sailbadthesinner
New member
My cork challenge
12/10/02 arrived at Mayflower Marina Plymouth to join three yachts on a trip to cork. Saturday afternoon go out for a brief sail around Plymouth getting to know the boat and how to hoist reef and trim the sails and how the y want lines sheets stowed coiled (why is it always different?)
Saturday night a few beers at the very cramped sand understaffed bar and so to bed.
Next day after breakfast the weather forecast is discussed. It is not looking good with storm force 9 predicted around the Fastnet area. We decide to head out and head for Falmouth, once there we can reappraise the forecast and decide weather or not to push on.
We head straight into big winds and confused sea with a fully reefed main and a no2 Yankee. The wind builds steadily from 25 knots to a steady 42 knots with our highest gust at 65knots. More worryingly the visibility disappears to about 100m. Lunches start being lost and most are sent below with about five of us kept on deck should we be needed.
Fortunately we are able to free off for Falmouth. On the nose this would not have been at all fun
The boom at one point is two feet under water. The wind steadies down a bit to a force 7 and we are really starting to enjoy this. The other boat, training for the round the world has taken down its staysail but is being more adventurous poling out its Yankee as the wind drops. The third boat we learn nosed out of Plymouth and headed back in.
The weather clears and the wind is steady at about 35 knots and is not longer gusting much over 40. We can see the headland for Plymouth. We get in and start dropping all the canvas all not affected by mal de mer now back on deck. There are relieved faces as we reach Falmouth pontoon.
After an early dinner we hear banging. All hell has broken loose on the bay. The wind speed has leapt up again. We have burst two fenders and the boat is banging the pontoon. All hands are required to fend off as we try and get more fenders in. Behind us a brand new Oyster 56 is dancing up and down having burst all his fenders. We try and help where we can but have to concentrate on our own boat. Meanwhile the harbour launch is patrolling the moorings rescuing the odd boat that has broken free. A few boats manage to unfurl their gennys in the marina and again staff and helpers are on hand to get these back in. Meanwhile we scavange more fenders and keep a watching brief on the fenders. Trying to heave a gap between a pontoon and 42 tonne boat being pushed on by 70 knots of wind is some job. The waves are literally breaking over the coach roof of the boat soaking us.
I get onto the coach roof to parcel tie the sail cover, which is in danger of being blown off. I see a gust coming across the bay, followed by a waterspout. As I get blown down I manage to leap into the cockpit. The worst of the gust has passed and I manage to duck down and check the wind speed it is falling from 74 knots.
Eventually calm descends at about 9:00pm. The oyster has managed to replenish his fenders with a collection from the harbour office, the Dutch navy and an enterprising chandlery that decided to open. The forecast is for more of the same for the next 48 hours. We decide to head out tomorrow to the lizard and see if we want to head to Ireland. Some of the crew are not happy about this but I am sure the skipper will not subject us to 30 hours force 9 onto the nose to Cork. . He made the right call coming in to Falmouth and whilst confident of the boat is not a masochist, as he knows it is he who would spend longest at the wheel.
The next day dawns fair. We head out to lizard in gentle breeze but the forecast storms are still heading in, meaning wind on the nose to cork. The skipper consults various forecasts and head office and we head back to Falmouth. The other boat decides to push on and heads off towards the Scillies. We get into Falmouth again in the oyster’s spot who has moved around
The next forecast confirms the storms are coming in and are forecast force 10. A message that the other boat has received the forecast and is racing under motor and sail into deep water to try and get north of the storm. Meanwhile the3rd boat has made it from Plymouth. The decision is made that we will not go out tomorrow. That night the RNLI station records a gust of 90 knots before going off the scale. The fenders hold and no pushing is required as wind has veered round. The next day we troop round the new Falmouth lifeboat, launched in July. A truly impressive piece of engineering woth every detail thought out and showing years of experience in designing boats to go out and pull people from the brine. Strangely British that services like this and air ambulance are funded by charitable donation and manned for most part by volunteers ( air ambulance aside). After the tour I said how impressed I was but hoped he would’nt be offended if I say I never wanted to se the inside of the boat again. Lunch is whatever, and we head to the pub with a lecture on heavy weather sailing booked for the afternoon. That night we all eat out. The storms forecast appear to have missed us, but we are glad not to have been out in that. . That night supper in the chain locker pub ( with pub cat) bump into to 2 guys who came round lizard on Sunday night from Milford Haven. They are very shaken having been knocked flat three times. They have two transatsa and umpteen miles and swear that was the most scared they ever were. Leaving Ireland looking increasiblgy the right choice. Had a good laugh with them as one turns out to be a scouser and both know my stomping grounds round north wales. All end up a bit tired and emotional.
