Manosk
Member
Subscribed
Round Britain day 104
- Thread starter Concerto
- Start date
benjenbav
Well-known member
Well, I’ve just taken you up to 87 subscribers and added a “like” to the rough weather video …
A few random observations on that video:
I liked the plastic pipe covering the strop between your main sheet block and the boom.
Did you change the ensign? Towards the end of the video it looks more worn and faded, but could just be the angle of the light.
You’ve mentioned putting one or two reefs into the genoa. I noticed that Concerto has roller reefing for the genoa and wondered if you have these settings marked or if you just roll away “sufficient” - judging it by eye/feel.
Finally, you mention not having enjoyed English as a school subject. Obviously, few can hope to write like Keats but, imho, the writing that we all tend to enjoy reading is that which lets us see things we hadn’t seen or think things we hadn’t thought.
A few random observations on that video:
I liked the plastic pipe covering the strop between your main sheet block and the boom.
Did you change the ensign? Towards the end of the video it looks more worn and faded, but could just be the angle of the light.
You’ve mentioned putting one or two reefs into the genoa. I noticed that Concerto has roller reefing for the genoa and wondered if you have these settings marked or if you just roll away “sufficient” - judging it by eye/feel.
Finally, you mention not having enjoyed English as a school subject. Obviously, few can hope to write like Keats but, imho, the writing that we all tend to enjoy reading is that which lets us see things we hadn’t seen or think things we hadn’t thought.
Concerto
Well-known member
The plastic tube makes it better hold than the wire strop.Well, I’ve just taken you up to 87 subscribers and added a “like” to the rough weather video …
A few random observations on that video:
I liked the plastic pipe covering the strop between your main sheet block and the boom.
Did you change the ensign? Towards the end of the video it looks more worn and faded, but could just be the angle of the light.
You’ve mentioned putting one or two reefs into the genoa. I noticed that Concerto has roller reefing for the genoa and wondered if you have these settings marked or if you just roll away “sufficient” - judging it by eye/feel.
Finally, you mention not having enjoyed English as a school subject. Obviously, few can hope to write like Keats but, imho, the writing that we all tend to enjoy reading is that which lets us see things we hadn’t seen or think things we hadn’t thought.
The ensign came with the boat when I bought Concerto in Dec 2013 and is getting near the end of its life. A new one has already been purchased and I will probably start using next year.
The genoa has some markers to show the reefs. 1st reef has one black circle near the tack along with a red Kemp label, the 2nd reef has double black circles. They are visible if you look carefully. I try to furl to these marks as it makes easy to know how much the sail has been reduced, but sometimes the tightness of the furl can alter this slightly.
Your comment about "enjoy reading is that which lets us see things we hadn’t seen or think things we hadn’t thought" is so true. That is something I always try describe my observations of how wind and water interact with the motion of the boat.
Whilst watching all the video clips during editting, it does not look as rough as it felt, but certainly not as bad as they could have been. I have sailed in far worse in the past and during this trip. It is more about showing that stronger winds can be useful to cover longer distances. 90 miles is further than sailing across the Channel from the Solent to Cherbourg by 20 miles. This is certainly not the longest distance I have sailed singlehanded, but near the longest. Having a lot of stamina does help endure longer trips, but does mean you get a larger cruising area.
lustyd
Well-known member
One good way to show roughness is to use a GoPro 10 with horizon levelling switched on. Everything but the horizon moves and it really shows the weather nicely, especially when inside the cabin. Very wide angle lenses seem to work well too for showing waves
owen
Member
very quiet on here. Is all ok??
creeks
Active member
A respectful silence I imagine.
Concerto
Well-known member
Two days of horrible weather meant two very lazy days.
The first day I never even made it into the cockpit due to the rain and then the news of the the Queen was under doctor's supervision and members of the Royal family were heading to Balmoral. I just left the tv on for several hours before I got bored and turned it off as it kept repeating the same reports. Whilst doing some reading,I received a news flash on my phone to say the Queen had died. Need I say any more.
