lionelz
Well-Known Member
Well as some of you know I had my second holiday on the boat this year, a 30ft rinker 270 with a yanmar 240 single diesel. Last year we had a week in it going to Brighton to Eastbourne, this year I wanted to go further so early this year I made the decision to go to falmouth over 2 weeks. I have always liked Cornwall and firmly believe that it's magnificent if the weather is right, the trouble with this country you just cannot count on the weather. The plan was to go from 11 - 24 July.
Day 1
Sunday, load boat check engine fill up and get early night.
Day 2
Weather bad stay in gosport.
Day 3
Weather better, set off at 930 get 45 minutes in and still in the solent, decided that we could not go on so turned back.
Day 4
Set of again weather better than the day before, it's ok in the solent leave the solent via north bouy and sea deteriorates but decide to press on. Get to Weymouth bay and get told to push out further as Lulworth range is firing, as we are are approaching weymouth we get him by a massive squall.
25 minutes later when entering weymouth harbour brilliant sun. Total travel time 3.45
Day 5
Leave Weymouth and set of for falmouth, whilst crossing Lyme bay we run into these dolphins
We had the sea to ourselves
The first part of the crossing was a bit rough but the water state got better as we progressed. Managed to miss the worse and bypass the worst of the portland race by taking the inner route close to shore.
We went straight across both bays and on both occasions first part was tough going second half's were much better, eventually got to falmouth premier marina after 7.15 at sea with me at the helm. It was a long day, too long!.
Day 6 and 7
Spent in falmouth weather was great however the previous two day had taken it out on my wife and she refused to explore by sea, so we had a lovely walk into falmouth and just had lazy days.
Day 8.
Weather was fantastic no wind and brilliant sunshine. I am determined to get out on boat wife not so keen, so persuade her to make the journey back to weymouth. Was a good call set of at 12, trip took 6 hours this time. Back to Weymouth. The sea was just fantastic and we managed to cruise at 20 knts all the way except when stopping to see the wildlife and take pictures saw more dolphins, sunfish and went through a massive school of massive jelly fish, water was so clear we could see so much. Spent night moored up in Weymouth and great meal out.
Day 9
weather was even better that the day before, 0 wind and not a cloud in the sky. Leave Weymouth at 1030 and put engine in tick over and take a slow motor down to Lulworth cove, going so slow even have sail boats motoring past me
get to Lulworth cove and it's just paradise. Water crystal clear not a cloud in the sky. We spend all day anchored up living the life. Stay there till after the ranges close then take a close inshore route back to Poole and then open her up back to the solent. Lulworth to gosport 2.30 hours. Just fantastic.
Day 10.
Have some friends down, and spend day at west wittering on the hottest day of the year. Spend 4 hours at anchor have to move because getting a bit shallow. For some reason after move to deeper water anchor will not take so decide to cruise chichester harbour, we then quickly shot over to whitecliffe on IOW. Get caught in wind over tide issues when leaving, I get soaked though as have water coming over the bow of boat in the peaks and troughs of the wave, my friend love it
.
Spent the next few days doing day trips from gosport although getting busy because of the america's cup.
Overall a fantastic 2 weeks with possibly the best weather of the year.
What did I learn from it? First of all the main issue were my legs were to long, next year (yes already planning) I will do weymouth, Dartmouth, then falmouth. Hopefully this will make wife more keen to stay on boat and explore when in Cornwall.
As much I planned on way point travel times in every instance it took longer, so must add a fudge factor when planning it.
I must learn to enjoy the journey as well as the destination. I think next year with shorter legs this will help as I will be able to have a slower cruise.
Make the wife happy, if she is happy then we are all happy
The boat was brilliant. In all we done just over 400 miles, with 26 hours of engine running time. Average speed was about 15 knots and we were burning over the whole trip 28 ltrs and hour. The engine was just brilliant, I completed my checks everyday and did not need to add anything all levels stayed the same as when I left.
Overall a fantastic trip with wife happy for the same sort of thing next year.
PS. I have loads of pictures but for some reason, it will not let me upload how do I do it?
Day 1
Sunday, load boat check engine fill up and get early night.
Day 2
Weather bad stay in gosport.
Day 3
Weather better, set off at 930 get 45 minutes in and still in the solent, decided that we could not go on so turned back.
Day 4
Set of again weather better than the day before, it's ok in the solent leave the solent via north bouy and sea deteriorates but decide to press on. Get to Weymouth bay and get told to push out further as Lulworth range is firing, as we are are approaching weymouth we get him by a massive squall.
25 minutes later when entering weymouth harbour brilliant sun. Total travel time 3.45
Day 5
Leave Weymouth and set of for falmouth, whilst crossing Lyme bay we run into these dolphins
We had the sea to ourselves
The first part of the crossing was a bit rough but the water state got better as we progressed. Managed to miss the worse and bypass the worst of the portland race by taking the inner route close to shore.
We went straight across both bays and on both occasions first part was tough going second half's were much better, eventually got to falmouth premier marina after 7.15 at sea with me at the helm. It was a long day, too long!.
Day 6 and 7
Spent in falmouth weather was great however the previous two day had taken it out on my wife and she refused to explore by sea, so we had a lovely walk into falmouth and just had lazy days.
Day 8.
Weather was fantastic no wind and brilliant sunshine. I am determined to get out on boat wife not so keen, so persuade her to make the journey back to weymouth. Was a good call set of at 12, trip took 6 hours this time. Back to Weymouth. The sea was just fantastic and we managed to cruise at 20 knts all the way except when stopping to see the wildlife and take pictures saw more dolphins, sunfish and went through a massive school of massive jelly fish, water was so clear we could see so much. Spent night moored up in Weymouth and great meal out.
Day 9
weather was even better that the day before, 0 wind and not a cloud in the sky. Leave Weymouth at 1030 and put engine in tick over and take a slow motor down to Lulworth cove, going so slow even have sail boats motoring past me
get to Lulworth cove and it's just paradise. Water crystal clear not a cloud in the sky. We spend all day anchored up living the life. Stay there till after the ranges close then take a close inshore route back to Poole and then open her up back to the solent. Lulworth to gosport 2.30 hours. Just fantastic. Day 10.
Have some friends down, and spend day at west wittering on the hottest day of the year. Spend 4 hours at anchor have to move because getting a bit shallow. For some reason after move to deeper water anchor will not take so decide to cruise chichester harbour, we then quickly shot over to whitecliffe on IOW. Get caught in wind over tide issues when leaving, I get soaked though as have water coming over the bow of boat in the peaks and troughs of the wave, my friend love it
. Spent the next few days doing day trips from gosport although getting busy because of the america's cup.
Overall a fantastic 2 weeks with possibly the best weather of the year.
What did I learn from it? First of all the main issue were my legs were to long, next year (yes already planning) I will do weymouth, Dartmouth, then falmouth. Hopefully this will make wife more keen to stay on boat and explore when in Cornwall.
As much I planned on way point travel times in every instance it took longer, so must add a fudge factor when planning it.
I must learn to enjoy the journey as well as the destination. I think next year with shorter legs this will help as I will be able to have a slower cruise.
Make the wife happy, if she is happy then we are all happy
The boat was brilliant. In all we done just over 400 miles, with 26 hours of engine running time. Average speed was about 15 knots and we were burning over the whole trip 28 ltrs and hour. The engine was just brilliant, I completed my checks everyday and did not need to add anything all levels stayed the same as when I left.
Overall a fantastic trip with wife happy for the same sort of thing next year.
PS. I have loads of pictures but for some reason, it will not let me upload how do I do it?
