18Jun14
One step ahead of the Dutch flotilla, can we keep it going as their route is so similar to ours?
Downwind sailing again in glorious sunshine, one tidal set and we were there – 2000nm around the UK in 2013 we sailed downwind once! Along the way we were lucky enough to see a rare sighting of an ocean sunfish – where's the camera!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Vive La France
15Jun14 Brighton to Dieppe
Sometimes you have to go where the wind takes you. Destination Fécamp became a diversion to Dieppe as the anti-cyclone over the UK kept the Northerlies blowing.
An excellent passage and everything timed as planned though while the West bound shipping lane opened up for us the East bound traffic arrived in packs of eight or more. A brief slow down to find a gap and we were soon back on track. As we approached Dieppe the NNE F6 wind made for an 'exciting entrance' – don't people pay good money to go on roller coasters! – anyway, safely in and ready for a good night's rest. Chance would be a fine thing! The scend coming in from the entrance was diabolical and reports of many a line trashed in the ensuing tidal melee as boats and pontoons danced wildly in the surge.
As we planned our escape from the cramped finger berths a flotilla of seventeen Dutch motor cruisers arrived grabbing any available space and thus preventing any hope of moving on. Fortunately, one of the nearby yachts managed to find her way out the next morning and so we pounced on the opportunity to escape – finally enroute to Fécamp; the mixed up and breaking sea at the entrance was a relief after the virtual washing machine of the marina.
Être en France est mieux de ne pas être en France – même si c'est Dieppe…
Sometimes you have to go where the wind takes you. Destination Fécamp became a diversion to Dieppe as the anti-cyclone over the UK kept the Northerlies blowing.
An excellent passage and everything timed as planned though while the West bound shipping lane opened up for us the East bound traffic arrived in packs of eight or more. A brief slow down to find a gap and we were soon back on track. As we approached Dieppe the NNE F6 wind made for an 'exciting entrance' – don't people pay good money to go on roller coasters! – anyway, safely in and ready for a good night's rest. Chance would be a fine thing! The scend coming in from the entrance was diabolical and reports of many a line trashed in the ensuing tidal melee as boats and pontoons danced wildly in the surge.
As we planned our escape from the cramped finger berths a flotilla of seventeen Dutch motor cruisers arrived grabbing any available space and thus preventing any hope of moving on. Fortunately, one of the nearby yachts managed to find her way out the next morning and so we pounced on the opportunity to escape – finally enroute to Fécamp; the mixed up and breaking sea at the entrance was a relief after the virtual washing machine of the marina.
Être en France est mieux de ne pas être en France – même si c'est Dieppe…
Humbled
05Jun14 Gosport
With a short passage to Gosport to replace our life raft – after it was condemned through old age – we zig-zagged our way in between the gathering of multi-national Naval vessels preparing for the D-Day commemorations.
Stepping off onto the pontoon upon our arrival we were greeted by a familiar sight: The Red Arrows were beginning their display for the crowds gathered prior to the events in Normandy. A spectacular greeting on such a fine day but we were well aware of the real reason for their presence and were humble in thought.
With a short passage to Gosport to replace our life raft – after it was condemned through old age – we zig-zagged our way in between the gathering of multi-national Naval vessels preparing for the D-Day commemorations.
Stepping off onto the pontoon upon our arrival we were greeted by a familiar sight: The Red Arrows were beginning their display for the crowds gathered prior to the events in Normandy. A spectacular greeting on such a fine day but we were well aware of the real reason for their presence and were humble in thought.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
One thing leads to another…
31May14
Just when you think you have it all prepared something always seems to crop up. After dealing with a last-minute seacock replacement on the day of launch we had to deal with what had originally appeared to be just a minor 'sweat' leak in the engine's cooling system – a corroded cooling pipe had cracked – this resulted in a long delay getting the correct engine part delivered…we are still in the UK, aren't we? – so, a make-do repair to allow us to move on after out-staying our welcome on the river gave us time to wait for the couriers to do their thing and an opportunity to see more of the IOW including the colourful Old Gaffers Festival in Yarmouth.
