PS Monarch

Easter 2017 will be our first sailing of the year. Other dates added up to the end of May. More to be added in due coarse. http://paddlesteamermonarch.wixsite.com/ps-monarch

 

Good to read and trust Winter works went well/are going well.
Looking at the dates I presume PS Monarch will not be attending the Poole Harbour Boat Show (19-21 May).
In any event, looking forward to a few more sailings this year once the tide times are sorted. Anyone know of a small-ish dredger to create a bit more clearance alongside Wareham Quay (- to provide flexibility at low tides)?

 

Hope Winter works are going/have gone well.
Any news on Wareham Tide Times possibly affecting sailing times?
Looking forward to more trips this year.

 

Monarch had a test run on Thursday and is pretty much ready for the season. Not sure about the tides this year. The owner will be getting a coffee from you on Friday if you are on duty. I keep forgetting to ask about the boat show. It is a long way from quay to quay so I suspect not.

 

Thanks for the update. Think transit time from Wareham to Poole was likely to be between 2 and 3 hours [3 knots average I think].
I'm 'on the cushions' this Friday of "Strictly Bulleid" gala so one of my colleagues should be serving.
On Saturday I plan to be getting my 'sea legs' started on the first City Cruises Poole trip of this season from Swanage to Poole.
However, I'm rostered 'coffee dispenser' on Sunday.

 

I will catch up with you next Sunday then, owner won't be about. I think he estimated 4 hours to Poole Quay. You need paperwork to go on the harbour and using Poole quay is very expensive. Plus as you know it can get quite choppy so there is no great desire to take her out there.

 

http://paddlesteamermonarch.wixsite.com/ps-monarch/paddle-steamer-monarch-wareham
Next trips:
APRIL - Good Friday 14th ; Saturday 15th; Easter Sunday 16th; and Easter Monday 17th.
MAY - 6th/7th/8th; 13th/14th; 20th/21st; 27th/28th/29th.
Rest of dates for 2017 will be added in due coarse.
First trip at 11:30 and then every hour (on the half hour) until 15:30 unless indicated. Weather and tide permitting of course.
Fares: £10 per adult. Half price for under 12s.

 

Managed my first trip of the year and gentle 45 minute cruise it was too.
Plenty of visitors over the Easter weekend, it seems, so trundle down to Wareham Quay when next in Dorset.

 

Website update -
"No sailings on the 13th and 14th of May."
But further sailings on
"20th and 21st of May."
"29th and 30th of May and the 1st of June".

 

After a washout yesterday we are running as planned today.
We are also running next weekend and the website will be updated to reflect this shortly.

 

Rainfall on Sunday (rather than boiler "washout") I presume.

 

Update on website:
Monarch is currently out of the water undergoing some scheduled maintenance including repainting the hull.
Apparently, the next sailing dates are 20th, 21st, 29th and 30th May plus 1st June.

 

No we are not, web site editor made a mistake! Tides are poor. Next running bank holiday weekend.

 

Latest update on proposed operational dates [subject to usual caveats such as tides, crew availability, etc.]:

http://paddlesteamermonarch.wixsite.com/ps-monarch/paddle-steamer-monarch-wareham
Will be running most weekends until the end of September and selected weekdays during the high season.
First trip at 1130 then hourly until 1530 unless indicated otherwise. Weather and tide permitting.
Fares: £10 per adult. Half price under 12.
JULY
Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th. Plus Wednesday 12th or Thursday 13th (call for confirmation)
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th but no mid week sailings due to low tides around mid day.
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd. Plus Wednesday 26th or Thursday 27th (call for confirmation)
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th.
AUGUST
Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th - Last trip 1430 on both dates due to low tide
Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th - Last trip 1430 on both dates due to low tide
Saturday 19th last trip 1330 (tides) and Sunday 20th last trip 1430 (tides) plus Wednesday 23rd
Saturday 26th; Sunday 27th and Monday 28th

 

Just noticed that 2018 Sailings now announced: http://paddlesteamermonarch.wixsite.com/ps-monarch/paddle-steamer-monarch-wareham

We will be running most weekends until the end of September and selected weekdays during the high season.
Other mid-week dates will be added later.
First trip at 1130 and then every hour (on the half hour) until 1530 unless indicated. Weather and tide permitting.
Fares: £10 per adult. Half price under 12.
EASTER
Good Friday 30th, Saturday 31st March plus Sunday 1st & Easter Monday 2nd April
MAY
Saturday 5th, Sunday 6th, Monday 7th (Bank Holiday)
Saturday 12th, Sunday 13th (last trip 14:30)
Saturday 26th, Sunday 27th, Monday 28th (No 15:30)
JUNE
2nd and 3rd; 9th & 10th (booked trips only on the 10th due to tides); 12th and 13th;
16th & 17th; 23rd & 24th; plus 30th
JULY
1st; 7th & 8th (bookings only due to tides); 14th &15th;
21st &22nd (bookings only due to tides); 28th & 29th
AUGUST
11th & 12th; 14th & 15th; 25th, 26th & 27th (Bank Holiday)
SEPTEMBER
1st & 2nd; 8th & 9th (No 15:30); 13th & 16th
22nd & 23rd (No 15:30); 29th & 30th

 

Do you want to own a paddle steamer?
After several successful years the owners of Monarch have decided it is time to hand the reigns over to a new team. For serious enquiries see the website for contact details. An advert will appear in Old Glory next month.

Sailing times for this season updated.

 

Any idea if it is likely to stay in Wareham when it's sold? If not, when will the last sailing be?

I imagine it's a lot of work for the owners so thanks go to all involved since it came to Dorset .

 

If a successful buyer is found it will be up to them were it goes.

If it does not sell then as far as I am aware the owners will continue to run it.

There is only one person who is licensed to drive the thing and it is the same person who does the vast majority of the repair and maintenance most of which is heavy and mucky or working in confined spaves, with a few keen volunteers that help when available so, yes it is a lot of work and he isn't getting any younger.

 

PS Monarch still for sale according to website.
In the meantime it appears to be starting it's 2019 sailing season at Easter.
No exact details specified yet but, subject to tides, etc., the first sailing from Wareham Quay usually is at 11:30.

 

First trip will be on Good Friday although she will be out at some point in the week blowing off the cobwebs. She is still for sale. Website will be undated with sailings for the year once received. As far as I am aware sailing times remain unchanged this year as do prices.