john_morris_uk
Well-known member
Summer Cruise or \'No wind - Too Much wind\'
In case anyone is interested, we got back a couple of days ago, and I thought I would give a brief account of some moments of my last months sailing....
Crew joined on July 26 - briefings and odd jobs done we motored down to Sutton for the night. Next morning we are up and went sailing round Plymouth Sound. Anchored in Cawsand for a cup of tea (first time with new spade anchor). Into the Yealm for the race briefing and drinks in Yealm Club Bar. Had we heard the forecast? 8's in the channel for overnight on the Saturday (the race due to start at midday) Stuff that we thought and decided to start and sail west to Falmouth or Fowey and overnight in safety and comfort. Started at Midday on the Sat after a last minute scramble to fetch the new (2nd hand ) kite that another competitor/friend was giving us. Nice sail up to Fowey, picked up mooring under sail to comply with racing rules and then notice other competitors coming into harbour under engine. Doh - dropped mooring for a better more sheltered one and rafted up with other 'competitor' for drinks.
Blows old boots during the night. We rise smugly glad that we were not out mid channel. At 0700 to head out to a lumpy sea and NO WIND. 3 knots up our chuff. Other boat comes alongs side and takes picture of us motoring. 'We've got the evidence they shout' from their also-motoring yacht. We are charging our batteries I say... How long for, they ask - until there's enough wind to sail, I reply.
We motor for 25 hours in stuff all wind. Eventually at the bottom of the Raz the wind fills in and we sail. The race turns into a cruise in company. Of the 6 starters only one boat manages to sail all the way to La Rochelle. The end time is postponed and we all have a party in La Rochelle the following Wednesday. In the meantime, we anchor for a night off La Palais (Belle Isle) and visit St Gilles Croix du Ville for the first time. The crew have a fantastic weeks sailing and fly home very happy.
The rest of the cruise with the fresh crew and family will have to wait until I have time to type. One or two points.
New Spade Anchor sticks like glue - just like the reports say it will.
La Rochelle is as nice as ever.
Vannes pails after five days waiting for forecasts that don't have 'gusting 8' in them.
Anchoring in the rain 2 miles walk from the nearest shop is not the best cruising experience.
In case anyone is interested, we got back a couple of days ago, and I thought I would give a brief account of some moments of my last months sailing....
Crew joined on July 26 - briefings and odd jobs done we motored down to Sutton for the night. Next morning we are up and went sailing round Plymouth Sound. Anchored in Cawsand for a cup of tea (first time with new spade anchor). Into the Yealm for the race briefing and drinks in Yealm Club Bar. Had we heard the forecast? 8's in the channel for overnight on the Saturday (the race due to start at midday) Stuff that we thought and decided to start and sail west to Falmouth or Fowey and overnight in safety and comfort. Started at Midday on the Sat after a last minute scramble to fetch the new (2nd hand ) kite that another competitor/friend was giving us. Nice sail up to Fowey, picked up mooring under sail to comply with racing rules and then notice other competitors coming into harbour under engine. Doh - dropped mooring for a better more sheltered one and rafted up with other 'competitor' for drinks.
Blows old boots during the night. We rise smugly glad that we were not out mid channel. At 0700 to head out to a lumpy sea and NO WIND. 3 knots up our chuff. Other boat comes alongs side and takes picture of us motoring. 'We've got the evidence they shout' from their also-motoring yacht. We are charging our batteries I say... How long for, they ask - until there's enough wind to sail, I reply.
We motor for 25 hours in stuff all wind. Eventually at the bottom of the Raz the wind fills in and we sail. The race turns into a cruise in company. Of the 6 starters only one boat manages to sail all the way to La Rochelle. The end time is postponed and we all have a party in La Rochelle the following Wednesday. In the meantime, we anchor for a night off La Palais (Belle Isle) and visit St Gilles Croix du Ville for the first time. The crew have a fantastic weeks sailing and fly home very happy.
The rest of the cruise with the fresh crew and family will have to wait until I have time to type. One or two points.
New Spade Anchor sticks like glue - just like the reports say it will.
La Rochelle is as nice as ever.
Vannes pails after five days waiting for forecasts that don't have 'gusting 8' in them.
Anchoring in the rain 2 miles walk from the nearest shop is not the best cruising experience.
