Concerto
Well-known member
Last night I did not mention I may be moving again. The forecast was for SW 5 to 6 and I had not checked the tides, hence no comment. The alarm rang too early again, I had less than 3 hours sleep. Still a man has to do what man needs to do. I slipped out of the marina at 5.30, quickly hoisted the main with one reef, then continued to motor into wind. As soon as I turned northward (what, you are going the wrong way) and found I was travelling rather quickly. So, I only unrolled the genoa with a double reef. Not only was I travelling fast throught the water but the tide was in my favour giving a combined speed of 9½ knots, thank you very much. However I decided I should put the second reef in the mainsail. As I proceeded up Yell Sound, I headed for the western side for some protection from the wind and rain. Quickly I checked potential anchorages close by if I thought the wind too strong, plus a few places on the west coast of Shetland main island. Better to be prepared rather than hoping something will turn up. It was difficult to tell the exact wind direction because of funnelling due to the hills and valleys.
When I reached the Point of Fethaland, I cut between the point and some offshore rocks. As I hardened up I was able to make about 290 degrees. This was quite good as I needed a lot of westing to be able to tack on to the making leg down the coast. The sea was certainly rough and almost on the nose but I was making 5½ to 5¾ knots as close as I dare go. This tack was held for about 10 miles. Not knowing what the tacking angle would be in such rough conditions, I guessed when I thought I could make it down in one hitch. Starboard tack was much nicer as I was slicing over the waves and I could get 6+ knots. Using the autotack meant I initially tacked through 100 degrees, but had to harden up to about 90 degrees, however after tide and leeway played their part, the tacking angle was about 110 degrees. This tack I held for about 18 miles until I was close to Papa Stourand had to tack out again for a couple of miles. Once I passed this island I was able to hold this tack for a further 25 miles, gradually easing the sheets, until I dropped my sails.
It was a rough ride, but I can honestly say Concerto only slammed down twice after falling off the back of a couple of steep waves. I suffered a few problems that all need sorting urgently. The autopilot popped off the pin on the tiller arm, not once but twice. Watching it closely I realised the arm had become loose again, so the nuts need tightening. This is only temporary fix as I think I need to fit penny washers under the bolt heads to stop the wood getting compressed. Some of the waves broke on the deck and smashed against the sprayhood. This forced water through the slots in the breakwater used by the halyards. When sailing Concerto is slightly nose down, so the water does not run aft but under the companionway hatch. From here it somehow runs on to the backs of the headling panels inside the cabin and drips everywhere inside. One particularly massive wave forced water straight down the main hatch and soaked the chart table with my almanac, tide tables, pilot guide and note pad. This has never happened before, but I then closed the hatch in case it happened again. On board I have some sheet rubber and brass strips so will close the slots for the halyards almost completely and also fit some rubber to stop any water flow going into the hatch box. I should mention that most waves were 8 to 10 ft peak to trough, but some were 12 to 14 ft. Then some things moved in the forward hanging locker, forcing the door open. I could not get the stuff back in so it remained on the floor. As I turned to come back outside I saw a few drips coming from the starboard fore cabin window. The interscrews on the fore cabin windows have not been checked for tightness since I removed them to replace the headling, so they will both be checked tomorrow. The final item was the 3rd full batten on the mainsail decide to detach from its car, hopefully nothing is missing and can be screwed back together tomorrow. Currently I am warming the interior up to help dry out most of the moisture ingress.
So have you guessed where I ended up at? Scalloway. Berthed at the boat club, but that was very difficult berting. I was berthing cross wind on the lee side of the pontoon. The first attempt I had someone helping, but could not get the stern in, so slipped out to try again. This time I had 3 helpers and did get in but I certainly doubt I could have done it on my own. The wind is still blowing at about a force 6 with lots of heavy showers. Currently I have 9 lines out to secure Concerto.
Now for the facts on the journey. The measured distance is 63 miles, the vast majority to windward, so I probably travelled about 80 miles. This took about 13 hours, giving a speed over the ground of just over 6 knots. Considering I punched a lot of tide for hours on end, I feel that was quite reasonable. Luckily tonight I have mains electric as my domestic batteries were showing only 11.8V having started this morning at 12.8V with virtully no engine charging other than the solar panel over 3 days.