Next day and most of the crew have itchy feet, we want to get out. The skipper decides we will race with other boat to Dartmouth. Early start, forecast is good. Good sail steady force five gusting six. We get soundly beaten, the other boat has a clean bottom and new sails. Our staysail halyard has a distinct sag. A nice night sail into Falmouth and the wind pipes up. I am sent to the foredeck with one other guy to drop the Yankee and staysail. The boat is spanking along and heeling very nicely. Once up front I am fine if not a little knackered. But the sense of achievement was brilliant flaking a sail with the rails in he water was exhilarating. Catch last orders at the Castle. We realise the other boat has not been managing to cook whilst sailing they all refuse to go below, so as we savour a beer as they are all looking for a chip shop. The pain of loss is tinged with a certain satisfaction that we may not be fast but we in the long run we have the right plans.
Next day is a race to Fowey. Not such an early start. I helmed for the first two hours and managed to keep us ahead then level with the other boat wind was a beat but very light. as the wind built the other boat left us for dead, although it was as soon as I left the wheel. The only other drama was a brush with playstation. It was poncing around outside Plymouth going very slowly. We kept expecting it to free off and shoot towards Dartmouth. The wind And sea were ideal. As we drew closer play station ( or what was play station now something fossett) eventually tacked about 300m away from us and onto a starboard tack and started heading straight for us. We had already signalled we were turning to port and now gave five blasts. By this time a guy at the front started waving at the helm to pass us astern and they duly did, at speed. On the basis we could not get out of their way and that we had not varied course or speed for twenty minutes their actions seemed bizarre to basically tack on top of us and then head straight for us when they had the whole bay to play with. Another late night finish was on the cards. Eventually my mate ( and navigator that day ) gave us the choice. A two and a half hour sail to Fowey or a one-hour motor and we make the pub. The other boat was already in. The motor went on.
As we made our approach up the river the other boat was outside cheering us in with heavy irony. A few drinks in Fowey and so to bed.
Last day Fowey to Plymouth, round Eddystone. Light winds from behind. By this time the second boat was back from Cork and up for a race. My helming was pressed into service again but as soon as we rounded Eddystone and hardened up the other boats accelerated away. Into mayflower and start the clean up. A dinner and prize giving then off clubbing in Plymouth, an experience shall we say.
Conclusion.
The early forecast was for wind to be on the nose both to and from Ireland and force 9 gusting ten.. We made the right choice not to go. The boats would be capable but some of the crew had not done really any sailing before. The storms did miss bits of the Irish sea but we gambled and stayed safe.
The whole thing was exhilarating and exhausting. Top tip. Take earplugs if your roommates snore. I had about five hours total sleep the first 2 nights.
Finally we had a huge laugh. We did not stop laughing the entire time. At the final dinner the boat that made to Ireland was obviously in high spirits. The winners finally managed to gel a bit on the last day. We were already into our established onboard jokes. We bought the skipper and mate a bottle of their tipple as a thank you, something the other boats forgot or could not be bothered. Various prizes were handed out a forfeits made. The photos will be on a web site soon.
I ache all over and got a horrendous cold but it was ace fun and the storm was a real experience. 65 knots of apparent wind is something to see. What a trip, next time I want to make Ireland though. Being on the bow doing 9 nknots into wwaves in the dark is a real hoot once you get the confidence. what a trip.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'you're making a scene'.
