Salcombe 20-21 Sept
21/09/06 05:49
21st September
Weatherbound in Salcombe. The forecast is for SW Gales.
Dave and I take a long walk out to Bolt head where my handheld windmeter indicates only F3. The sea does not look too bad either.
We find an internet cafe and confirm that a gale is forecast to come through tomorrow.
After an uninspiring dinner at the ferry inn we return to the boat.
22nd September
Weatherbound in Salcombe. The forecast is again for Gales.
We motor the boat round to the town pontoon to check the weather forecast. It looks dodgy. We decide to stay but motor down to the harbour entrance to check the sea state. Looks a bit lumpy but not too bad.
We return to The Bag and come back to town in the tender later in the day for a wander about and to purchase some provisions.
As we return to the boat the wind is noticeably increasing. We deploy extra moorings and eat on board. Later in the evening the wind peaks at 35 knots, just inside the gale force 8 range.
Weatherbound in Salcombe. The forecast is for SW Gales.
Dave and I take a long walk out to Bolt head where my handheld windmeter indicates only F3. The sea does not look too bad either.
We find an internet cafe and confirm that a gale is forecast to come through tomorrow.
After an uninspiring dinner at the ferry inn we return to the boat.
22nd September
Weatherbound in Salcombe. The forecast is again for Gales.
We motor the boat round to the town pontoon to check the weather forecast. It looks dodgy. We decide to stay but motor down to the harbour entrance to check the sea state. Looks a bit lumpy but not too bad.
We return to The Bag and come back to town in the tender later in the day for a wander about and to purchase some provisions.
As we return to the boat the wind is noticeably increasing. We deploy extra moorings and eat on board. Later in the evening the wind peaks at 35 knots, just inside the gale force 8 range.
Dartmouth to Salcombe 19th Sept
19/09/06 05:46
We leave Dartmouth at around 11:30 with F4 from the south west. Total cost of 4 days at Darthaven £67.92.
By taking a long tack out beyond Start Point we are then able to come round onto a direct course into Salcombe.
A nice little sail and quite fast. We are all secure on "The Bag" pontoon in Salcombe harbour by 17:15.
As we are late in season the water taxi stops at 17:30. No decrease in charges though.
Daily Mooring Charge £16.20
.
By taking a long tack out beyond Start Point we are then able to come round onto a direct course into Salcombe.
A nice little sail and quite fast. We are all secure on "The Bag" pontoon in Salcombe harbour by 17:15.
As we are late in season the water taxi stops at 17:30. No decrease in charges though.
Daily Mooring Charge £16.20
.
Dartmouth 16-18th Sept
16/09/06 05:45
With most jobs complete I return to tranquility base in Gloucestershire for a couple of days before returning to the boat on Sunday.
On Monday 18th Dave McMullan joins for the trip to La Coruna. We go through the usual safety briefing, familiarisation and get settled in before dining at the Windjammer.
On Monday 18th Dave McMullan joins for the trip to La Coruna. We go through the usual safety briefing, familiarisation and get settled in before dining at the Windjammer.
Dartside Quay 9-15 Sept
09/09/06 08:18
Although there is a lot of work to be done I take the chance to spend the weekend in Gloucestershire.
Returning on Monday I make arrangements to have a variety of repairs and upgrades undertaken. The yard is pretty empty and all the contractors, most of whom I have used before, are extremely helpful and by Friday 15th all work is complete.
Work done:
- Repare fist sized indent in keel following breakwater contact in Holland.
- Repare cosmetic void in GRP at corner of mast step.
- Re-cut ghosting genoa and install extension clip at deck to aid deployment.
- Dealer service Yanmar engine.
- Adjust and secure engine to shaft clamp.
- Replace seawater cooling hose.
- Reinstall and secure stripper.
- Remove Autohelm GPS , Scanner and Radar Dispaly and replace with
- Raymarine C80 Display/Plotter and Raymarine GPS Receiver.
- Replace hanked on staysail with Furlex furler and new sail from Arun Sails.
We launch on Friday 15th at 12:10 and on the way down river stop at the fuel barge for 57 litres of diesel @ £0.64 per litre.
Returning on Monday I make arrangements to have a variety of repairs and upgrades undertaken. The yard is pretty empty and all the contractors, most of whom I have used before, are extremely helpful and by Friday 15th all work is complete.
Work done:
- Repare fist sized indent in keel following breakwater contact in Holland.
- Repare cosmetic void in GRP at corner of mast step.
- Re-cut ghosting genoa and install extension clip at deck to aid deployment.
- Dealer service Yanmar engine.
- Adjust and secure engine to shaft clamp.
- Replace seawater cooling hose.
- Reinstall and secure stripper.
