Concerto
Well-known member
Normal service resumed today. Full oil skins and boots with lots of wind, almost like sailing in the northern isles but with sunshine.
Low water at Strangford was a few minutes before 11 today, so that was my target time to leave the lough as I needed to be in Peel at high water +/-2 hours. Slipped the berth at Killyleagh at 9.55 and once clear of the moorings I raised a single reefed main and left a reef in the genoa. The forecast wind on several web sites suggested NNW 18 to 26 knots, so I felt I was being safe. Initially I was certainly undercanvased in the lough, but the tide made a big difference to speed over the ground. At exactly 11.00, I passed through the shore ends of the lough and it was virtually slack water.
As the tide was flooding southward, I set a course on th autopilot about 12 degrees above the direct course. The wind did increase compared to the lough and was on the beam, so I was sailing fast at about 6 to 6½ knots. After about 10 miles, the wind increased even more and I felt it would be better to hand steer. The boat speed was now in the 7 to 7½ knot range and needed a lot of concentration to hold a steady course as the waves were increasing and could turn the boat off course. It was great fun for half an hour, but realistically I was now over canvassed and needed to reef. I started by reefing the genoa to 2nd reef and then immediately dropped the second reef in the main. That was not that easy as I had to bring the boat round by 50 degrees to be able to get the mainsail in a position to pull it down at the mast. I always do this with my arms around the mast. Once settled back on course I returned to hand steering and Concerto was still making about 6 to 6½ knots, but much easier to control.
Later I was glad I had put the double reefs in as the wind increased further and the number of white caps had increased dramatically, leaving the spume in wind lanes. That means the wind was now a force 7 and some of the waves were over 2 metres peak to trough. The wind seemed to back slightly and was now about 20 to 30 degrees behind the beam, or the tide a was slackening and needed less course correction. Approaching Peel the sea looked rough and it was a lee shore as well. About a mile out I dropped the mainsail as I knew I would have to gybe to enter the harbour and gybing a genoa was a lot safer to do. It was so rough now I could not get any fenders and warps prepared. I contacted the marina on VHF and they opened the bridge ready for my entry.
In the final approach using the autopilot, I wanted to be close to the outer wall for calm water and reduced wind. However a wave took the stern and I very nearly hit the wall, only my quick reaction to hit standby and pull the tiller saved the day. The fishermen on the wall were none to pleased. Once sheltered I furled the genoa and started getting the fenders ready, but then I realised I was getting too close to the wall near the castle, but below the entry for the marina, even though I had not engaged the engine. All the fenders were ready but no warps. Turning into the approach for the bridge and into the marina, I was now "sailing" under sprayhood. Panic, there was not enough space to safely fit the warp. I managed to get the aft breast and spring rigged before I had to turn into make my final approach into a finger berth head to wind. Nothing I could do as the wind was whistling through all the masts. I decided a slow contact with the bow on the wood edge of the pontoon was necessary. Just as I lightly touch, the man from the marina appeared and held the bow steady whilst I fitted the aft spring and breast, then added the forward spring and breast. No apparent damage on the bow, just a minor mark. All tied up by 15.30 and having covered about 36 miles. It has remained windy and it is quite noisy with tapping halyards and wind whislting in the rigging, plus some movement within the berth and slight rolling at times.
The man from the marina advised I get a local pay as you go sim card for my phone as Isle of Man has international roaming charges of £2 per day plus charges for texts, phone calls and internet. So went for a walk to find a local store that sold them, the sim was free and I put on a £10 credit. This includes 500 minutes/texts and 10Gb of data, valid for 14 days . That will be more than enough for the 4 nights/5 days I am on the Isle of Man.
Good tidal push of nearly 4 knots past Portaferry
I cycled past Kilclief Castle a few days ago
Leaving the lough at slack water, with the photo taken at exactly 11.00
Just before I put the second reefs in
Peel Castle. the harbour entrance is off the left of the photo
It looks calmer than it was with the wind funneling along the marina
For anyone wanting to read the reports from the start, this is the link to first one.
