Solent sailing yesterday...

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StellaGirl

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We were out yesterday at 6am sailing from Cowes down towards Yarmouth in a HR 352. For the first hour it was good fun, SW F7 and getting very wet but the wind started to really pick up at about 7.30 and was gusting F8 and obviously there to stay and probably get worse. We decided to go back to Moodys and flew back with boat speeds of up to 10kts - not bad for the boat.
But I sometimes wonder - why do we do it??

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At one point yesterday the wind peaked at F9 on ChiMet website, think the bad weather was forecast.

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Recorded gust of 48 knots in Southampton Water yesterday midday'ish. Warsash Spring Series race was cancelled, RSYC went ahead with far less competition than usual, only 3 boats in our class (2 over 40 feet) finished the race, after 4 on starting line!

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What a weekend to learn the basics

I finally bit the bullet (after 2 years reading PBO) and booked onto the the first weekend of a Competent Crew course this weekend. As a complete novice we set off from Southampton Friday night (Westerly 32ft), followed the flashing stuff north to a quiet bay (opposite a bl**dy great container point- forgive the lack of terminology!) then headed down the Solent Saturday working hard on tacking and gybing (er, with the rope burns to prove it- doh!) etc and moored tightly into Cowes for the evening. We set off about 10am under storm jib and triple-reefed main. What a fantastic day (if it's not your boat to worry about!). I must admit Sat evening after virtually no sleep on board Fri I was totally shattered and wondering if the sailing thing was really for me (having to concentrate on even the simple things I didn't have a chance to relax, and the constant sail-changes and tacking, mooring-up etc was hard work). However, even after another night of almost no sleep (and I thought the 6X, whisky and rum would help- just gave me a banging headache next morning!) that ride back made up for everything- the port-holes under water, planing a few times on the waves, the rain and great buckets of spray and fighting the tiller all the way. Better than a hundred Disney rides! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! I got 2 night hours 40 miles and a F8 on my first log entry! I'm so glad I didn't wait until the summer to get a start- can't wait for the next weekend (saving the pennies now). Sorry to bore everyone but I've been telling everyone!

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Re: What a weekend to learn the basics

Nice one Steve, no wonder you are banging on about it. The Solent is a great place to get this type of experience as there are hardly any conditions under which it becomes dangerous. Exciting stuff, and no doubt you are hooked! Best wishes.



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Re: What a weekend to learn the basics

Steve - from your description of your weekend I guess you were in a Westerly Fulmar called Strata 4 and you spent Sat night in the Yacht Haven in Cowes? We were a few boats away from you - but I may be wrong.
I did my Comp Crew last year with Southern Sailing in February and am very glad I did it then and in the Solent.
I dont see the point of taking your first sailing course when the sun is shining and its warm with a gentle 10kts. At least this way you will really know if sailing is for you - come rain or shine!
In the last year I have clocked up about 4500 miles in my log book including a transatlantic and am finally getting round to another RYA course - Coastal Skipper in a couple of weeks time...
Good luck with the sailing....!

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Re: What a weekend to learn the basics

StellaGirl: How spooky- yes indeed I was on Strata 4, tied-up on the other side of a 'walkway' (? correct term? my brain is currently still frazzled!)- from a strange little 2 man blue batwinged-type racing boat. What an amazing place these forums are!

Southern were recommended by a friend and I think their approach of packing in as much as possible into the time, without having to worry too much about the dents and bangs (!), must be the best way of starting out. They're certainly not worried about molly-coddling their boats (or crew!) when the weather's a bit rough. I've heard some of the larger schools charge for a lift-out at the slightest tickle of anything! I'll definately be sticking with them.

It certainly sounds like you've built-up on a good basis and I can only hope to follow modestly in a little of your footsteps/wake (it may take me a few more years to build up that many miles!). Thanks to you and 'tome' for your kind thoughts and best wishes for the next certificate!

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Re: What a weekend to learn the basics

Tom

IN the Solent is the important part here I suspect! The ends do get unpleasant - I wouldnt have fancied going out past Hurst on the ebb with that breeze.

Picking of nits aside - it is really good to have an environment where you can try out heavy weather gear and sails in what is, in real terms, flat water.

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Re: What a weekend to learn the basics

Agreed. Once you get past Yarmouth things it's a different matter, and I've seen some 'orrible seas on the Bridge.

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And in the middle

Not forgetting the three/four rollers at Gurnard when the tides ebbing in a SWesterly!

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We were out as well. Spent Saturday night in Newton Creek (only one other boat there - never known it this quiet on a weekend). Very noisy night and quiet uncomfortable despite the liquid sleeping aids.

Sunday morning was a great ride back under the mearest scrap of headsail.
Highlight of the weekend came as we'd just rounded Calshot Spit buoy heading up Sounthampton water. My crew commented "You know it's not been as bad as I'd thought it might be". No sooner had the last sylable left her mouth when a big wave broke over the quarter soaking her from head to foot! Laugh - I nearly bought a round.

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Re: What a weekend to learn the basics

We were on the same pontoon as you....I too walked past strange blue batwing like thing. A rude awakening at 5am thats for sure. Owning one of those and careering around the Solent must be the same as owning a Vauxhall Nova and tearing uo the local Toys'r'Us car park on a Saturday thing. Still what ever floats your boat so to speak...
I found Southern great - who was your instructor?

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Re: What a weekend to learn the basics

Bearing in mind my total inability to remember the name of anything or anyone (you know the conversation: 'Ere, wotsit- watch out for that bl**dy great er, now what's the right term, it's on the tip of my tongue you know...etc), I only know him as 'Ray'. An amiable chap I couldn't fault (although he may not be thinking the same of me after some my more interesting manoeuvres!). Also met Roger. A friendly bunch if they let me back again!

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