Concerto
Well-known member
After 12 days in the Hamble, so I could be at the Southampton Boat Show to help set up the Westerly Owners Association stand and then everyday it was open, it was time to move again. The destination was Eastbourne via the Looe Channel off Selsey Bill.
Whilst at the show on Saturday I was chatting with a fairly recent owner of a Fulmar. He wanted to see Concerto and would love to have a sail with me, well both his wishes have been granted. Matt arrived yesterday evening after he had finished work and was promptly given spaghetti bolognese and washed down with a can of cider. After chatting for quite a while, it was early to bed as the alarm was set for 05.30 and to leave before 07.00. Despite me getting to bed early and falling asleep, my wife decided to text me just before midnight with a problem at home. Grrrr. Once answered, I headed back to the land of nod. Luckily Matt was not disturbed.
As might be expected, I woke up a minute before the alarm but not fully rested. Preparation for leaving went smoothly and the berth was slipped at 06.50. Whilst I tidied the fenders and warps, Matt helmed down the Hamble with the sunrising. It seemed very calm and quiet as we were the only boat moving and we made sure we left minimal wash. Once clear of Hamble Point Marina, the throttle was opened to enter Southampton Water, just after 2 container ships and 2 fast ferries had passed. Up went the mainsail with a single reef as the wind now felt fairly strong and an increase was forecast for later in the day and the genoa was fully unfurled as we were on a broad reach on starboard tack. As we entered the Solent we finally picked up a tidal push astern and headed towards Horse Sand Fort. Progress was fast despite the wind being SSW, not the NNW forecast. Astern we could see precipitation over the Isle of Wight, which fortunately missed us. As we progressed along the Eastern Solent a Brittany Ferry came out from Portsmouth and we saw one large yacht motor sailing towards us and five yachts, abeam or astern heading in our general direction. Within 20 minutes all of these yachts had dropped fast astern. The final approach to the Looe Channel was made with the sails goose winged and we hit 10.5 knots over the ground. The water was slightly confused so I headed slightly south of track to make the ride more comfortable. Matt had never sailed using an autopilot before and was impressed with the push button coures changes and how much more relaxed sailing could be.
Once we were a couple of miles south of track I gybed back to head inshore out of the tide. The ride became slightly more uncomfortable and Matt said he felt a little queasy, so I harderned the course to try and smooth the motion. The offer of a bucket was well received, which he used about 20 minutes later. He then felt very drowsy and fell asleep for about ¾ hour. The wind had shifted slightly to about W and increase with the added benefit of some rain. This meant I could alter course slightly for a better run towards Beachy Head. However Matt succumbed again, poor chap. Once he had recovered slightly, I offered him the option of shortening the route and going to Brighton instead. Initially he declined, but I maintained a course for Brighton. Later he realised how much longer the journey would be and accepted his need for calm waters was greater than my need to reach Eastbourne.
Closing Brighton Marina, I furled the genoa away and started the engine. Giving Matt the helm, I dropped the mainsail and headed aft to pull in the mainsheet. The confused sea made Matt feel unwell gain and as he reached for the bucket again, the mainsheet came unclipped and a block hit me on the forehead and drawing some blood. What a right pair we must have looked, but luckily no one saw. As soon as we were in calm water I made Matt take the helm whilst I rigged the fenders. Then I gave the marina a call on VHF for a berth and to find which side to berth. They gave the berth number, but I had to call back which side I was to berth so I could rig the lines. Trying to motor in the close confines of the marina entrance was not that easy for Matt, so I took over the helm. Luckily we were allocated a finger pontoon berth behind the hotel, which dropped the wind to quite light. This made berthing straightforward.
Leaving Matt to make a cup of coffee, I headed for the office. However this proved difficult as we were on a yacht club pontoon with a locked gate to open to get on the main floating pier. Just as I was about to phone the marina, a lady walked by and used her key fob to unlock the gate. After paying for the berth I had to phone with the electric socket number to get the mains to work. I did this, only to be told I must connect my cable first. I said fine give me a few minutes get the cable out and connected, then turn it on. After the cable had been connected for 10 minutes I phoned again and the power was turned on.
Matt was feeling a lot better and discussed the trip. He enjoyed the sailing but was unhappy at feeding the fishes. He nothing to worry about as the 52 miles we had sailed was the longest trip he had ever done and his first time to escape from Lake Solent. He declined staying for dinner of sweet and sour chicken with rice, and headed for the railway station in Brighton. I had to let him out so he could escape from the pontoons.
A short while later there was a lot of bird twittering outside. The masts of the surrounding boat were covered with small black birds, probably starlings. Quickly I went on deck to make them fly off before they crapped too much over the deck. Luckily moving about 30 from my mast top, caused the rest to leave as well and they headed for downtown Brighton.
Leaving the marina
Sun rise on the Hamble
Little wash from Concerto to disturb anyone
Matt at the helm
HMS Severn in her new camoflage colour scheme
Portsmouth-based HMS Severn gets camouflage paint job not used since the 1940s
Brittany Ferry heading for France
Horse Sand Fort
Sleeping Matt
Birds everywhere
Even more birds
For anyone wanting to read the reports from the start, this is the link to first one.
