Tag Archives: Fleming 55

Living aboard Play d'eau

The ensign is lowered

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Soon after we left Beaucette, the sun peeked over the horizon to begin her ascent into the heavens
On parole from COVID

In late June 2021, we cast off from our berth in Beaucette marina, negotiated the narrow exit, turned north through the Doyle Passage and headed for the UK. Why? Guernsey’s local COVID restrictions had been sufficiently relaxed enabling us to visit our sons and their families after almost two years.

It felt as though we were on COVID parole and if we didn’t behave ourselves we’d be back in the naughty corner of lockdown.

Hmmm – what of our Boating future?

You know, driving in the UK is so different. It’s rush, rush, and rush some more, as if the sky’s about to fall down. As we drove to Devon to visit one of our sons and his family, we realised the distance was 25 times the length of Guernsey!

On the plus side, these distances gave Lin and I an unusual amount of time to talk. So we did.

Strangely, we found we were grateful to COVID. On the one hand, it had forced us into house arrest, but on the other, it allowed us to enjoy and work on our gorgeous gardens which were in their full summer gloriousness – something we wouldn’t be able to do if we were away on our usual two to three months’ cruising on Play d’eau. Conundrum?

A few moments later, the sun displayed all her wonderous glory

And then our children and grandchildren began asking if they could come over in the summer. Was Play d’eau about to become a stumbling block rather than an exciting escape?

Memories

We began reliving the many magnificent journeys we’d had on Play d’eau. The inland waterways of Holland; the UK’s south coast; the Isles of Scilly; the Channel Islands; the Normandy coast; Brittany and best of all, around the Brest peninsula and south past the Isles de Glenan and further south to La Rochelle and Rochefort. On our own, with family, with friends.

So many highlights, some of which we’ve written about in Play d’eau’s history of this website.

Making the decision

The more we talked, the more it began to dawn on us that we needed to start a new chapter in our book of life. After a great six weeks spread amongst all members our family, we returned to Guernsey where the conundrum became a fact and we made the decision, albeit agonising, to sell our beloved Play d’eau.

Lowering her ensign

The ensign is lowered
Her ensign is lowered
A month later, Piers cruised her back to Swanwick Marina, to leave her in the hands on David Miles of Fleming Yachts Europe Ltd until she found her new owner.

Piers crew, Richard Poat, insisted on taking the helm seat whether on the FB or in the PH. Richard had crewed on our maiden trip in 2003 and was now on her final trip, in effect bookending our Play d’eau history.

After 18 years of ownership, we arrived in Swanwick. That evening, it was with a really heavy heart that Richard and I lowered her Guernsey ensign, for the last time.

Piers and Lin
from the Pilot House of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55
(click on the photos below to enlarge)

Click here for a slideshow, or click on a pic and arrow left/right

Cruising

Where did the last two and a half years go?

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Oh my! Even with COVID bursting over all of us with its indiscriminate attacks, it feels as though Lin and I haven’t stopped for a moment. So what’s been going on?

We bought a house!

La Porte with its adjacent barn
click to enlarge
Someone we knew asked if we’d like to see his house which was up for sale. The agent took us to see the centuries old granite farm house. Yes, it was lovely but not ‘us’. Listening to our comments, the agent suggested another, even though we’d made it clear we weren’t looking. We agreed.

The next morning, we drove into the driveway and to say we were taken aback would be an understatement. We walked the grounds and even before we were shown into the house, we knew it was ours. Within a month, we owned La Porte, an 1890, five bedroom Victorian house with its separate barn.

Our children said, ‘But Dad, at your age you need to downsize.’ Thank you so much for that comment I thought, whilst responding, ‘We have. We’ve downsized from six to five bedrooms, and 2 acres to one and a half…’

Having sold all our furniture when we left the UK and lived on our boat for 6 years, we had to start from scratch which we did with great excitement, as well as organising some building works and tending the gardens. Hey ho!

What of Play d’eau?

Play d’eau at anchor in Shell Bay, Herm
click to enlarge
Thankfully, COVID barely scraped an effect in Guernsey. With the island’s drawbridge firmly up and the portcullis heavily down, the island isolated itself. With no boating allowed our annual cruising plans were out but on the other hand we had now had time to work on both La Porte and Play d’eau. Win, win, although we sorely missed the cruising.