The second day was nearly as lazy as I did 2 loads of laundry before the rain set in and I retired to the cabin. Whilst on the numerous walks to and from the laundry I ended up chatting with the berthing manager and then the marina manager. Both turned out to be interesting. The berthing manager is currently looking to buy a yacht, probably within the next month. A couple of days ago he had viewed a Westerly Tempest, but did not like the internal layout. I suggest he should come and have a look at Concerto, but unfortunately he could not do it yesterday. The marina manager was just going to check the bearing pads on the marina piles. They do wear and need to be changed at the end of their life and he had to count how many need changing. A member of the marina staff used to do the work until some unexpected wash moved the pontoon against the pile, unfortunately his hand was between the bearing pad and the pile. His hand was badly damaged and now the marina employ Walcon to come and change the pads at a huge cost. A couple of days earlier I spied a younger member of the team going round with a pole about a metre long with a large rubber head on one end. He was hitting every cleat to check none had come lose. If it had, then he would tighten the fittings to make them secure. The berthing manager also changed a small piece of rotten timber decking, something that had not been done by the regular maintenance team. These are things you may not imagine need doing, but they are checked on a regular basis to keep boats and people within the marina as safe as possible. Talking with the marina manager, the conversation went on to the new MDL online booking system. Unfortunately he said he was going to talk off the record but agreed it needed some changes to make it more user friendly. In the late afernoon the rain stopped and I then headed to look in Brixham Marine Packet Company. This is an antique shop specialising in maritime antiques, mainly from cruise liners. This all started as a hobby after he stopped working on the QEII. His collecting took over his house and he now has a shop, which includes a cafe. Chatting with the owner showed his passion for cruise liners. There is some cabin furniture, chairs from the QEII, cruise ship models, ship's fittings, books, documents, post cards, etc., etc. One thing I spotted that I had never seen before was a double pack of QEII playing cards in a presentation box that had never been opened, so I bought them as a memento of the trip I made on the QEII, just before she was requisitioned for the Falklands War.
Now I must download some photos and write up todays events.
Last edited:
Concerto
Well-known member
Looking at the wind forecasts and the weather forecasts, today was going to be a nonstarter as the wind was too light to sail fast enough for rounding Portland Bill without lots of motoring. The decision was I shall have better wind on Sunday.
Going ashore, I noticed the water in places was alive with baby fish jumping out of the water. Someone told me the baby fish were trying not to get eaten by lots of mackeral. As I started walking back from having a shower, the berthing manager was just behind me. He said he tried to look at Concerto yesterday, but went to the wrong boat and assumed I had gone ashore. He then asked if he could have a look now. No problem. Sorry guys, but there is now another person looking for a Fulmar now. The Concerto effect happens again.
Once he left, I had brunch. Looking at my phone, I saw the charge was too low to go out immediately, so while charging I watched some tv. Absolute decadence on such a sunny day. During any adverts I was preparing to get my bike out and the kit I needed. Once I had sufficient charge in my phone, I lifted the bike on to the pontoon and assembled everything. Just as I started wheeling the bike, I saw my neighbour on a finger pontoon catching mackeral with a few feathers on a small rod. He caught quite a few very quickly and threw back any that were too small, keeping 5 which were to be cooked today.
Devon is very hilly I have decided. First I cycled to Berry Head. Lovely views here, but unfortunately a no drone flying zone. Then over to Kingswear to catch the ferry to Dartmouth. After a look round town and a little shopping, it was back to the ferry. I have to say the ferry system is very clever as it is basically a barge with ramps at each end. Alongside is a large launch that changes position by flipping round to change the diretion of forward power via a split head rope on the bow. So simple, but it works. If you do not understand, you will just have to wait until I catch up with the videos as I videoed the process.
Leaving Kingswear, I stopped at the head of Waterhead Creek. Such a pleasant spot as it was near high tide. Then started the long slow climb to get over the hill to get to Brixham. On the way up I stopped 3 times, not because I was tired, but for some photographs. Once back in Brixham I rode past the Fish Quay and started hill climbing again, stopping by the Brixham Yacht Club to see the view. Not good enough for a photo, so I continue hill climbing. Then I found an excellent spot for a photo and to fly the drone. Technology is great, except when it decides it needs an update and does not load correctly and you have to start again. Finally I can fly the drone, but somehow the lens bloomed and the photos and videos look misty rather than crisp and colourful. I do not think I will use them at all.
Continuing along the road, it then dropped down to a car park almost at sea level. Then I followed the path back to the town centre, most of which had a no cycling sign, so had to push the bike. Back in town I could then ride until I started on the promonade back to the marina, when the ban started again. At the marina I kept going and then could ride again. I was heading for the harbour wall. This time I decided to ignore the single small no cycling sign and just go slowly. I had no need to get to the far end of the mile long breakwater, as the sun was setting and I wanted to take a series of photos as the sun dropped behind some trees. Close by there were a small number of people fishing and catching mackeral, the small fish were leaping out of the water to evade becoming supper to the mackeral and finally there was a seal joining in as well. So waiting for the sun to slowly drop was full of marine activity, plus a few boats moving as well. Then back on board to cook supper.
Looking south west from Berry Head
Berry Head lighthouse is very dumpy.
