Topic: chichester canal run 30 / 12 /12 (Read 13082 times)

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #25 on:** January 09, 2013, 06:44:09 pm »

This part of the canal is very pretty. All overhanging trees and niceness

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #26 on:** January 09, 2013, 06:48:48 pm »

Coming up was the next turn, the canal heads south after we pass a barge on the east side of the canal. This also marks the point at which our windward tree cover ends and the howling 25 knot winds, which we could hear through the trees up till now, would become an issue at water level. Combine that with low batteries on one or two of the models, and trouble could be expected up ahead....

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #27 on:** January 09, 2013, 06:52:22 pm »

The little fast electric finally succumbed to a flat battery. Not bad considering we were over a mile from the basin and the model had been zinging around for 20 minutes before we left the basin. Turns out it was fitted with a 5000mAh 7.2v battery and a lightly wound 540 motor, no wonder it did so well.

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #28 on:** January 09, 2013, 06:57:32 pm »

Then the wind started to interfere with our little trip. The Springer was running low on juice when a gust blew it 30' across the canal in a matter of seconds. Square on to the opposite bank. A radio call went out to our rescue boat, who turned around and paddled back. He was well ahead of us slow coaches by then. Canopus was also struggling in the wind, you can see how much wind is whipping around the bow and stern of the model, pushing it perilously close to trees on the opposite bank.

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #29 on:** January 09, 2013, 06:59:59 pm »

But whats this ( my best 1960s Batman voice over there! ). Towing behind the rescue boat, HMS Blazer. Apparently Phil could tell when the battery was flat, as the lights went out every time he throttled up...

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #30 on:** January 09, 2013, 07:06:05 pm »

We had reached the half way point. I towed the Springer up to the turn point before handing it over to the owner to change batteries. We didn't quite make it to the bridge as four anglers had set up shop at our rest point, and we didn't want to disturb the fish

.
Time for a pit stop, battery change, pump put of water or pee in the bushes, before proceeding back to the basin.

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #31 on:** January 09, 2013, 07:12:08 pm »

Canopus now had a little passenger on board, while the canoe did not. So Canopus bade us fairwell and throttled up, heading for Chichester. I hung back to take some photos, and to give me the opportunity to open up the throttle on the CHANT, in order to catch up, and to have a bit of fun of course. I checked out the barge on the way back, just to make sure they had put their rust on properly, they had

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #32 on:** January 09, 2013, 07:18:22 pm »

Catching up with the Springer, and its owner, Adam ( see, remembered one name! ), his transmitter was starting to make an annoying beeping noise, while the meter on the front was indicating low power in the handset. Fortunately, Adam had spare batteries, unfortunately they were in the car, which was back at the basin. The set finally gave up the ghost, failsafed to full throttle, and parked itself nose first into the opposite bank

Rescue swiftly followed, and it was decided that I could test my towing point on the CHANT.

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #33 on:** January 09, 2013, 07:23:19 pm »

The fleet was now spread out over almost half a mile, with the 100 year old Royal Navy Cruiser up in front, Canopus closing fast, Phil, the Canoe and Blazer joined at the hip, Jon and thing and the orange coaster visible up in the distance, and myself, CHANT and Springer now at full throttle, trying to catch up and not run out of battery power.

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #34 on:** January 09, 2013, 07:28:12 pm »

Thinking I had the drop on Jon and the Coaster, I looked forward to turning the corner and closing the gap. However, I have it on good authority that once they were out of sight, they throttled up..swines.
Around the next bend was the A27 bridge, nearly home..

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #35 on:** January 09, 2013, 07:31:37 pm »

With the basin up ahead, a familiar orange boat came round the corner to greet us and escort us in.

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #36 on:** January 09, 2013, 07:37:24 pm »

Well, that was it for another canal run, cheers Jon

Good fun was had by all. I would like to apologise for the picture quality, I think the camera was on some sort of EXPERT Mode, unfortunately I was using it, as no experts were available at the time

Thanks also to Linda of the Canal Trust for letting us play again.
Happy New Year and until the next time....you know there is an extra mile of navigable canal once you go under Hunston Bridge...only saying

triumphjon · « **Reply #37 on:** January 09, 2013, 08:57:43 pm »

thank you alan for your first class reports , and of course the photos you were taking , as for my own boat kev and i checked it the evening before everything worked , turned out the rx had become unbound ! it will be sorted before the next run around EASTER ! kevins orange coaster will have a third battery fitted so 12 volts and 21amps on tap so we will have the legs for the full length of the canal . jon

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #38 on:** January 10, 2013, 09:34:50 am »

Kev, see I knew that...must concentrate

triumphjon · « **Reply #39 on:** January 10, 2013, 01:27:10 pm »

maybe we need to wear name badges to help you ? i blame it on OLD AGE ! jon

hopeitfloats · « **Reply #40 on:** January 11, 2013, 07:15:19 am »

thanks unbuiltnautilus. brilliant photo gallery and interesting commentary. looking forward to the easter report.

offshore1987 · « **Reply #41 on:** January 11, 2013, 11:07:52 am »

Pics look ace :) Nicely done lads

Dan

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #42 on:** January 29, 2013, 01:57:24 pm »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEPGemkHACg

Found this on Youtube, filmed by one of the Chichester members, happy days

See you at the next one....

triumphjon · « **Reply #43 on:** January 29, 2013, 06:01:34 pm »

well found alan . hope your all preparing your models for the next event on EASTER SUNDAY , ?
jon

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #44 on:** January 29, 2013, 06:14:15 pm »

Making the new tug waterproof and fitting a working towing point, just in case Jon wants a tow up the canal

triumphjon · « **Reply #45 on:** January 29, 2013, 06:38:39 pm »

i shouldnt have that worry this time , im using the bright orange coaster , with a third battery wired up in the bows should have enough power to get to the end of the navigable section and back again ! jon

Jack D · « **Reply #46 on:** March 13, 2013, 08:18:27 pm »

I'm hoping to come along to the Easter Sunday run with the Flower Class Corvette I'm building. It probably won't look pretty but it'll be a good test of the batteries. I'll probably bring two power packs just to be sure.

aeronut · « **Reply #47 on:** March 24, 2013, 06:58:39 pm »

Can't find a thread about Easter Sunday's canal run - can someone please confirm that it's still happening? I'd like to come if the weather ever improves!

unbuiltnautilus · « **Reply #48 on:** March 26, 2013, 09:29:41 am »

Its still a go, as long as the giant Atlantic low pressure system doesn't roll across Chichester on Sunday...watch this space for updates.

aeronut · « **Reply #49 on:** March 27, 2013, 12:49:58 pm »

Unbuilt - thanks for the reply. Sadly, I now won't be able to come, due to family commitments. Will definitely try to attend the next though. Have fun!

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Author Topic: chichester canal run 30 / 12 /12 (Read 13082 times)