For Play d’eau, we set about a mini refit:

  • A new battery voltage panel was created, detailing the state of each battery and battery bank
  • A main engine alternator paralleling system was installed to double the battery charging capability
  • New flybridge covers were made for the helm seat, console, hatchway and dinghy
  • New mesh covers were fitted for the pilot house windscreens and side doors
  • A Plastimo Transocean liferaft with hydrostatic release replaced the old Zodiac
  • The 220v LEDs on the DC and AC Services panels were replaced with 240v – all 89 of them
  • The main engine sea-cocks were replaced with far superior bronze Groco
  • Two additional cleats were installed by the aft fair leads
  • The two lifebelts and lights were replaced and sign written
  • New matching carpets were added for the guest cabins
  • The shafts were pulled and all four cutlass bearings replaced
  • GFO (Gortex) was used to re-pack the stern glands
  • The davit (crane) was removed to be re-powder coated and have new stainless gas springs fitted
  • We had the trim tabs reinforced
  • A Doppler transducer for speed and depth was added
  • The cap rails re-sealed
  • The external fresh and sea-water taps were refurbished
  • Pressure gauges were fitted to the main engine Racor filters
  • New plexi-glass was fitted to the main cabin hatches
  • We bought a superior Dock-side Dockpure filter system for filling the fresh water supply

…plus many more small changes made to bring her to a full and sparkling spec, ready for cruising the gorgeous west coast of France in 2022.

What of La Porte?

With furniture bought, paintings hung and most of our long and short term storage units empty, work started on many refurbishment and building projects likely to take us to the end of 2022.

As Lin says, ‘Piers likes a project’, to which I reply, ‘Only one?’

Meanwhile

We can’t wait to see the children, grandchildren, and our sisters in the UK. Let’s see what happens.

Servicing / Technical / Nav

Upgrades for 2019

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Play d'eau's new carpet
Play d’eau’s new (almost white!) carpet
click to enlarge
We started planning this year’s upgrades by having new carpets in December 2018, ready for Christmas.

New carpets

After 16 years of sterling service the backing of our brown saloon and companionway carpets was sad and disintegrating.

Due to a broken arm, the original carpet supplier was out of action (how thoughtless was that?) and we couldn’t find anyone in Guernsey with the equipment to whip carpet edges.

But all was not lost. Turning to trusty Google, we found Marine Boat Carpets and entered into long and encouraging discussions with boat carpet maker Toby Butlin. On the appointed date, I was at the airport to meet him and after a fortifying coffee and Jammy Dodger, the choice of an almost white, 80% woollen carpet was made, and Toby painstakingly began creating templates.

The plan was for Toby to make the carpet and send it to us. ‘What about fitting?’ I asked. ‘Just unroll it. It’ll fit, but if it’s not as you want, I’ll come straight back.’

Play d'eau's old carpet
Play d’eau’s old (brown) carpet
click to enlarge
In time for Christmas, we carried our material prize to Play d’eau, and as Toby had instructed, we rolled it out. Perfection! A bonus? With the off-cut, Toby had made a fitted carpet for the engine room…

By the way, we really aren’t paranoid about marking the new carpet. Really. No. Not in the least…

Electrics

The electrics upgrades to happen from March onwards, include,

  • Wiring the ability to parallel both alternators whilst underway to charge both 24v battery banks, using an automatic charging relay
  • Adding 2 voltmeters to monitor both 24v battery banks above the existing 12v battery panel
  • Potentially, replacing the existing transducer with an Airmar UDST800 Doppler speed and depth transducer
The existing 12v battery panel
click to enlarge
The ‘usual’ Marine and General annual hoist

And then in April, Play d’eau will be lifted at Marine and General for her annual spa and flattery treatments. The works list includes:

  • Power wash and clean below the waterline
  • Clean and polish the running gear, trim tabs and props
  • Anti-foul with Teamac
  • Instal a replacement sea-cock for the port engine
  • Refurbish all sea-strainers

Plus, completing the works to remove the last traces of the second time she was covered in iron filings.