- Remove Autohelm GPS , Scanner and Radar Dispaly and replace with
- Raymarine C80 Display/Plotter and Raymarine GPS Receiver.
- Replace hanked on staysail with Furlex furler and new sail from Arun Sails.
We launch on Friday 15th at 12:10 and on the way down river stop at the fuel barge for 57 litres of diesel @ £0.64 per litre.
Haul Out - Dartside Quay
08/09/06 07:58
Early start to be at Galmpton for haul out at 07:30. The Dart harbour patrol are just starting work as I leave and seem concerned that I am off trying to avoid payment. Their launch catches up and is satisfied with my explanation.
With a flooding tide the trip up river to Galmpton is quite fast and the yard crew are waiting on the dock.
As the boat is lifted I get a close look at the Roompot damage. Not too bad really. The indent is about fist sized but has not penetrated the full GRP depth.
Inspecting the stripper rope cutting gear on the stern shaft it looks very much as though the main engine shaft has moved about 1" aft. No apparent damage and nothing appears to be missing from the stripper other than the clips we removed in Denmark.
With a flooding tide the trip up river to Galmpton is quite fast and the yard crew are waiting on the dock.
As the boat is lifted I get a close look at the Roompot damage. Not too bad really. The indent is about fist sized but has not penetrated the full GRP depth.
Inspecting the stripper rope cutting gear on the stern shaft it looks very much as though the main engine shaft has moved about 1" aft. No apparent damage and nothing appears to be missing from the stripper other than the clips we removed in Denmark.
Weymouth to Dartmouth
07/09/06 11:21
Always a pleasure to visit Weymouth. They really do value their visitors and are always very helpful.
Had time to breakfast ashore and check E-Mail before leaving on the tide at around 11:15.
Full rig up from departure and was entertained by assorted naval activity. Close in on the eastern side of Portland Bill a naval helcopter was practising search and pickup while further east H.M.S. Argyll and another vessel were engaged in firing practice on the outer Lulworth range.
Passed quite close to the east of Portland Race. Quite a spectacular phenomenon and while it was a little bouncy at the edge it looked quite violent further in.
Once clear of Portland Bill course was set for Dartmouth and I settled in for a nice reach for the rest of the day. After about 3 hours the wind died away and the motor was started. Either that or face a very late arrival in Dartmouth.
In the event arrival was still quite late and in the dark. Moored alongside town quay just too late to get a meal in the "Windjammer".
Had time to breakfast ashore and check E-Mail before leaving on the tide at around 11:15.
Full rig up from departure and was entertained by assorted naval activity. Close in on the eastern side of Portland Bill a naval helcopter was practising search and pickup while further east H.M.S. Argyll and another vessel were engaged in firing practice on the outer Lulworth range.
Passed quite close to the east of Portland Race. Quite a spectacular phenomenon and while it was a little bouncy at the edge it looked quite violent further in.
Once clear of Portland Bill course was set for Dartmouth and I settled in for a nice reach for the rest of the day. After about 3 hours the wind died away and the motor was started. Either that or face a very late arrival in Dartmouth.
In the event arrival was still quite late and in the dark. Moored alongside town quay just too late to get a meal in the "Windjammer".
Cowes to Weymouth
06/09/06 11:21
As the fair tide out of the Solent westbound would not begin until round 11:00 the harbour launch was called for a quick run ashore for breakfast and to get some lube oil.
Had a quick chat with "Blue Note" also moored on the pontoon. They had an unsual Aries windvane of which only about 12 were made.
I quite liked Cowes. It has the feel of a busy working port and has a charming little town centre. This being the Solent I had expected eye-watering mooring charges but at £8.50 on the visitor pontoon it was quite reasonable.
The tide out was quite something and partially made up for the lack of wind. Motorsailing was required yet again. Our passage down the needles channel was benign and the view close up on the needles really stunning.
The Needles
Another View from Further Out
Lulworth gunnery range was in use necessitating a longer passage than the direct route.
About two miles south of Weymouth harbour entrance the engine suddenly lost about one third power and would not respond to extra throttle. I suspect another fouled propellor as the engine has been wonderfully reliable and given no cause for concern.
It must be getting later in the season as I am able to moor alongside in "The Bag". The water looked reasonably clean so it was on with the swimming trunks and goggles and into the water to check the propellor. Sure enough it was fouled again. This time with long strands of thick weed which I cleared in three dives. I must get a bicycle helmet to protect my head as I will likely have to do this again.
Weymouth mooring cost £16.00.
Had a quick chat with "Blue Note" also moored on the pontoon. They had an unsual Aries windvane of which only about 12 were made.