Round Britian day 1
Low water at Strangford was a few minutes before 11 today, so that was my target time to leave the lough as I needed to be in Peel at high water +/-2 hours. Slipped the berth at Killyleagh at 9.55 and once clear of the moorings I raised a single reefed main and left a reef in the genoa. The forecast wind on several web sites suggested NNW 18 to 26 knots, so I felt I was being safe. Initially I was certainly undercanvased in the lough, but the tide made a big difference to speed over the ground. At exactly 11.00, I passed through the shore ends of the lough and it was virtually slack water.
As the tide was flooding southward, I set a course on th autopilot about 12 degrees above the direct course. The wind did increase compared to the lough and was on the beam, so I was sailing fast at about 6 to 6½ knots. After about 10 miles, the wind increased even more and I felt it would be better to hand steer. The boat speed was now in the 7 to 7½ knot range and needed a lot of concentration to hold a steady course as the waves were increasing and could turn the boat off course. It was great fun for half an hour, but realistically I was now over canvassed and needed to reef. I started by reefing the genoa to 2nd reef and then immediately dropped the second reef in the main. That was not that easy as I had to bring the boat round by 50 degrees to be able to get the mainsail in a position to pull it down at the mast. I always do this with my arms around the mast. Once settled back on course I returned to hand steering and Concerto was still making about 6 to 6½ knots, but much easier to control.
Later I was glad I had put the double reefs in as the wind increased further and the number of white caps had increased dramatically, leaving the spume in wind lanes. That means the wind was now a force 7 and some of the waves were over 2 metres peak to trough. The wind seemed to back slightly and was now about 20 to 30 degrees behind the beam, or the tide a was slackening and needed less course correction. Approaching Peel the sea looked rough and it was a lee shore as well. About a mile out I dropped the mainsail as I knew I would have to gybe to enter the harbour and gybing a genoa was a lot safer to do. It was so rough now I could not get any fenders and warps prepared. I contacted the marina on VHF and they opened the bridge ready for my entry.
In the final approach using the autopilot, I wanted to be close to the outer wall for calm water and reduced wind. However a wave took the stern and I very nearly hit the wall, only my quick reaction to hit standby and pull the tiller saved the day. The fishermen on the wall were none to pleased. Once sheltered I furled the genoa and started getting the fenders ready, but then I realised I was getting too close to the wall near the castle, but below the entry for the marina, even though I had not engaged the engine. All the fenders were ready but no warps. Turning into the approach for the bridge and into the marina, I was now "sailing" under sprayhood. Panic, there was not enough space to safely fit the warp. I managed to get the aft breast and spring rigged before I had to turn into make my final approach into a finger berth head to wind. Nothing I could do as the wind was whistling through all the masts. I decided a slow contact with the bow on the wood edge of the pontoon was necessary. Just as I lightly touch, the man from the marina appeared and held the bow steady whilst I fitted the aft spring and breast, then added the forward spring and breast. No apparent damage on the bow, just a minor mark. All tied up by 15.30 and having covered about 36 miles. It has remained windy and it is quite noisy with tapping halyards and wind whislting in the rigging, plus some movement within the berth and slight rolling at times.
The man from the marina advised I get a local pay as you go sim card for my phone as Isle of Man has international roaming charges of £2 per day plus charges for texts, phone calls and internet. So went for a walk to find a local store that sold them, the sim was free and I put on a £10 credit. This includes 500 minutes/texts and 10Gb of data, valid for 14 days . That will be more than enough for the 4 nights/5 days I am on the Isle of Man.
Good tidal push of nearly 4 knots past Portaferry
I cycled past Kilclief Castle a few days ago
Leaving the lough at slack water, with the photo taken at exactly 11.00
Just before I put the second reefs in
Peel Castle. the harbour entrance is off the left of the photo
It looks calmer than it was with the wind funneling along the marina
For anyone wanting to read the reports from the start, this is the link to first one.
Round Britian day 1
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