Tweet
Just returned from a 'trip' on the Chieftan at Whitby - start to the trip was delayed due to an over booking so 3 punters had to leave - it took over an hour to sort it out and tempers getting a tad frayed - and the skipper of the boat was reluctant to offer much assistance in the way of compensation. Eventually 4 people left the boat with a £15 payment from each of the remaining anglers so they could get digs for the night in Whitby - if the money was not forthcoming from everyone then the trip was to be cancelled!! never heard of a situation like this before - I likened this to an airline being overbooked on a flight and other passengers having to fork out cash to accommodate the stranded passengers So a 36 hour trip costing an advertised £215 instantly cost me £230 - Dick Turpin could not have done a better job........ anyway on to the trip - boat was basic and in need of a good clean - sleeping quarters were shared (9 bunks in the one I was in) bunks were small (I am 5'7 but had to curl up to sleep) - not that sleep was much of an option because of the constant engine noise.... We travelled out to the graveyard and fished from 0600 until 2030 - stopped for breakfast and lunch while we moved to different wrecks - food was good - Joyce [skippers wife] did wonders with the meals that were cooked in a tiny galley - and she surpassed herself with the roast beef dinner that was devoured at the end of the day. Onto the fishing - steady all day with the biggest fish a Ling of 17lb - loads of prime cod 7-16lbs - Ling 6-17lbs - Coalies/Pollock/Whiting/Mackerel and a surprise visitor of a small Monk Fish.
In summary - a bizarre start to the trip due to the overbooking incident - good fishing - but not spectacular - and having been to Norway and Iceland on fishing trips I know what spectacular is !!!! -
The boat could offer so much more if it was cleaned and spruced up - in truth for £215 I was expecting more - not on the fishing side of things because you pay your money and hope the fish god is kind to you - but the accommodation was a let down - would I go back - No - I felt conned with the additional payment - and was not keen on a skipper who would not take responsibility for what was in fact his fault. I am booking up for Norway again for next years adventure................
In summary - a bizarre start to the trip due to the overbooking incident - good fishing - but not spectacular - and having been to Norway and Iceland on fishing trips I know what spectacular is !!!! -
The boat could offer so much more if it was cleaned and spruced up - in truth for £215 I was expecting more - not on the fishing side of things because you pay your money and hope the fish god is kind to you - but the accommodation was a let down - would I go back - No - I felt conned with the additional payment - and was not keen on a skipper who would not take responsibility for what was in fact his fault. I am booking up for Norway again for next years adventure................
able to see into the future
Comment