I quite liked Cowes. It has the feel of a busy working port and has a charming little town centre. This being the Solent I had expected eye-watering mooring charges but at £8.50 on the visitor pontoon it was quite reasonable.
The tide out was quite something and partially made up for the lack of wind. Motorsailing was required yet again. Our passage down the needles channel was benign and the view close up on the needles really stunning.
The Needles
Another View from Further Out
Lulworth gunnery range was in use necessitating a longer passage than the direct route.
About two miles south of Weymouth harbour entrance the engine suddenly lost about one third power and would not respond to extra throttle. I suspect another fouled propellor as the engine has been wonderfully reliable and given no cause for concern.
It must be getting later in the season as I am able to moor alongside in "The Bag". The water looked reasonably clean so it was on with the swimming trunks and goggles and into the water to check the propellor. Sure enough it was fouled again. This time with long strands of thick weed which I cleared in three dives. I must get a bicycle helmet to protect my head as I will likely have to do this again.
Weymouth mooring cost £16.00.
Brighton to Cowes
05/09/06 11:20
The forecast was for SW 3-4 and it was a case of needing to move on and getting away now that the weather has eased.
No real point in taking the sail cover off. The choice was bouncy motoring or a long slow beat with frequent tacking.
In the event the sea was almost calm and fog persisted till late morning. I thought it prudent to turn the radar on but it blew a fuse and remained non operational. Bloody Autohelm.
No foul tide was encountered until well into the Solent and good progress meant that my ambitions for the day extended from Chichester harbour to Portsmouth and then to Cowes.
Very little commercial or leisure traffic was encountered until the approches to Cowes when it became frantic and amusing. In addition to ferries and regular yacht traffic there appeared to be some sort of fancy dress themed yacht race taking place. I particularly liked the "Blues Brothers" yacht crew.
No real point in taking the sail cover off. The choice was bouncy motoring or a long slow beat with frequent tacking.
In the event the sea was almost calm and fog persisted till late morning. I thought it prudent to turn the radar on but it blew a fuse and remained non operational. Bloody Autohelm.
No foul tide was encountered until well into the Solent and good progress meant that my ambitions for the day extended from Chichester harbour to Portsmouth and then to Cowes.
Very little commercial or leisure traffic was encountered until the approches to Cowes when it became frantic and amusing. In addition to ferries and regular yacht traffic there appeared to be some sort of fancy dress themed yacht race taking place. I particularly liked the "Blues Brothers" yacht crew.
Brighton 3 Days
02/09/06 11:20
My early diversion to Brighton yesterday due to deteriorating weather proved a good call. Force 8 winds were recorded at Brighton marina with lots of spectacular wave splash over the main breakwater.
No chance of going anywhere today so had a walk along the sea cliffs at Newhaven before heading into Brighton for a pizza and a film. One about an American yacht crew who all jump over the side for a swim only to discover they forgot to deploy a ladder and now can't get back on board. A clear take on the recent "Dead Calm" but not as frighteningly believable.
Sunday proved no better weather wise so another leisurely day this time visiting Lewes for a nice lunch and walkabout. A very pretty town.
Back on board Sunday night with a view to leaving on Monday but although the weather has moderated the prospect of a passage directly to windward is unattractive and not attempted. My scheduled haul-out in Dartmouth on Wednesday is now looking distinctly dodgy.
Spend another night in Newhaven.
No chance of going anywhere today so had a walk along the sea cliffs at Newhaven before heading into Brighton for a pizza and a film. One about an American yacht crew who all jump over the side for a swim only to discover they forgot to deploy a ladder and now can't get back on board. A clear take on the recent "Dead Calm" but not as frighteningly believable.
Sunday proved no better weather wise so another leisurely day this time visiting Lewes for a nice lunch and walkabout. A very pretty town.
Back on board Sunday night with a view to leaving on Monday but although the weather has moderated the prospect of a passage directly to windward is unattractive and not attempted. My scheduled haul-out in Dartmouth on Wednesday is now looking distinctly dodgy.
Spend another night in Newhaven.
Sovereign Harbour to Brighton
01/09/06 11:19
The day starts off just fine with good sailing.
We rounded Beachy head in good time and set off for Chichester or Portsmouth.
As the morning progressed the wind increased to F5 and it was becoming increasingly difficult to hold the required course.
The wind was pushing us towards Brighton and with a strong wind warning forecast I took the hint and diverted to Brighton marina where we were all fast by just after 12:00.
We rounded Beachy head in good time and set off for Chichester or Portsmouth.
As the morning progressed the wind increased to F5 and it was becoming increasingly difficult to hold the required course.
The wind was pushing us towards Brighton and with a strong wind warning forecast I took the hint and diverted to Brighton marina where we were all fast by just after 12:00.