Whilst chocked ashore, Lin and I will replace all 26 anodes and work on the engines and generators to ensure all is ready for the new season.

Piers and Lin
from the Planning Office of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Servicing / Technical / Nav

Out with the old, in with the new

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The loop splice of our new rope
click to enlarge

We’d suffered the most horrendous effects of a NNE storm whilst moored in St Peter Port’s Victoria marina in October 2018.

It had taken 11 of our 18mm multiplait ropes to hold Play d’eau but seeing the immense strain they’d suffered, we knew they should be replaced. But this time, they’d be bigger and tougher.

PLAM HT Popeye Double Braid

With advice from members of the YBW Motor Boat forum, I approached the Italian company PLAM for their High Tenacity Popeye Polyester Double Braid.

After discussion and much measuring, I ordered 6 new 26mm warps. 4 x 7m and 2 x 9m, each with spliced loops and tails.

26mm would have an approximate breaking strain of 14.6 tonnes.

Result?

Ah, what can I say? they arrived courtesy of FedEx and they’re just beautiful. the braid is lovely and the splicing just perfect. So much so that it’s almost a shame to use them.

But, needs must, so they’re in full use, and drawing many admiring comments.

We protect them from chafing using Chafe Pros.

What about the old warps?

The end splice of our new rope
click to enlarge
Good question. We can’t bring ourselves to throw them out so they’re all in the lazarette in a large and overflowing box until we can decide.

Maybe we’ll choose the best and have them for light mooring use. The rest? Maybe cut out the worn bits and use the remainder for short breast warps or similar. We’ll see.

Piers and Lin
from the overflowing warp locker of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Servicing / Technical / Nav

Clean water, please

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Our new Dockside Filter
click to enlarge
We’d become irritated with having to change Play d’eau’s costly onboard 2 micron water filter every few months. The removed blackened filters showed just how dirty local water supplies were, wherever we happened to fill the 1,150 litre water tanks.

Lightbulb moment

Whilst waiting for the tide in St Peter Port late last year, a Nordhavn 60 moored in front of us. ‘We need to fill with water,’ the Skipper announced as I admired his boat.

One of his crew appeared carrying a filter arrangement. Being nosy I was told, ‘We use this to pre-filter the water we take on board, making sure it’s clean before it reaches the tanks.’ Now why hadn’t I thought of doing that? Hindsight is great, isn’t it?

The solution

Finding the Dockside Pre-Filter on the ASAP Supplies website, I had one in my hands within a few days. Its 3 micron filter would certainly do the job, and the best part was that back-flushing cleans the filter so its life should be really long.

There’s always a ‘but’

Herm Seaway comes to the rescue to make new fittings
click to enlarge
The problem was the fittings. They were not standard UK. However, Herm Seaway came to the rescue, again, and machined two brass connectors so standard hose fittings would fit. How perfect is that?

Is the Onboard filter still needed?

Good question, to which the answer is ‘yes’. Why? As well as filtering to 2 micron, its carbon content removes chlorine and any nasty tastes and smells which might lurk in local water supplies.

All water on Play d’eau now comes through the Dockside Filter as well as the onboard carbon filter.

Result

The great news is that we haven’t had to change the on board filter in over 3 months, and there’s no sign of it becoming dirty. And as far as the Dockside Filter is concerned, we give it a quick backwash each time we fill.

Job done.

Piers and Lin
From the water purification department of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Living aboard Play d'eau

A child is born

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Our new Grandson in Lin’s arms
click to enlarge
At Christmas, what could be a better present than a new addition to the family?

Unto us a grandson is born

Our son Toby and his wife Amy, having married in April 2014, have given birth to their firstborn, a beautiful grandson for us, just in time for Christmas.

Weighing in at a fine 3.94 kgs, he was back home within a few days to his newly decorated nursery.

Other members of the family

Nugget and Twiglet, Toby and Amy’s two minatiure daschunds, have a ‘brother’.

A Happy Christmas indeed

What a brilliant way to celebrate Christmas. Unto us a (grand) child is born!

Nugget looks at the new family member
click to enlarge
So Lin and I are now responsible for four sons, and between them and their wives, five gorgeous grandchildren. Wow.

