Concerto
Well-known member
Yesterday was a rest day and I enjoyed wandering round Wells.
Today the alarm was sent for 5.30 as I wanted to leave at 6.30. Well I was 10 minutes late because the boat ahead had added a slipped spring over my cleated rope. When I took their stern line I passed it under my line, so why do some people not think of others? It felt quite warm, so I only wore oil skin trousers, a big mistake as soon there was a bite in the wind shortly after leaving, but due to the narrow twisting channel I could not get my jacket from below.
There was slightly more depth than when I came in, which was nice. Leaving the shore, the rollers made it quite rough, so motored almost direct into wind at a slow speed. Without the wind strut, it felt quite strong, so I raised the main leaving a reef in and rolled out the genoa with a reef in. I soon realised I was being too cautious as Concerto seemed to wallow, so went under full rig. The water was quite choppy, so it was difficult to build any speed, but the further from the shore the smoother the water became. On port tack I was pointing roughly due north but the strong cross tide made this more like 045. For best boat speed I hand steered using the genoa tell tales and the speed built to just over 5 knots. Now I had a chance to get the oilskin jacket and put all the fenders away from being dropped in the cockpit, an autopilot does help hugely when singlehanding.
After a couple of miles the wind had headed slightly and the course was now about 060, not the 330 I wanted to steer. After tacking I found the tide made it about a 120 degree tack and the wind also eased. That was not very good, so furled the genoa and motor sailed into wind for half an hour. The wind had headed a bit more and strengthened, and then I was able to point to about 320 and make about 5½ knots. The cross tide was slackening by now and there would be a northward kick. Gradually the wind headed slightly and I held starboard tack right to the Humber. It was bright sunshine and the speed varied from 4.5 to 6.5 knots depending on the wind strength.
About 10 miles from the Humber the wind eased and I decided to add a little of old faithful. Normally I motor at 2000 to 2400 rpm, but 1600 rpm made the speed lift from 4 knots to 6. I am glad I did this as close to the entrance the tide starting on the nose again, but still flowed into the Humber. You could tell it was at the end of the working day as all the windfarm catamarans were coming in at speed. One small coaster was entering, but otherwise it was relatively quiet as it was only an hour off low water. I edged towards the separation channels close to Spurn Head and put my sails away. When there was no traffic I turned almost due north to cross the channel close to right angles.
After clearing the channels, I headed for the anchorage at Spurn Head. My guide suggested anchoring in 2.5 to 3 m of water. Dropped the anchor at 17.10 with 1.5m clearance under the keel, close inshore to the lighthouse and inline with the brick chimney. The 53 miles straight line course took 10½ hours, making just over 5 knots over the ground despite travelling far more than 53 miles.
It has been calm at anchor until I started writing this, then some viscious wash came in and I was rolling 15 to 20 degrees both ways. My mouse dropped on the cabin sole and a book on the table fell off as well. It must have been a large ship travelling at speed to have caused this. I hope it quietens overnight. 2 other yachts have now anchored. Plenty of space for lots more.
Before you ask why I have not gone to Hull, I only decided to anchor whilst sailing. I had looked at tomorrows forecast and it is a lightish southerly wind, so possibly might set the spinnaker. The wind later this week is strengthening and going northerly. So tomorrow I am heading for Scarborough 60 miles further north. I will probably remain until the northerly eases or changes as Whitby in the next stop and strong northerlies make it a difficult harbour, whereas Scarborough is well protected from northerlies.
Today the alarm was sent for 5.30 as I wanted to leave at 6.30. Well I was 10 minutes late because the boat ahead had added a slipped spring over my cleated rope. When I took their stern line I passed it under my line, so why do some people not think of others? It felt quite warm, so I only wore oil skin trousers, a big mistake as soon there was a bite in the wind shortly after leaving, but due to the narrow twisting channel I could not get my jacket from below.
There was slightly more depth than when I came in, which was nice. Leaving the shore, the rollers made it quite rough, so motored almost direct into wind at a slow speed. Without the wind strut, it felt quite strong, so I raised the main leaving a reef in and rolled out the genoa with a reef in. I soon realised I was being too cautious as Concerto seemed to wallow, so went under full rig. The water was quite choppy, so it was difficult to build any speed, but the further from the shore the smoother the water became. On port tack I was pointing roughly due north but the strong cross tide made this more like 045. For best boat speed I hand steered using the genoa tell tales and the speed built to just over 5 knots. Now I had a chance to get the oilskin jacket and put all the fenders away from being dropped in the cockpit, an autopilot does help hugely when singlehanding.
After a couple of miles the wind had headed slightly and the course was now about 060, not the 330 I wanted to steer. After tacking I found the tide made it about a 120 degree tack and the wind also eased. That was not very good, so furled the genoa and motor sailed into wind for half an hour. The wind had headed a bit more and strengthened, and then I was able to point to about 320 and make about 5½ knots. The cross tide was slackening by now and there would be a northward kick. Gradually the wind headed slightly and I held starboard tack right to the Humber. It was bright sunshine and the speed varied from 4.5 to 6.5 knots depending on the wind strength.
About 10 miles from the Humber the wind eased and I decided to add a little of old faithful. Normally I motor at 2000 to 2400 rpm, but 1600 rpm made the speed lift from 4 knots to 6. I am glad I did this as close to the entrance the tide starting on the nose again, but still flowed into the Humber. You could tell it was at the end of the working day as all the windfarm catamarans were coming in at speed. One small coaster was entering, but otherwise it was relatively quiet as it was only an hour off low water. I edged towards the separation channels close to Spurn Head and put my sails away. When there was no traffic I turned almost due north to cross the channel close to right angles.
After clearing the channels, I headed for the anchorage at Spurn Head. My guide suggested anchoring in 2.5 to 3 m of water. Dropped the anchor at 17.10 with 1.5m clearance under the keel, close inshore to the lighthouse and inline with the brick chimney. The 53 miles straight line course took 10½ hours, making just over 5 knots over the ground despite travelling far more than 53 miles.
It has been calm at anchor until I started writing this, then some viscious wash came in and I was rolling 15 to 20 degrees both ways. My mouse dropped on the cabin sole and a book on the table fell off as well. It must have been a large ship travelling at speed to have caused this. I hope it quietens overnight. 2 other yachts have now anchored. Plenty of space for lots more.
Before you ask why I have not gone to Hull, I only decided to anchor whilst sailing. I had looked at tomorrows forecast and it is a lightish southerly wind, so possibly might set the spinnaker. The wind later this week is strengthening and going northerly. So tomorrow I am heading for Scarborough 60 miles further north. I will probably remain until the northerly eases or changes as Whitby in the next stop and strong northerlies make it a difficult harbour, whereas Scarborough is well protected from northerlies.