12/10/02 arrived at Mayflower Marina Plymouth to join three yachts on a trip to cork. Saturday afternoon go out for a brief sail around Plymouth getting to know the boat and how to hoist reef and trim the sails and how the y want lines sheets stowed coiled (why is it always different?)
Saturday night a few beers at the very cramped sand understaffed bar and so to bed.
Next day after breakfast the weather forecast is discussed. It is not looking good with storm force 9 predicted around the Fastnet area. We decide to head out and head for Falmouth, once there we can reappraise the forecast and decide weather or not to push on.
We head straight into big winds and confused sea with a fully reefed main and a no2 Yankee. The wind builds steadily from 25 knots to a steady 42 knots with our highest gust at 65knots. More worryingly the visibility disappears to about 100m. Lunches start being lost and most are sent below with about five of us kept on deck should we be needed.
Fortunately we are able to free off for Falmouth. On the nose this would not have been at all fun
The boom at one point is two feet under water. The wind steadies down a bit to a force 7 and we are really starting to enjoy this. The other boat, training for the round the world has taken down its staysail but is being more adventurous poling out its Yankee as the wind drops. The third boat we learn nosed out of Plymouth and headed back in.
The weather clears and the wind is steady at about 35 knots and is not longer gusting much over 40. We can see the headland for Plymouth. We get in and start dropping all the canvas all not affected by mal de mer now back on deck. There are relieved faces as we reach Falmouth pontoon.
After an early dinner we hear banging. All hell has broken loose on the bay. The wind speed has leapt up again. We have burst two fenders and the boat is banging the pontoon. All hands are required to fend off as we try and get more fenders in. Behind us a brand new Oyster 56 is dancing up and down having burst all his fenders. We try and help where we can but have to concentrate on our own boat. Meanwhile the harbour launch is patrolling the moorings rescuing the odd boat that has broken free. A few boats manage to unfurl their gennys in the marina and again staff and helpers are on hand to get these back in. Meanwhile we scavange more fenders and keep a watching brief on the fenders. Trying to heave a gap between a pontoon and 42 tonne boat being pushed on by 70 knots of wind is some job. The waves are literally breaking over the coach roof of the boat soaking us.
I get onto the coach roof to parcel tie the sail cover, which is in danger of being blown off. I see a gust coming across the bay, followed by a waterspout. As I get blown down I manage to leap into the cockpit. The worst of the gust has passed and I manage to duck down and check the wind speed it is falling from 74 knots.
Eventually calm descends at about 9:00pm. The oyster has managed to replenish his fenders with a collection from the harbour office, the Dutch navy and an enterprising chandlery that decided to open. The forecast is for more of the same for the next 48 hours. We decide to head out tomorrow to the lizard and see if we want to head to Ireland. Some of the crew are not happy about this but I am sure the skipper will not subject us to 30 hours force 9 onto the nose to Cork. . He made the right call coming in to Falmouth and whilst confident of the boat is not a masochist, as he knows it is he who would spend longest at the wheel.
The next day dawns fair. We head out to lizard in gentle breeze but the forecast storms are still heading in, meaning wind on the nose to cork. The skipper consults various forecasts and head office and we head back to Falmouth. The other boat decides to push on and heads off towards the Scillies. We get into Falmouth again in the oyster’s spot who has moved around
The next forecast confirms the storms are coming in and are forecast force 10. A message that the other boat has received the forecast and is racing under motor and sail into deep water to try and get north of the storm. Meanwhile the3rd boat has made it from Plymouth. The decision is made that we will not go out tomorrow. That night the RNLI station records a gust of 90 knots before going off the scale. The fenders hold and no pushing is required as wind has veered round. The next day we troop round the new Falmouth lifeboat, launched in July. A truly impressive piece of engineering woth every detail thought out and showing years of experience in designing boats to go out and pull people from the brine. Strangely British that services like this and air ambulance are funded by charitable donation and manned for most part by volunteers ( air ambulance aside). After the tour I said how impressed I was but hoped he would’nt be offended if I say I never wanted to se the inside of the boat again. Lunch is whatever, and we head to the pub with a lecture on heavy weather sailing booked for the afternoon. That night we all eat out. The storms forecast appear to have missed us, but we are glad not to have been out in that. . That night supper in the chain locker pub ( with pub cat) bump into to 2 guys who came round lizard on Sunday night from Milford Haven. They are very shaken having been knocked flat three times. They have two transatsa and umpteen miles and swear that was the most scared they ever were. Leaving Ireland looking increasiblgy the right choice. Had a good laugh with them as one turns out to be a scouser and both know my stomping grounds round north wales. All end up a bit tired and emotional.
