Stuck at Ilfracombe

[SaltyMoose]

Looks like tying her up in the inner harbour was a good idea after all, the bad weather has started to roll in today (forecast 2.6 meter waves).

The RLNI mooring bouy looks like it had been pushed over towards the rocks, with the length of line attached to it I’d have certainly been smashed up on the rocks!

 

[VicS]

Looks like tying her up in the inner harbour was a good idea after all, the bad weather has started to roll in today (forecast 2.6 meter waves).

I hope you are OK against that wall. I had a peep at you a little earlier and you seemed to be on deck checking or adjusting the fenders. Much better than being anchored or moored outside I am sure. I saw the lifeboat go out earlier this evening. They were encountering some good sized waves!

 

[SaltyMoose]

I hope you are OK against that wall. I had a peep at you a little earlier and you seemed to be on deck checking or adjusting the fenders. Much better than being anchored or moored outside I am sure. I saw the lifeboat go out earlier this evening. They were encountering some good sized waves!

Yeah, someone came to help earlier and suggested adding planks of wood in front of the fenders to help stop the boat from hitting the beams (unsure what they’re actually called) attached to the harbour walls either side of the ladder.

Seems to be working but had to readjust them so that they won’t over lap when this drys out.

I was sat watching the waves enjoying a local cod and chips and saw the RLNI boat go out in to the waves. Very impressed with what they do and are willing to go out in!

 

[VicS]

Yeah, someone came to help earlier and suggested adding planks of wood in front of the fenders to help stop the boat from hitting the beams (unsure what they’re actually called) attached to the harbour walls either side of the ladder.

Seems to be working but had to readjust them so that they won’t over lap when this drys out.

I was sat watching the waves enjoying a local cod and chips and saw the RLNI boat go out in to the waves. Very impressed with what they do and are willing to go out in!

I'd call them piles but that may not be right but I know what you mean. I believe the HM keeps some fender boards for visitors to use.

We got stuck in Barfleur for several days once. Lying against a plain masonry wall. The fenders picked up bits of grit ( or barnacle shells )and made a mess of the gelcoat. The motion was so bad that we broke most of the mooring warps and had to buy some new rope and dared not leave the boat while it was afloat, only going ashore when safely aground. We learned a few things about safely mooring in those conditions.

Then of course when it calmed down it calmed down so much that we had to motor practically the whole way home!

 

[SaltyMoose]

I'd call them piles but that may not be right but I know what you mean. I believe the HM keeps some fender boards for visitors to use.

We got stuck in Barfleur for several days once. Lying against a plain masonry wall. The fenders picked up bits of grit ( or barnacle shells )and made a mess of the gelcoat. The motion was so bad that we broke most of the mooring warps and had to buy some new rope and dared not leave the boat while it was afloat, only going ashore when safely aground. We learned a few things about safely mooring in those conditions.

Then of course when it calmed down it calmed down so much that we had to motor practically the whole way home!

This has very much been a learning experience for me too and I’ve experienced the exact same!

I decided to check the lines earlier thinking because they’re rested and pulled tight over the stone wall that they might chafe, lo and behold they’ve chafed!

The lines are pulled tight because the tide is out and the boats taken to the ground so it’s difficult to get anything underneath it to protect it. I’ve run another line to the bow to fix this but I need to come up with a solution to prevent this from happening again.

Thankfully the other lines seem fine but I need to find something to protect them with.

I’m thinking about cutting up and wrapping them with an old ratchet strap and just duct taping it all up to hold it in place.

 

[nortada]

This has very much been a learning experience for me too and I’ve experienced the exact same!

I decided to check the lines earlier thinking because they’re rested and pulled tight over the stone wall that they might chafe, lo and behold they’ve chafed!

The lines are pulled tight because the tide is out and the boats taken to the ground so it’s difficult to get anything underneath it to protect it. I’ve run another line to the bow to fix this but I need to come up with a solution to prevent this from happening again.

Thankfully the other lines seem fine but I need to find something to protect them with.

I’m thinking about cutting up and wrapping them with an old ratchet strap and just duct taping it all up to hold it in place.

Cost of warps



Suggest yo get some cheap garden hose, cut it into suitable lengths and put a small hole in the hose wall at one end. Then tie a short length of light line to the hose through this hole.

