Im guessing you are referring to Paul on this, if so i will forward him the link, if your referring to me then I wont! Just to get things straight - Paul is at the helm in the interior cockpit picture and Im to the side of him (the short arse)!!
A friend of mine in the marina sent me link to this forum and its brilliant to see/hear such great positive responses to my company abk Charters which runs the brand sunseekerexperience.co.uk.
Just a couple of points I would like to pick up on.
1) The main story/pics was the first Sunseeker Experience we did this season (2009) and Paul was skippering this day and I was 1st crew, both Paul and I had been watching the weather closely for a few days due to forecasts, but decided to go ahead due to Southampton Water being completely calm, as we went out towards the Solent we could see a wall of waves and lots of rain, we ventured up closer and decided the conditions were what we call boat breaking conditions and would give the passengers a proper Sunseeker Experience and one that they would never forget (ie Thrown around the boat and get soaked through to the skin).
This was the only time this whole season we didn't make it across (so far anyway).
2) Thank you for the pictures Chris, Im glad you had a great day.
3) Anyone else who has been out with us this season would have had me as the Skipper and Asa as 1st crew as this has been the format since that day, I have met many great people whilst doing it and all seem to be having a great time, but on that note feedback to me as the owner of the boat and the business is always necessary.
4) The format has hanged a little this season (that first charter and 2 others were carried over from last season on the old format) due to high demand (and I cant afford to buy another Sunseeker) this season we are missing the lunch bit and just going for the boating which we have done many now and it seems to be working out just fine with all concerned, they are mostly on Saturdays and I will Skipper all.
5) Now for the Harry Enfield bit, Chris, Im guessing you are referring to Paul on this, if so i will forward him the link, if your referring to me then I wont! Just to get things straight - Paul is at the helm in the interior cockpit picture and Im to the side of him (the short arse)!!
Just to finish off - anyone on this thread (and future readers) can have a special price of just £140 if you mention the Harry comment I will know you have been here, just call me in the office in office hours on 0845 000 5566, ask for Roy.
Thanks for reading
Roy (Owner)
You may want to add a (6) surely this was joke?? I am sure it is, however, if this is your business, you may wish to clear the point
"I was trying to mow down a few raggies, unfortunately the skipper told me it was poor boating etiquette and our boat would get damaged. To compensate, I launched the boat at full throttle and washed all aboard the yot into the drink with the wash".
You may want to add a (6) surely this was joke?? I am sure it is, however, if this is your business, you may wish to clear the point
"I was trying to mow down a few raggies, unfortunately the skipper told me it was poor boating etiquette and our boat would get damaged. To compensate, I launched the boat at full throttle and washed all aboard the yot into the drink with the wash".
It was the person who wrote original the review that wrote this, not the chap who's boat it was.
And I think that most of us can manage to figure out for ourselves that this was just a joke...
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Ari
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If a man speaks in a forest, and there is no woman to hear him, is he still wrong..?
Sorry Tidnock, I was going to mention this point but thought it went without saying!
What was said could not of happened due to the fact when experience clients are onboard we only venture into very save and clear waters when they are at the helm, therefore all wash will be well clear of all boaters be it power or sail.
Just to add my views on this-
I have never had a crossed word with a single sailor in all the time I have been boating, in fact just the opposite, I would love to have a go at sailing! so if any sailor is thinking of going over to power (which they do sometimes) and want a go in exchange for taking me out for a days sailing then bring it on.
You may want to add a (6) surely this was joke?? I am sure it is, however, if this is your business, you may wish to clear the point
"I was trying to mow down a few raggies, unfortunately the skipper told me it was poor boating etiquette and our boat would get damaged. To compensate, I launched the boat at full throttle and washed all aboard the yot into the drink with the wash".
Haha, wow, didn't think anyone would be daft enough to think I was being serious when I said that.
Anyway, back to the point, really enjoyed the day, sorry if I got any details wrong about where we were, I'm always rubbish with that (I hold my hands up and admit to being a boater who has floated around in the same area of St Tropez bay for the last few years), my navigation skills haven't really been necessary for that, luckily!
Apologies to Harry, ahem, I mean Paul - I did say what an excellent skipper he was though, which is very true!
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"It's not that I think I'm better than you, it's just I'm a bit cleverer than you need to be to work here."
My Sunseeker Experience! (lotsa pics)
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