Next we will make our way along the south coast finishing off some minor jobs and search for a new life raft while we dream about easier times.
Next we will make our way along the south coast finishing off some minor jobs and search for a new life raft while we dream about easier times.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Good Call
"However, our decision to stay was coloured by multiple comments of serious exposure to Winter storms, so when the recent spell of fair weather arrived we jumped at the chance to head a little further east…"
These are words from the end of last year's Blog – sometimes decisions are made for you and sometimes it is only with hindsight you know you made the right choice; the picture taken at Portland on that post is the exact spot where the beach was ripped apart by this year's Winter storms and Arbalest would have been exposed to it all just a few hundred metres to the East! Yarmouth has been a good resting place for the Winter and thanks to all the guys at The River Yar Boatyard for all their work and assistance during our lay-up.
Currently, as one of our sister boats [Adamastor] prepares for a weather window to head across the South Pacific and our Canadian aquaintances Larry & Mary Anne [TraversayIII] prepare for a North Pacific circuit, we have more modest plans for 2014.
After some essential, though cosmetic, structural work our plans are to head South starting in Northern France, along the coast via The Channel Islands, around the Brest Peninsula and then see where the mood takes us. We're in no rush but hopefully we will see some sunshine this year along with some much-missed warmth! This year is going to be very different.
These are words from the end of last year's Blog – sometimes decisions are made for you and sometimes it is only with hindsight you know you made the right choice; the picture taken at Portland on that post is the exact spot where the beach was ripped apart by this year's Winter storms and Arbalest would have been exposed to it all just a few hundred metres to the East! Yarmouth has been a good resting place for the Winter and thanks to all the guys at The River Yar Boatyard for all their work and assistance during our lay-up.
Currently, as one of our sister boats [Adamastor] prepares for a weather window to head across the South Pacific and our Canadian aquaintances Larry & Mary Anne [TraversayIII] prepare for a North Pacific circuit, we have more modest plans for 2014.
After some essential, though cosmetic, structural work our plans are to head South starting in Northern France, along the coast via The Channel Islands, around the Brest Peninsula and then see where the mood takes us. We're in no rush but hopefully we will see some sunshine this year along with some much-missed warmth! This year is going to be very different.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Breaking the Tape
09Oct13
With the progression of Autumn and the turning weather, along with our need for the skills of some local craftsmen, we decided to stay put; terminate the season's passage and begin the process of preparing the boat for the Winter packing away sails and clearing the deck. Well that was the plan.
However, our decision to stay was coloured by multiple comments of serious exposure to Winter storms, so when the recent spell of fair weather arrived we jumped at the chance to head a little further east – the delights of Chesil Beach was not enough. Sails and lines were quickly re-fitted and we left just before first light for Yarmouth IoW where we had negotiated a Winter hard-standing deal. With a positive tide and over 10kts SOG we where soon through the lively waters of the Hurst narrows and into the Solent. By mooring at Yarmouth we had also completed our 'lap' following our initial sail out of Lymington as new and proud owners. Here we will prepare for our next 'adventure' and hopefully decide to head somewhere warmer and a little more exotic.
With the progression of Autumn and the turning weather, along with our need for the skills of some local craftsmen, we decided to stay put; terminate the season's passage and begin the process of preparing the boat for the Winter packing away sails and clearing the deck. Well that was the plan.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Harbour Rot
01Oct13
Waiting patiently for the easterly wind to veer, at least south east, so that we could cross Lyme Bay and round Portland Bill in the remaining daylight hours and with a fair tide – Portland Bill is notorious for its strong tidal streams and steep and violent seas; this is a passage that needs full attention.
The forecast came good and we slipped lines just before dawn for the long haul across Lyme Bay — some interesting reading for the anoraks among us [Notes on the physical conditions existing within the line from Start Point to Portland]. As we exited Torbay the wind direction had a little more east in it than forecast which would leave us close-hauled all the way with one tack to correct the course to leave us at least 3nm off The Bill. The visibility was reduced with low cloud and mizzle but we made good progress against a foul tide as expected. Half way across the bay a rubicon moment: press on, turn round and go back, anchor or pick up a mooring buoy at Lyme Regis which would be totally exposed to the forecast strengthening onshore winds. The wind had been constantly veering and backing but we convinced ourselves that we could still meet our tidal gate so we pressed on.