Feed the warp through the hose, place the hose where any chafe can occur (fairleads, walls etc.) and tether the hose to the warp to stop it moving.

Use same method with electrical shore power lines to prevent impressive firework displays.

As you see, I am protecting my shore power cable from chafe and salt water.

Must have a word with my new neighbour before his power line saws through. Fortunately we are on a pontoon so the problem is not so immediate.

 

[VicS]

+1 to the above suggestion. Otherwise parcel (wrap) in any old rags you have available.
In Barfleur we found it better to have the mooring lines fairly slack so that he boat could ride the swells as they rolled along the wall but the boat was a bilge keeler so no need to be held close to the wall as the tide fell other than for getting ashore.

 

[TwoHooter]

I carry heavy duty braided fuel hose to protect my warps from light abuse but in a situation like yours even these won't work so I also carry several short lengths of chain, from memory 5 metres each. I set them either with loop at each end (made with a shackle) or just one large loop with a single shackle. I then tie my warps to the chain, I don't bring the chain on board. See the picture. The chain does need to be strong enough, all chains are not created equal.

I haven't commented previously because I could not do anything practical to help, I am too far away, but I have followed your posts and hope things go better for you from now on. My only comment on your next steps is that you might consider Portishead as an alternative to Cardiff, but you really ought to have someone on board who knows the Bristol Channel.

 

[PCUK]

Now you can breathe easily again, welcome to the forum!

 

[SaltyMoose]

Cost of warps

Suggest yo get some cheap garden hose, cut it into suitable lengths and put a small hole in the hose wall at one end. Then tie a short length of light line to the hose through this hole.

Feed the warp through the hose, place the hose where any chafe can occur (fairleads, walls etc.) and tether the hose to the warp to stop it moving.

Use same method with electrical shore power lines to prevent impressive firework displays.

Thanks! I’ve just been and bought some hose pipe from Drapers, just need to wait for the tide to go out and the lines to go slack so I can put it on.

+1 to the above suggestion. Otherwise parcel (wrap) in any old rags you have available.
In Barfleur we found it better to have the mooring lines fairly slack so that he boat could ride the swells as they rolled along the wall but the boat was a bilge keeler so no need to be held close to the wall as the tide fell other than for getting ashore.

I have an old ratchet ratchet strap and now some hose pipe, I’m going to wrap it up with the hose and strap and use copious amounts of duct tape!

I carry heavy duty braided fuel hose to protect my warps from light abuse but in a situation like yours even these won't work so I also carry several short lengths of chain, from memory 5 metres each. I set them either with loop at each end (made with a shackle) or just one large loop with a single shackle. I then tie my warps to the chain, I don't bring the chain on board. See the picture. The chain does need to be strong enough, all chains are not created equal.

I haven't commented previously because I could not do anything practical to help, I am too far away, but I have followed your posts and hope things go better for you from now on. My only comment on your next steps is that you might consider Portishead as an alternative to Cardiff, but you really ought to have someone on board who knows the Bristol Channel.

View attachment 164191

This seems like the best long term solution and something I am going to invest in at the end of the month but for now I’m going to bandage it all up!

Now you can breathe easily again, welcome to the forum!

Thanks! Much safer and better rested against the wall!

Thank you all for your kind words and wisdom!

 

[38mess]

How's the arm feeling today? Some nice weather on the way after tomorrow which should help you get across. Have you managed to get crew yet?

 

[SaltyMoose]

How's the arm feeling today? Some nice weather on the way after tomorrow which should help you get across. Have you managed to get crew yet?

My arm feels much better now, swelling has certainly gone down! Still a bit achey but thankfully it’s not broken!

Sadly I think the bad weathers here to stay for a while. I’ve been exploring other options if things continue to get any worse. I’ve been asking for quotes to transport her on the back of a truck but I’d much prefer to sail her back, got this far and would love to see her sail to her final destination.

Just have to wait out and see I guess

 

[john_morris_uk]

Well done on your exploits. Many years ago I was caught out in 50 knots of wind in the Bristol Channel and Mrs M has never forgotten the experience. May I humbly suggest you furl your Genoa tightly and so that it’s got two or three turns of the sheets around it. I know lots of people pull on the furling line until the clew is ‘just’ up to the rolled sail but in a strong wind, you’ll thank me for putting a couple more turns in and securing the sail.

