Flapjack
New member
More importantly what type of party did you have? Gutted we couldn't make it this year, but we'll be there next year one way or another
Scuttlebutt cruise to Cherbourg weather
- Thread starter fireball
- Start date
More importantly what type of party did you have? Gutted we couldn't make it this year, but we'll be there next year one way or another
jhr
Well-known member
You need one of these, Andrew
Gave us between 5 and 6 knots most of the way back, though Rick did put the iron topsail on mid-Channel for a while, mainly crossing the Shipping channels, and on the run in to Pompey.
Great weekend, and good to see you.
Gave us between 5 and 6 knots most of the way back, though Rick did put the iron topsail on mid-Channel for a while, mainly crossing the Shipping channels, and on the run in to Pompey.
Great weekend, and good to see you.
fireball
New member
Yes I do ... flying a kite doesn't phaze me in the slightest - used to racing dinghies with them up and down the whole time....
I've currently got a cruising chute - but it's a little oversized and wasn't on the boat ..
A poled out Genoa still gave us reasonable pace though - just didn't look as pretty ...
I've currently got a cruising chute - but it's a little oversized and wasn't on the boat ..
A poled out Genoa still gave us reasonable pace though - just didn't look as pretty ...
fireball
New member
More importantly what type of party did you have? Gutted we couldn't make it this year, but we'll be there next year one way or another
Party was excellent ... as always!
Talulah
Well-known member
Motor sailed most of the way back with a poled out Genoa.
On the downside my evening was spent dismantling the toilet on the pontoon in order to extract one Tampon.
You can tell them but they still do it.
Had an unauthorized fire on the way back.
One of the guys clearly had subjected his brain to too mainy chemicals in the past and decided to do a spot of cooking whilst I got some rest.
No damage done but the guy was a complete liability.
On the downside my evening was spent dismantling the toilet on the pontoon in order to extract one Tampon.
You can tell them but they still do it.
Had an unauthorized fire on the way back.
One of the guys clearly had subjected his brain to too mainy chemicals in the past and decided to do a spot of cooking whilst I got some rest.
No damage done but the guy was a complete liability.
Sailfree
Well-known member
We left at 06.30UT (to find everyone had gone) had we got the tidal calcs right would we make the needles?? Motored at first then 20kt wind got up from SSW. Engine off but real corkscrew ride. At one time I was never seasick but now have been caught out by wind and waves on rear quarter a few times. Thought I was OK for first 2-4hrs then decided to commune with nature with head over the side!! I felt fine at first but the previous nights alcohol consumption may have been a contributory factor!
No spinnaker but we tried to Gybe downwind as we would do when racing a dinghy. Yes we went faster but after going some way towards Portland instead of the needles Gybed the other way but now bucking the tide. Took us 13hrs to Hamble and confirmed to me always go straight across even if boat speed is slower and must buy a spinnaker (boat has all the fittings).
Glad everyone enjoyed it and it was great having some of the early participants join us again this year. I thought the Pontoon gathering, again favoured by sunshine, was a great success and I was humbled when seeing all our pre-bought crisps, nuts, nibbles etc spread out for everyone at the effort a number went to and provided trays of lovely prepared nibbles.
Received an e mail from Magali the new Cherbourg Marina manager (who kindly came to join us briefly at the afternoon pontoon gathering on her day off). Magali asks if the Marina can do anything to make the event better. I must say it is a pleasure dealing with such helpful people.
No spinnaker but we tried to Gybe downwind as we would do when racing a dinghy. Yes we went faster but after going some way towards Portland instead of the needles Gybed the other way but now bucking the tide. Took us 13hrs to Hamble and confirmed to me always go straight across even if boat speed is slower and must buy a spinnaker (boat has all the fittings).
Glad everyone enjoyed it and it was great having some of the early participants join us again this year. I thought the Pontoon gathering, again favoured by sunshine, was a great success and I was humbled when seeing all our pre-bought crisps, nuts, nibbles etc spread out for everyone at the effort a number went to and provided trays of lovely prepared nibbles.
Received an e mail from Magali the new Cherbourg Marina manager (who kindly came to join us briefly at the afternoon pontoon gathering on her day off). Magali asks if the Marina can do anything to make the event better. I must say it is a pleasure dealing with such helpful people.
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prv
Well-known member
Glad to see others had the same experience we did.
Except I would have been delighted with "low 5kts"
- we called upon Mr Yanmar when we found ourselves doing 3.5.Did take the opportunity to re-oil the teak around the gunwale, which I've been meaning to do for ages. Bit too rolly for interesting cooking though - glad I did the sausage/mash/peas/gravy on the way over and kept the mince for a big pot of chilli on the way back.
