Lyme Bay Boat Trips on the Frances Jane
Whether you want to go mackerel fishing, bird or dolphin watching, have a party or just sit back and enjoy the stunning Jurassic Coast of Dorset and East Devon, there's a warm welcome awaiting you aboard the Frances Jane based at Lyme Regis harbour, Dorset.
Frances Jane is a converted Cornish crabber, built in 1952 in Falmouth and has a mahogany hull on an oak frame and is as strong as steel but doesn't rust! She is owned by a local business woman, Mrs D. Postles, whose late husband used to run trips from The Cobb. Regular annual maintenance during winter months ensures she is 'the prettiest boat in the harbour' (a customer's comment but we agree!) and with cushions on the seats and a sense of good fun when you are aboard, we hope you will enjoy a boat trip with us soon.
Your skipper 'Doug the Hat' has been running boat trips from The Cobb in Lyme Regis since the start of the 2004 season and here's a man who loves his job! Doug is a qualified B.S.A.C. diving instructor and has been diving in this area since 1986, and is a fully qualified skipper having done all the courses necessary to get his 'ticket'. He is able to carry passengers up to three miles off shore and fifteen miles East or West of the harbour. The boat is crewed by his partner Amanda, who is also fully qualified. The Frances Jane is licensed to carry up to ten passengers and is equipped with full safety equipment as required by the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) which is checked annually by them and lifejackets are always available on request. There are five handlines for mackerel fishing, so at times you may need to share but you will have time to enjoy the stunning view for brief periods until its your turn to catch a fish!
When you are out to sea looking back at Lyme Regis, you will understand why it is fondly called 'The Pearl of Dorset'. You will also appreciate how dramatic and varied the coastline is. Doug believes in giving his customers a good time and offers an informal and informative chat about the locality. He can show you fossils he has found and suggest where you might find them too. Doug and Amanda will accommodate whatever type of group boat trip you choose to enjoy whether it be a fishing, hen, stag or birthday party, bring a picnic and a few drinks. If you just want to enjoy the view, bring your camera, binoculars, sketch pad and even your knitting. For those who fish, advice will be given on how to clean, prepare and cook your catch.
Just phone Doug on the number below to book and let him know what type of boat trip you require. He and Amanda will do their very best to ensure you have a fantastic time, their motto is
'HAVE A GOOD TIME'.
Dolphins alive and well in Lyme Bay!
Yesterday, 16th June was 'dolphin day' for a family from Dallas Texas, when they were aboard the Frances Jane, returning from a sightseeing cruise around the Lyme Regis area and were surprised by a pod of up to 30 common dolphins swimming and playing around the gently moving boat!
Skipper Doug made a quick call to Harry May, another popular local
skipper, and it wasn't long before he joined Frances Jane with some
passengers, and the dolphins stayed with the boats for around 25
minutes.
This is the first time for four years that Doug has seen dolphins in
these
numbers, back in 2004 there was a pod of around 18 bottle-nosed
dolphins,
and Harry may said it is the first time for many years that we have
been visited by such a large pod of common dolphin.
This surely has to be great news, just after hearing of the death of 26 dolphins in Cornwall recently, and what lucky Texans, to have such a privilege!
So, if you fancy your luck of seeing some dolphins up close, call Doug on 01308-420970, or 07890-739625 and book a boat trip.
Boat Trip News from 2007
Amanda qualified as a skipper in the latter part of summer 2007, so we are both the only boat with a female crew, and the only boat with two skippers!
We
did a trip for a wedding party in July: on the seventh day of the seventh
month, 2007! Guess what? ... there were seven people in the party too!
It was great fun, the boat was decorated a la wedding car, the bride
wore her wedding dress on board and everyone had a good time, see our
gallery for a picture of the happy couple.
During
Lifeboat Week, after a break of two years the competition for the best "Illuminated
Boat" was re-instigated, and Frances Jane won it
with their giant lighthouse flashing on board out in the very rough sea
at night, watched by many hundreds of spectators, once again look at
the photos for the bigger picture.
For those interested in dolphins in Lyme Bay during 2007, three white beaked dolphins were spotted off West Bay during the season and we did manage to see three dolphins whilst out on a trip one day, but they were too far away to identify, but hopefully they may return in numbers during the coming summer.
The MSC Napoli created a great deal of interest in the area last year for one reason or another, and all the debris is gone from our beaches, and things are back to normal.
Skipper Doug has been spending an evening a week at the Axe Yacht Club, doing the RYA Yachtmaster/Coastal Skipper course (shore-based), to further his knowledge, and he funded it by using tips and gratuities receieved from customers during 2007, so he is very grateful for the opportunity, and the studying is keeping his brain alive during the winter months.
There are more photographs on our gallery page, from 2007, when our biggest mackerel so far was caught by Lucy from New Zealand, it weighed in at exactly 2 pounds, which is a good size for fish around our coast. So do browse the photos page while you're here, you never know, you might be there yourself if you've been out with us already, we have noticed many people coming back for another "Frances Jane Experience", as one customer called it, so we must be doing something right!