The wind kept backing.
The track our course was drawing on the plotter was a gradual curve as we tried to sail as close to the wind as we could. Our planned tack was getting longer and it was a balance between sailing faster off the wind and having to sail further – our velocity made good. We threw in some early tacks to make best use of the favourable stream when we could. The more we tacked away the more we would be late for our tidal gate and the more the daylight was disappearing. The sun set though twilight lasted longer than expected as the misty conditions held a subtle glow from the sodium light polution on the mainland. Then, darkness. We have sailed many times in the dark and usually find it quite relaxing when out in clear water with reasonable weather but approaching a major headland it was not a moment to savour. The rain came through the black and the sea began to build, unpredicatable and rough. We needed the last of the flood tide to make our destination but this was now picking up the sea state in the backing wind. Arbalest powered through the conditions and we always felt secure in our centre cockpit despite the occasional 'surprise' wave and trough. Portland Bill lighthouse eventually appeared and guided us along to confirm our indicated position as it had done once before during a near gale from the Channel Islands. The east cardinal mark around The Shambles was our last waypoint which we gave plenty of room before our turn so as not to get swept towards it by wind and tide. 'Lee-ho' and it all went quiet, with the wind behind us we surfed into Portland and could finally relax. A few tankers to avoid, a number of unlit yachts on mooring buoys we had to dodge within the harbour and we were soon moored in Portland Marina, a 16-hour passage but The Bill was behind us.
Waiting patiently for the easterly wind to veer, at least south east, so that we could cross Lyme Bay and round Portland Bill in the remaining daylight hours and with a fair tide – Portland Bill is notorious for its strong tidal streams and steep and violent seas; this is a passage that needs full attention.
The forecast came good and we slipped lines just before dawn for the long haul across Lyme Bay — some interesting reading for the anoraks among us [Notes on the physical conditions existing within the line from Start Point to Portland]. As we exited Torbay the wind direction had a little more east in it than forecast which would leave us close-hauled all the way with one tack to correct the course to leave us at least 3nm off The Bill. The visibility was reduced with low cloud and mizzle but we made good progress against a foul tide as expected. Half way across the bay a rubicon moment: press on, turn round and go back, anchor or pick up a mooring buoy at Lyme Regis which would be totally exposed to the forecast strengthening onshore winds. The wind had been constantly veering and backing but we convinced ourselves that we could still meet our tidal gate so we pressed on.
The wind kept backing.
The track our course was drawing on the plotter was a gradual curve as we tried to sail as close to the wind as we could. Our planned tack was getting longer and it was a balance between sailing faster off the wind and having to sail further – our velocity made good. We threw in some early tacks to make best use of the favourable stream when we could. The more we tacked away the more we would be late for our tidal gate and the more the daylight was disappearing. The sun set though twilight lasted longer than expected as the misty conditions held a subtle glow from the sodium light polution on the mainland. Then, darkness. We have sailed many times in the dark and usually find it quite relaxing when out in clear water with reasonable weather but approaching a major headland it was not a moment to savour. The rain came through the black and the sea began to build, unpredicatable and rough. We needed the last of the flood tide to make our destination but this was now picking up the sea state in the backing wind. Arbalest powered through the conditions and we always felt secure in our centre cockpit despite the occasional 'surprise' wave and trough. Portland Bill lighthouse eventually appeared and guided us along to confirm our indicated position as it had done once before during a near gale from the Channel Islands. The east cardinal mark around The Shambles was our last waypoint which we gave plenty of room before our turn so as not to get swept towards it by wind and tide. 'Lee-ho' and it all went quiet, with the wind behind us we surfed into Portland and could finally relax. A few tankers to avoid, a number of unlit yachts on mooring buoys we had to dodge within the harbour and we were soon moored in Portland Marina, a 16-hour passage but The Bill was behind us.
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