Many Genoas have been shredded by the wind getting under the corner and ripping the sail apart.

 

[SaltyMoose]

Well done on your exploits. Many years ago I was caught out in 50 knots of wind in the Bristol Channel and Mrs M has never forgotten the experience. May I humbly suggest you furl your Genoa tightly and so that it’s got two or three turns of the sheets around it. I know lots of people pull on the furling line until the clew is ‘just’ up to the rolled sail but in a strong wind, you’ll thank me for putting a couple more turns in and securing the sail.

Many Genoas have been shredded by the wind getting under the corner and ripping the sail apart.

That’s a good point, I hadn’t considered that! I’ve just furled it up some more but that’s as far as it goes for now, I’ll need to alter the furling line so in the future it will wrap it more!

I’ll sort that out tomorrow! Thanks for the advice.

I managed to wrap the lines with the hose, ratchet strap and duct tape yesterday and I’ve just cut up some scaffold board to go underneath the lines, that should stop the chafing!

 

[john_morris_uk]

That’s a good point, I hadn’t considered that! I’ve just furled it up some more but that’s as far as it goes for now, I’ll need to alter the furling line so in the future it will wrap it more!

I’ll sort that out tomorrow! Thanks for the advice.

I managed to wrap the lines with the hose, ratchet strap and duct tape yesterday and I’ve just cut up some scaffold board to go underneath the lines, that should stop the chafing!

Good news. I wish I could come and help but I can’t (currently collecting son from London hospital post op and wife goes into hospital for operation on Monday!)

Keep the forum posted. There are lots of very helpful people on here.

 

[SaltyMoose]

Good news. I wish I could come and help but I can’t (currently collecting son from London hospital post op and wife goes into hospital for operation on Monday!)

Keep the forum posted. There are lots of very helpful people on here.

Thank you again and I hope your son and wife make a quick recovery! Wish you and yours all the best!

 

[penfold]

Well done on your exploits. Many years ago I was caught out in 50 knots of wind in the Bristol Channel and Mrs M has never forgotten the experience. May I humbly suggest you furl your Genoa tightly and so that it’s got two or three turns of the sheets around it. I know lots of people pull on the furling line until the clew is ‘just’ up to the rolled sail but in a strong wind, you’ll thank me for putting a couple more turns in and securing the sail.

Many Genoas have been shredded by the wind getting under the corner and ripping the sail apart.

If you know there's a gale coming it's also a good idea to tie a sail tie or short length of rope around the genoa in case the furling line or sheets come loose or fail.

 

[nortada]

That’s a good point, I hadn’t considered that! I’ve just furled it up some more but that’s as far as it goes for now, I’ll need to alter the furling line so in the future it will wrap it more!

I’ll sort that out tomorrow! Thanks for the advice.

I managed to wrap the lines with the hose, ratchet strap and duct tape yesterday and I’ve just cut up some scaffold board to go underneath the lines, that should stop the chafing!

A quick solution to furling foresail unwrapping, to counter this tendency, frap a short line (tether) around the furled sail the opposite direction to way to the sail furls.

In addition to getting a number of turns of the sheets around the furled sail, when leaving the boat I always place a tether around the foresail. I also put a horse on the boom and remove all of the running rigging from contact with the mast.

 

[penfold]

A quick solution to furling foresail unwrapping, to counter this tendency, wrap a short lie (tether) around the furled sail the opposite way to the sail sail furls.

In addition to getting a number of turns of the sheets around the furled sail, when leaving the boat I always place a tether around the foresail. I also put a horse on the boom and frap all of the running rigging on the mast.

Bit cruel isn't it?

 

[38mess]

My arm feels much better now, swelling has certainly gone down! Still a bit achey but thankfully it’s not broken!

Sadly I think the bad weathers here to stay for a while. I’ve been exploring other options if things continue to get any worse. I’ve been asking for quotes to transport her on the back of a truck but I’d much prefer to sail her back, got this far and would love to see her sail to her final destination.

Just have to wait out and see I guess

The wind has dropped and is blowing in the right direction more or less to get you to Cardiff. Saturday looks like a good day, dry with light winds, although you need a bit more wind to get her going than is forecast. If you can't make Cardiff, Barry is open 24 hrs. Trucking it back will be expensive. Good luck whatever you decide.