Give a Frances Jane Voucher... an unusual and memorable gift!
We
have designed and produced vouchers that people can purchase as gifts
for their family or friends, a GIFT WITH A DIFFERENCE, enabling your
family or friends to just book their trip, already paid for, whenever
it suits them. The voucher costs just £60
per hour and can be purchased for as many hours as required, and can
be used during the current season for parties of up to ten people (normal
charge is £8 for adults so its
a good saving) for a picnic at sea, birdwatching, mackerel fishing,
photography trips, private party, birthday engagement, anniversary, hen
party, stag party etc. We can post the voucher to your address or to
the recipient, as you wish, for further info phone Doug on 07890
739625 or email
.
What the Trippers Said
It's good to get feedback from our customers, here are two from 2007;
Hi Doug,
Back in the country now after our honeymoon in France. We would
all just like to say thank you to you and Amanda for such a lovely
time on the 7th. Everyone had such a brilliant time and we took away
memories we will never
forget. Phil and me really appreciate all the trouble you and Amanda went to.
We especially loved the flag. It was so special. We have put it in
our Wedding Box. Thank-you also Doug for the fossil - that is something
I will also always treasure.
Thank you once again for such an amazing time. Hope to see you again. With all
best wishes
Lynn and Phil Swindley and family
Hi Doug and Mandy,
Just to say how much I enjoyed the boat trip last night,
I thought it was wonderful and I'll be having the fresh mackerel for
lunch today! We saw your lovely lighthouse boat out on the water,
it looked magical, (I thought of you Mandy in the cabin turning the
light on and off!) It was such a coincidence that I landed in your boat,
but it made the experience all the more enjoyable,
many thanks,
Love
Sarah.
PRICES
Our normal hourly charges are: ADULTS £8.00 each CHILDREN £6.00 each.
If you pre-book you may bring up to ten people for just £60 per hour which is a considerable saving.
AVAILABILITY
The Frances Jane is usually available from Easter until October, from 9am (earlier by arrangement) until dusk. Well behaved dogs are welcome on board.
ACCESSIBILITY
At certain times of tide they are able to accommodate wheelchairs, just ask Doug when you phone.
BOOKING
Phone Doug on 07890 739625 and tell him what you want or email
.
WEATHER FORECASTS
If you are planning a boat trip in the next 5 days the BBC Forecast will be useful.
For the next fifteen days the AccuWeather Forecast might be useful.
HOW TO FIND US
If you are already in Lyme Regis, simply follow the signs to The Cobb at the western end of town. Opposite the Life Boat station you will see sign boards for boat trips. Look out for the Frances Jane or ask for 'Doug the Hat'.
ACCOMMODATION
If you are also looking for a good place to stay the following accommodation is highly recommended;
In Lyme Regis, Bramcote apartments are two luxuriously refurbished single storey garden apartments with patio overlooking the sea just 3 minutes walk from the Frances Jane and the town centre. The Smuggler B&B is situated in Broad Street, right in the town centre, and has 3 letting rooms that can be used as double/single/family or twin rooms. There is also a guest kitchen available for those who wish to self cater.
The Loft apartment is situated in the centre of Chideok (6mls east) and sleeps 2 people. It is a recent stone addition to the 16th Century cottage of Chimneys and is equipped with everything you might possibly need for a very enjoyable stay. The apartment, although very modern with full central heating, exudes a warm homely charm, with varnished wooden floor, oak windows and roof lights.
For large groups, Stonebarrow Manor in Charmouth, just four miles from Lyme Regis, is a great venue for all kinds of self-catering group get-togethers. The centrally heated house sleeps up to 37 in 18 bedrooms.
If you are looking for farm cottage to rent, Befferlands Farm cottage near Charmouth, offers luxury self-catering for up to four people. Befferlands Farm also has bed and breakfast accommodation comprising
of two double bedrooms, one with en-suite and the other with a private bathroom.
Close to Charmouth beach is Swansmead bed and breakfast which
has two rooms, a large en-suite and a family room with bathroom both with sea and countryside views. Also in Charmouth and close to the beach is Broadlands bed and breakfast which has one super king or twin bedded, en-suite room.
On the outskirts of Bridport, Highway Farm offers bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation in comfortable, peaceful surroundings with wonderful views, wildlife, lovely circular walks and just one mile from the coastal footpath and the local pub!
RELATED LINKS
If you're interested in sailing/racing or learning to sail in Lyme bay, Lyme
Regis Sailing Club is the best place to go.
If you're intersted in other types of fishing, i.e. off The Cobb or from
the beach, theres a very good tackle shop a few yards from the historic
Cobb, visit them at www.tackleboxlymeregis.co.uk .
To find out more about the lovely county of Dorset, things
to do and places to stay Dorset
Guide has it all.
If you would like a more rounded (literally) view of Lyme Regis
see the fascinating panoramas at www.lymepanoramas.eu.
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