Congratulations to Toby and Amy!

Happy days.

Piers and Lin
Proud parents and grandparents
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Servicing / Technical / Nav

Diesel

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Rubis refuelling at St Sampsons by tanker
click to enlarge
I have always been fastidious in ensuring Play d’eau’s diesel comes from a known source and kept well dosed with anti-diesel bug treatments.

Is all diesel the same?

No. An emphatic no. Diesel has changed and continues to change as further laws are introduced.

Bio-diesel, with its damaging water content, is now commonplace. Sulphur content is being altered and current legistlation is set to make boating diesel less and less marine engine friendly.

What precautions do we take?

Diesel bug – we dose our fuel within 24 hours of taking a fresh delivery, plus a full dose in November and March, each year, currently using Grotomar 82.

Water – as well as checking the Racor water separators as part of our pre-departure routine, we check the sumps of each fuel tank for water, bi-annually.

Why?

Simple. Bio-diesel increases the likelyhood of diesel bug, thereby clogging filters and stopping engines, and normally at the most inconvenient time such as in an emotional sea when the fuel in your tanks is being stirred up.

Bio-diesel and higher sulphur cotent can both lead to damaged injectors and seals.

Effect on power

Furthermore, a side effect of a high sulphur content is a decrease in cetane meaning a lesser power output for your fuel. In coloquial terms, less bang for your buck.

Conclusion?

Using bio-free and low sulphur content diesel will keep your heart rate down, and your wallet more secure.

Enter Rubis (Channel Islands)

Now I can’t help it. A plug for Rubis in Guernsey and its own Rubis page on our website.

Living in Guernsey, I wanted a reliable source of fuel. Having spoken with Rubis, I was guaranteed that all their diesel was bio-free as well as being ultra-low sulphur. Seeing the quantites they turn over, the source would be clean. All in all, thumbs up all round.

Cost

And the bonus is that Rubis diesel taken by tanker at St Sampsons (minimium delivery 300 ltrs) is the least expensive in the Channel Islands. Even nmore thumbs up!

A page for Rubis and their special offers

It’s not often I feel I want to shout about something, but in this case I will. Hence, a dedicated page on our website for Rubis – which includes a link for their special offers.

Put them to the test

Test them out – call (+44 (0) 1481 200 800) and ask.

Piers
from the clean fuel tanks of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Cruising

Return to Carentan

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Carentan marina
click to enlarge
After 21 years we’re back in Carentan on the Normandy coast. I was first here with the MBM Cruise in Company fleet in the mid-1970s (can anyone remember those days?) and then with the family in 1997.

But seeing the mile long yet narrow marina now, I just wonder if it’s become a forgotten destination?

Fat, rolly, polly seals

The 8 mile approach from the fairway buoy through the estuary and along the river is just gorgeous. Hundreds of fat seals basking on the beach and flock after flock of birds flying up from the wetlands. Approaching the end of the river you see the lock which opens HW-2 to HW+3.

And here’s the ‘but’. After 21 years the marina doesn’t seem to have changed. Same old bouncy pontoons mostly covered in gull and duck pooh, same old 5A power supply in lichen blackened boxes, looking dowdy and unkept.

Yes, there’s a new-ish Capitainerie and shower block (water is somewhat tepid) and a Brasserie but it’s shut for the summer hols. A number of boats seem to have been left to die, covered in green and unloved.

So many unloved and dying boats
click to enlarge

Far from the madding crowd

What is so, so lovely, is the peace and tranquility. Just perfect for being and unwinding. Apart from Play d’eau, there are no visiting boats and no-one working on their boats. It’s as though it’s a ghost marina.

Walking into the small town with its large 12c church. Again, it’s so quiet. So few people around. Some modern buildings have been shouldered in amongst the old, architecturally more beautiful buildings, many of them shut down and up for sale. From what we’ve seen, there are hairdressers, opticians, pharmacies, clothing shops, but only one small supermarket, two boulangeries (the third is up for sale), one butcher and one ironmonger.

On the other hand, there’s a new indoor swimming pool complex and a separate small sports centre, but neither seem really used – good use of EU money?

Duck a l’orange?