Next day and most of the crew have itchy feet, we want to get out. The skipper decides we will race with other boat to Dartmouth. Early start, forecast is good. Good sail steady force five gusting six. We get soundly beaten, the other boat has a clean bottom and new sails. Our staysail halyard has a distinct sag. A nice night sail into Falmouth and the wind pipes up. I am sent to the foredeck with one other guy to drop the Yankee and staysail. The boat is spanking along and heeling very nicely. Once up front I am fine if not a little knackered. But the sense of achievement was brilliant flaking a sail with the rails in he water was exhilarating. Catch last orders at the Castle. We realise the other boat has not been managing to cook whilst sailing they all refuse to go below, so as we savour a beer as they are all looking for a chip shop. The pain of loss is tinged with a certain satisfaction that we may not be fast but we in the long run we have the right plans.
Next day is a race to Fowey. Not such an early start. I helmed for the first two hours and managed to keep us ahead then level with the other boat wind was a beat but very light. as the wind built the other boat left us for dead, although it was as soon as I left the wheel. The only other drama was a brush with playstation. It was poncing around outside Plymouth going very slowly. We kept expecting it to free off and shoot towards Dartmouth. The wind And sea were ideal. As we drew closer play station ( or what was play station now something fossett) eventually tacked about 300m away from us and onto a starboard tack and started heading straight for us. We had already signalled we were turning to port and now gave five blasts. By this time a guy at the front started waving at the helm to pass us astern and they duly did, at speed. On the basis we could not get out of their way and that we had not varied course or speed for twenty minutes their actions seemed bizarre to basically tack on top of us and then head straight for us when they had the whole bay to play with. Another late night finish was on the cards. Eventually my mate ( and navigator that day ) gave us the choice. A two and a half hour sail to Fowey or a one-hour motor and we make the pub. The other boat was already in. The motor went on.
As we made our approach up the river the other boat was outside cheering us in with heavy irony. A few drinks in Fowey and so to bed.
Last day Fowey to Plymouth, round Eddystone. Light winds from behind. By this time the second boat was back from Cork and up for a race. My helming was pressed into service again but as soon as we rounded Eddystone and hardened up the other boats accelerated away. Into mayflower and start the clean up. A dinner and prize giving then off clubbing in Plymouth, an experience shall we say.
Conclusion.
The early forecast was for wind to be on the nose both to and from Ireland and force 9 gusting ten.. We made the right choice not to go. The boats would be capable but some of the crew had not done really any sailing before. The storms did miss bits of the Irish sea but we gambled and stayed safe.
The whole thing was exhilarating and exhausting. Top tip. Take earplugs if your roommates snore. I had about five hours total sleep the first 2 nights.
Finally we had a huge laugh. We did not stop laughing the entire time. At the final dinner the boat that made to Ireland was obviously in high spirits. The winners finally managed to gel a bit on the last day. We were already into our established onboard jokes. We bought the skipper and mate a bottle of their tipple as a thank you, something the other boats forgot or could not be bothered. Various prizes were handed out a forfeits made. The photos will be on a web site soon.
I ache all over and got a horrendous cold but it was ace fun and the storm was a real experience. 65 knots of apparent wind is something to see. What a trip, next time I want to make Ireland though. Being on the bow doing 9 nknots into wwaves in the dark is a real hoot once you get the confidence. what a trip.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'you're making a scene'.