Late last night from the cockpit.
Passing through the narrows of Yell Sound. Look in the bottom left of the chart plotter to see the speed over the ground.
Cutting inside the rocks at Point of Fethaland.
The detached 3rd batten from the car.
Papa Stour.
This cliff has his hat on or does it just have its head in the clouds?
Approaching Scalloway.
Scalloway ahead.
For anyone wanting to read the reports from the start, this is the link to first one.
Round Britian day 1
When I reached the Point of Fethaland, I cut between the point and some offshore rocks. As I hardened up I was able to make about 290 degrees. This was quite good as I needed a lot of westing to be able to tack on to the making leg down the coast. The sea was certainly rough and almost on the nose but I was making 5½ to 5¾ knots as close as I dare go. This tack was held for about 10 miles. Not knowing what the tacking angle would be in such rough conditions, I guessed when I thought I could make it down in one hitch. Starboard tack was much nicer as I was slicing over the waves and I could get 6+ knots. Using the autotack meant I initially tacked through 100 degrees, but had to harden up to about 90 degrees, however after tide and leeway played their part, the tacking angle was about 110 degrees. This tack I held for about 18 miles until I was close to Papa Stourand had to tack out again for a couple of miles. Once I passed this island I was able to hold this tack for a further 25 miles, gradually easing the sheets, until I dropped my sails.
It was a rough ride, but I can honestly say Concerto only slammed down twice after falling off the back of a couple of steep waves. I suffered a few problems that all need sorting urgently. The autopilot popped off the pin on the tiller arm, not once but twice. Watching it closely I realised the arm had become loose again, so the nuts need tightening. This is only temporary fix as I think I need to fit penny washers under the bolt heads to stop the wood getting compressed. Some of the waves broke on the deck and smashed against the sprayhood. This forced water through the slots in the breakwater used by the halyards. When sailing Concerto is slightly nose down, so the water does not run aft but under the companionway hatch. From here it somehow runs on to the backs of the headling panels inside the cabin and drips everywhere inside. One particularly massive wave forced water straight down the main hatch and soaked the chart table with my almanac, tide tables, pilot guide and note pad. This has never happened before, but I then closed the hatch in case it happened again. On board I have some sheet rubber and brass strips so will close the slots for the halyards almost completely and also fit some rubber to stop any water flow going into the hatch box. I should mention that most waves were 8 to 10 ft peak to trough, but some were 12 to 14 ft. Then some things moved in the forward hanging locker, forcing the door open. I could not get the stuff back in so it remained on the floor. As I turned to come back outside I saw a few drips coming from the starboard fore cabin window. The interscrews on the fore cabin windows have not been checked for tightness since I removed them to replace the headling, so they will both be checked tomorrow. The final item was the 3rd full batten on the mainsail decide to detach from its car, hopefully nothing is missing and can be screwed back together tomorrow. Currently I am warming the interior up to help dry out most of the moisture ingress.
So have you guessed where I ended up at? Scalloway. Berthed at the boat club, but that was very difficult berting. I was berthing cross wind on the lee side of the pontoon. The first attempt I had someone helping, but could not get the stern in, so slipped out to try again. This time I had 3 helpers and did get in but I certainly doubt I could have done it on my own. The wind is still blowing at about a force 6 with lots of heavy showers. Currently I have 9 lines out to secure Concerto.
Now for the facts on the journey. The measured distance is 63 miles, the vast majority to windward, so I probably travelled about 80 miles. This took about 13 hours, giving a speed over the ground of just over 6 knots. Considering I punched a lot of tide for hours on end, I feel that was quite reasonable. Luckily tonight I have mains electric as my domestic batteries were showing only 11.8V having started this morning at 12.8V with virtully no engine charging other than the solar panel over 3 days.
Late last night from the cockpit.
Passing through the narrows of Yell Sound. Look in the bottom left of the chart plotter to see the speed over the ground.
Cutting inside the rocks at Point of Fethaland.
The detached 3rd batten from the car.
Papa Stour.
This cliff has his hat on or does it just have its head in the clouds?
Approaching Scalloway.
Scalloway ahead.
For anyone wanting to read the reports from the start, this is the link to first one.
Round Britian day 1