Dartmouth from the ferry ramp in Kingswear
Darthaven Marina with Kingswear behind
The head of Waterhead Creek
The road to Brixham rises alongside a small valley
The same valley looking down the hill
The view looking towards Man Sands and the sea
View from above Brixham Yacht Club towards the marina
The marina from the harbour wall and showing the wave break
Sunset over the outer harbour
Very near the end of the day
Going ashore, I noticed the water in places was alive with baby fish jumping out of the water. Someone told me the baby fish were trying not to get eaten by lots of mackeral. As I started walking back from having a shower, the berthing manager was just behind me. He said he tried to look at Concerto yesterday, but went to the wrong boat and assumed I had gone ashore. He then asked if he could have a look now. No problem. Sorry guys, but there is now another person looking for a Fulmar now. The Concerto effect happens again.
Once he left, I had brunch. Looking at my phone, I saw the charge was too low to go out immediately, so while charging I watched some tv. Absolute decadence on such a sunny day. During any adverts I was preparing to get my bike out and the kit I needed. Once I had sufficient charge in my phone, I lifted the bike on to the pontoon and assembled everything. Just as I started wheeling the bike, I saw my neighbour on a finger pontoon catching mackeral with a few feathers on a small rod. He caught quite a few very quickly and threw back any that were too small, keeping 5 which were to be cooked today.
Devon is very hilly I have decided. First I cycled to Berry Head. Lovely views here, but unfortunately a no drone flying zone. Then over to Kingswear to catch the ferry to Dartmouth. After a look round town and a little shopping, it was back to the ferry. I have to say the ferry system is very clever as it is basically a barge with ramps at each end. Alongside is a large launch that changes position by flipping round to change the diretion of forward power via a split head rope on the bow. So simple, but it works. If you do not understand, you will just have to wait until I catch up with the videos as I videoed the process.
Leaving Kingswear, I stopped at the head of Waterhead Creek. Such a pleasant spot as it was near high tide. Then started the long slow climb to get over the hill to get to Brixham. On the way up I stopped 3 times, not because I was tired, but for some photographs. Once back in Brixham I rode past the Fish Quay and started hill climbing again, stopping by the Brixham Yacht Club to see the view. Not good enough for a photo, so I continue hill climbing. Then I found an excellent spot for a photo and to fly the drone. Technology is great, except when it decides it needs an update and does not load correctly and you have to start again. Finally I can fly the drone, but somehow the lens bloomed and the photos and videos look misty rather than crisp and colourful. I do not think I will use them at all.
Continuing along the road, it then dropped down to a car park almost at sea level. Then I followed the path back to the town centre, most of which had a no cycling sign, so had to push the bike. Back in town I could then ride until I started on the promonade back to the marina, when the ban started again. At the marina I kept going and then could ride again. I was heading for the harbour wall. This time I decided to ignore the single small no cycling sign and just go slowly. I had no need to get to the far end of the mile long breakwater, as the sun was setting and I wanted to take a series of photos as the sun dropped behind some trees. Close by there were a small number of people fishing and catching mackeral, the small fish were leaping out of the water to evade becoming supper to the mackeral and finally there was a seal joining in as well. So waiting for the sun to slowly drop was full of marine activity, plus a few boats moving as well. Then back on board to cook supper.
Looking south west from Berry Head
Berry Head lighthouse is very dumpy.
Dartmouth from the ferry ramp in Kingswear
Darthaven Marina with Kingswear behind
The head of Waterhead Creek
The road to Brixham rises alongside a small valley
The same valley looking down the hill
The view looking towards Man Sands and the sea
View from above Brixham Yacht Club towards the marina
The marina from the harbour wall and showing the wave break
Sunset over the outer harbour
Very near the end of the day
Resolution
Well-known member
Another subscribed. Keep them coming!
lustyd
Well-known member
Those barges are a nightmare in the entrance to the Dart. If you’re not used to them it’s impossible to know what to do. We slowed down to let it pass once not knowing it then basically stops and drifts while the tug changes direction. This would be fine if there was only one but the other sneaks up from the other direction! Luckily they are used to yachts and deal with it for you
rotrax
Well-known member
Never found the Lower Ferry a problem. First Mate, who is I/C steering knows it is there. She also knows it is, as you say, a bit unpredictable, especially during fast moving tides. As she expects this, she is ready to take whatever action is needed.
In Dartmouth at the moment, watched the Lower Ferry crossing as we went for a drink in the Yacht Club earlier.
It was all over the place, but the handlers know EXACTLY what needs to be done. And they do it.
ashtead
Well-known member
Thanks for latest update. I don’t have a pack of QEII cards but I do have a bottle of QEII whiskey . I think a pack of cards might be a more useful item for you though given your abstinence. Hopefully you had a good sail today to Portland.
Concerto
Well-known member
The next report is here.
Round Britain day 109
Round Britain day 109