Nice to be back on the water

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alcyone
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Alcyone

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Had a sail in Cardiff bay yesterday, after a month out, fitting a new engine. Great fun, even though the winds were very light.

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A leaking diesel pipe gave us an interesting end to the day. Engine would not start, so I sailed back up the Taff to the club, and even moored on our pontoon under sail in time to watch the game. If I hadn't fallen trying to drop the main, it would have been perfection!
 
Sneds said:
Mooring under sail? I struggle with two engines!

Nice pics - those clouds look ominous!
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Yes, I was quite pleased to do that, albeit the winds were light, and from a favourable direction.

Regarding the clouds, I chided the missis when she said, a little earlier, 'Looks like rain' saying 'It won't rain today'. The showers started about 1/2 hour later!

:D
 
We were at Mermaid Quay for the weekend, fitted new sails to Blue Pearl with expectation of trying them out on the way back to Portishead ............. 1.5 Knts True wind !!! Typical isn't it ?

Anyway, we did manage to get out for a little wizz around the bay before heading off back under engine.
Not a bad weekend all in all though.
 
Blue_Pearl said:
We were at Mermaid Quay for the weekend, fitted new sails to Blue Pearl with expectation of trying them out on the way back to Portishead ............. 1.5 Knts True wind !!! Typical isn't it ?

Anyway, we did manage to get out for a little wizz around the bay before heading off back under engine.
Not a bad weekend all in all though.
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Was it you stooging round the bay lunchtime Sunday - blue hull shiny laminate sails? You werent going very fast!
 
Bosun Higgs said:
Was it you stooging round the bay lunchtime Sunday - blue hull shiny laminate sails? You werent going very fast!
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Yeah that was us ............ no wind to go fast ....... just managed 5.1kts in 6.3kt true wind.
Spent most of the time adjusting the cars and outhaul etc. as we only put the sails on that morning. What boat were you on ?
 
Blue_Pearl said:
Yeah that was us ............ no wind to go fast ....... just managed 5.1kts in 6.3kt true wind.
Spent most of the time adjusting the cars and outhaul etc. as we only put the sails on that morning. What boat were you on ?
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How are the new sails?

have you had them out in a decent gust since? Can't wait to see them.;)
 
I suspect blue pearl's new sails look something like the flashy laminate ones on the blue hulled boat that seemed to pass round Denny island effortlessly on Saturday. That boat and those sails were like an apparition. The boat was about to pass to leeward of Denny, but somehow she went to windward. It was beautiful to behold.
 
Thanks Zlod, we did have a good race ...... 1st over the line and 1st on handicap !! Now I know the boat can achieve / beat it's handicap so if I don't win the other races it's all down to me !
As part of the service from Crusader Sails, they offered to come and take part in a race and set up / trim the new sails (Carbon / Kevlar Diax2 ........... dead shiny and dead fast !)
The guys (Paul Lees and his son Mark) were amazing - they set the bpat up to get the max from the sails and we were left speachless at their knowledge, level of concentration and apparent ease with which they raced. It was their first time out in the chocolate waters of the Severn and they had the race course mapped out in their heads within minutes, estimating and planning tacks way in advance. The pressure they put the halyards and sheets under was also a sight to behold ! I may be able to post a small video clip of the race (give me a day or so to harness the technology first).
Blue Pearl now points a lot higher and seems to have a new lease of life with her new sails. I've got a new No.3 as well complete with 3 battens ! I'll try that out when we have a little more wind.

What boat were you on Zlod ? If you ever fancy a trip out just give me a shout, I've been told to try and get at least 6 people on board for future races.

If you were wondering why we didn't use the spinnaker it's because we've declared "No Spinnaker" for the series as we're not really familiar enough with it yet.

Martin, you've gotta book a slot for next years Lundy race ........ Blue Pearl will cream the rest of the fleet next year :)
 
Blue_Pearl said:
Martin, you've gotta book a slot for next years Lundy race ........ Blue Pearl will cream the rest of the fleet next year :)
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Haha! It all sounds good and really exciting, so glad to hear your new sails are so good.:)

I am away next weekend, but you can book me in for the rest of the Winter Series if you wish.

I am filling my charters for next year, so not sure about the Holms Race until nearer the time.

See you at the club on Wednesday if you can make it.
 
Blue_Pearl said:
Yeah that was us ............ no wind to go fast ....... just managed 5.1kts in 6.3kt true wind.
Spent most of the time adjusting the cars and outhaul etc. as we only put the sails on that morning. What boat were you on ?
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I was in the club bar having lunch and watching you! My boat is out of the water for repair.

Sails looked good. Can we have some details please.
 
Details BH ....... Well I went to the usual suspects for sail quotations and to be quite frank, crusader were the mooted informative, most interested in making the sails and offered the best discount ! The offer to come out for a race once the sails were fitted also swung it a lot.
The material is called Diax 2 from Bainbridge, it's a carbon and Kevlar weave and as you saw looks pretty sharp to boot. Originally I was only going ton replace the ripped No3 genoa, but as usual I got a little carried away and went for a new No3, a No2 and a new main !
The difference between old and new is phenomenal, pointing ability is almost 10 degrees higher now, the downside is the worry that they need a little more TLC than the old ones.

Am I happy ......... You bet :)
 
I was on my contessa 26 heading for penarth. We were half way between and south west of a line between Newcombe and Denny island so we had a really good view of the race.

You should be pleased with your new sails. Blue pearl clearly sails well with them and she looks really smart with them. New sails are nice things - especially ones with Kevlar and carbon in them!
 
liam99 said:
nice pics looks lovely, i would love to do it one day.
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Liam, let me know when you're available ........ I'll take you out for a "spin" .......... Next race is on the 27th nov. I think. Nothing as serious as the last race so no need to be "expert", we take part for the fun mostly.
 
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