Concerto
Well-known member
The shipping forecast was 4 to 6, occasionally 7. Started with a double reefed main left in from yesterday and single reef genoa. Left Pin Mill at 8.40 for the 46 mile trip heading for Lowestoft. Well by the time I rounded Languard Point, Felixstowe, the wind was light so I shook out all of the reefs. What a change from yesterday, even had sunshine! Dead run or broad reach, generally 5 to 6 knots plus the tide, later increasing until 4 miles from Lowestoft when the gusts were very difficult to control. I stopped the autopilot and even hand steering was hard as I was over canvased and she rounded up several times. Most of the time she was doing 7 to 7½ knots, once she surfed and hit 8.25 knots. When I was about 2 miles out, I had had enough and rolled the genoa away. Under full main I was still doing 6 to 6½ knots. So put the auto pilot back on and started getting the fenders and warps ready before dropping the mainsail. Only one boat passed me, a Halberg Rassey 40C by about 3 miles and his friend with a HR43 only just caught me. They were about 3 miles behind me after I left Harwich. They were both singlehanded as well, but I beat the 43 into the marina. I could not believe they were so much longer and took so long to catch me. Maybe if I tried a bit harder........................................ Arrived at 15.15, so 6½ hours giving a average speed over the ground of 7 knots.
Tomorrow heading for Wells-next-the-sea. Post again tomorrow.
If you missed the start of the trip, this is yesterday's post. Round Britian day 1
Tomorrow heading for Wells-next-the-sea. Post again tomorrow.
If you missed the start of the trip, this is yesterday's post. Round Britian day 1