As I’ve said, what we love about the marina is the peace. It’s so, so quiet. No visitors. Only dozens of really vociferous ducks. What if we fed them with oranges? Would they be marinaded ready for the pot?

So quiet and tranquil
click to enlarge

Having met our Carentan goal we’re undecided on ‘where next?’

Maybe we’ll head back around the Cherbourg peninsula to the north coast of Brittany which we love.

Piers and Lin
from the Saloon of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Servicing / Technical / Nav

Oh no! to Elation

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The split fitting which connected the galley tap to the ship’s pressurised cold water supply
click to enlarge
‘We have a leak – a big leak,’ I shouted to Lin.

What the…?

I’d reached into the cabinet under the galley sink for a bottle of Fairy liquid (yes, I really was about to do the washing up) but all I felt was wet. A lot of very wet, wetness.

Quickly looking inside with a torch, there was the culprit (hiding behind the Fairy liquid). A brass fitting was dripping to the point of a constant flow as well as spraying a fine mist courtesy of Play d’eau’s 80psi pressurised cold water supply.

With the water pump isolated and the heads’ taps open to bleed the pressure, I began removing the cupboard contents. Plastic containers were brimming with water, rags were sodden and sponges were dripping. Puddles of water were seeping underneath the cupboard flooring.

How long had this been going on? What was the damage?

Exactly what had failed?

Having mopped up most of the water, I turned to the culprit. On removal, it was obvious. The smaller of the two threads to which the galley tap’s flexible hose connected, had split. Hence the dripping and hence the spray.

But what were the threads? The larger was obvious, but the smaller looked odd. Really odd. Not even our fount of all plumbing knowledge, Richard Poat, knew.

Herm Seaway to the rescue

Out with the old, in with the new
click to enlarge
‘Try Herm Seaway,’ said Richard. ‘They can make anything in metal.’

Showing the brass fitting to Colin, Herm Seaway’s machinist, it was the smaller thread which baffled him. ‘There’s little I’ve not seen over the years but I’ve never seen this before. It’s certainly non-standard.’ ‘But can you make one for me?’ I asked cautiously, almost dreading the answer.

‘It will have to be turned especially out of a block of brass, but yes, I can do it.’ ‘How long with it take?’ I queried, thinking we’d be without water in the galley for days and days. ‘Erm, well, let me see. About an hour.’ Really? Wow.

I’d only just turned into the marina when my phone rang. ‘It’s ready, when can you collect it?’

Is that service, or is that service? Astonishing.

Clean and dry and working

Having cleaned the mess, checked for damage (there wasn’t any) and blow dried everything using a really powerful fan to reach the parts arms and rags cannot reach, Richard installed the new fitting. It had been made to perfection.

With the water pump fired up, pressure built. Was it leaking? Any signs of water?

No, all bone dry. Thank you Colin of Herm Seaway and Richard (plumber supremo).

Piers
with head under the galley sink
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

Living aboard Play d'eau

It’s Christmas!

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Play d’eau follows the bright star…
(photo courtesy Kim Hollamby)
click to enlarge

Happy Christmas, everyone!

May we immediately assure everyone that our radio silence for the last two years has not been because we’ve finally navigated to the great marina in the sky.

No. With considerable quantities of fuel left in life’s tanks, we’ve loved many months in the magnificent country of South Africa, spent time with family and dear friends, cruised the west coast of France (again), remedied some difficult faults on Play d’eau, and, and, and….

I mean, they say that when you retire you become more busy than ever and we can attest this to be absolutely true.

Now it’s Christmas 2017

So after such a long period of silence, the keys of my new laptop have started clattering away as I renew friendship with our website. Hence, we take this opportunity to trust you will all have a magnificent Christmas and an exciting New Year.

The Reason for the Season

As we know, the reason for the season is Jesus. Hallelujah indeed!

2018

Whilst we contemplate 2018 and make plans, one of our New Year’s resolutions is to keep the website up to date. So we thank you for your patience and ask you to keep a listening watch on this channel.

On a personal note

Whilst thinking of the reason for the season, Lin and I especially thank Him for the recent miraculous healing of a dear friend of ours. And we mean miraculous. Reality is reality.

Happy Christmas!

Piers
from the Pilot House of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55