River Yealm in a westerly breeze

[[2574]]

I chickened out on Friday. We were coming downwind from Fowey, about 25kts true with a decent SW swell. We fancied Newton Ferrers for dinner but I didn't fancy the Yealm entrance in those conditions, so we went in to Cawsand and hid behind Rame Head. Did I chicken out unnecessarily? Do I need to "man up"?

Rob

 

[photodog]

Yeah, you chickened out.

It's the swell behind and around the mew stone that I always found uncomfortable.

The actual entrance is ok... Up to a point.

 

[clyst]

Depends on the state of tide what time was your eta at yealm on Friday ? It always a bit lumpy in the uneven ground by the Mewstone

 

[[2574]]

Depends on the state of tide what time was your eta at yealm on Friday ? It always a bit lumpy in the uneven ground by the Mewstone

We were about an hour after low water....

 

[clyst]

We were about an hour after low water....

In those conditions I wouldn't have attempted it till near HW. It can kick up a bit at Cellars at low water.

 

[photodog]

We were about an hour after low water....

Well the real problem your gonna have at that time is rolling up your trouser legs to get across the bar....

 

[richgiddens]

I chickened out on Friday. We were coming downwind from Fowey, about 25kts true with a decent SW swell. We fancied Newton Ferrers for dinner but I didn't fancy the Yealm entrance in those conditions, so we went in to Cawsand and hid behind Rame Head. Did I chicken out unnecessarily? Do I need to "man up"?

Rob

Don't know the Yealm myself but, "chicken out"? Doesn't enter into it, you're the skipper, made a decision, end of.

 

[Blueboatman]

Cawsand one of my least favourite anchorages . Tidal eddy and rolly polly.. Think I would have nipped up the Tamar using the good beer guide..
Hope the beat back to Fowey was better!

 

[Appledore]

Correct decision

Son and I were intending on Newton Ferrers last summer, but once out past Plymouth breakwater the conditions out towards the Mewstone turned nasty, with SW winds increasing, so we headed over to Cawsand. Had trouble with a halyard wrapped around the top of the furling Genoa, and I spent half an hour or so on the bows trying to pull the foot in by hand. Not easy in the gusty conditions, and there was damage to the stitching. Cawsand was quite sheltered and calm, easy row ashore, and the beer was delightful!

However, as soon as we got there, the weather improved, and we wondered what all the fuss was about.

I just felt uneasy about trying to enter the Yealm with such a unpredictable SWesterly.