Started to find a bit of wind as we crossed Sandown Bay at about 9:30, then once round Bembridge we had a cracking sail all the way up to Fawley - had to take in a reef and drop the mizzen for a while. Did reassure me after such a slow day that the speeds I'd been claiming at the pontoon party weren't imagined
Cheers to the organisers and the regulars that make the event happen!
Pete
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
Trip out - 3 hours of sailing, the rest yanmarring. Dire.
Trip back, ran square under main (too square for jib or chute and nothing to pole them out with - hint to SWMBO about Christmas present) with a bit of yanmar in the quieter patches. Then there was a bit of a veer to the west which let us set the jib. Best STW 8.4kts on a burst, but generally anywhere between 5 and 7 knots. Thought about going to Needles and gybed that way to see what the heading would be like, but as we did so a big veer let us steer due N (straight at St Catherine's) so held that until we could fetch Dunnose on the other gybe. Unfortunately wind faded as we were on the ST Cat's to Dunnose leg so yanmarred back from there.
Some chap in a big cata behind who couldn't seem to catch up with us.
Trip back, ran square under main (too square for jib or chute and nothing to pole them out with - hint to SWMBO about Christmas present) with a bit of yanmar in the quieter patches. Then there was a bit of a veer to the west which let us set the jib. Best STW 8.4kts on a burst, but generally anywhere between 5 and 7 knots. Thought about going to Needles and gybed that way to see what the heading would be like, but as we did so a big veer let us steer due N (straight at St Catherine's) so held that until we could fetch Dunnose on the other gybe. Unfortunately wind faded as we were on the ST Cat's to Dunnose leg so yanmarred back from there.
Some chap in a big cata behind who couldn't seem to catch up with us.
jhr
Well-known member
Yes - though two engines will always beat one in the "get home-before-night-falls" invitation challenge
Incidentally, I did wonder if you were reading the wrong chart at one point?
fireball
New member
Probably why it's the first time in ages he's managed to arrive on his own boat ... although probably more to do with the competent crew rather than the "depth challenged" skipper!Incidentally, I did wonder if you were reading the wrong chart at one point?
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
Probably why it's the first time in ages he's managed to arrive on his own boat ... although probably more to do with the competent crew rather than the "depth challenged" skipper!
Whaddya mean "in ages"? First time ever.
colhel
Well-known member
Here we have Fergus zooming past us.
I have some video aswell, but with the sound of an unsoundproofed single cylinder would be a bit like Baywatch. Best viewed with the sound off.
I have some video aswell, but with the sound of an unsoundproofed single cylinder would be a bit like Baywatch. Best viewed with the sound off.
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LadyInBed
Well-known member
Yes, he showed us both a clean pair of heels, but talk about zooming past! I managed to put some waves between us when the wind picked up, but when it dropped again you did the zooming! Did you have your engine on?
LadyInBed
Well-known member
Thanks to one and all . . .
. . . for another great meet, Sailfree for the pre dinner hosting plus Fergus for the organisation and Rick for bringing along his marquee for the after dinner get together
. . . for another great meet, Sailfree for the pre dinner hosting plus Fergus for the organisation and Rick for bringing along his marquee for the after dinner get together
LadyInBed
Well-known member
Fergus
New member
I liked Nigel's sailplan - spinny on the mizzen! Nigel - did you get my pics? Thanks to all - much enjoyment!
KREW2
Well-known member
I just posted this account of our trip back on the other thread.
In order to keep on course we were sailing constantly on the point of gybing. After four hours the strengthening wind and channel swell soon put a stop to that, so I decided to use the last hour of flood tide and sail east to give us a better angle for Portland. It was the longest, and most uncomfortable crossing I have had, and all the crew were relieved when we finally tied up in Portland Marina.
I would like to add how much we all enjoyed the meal, when I saw steak as the main I was a bit disappointed, but the accompaniments were not only different they also tasted lovelly. They certainly put an effort into catering for large parties, and it seems to be paying off for them.
In order to keep on course we were sailing constantly on the point of gybing. After four hours the strengthening wind and channel swell soon put a stop to that, so I decided to use the last hour of flood tide and sail east to give us a better angle for Portland. It was the longest, and most uncomfortable crossing I have had, and all the crew were relieved when we finally tied up in Portland Marina.
I would like to add how much we all enjoyed the meal, when I saw steak as the main I was a bit disappointed, but the accompaniments were not only different they also tasted lovelly. They certainly put an effort into catering for large parties, and it seems to be paying off for them.
LadyInBed
Well-known member
fireball
New member
Many thanks for the Pics Fergus
Fireball - we had some wind for a time!
You seem to be sailing backwards!!
We did have a little wind for a time but a course of 020T was not quite right for a good sail it seems. Oh well. There's always next year !