Round Britian day 1
All the links with place names are in my about me page available from my avatar.
Whilst at the show on Saturday I was chatting with a fairly recent owner of a Fulmar. He wanted to see Concerto and would love to have a sail with me, well both his wishes have been granted. Matt arrived yesterday evening after he had finished work and was promptly given spaghetti bolognese and washed down with a can of cider. After chatting for quite a while, it was early to bed as the alarm was set for 05.30 and to leave before 07.00. Despite me getting to bed early and falling asleep, my wife decided to text me just before midnight with a problem at home. Grrrr. Once answered, I headed back to the land of nod. Luckily Matt was not disturbed.
As might be expected, I woke up a minute before the alarm but not fully rested. Preparation for leaving went smoothly and the berth was slipped at 06.50. Whilst I tidied the fenders and warps, Matt helmed down the Hamble with the sunrising. It seemed very calm and quiet as we were the only boat moving and we made sure we left minimal wash. Once clear of Hamble Point Marina, the throttle was opened to enter Southampton Water, just after 2 container ships and 2 fast ferries had passed. Up went the mainsail with a single reef as the wind now felt fairly strong and an increase was forecast for later in the day and the genoa was fully unfurled as we were on a broad reach on starboard tack. As we entered the Solent we finally picked up a tidal push astern and headed towards Horse Sand Fort. Progress was fast despite the wind being SSW, not the NNW forecast. Astern we could see precipitation over the Isle of Wight, which fortunately missed us. As we progressed along the Eastern Solent a Brittany Ferry came out from Portsmouth and we saw one large yacht motor sailing towards us and five yachts, abeam or astern heading in our general direction. Within 20 minutes all of these yachts had dropped fast astern. The final approach to the Looe Channel was made with the sails goose winged and we hit 10.5 knots over the ground. The water was slightly confused so I headed slightly south of track to make the ride more comfortable. Matt had never sailed using an autopilot before and was impressed with the push button coures changes and how much more relaxed sailing could be.
Once we were a couple of miles south of track I gybed back to head inshore out of the tide. The ride became slightly more uncomfortable and Matt said he felt a little queasy, so I harderned the course to try and smooth the motion. The offer of a bucket was well received, which he used about 20 minutes later. He then felt very drowsy and fell asleep for about ¾ hour. The wind had shifted slightly to about W and increase with the added benefit of some rain. This meant I could alter course slightly for a better run towards Beachy Head. However Matt succumbed again, poor chap. Once he had recovered slightly, I offered him the option of shortening the route and going to Brighton instead. Initially he declined, but I maintained a course for Brighton. Later he realised how much longer the journey would be and accepted his need for calm waters was greater than my need to reach Eastbourne.
Closing Brighton Marina, I furled the genoa away and started the engine. Giving Matt the helm, I dropped the mainsail and headed aft to pull in the mainsheet. The confused sea made Matt feel unwell gain and as he reached for the bucket again, the mainsheet came unclipped and a block hit me on the forehead and drawing some blood. What a right pair we must have looked, but luckily no one saw. As soon as we were in calm water I made Matt take the helm whilst I rigged the fenders. Then I gave the marina a call on VHF for a berth and to find which side to berth. They gave the berth number, but I had to call back which side I was to berth so I could rig the lines. Trying to motor in the close confines of the marina entrance was not that easy for Matt, so I took over the helm. Luckily we were allocated a finger pontoon berth behind the hotel, which dropped the wind to quite light. This made berthing straightforward.
Leaving Matt to make a cup of coffee, I headed for the office. However this proved difficult as we were on a yacht club pontoon with a locked gate to open to get on the main floating pier. Just as I was about to phone the marina, a lady walked by and used her key fob to unlock the gate. After paying for the berth I had to phone with the electric socket number to get the mains to work. I did this, only to be told I must connect my cable first. I said fine give me a few minutes get the cable out and connected, then turn it on. After the cable had been connected for 10 minutes I phoned again and the power was turned on.
Matt was feeling a lot better and discussed the trip. He enjoyed the sailing but was unhappy at feeding the fishes. He nothing to worry about as the 52 miles we had sailed was the longest trip he had ever done and his first time to escape from Lake Solent. He declined staying for dinner of sweet and sour chicken with rice, and headed for the railway station in Brighton. I had to let him out so he could escape from the pontoons.
A short while later there was a lot of bird twittering outside. The masts of the surrounding boat were covered with small black birds, probably starlings. Quickly I went on deck to make them fly off before they crapped too much over the deck. Luckily moving about 30 from my mast top, caused the rest to leave as well and they headed for downtown Brighton.
Leaving the marina
Sun rise on the Hamble
Little wash from Concerto to disturb anyone
Matt at the helm
HMS Severn in her new camoflage colour scheme
Portsmouth-based HMS Severn gets camouflage paint job not used since the 1940s
Brittany Ferry heading for France
Horse Sand Fort
Sleeping Matt
Birds everywhere
Even more birds
For anyone wanting to read the reports from the start, this is the link to first one.
Round Britian day 1
All the links with place names are in my about me page available from my avatar.
