Mike_C
New member
Tiptoe\'s Upnor Race
Last weekend was the Southend area Combined Cruiser Series race to Upnor, from Southend via the South Shoebury, Spile and Grain Edge. The F4/5 wind was ideal for 'Tiptoe', a modified Ballerina II triple keeler that likes a decent breeze.
After the South Shoebury it was a beat to the Spile and I was going OK, even though it had risen to a good F6, and was even hoping to catch up on one or two boats.
Then, a problem. I noticed about a foot depth of water inside her.
I was alone so I eased the sheets and let her look after herself (which she does rather well) while I went below and pumped like mad, eventually clearing her after about 15 minutes.
I then eased her along, not quite close hauled, heading for the Sheppy shore. I considered going home to Benfleet but didn't fancy the direct course from there across a lot of deep water.
She needed pumping at frequent intervals, like 10 minutes sailing, 5 minutes pumping. In this way I rounded the Spile and had an easier leg to Grain Edge. I took the trouble to round them as it wasn't far out of my way to the Medway and shelter, and I had a feeling that the problem might be terminal and didn't want to retire in what might be the boat's last race (I was considering changing her anyway, so a serious structural defect might mean the end).
Still had to pump her almost the same in the Medway, but had a fairly pleasant beat to Upnor, limping across the line at 8.44pm, and achored close in to the beach where I reckoned I would need to beach her in the night - one reason for going to Upnor was the beach!
I pumped her out and was bloody lucky to find she wasn't making too much while at rest.
Everything, but everything was soaked of course, spare clothes etc. Fortunately my sleeping bag was OK (triple wrapped!) and I found enough dry cloths to wipe the engine magneto dry.
On Sunday I limped home, under engine at first then easing her along with 3 reefs and working jib. I needed to pump a lot of the time but the leak seemed stable. At the Nore Swatch I made a 'go/no go' decision in favour of crossing the deep water, had a fast reach to the ray and a really nice beat up it (er, still pumping).
She's out now and the problem is evident; the chine joint on the port side had pulled open, mostly above the waterline thank goodness. There are stress cracks in the outer layer of the ply along the line of a frame, and signs of stress.
I've hacked off the ply in the area and it shows no sign of rot or delamination; and the chine and hog are solid, no rot there!
So it's not as bad as expected, and a repair job doesn't look hard (in fact, I've started).
Well, I did finish, and in last place of course; but I heard that about half the fleet retired, so I'm proud as hell of this last place!
Anyway, I breathe a sigh of relief over this trip; it could so easily have been much, much worse ....
Last weekend was the Southend area Combined Cruiser Series race to Upnor, from Southend via the South Shoebury, Spile and Grain Edge. The F4/5 wind was ideal for 'Tiptoe', a modified Ballerina II triple keeler that likes a decent breeze.
After the South Shoebury it was a beat to the Spile and I was going OK, even though it had risen to a good F6, and was even hoping to catch up on one or two boats.
Then, a problem. I noticed about a foot depth of water inside her.
I was alone so I eased the sheets and let her look after herself (which she does rather well) while I went below and pumped like mad, eventually clearing her after about 15 minutes.
I then eased her along, not quite close hauled, heading for the Sheppy shore. I considered going home to Benfleet but didn't fancy the direct course from there across a lot of deep water.
She needed pumping at frequent intervals, like 10 minutes sailing, 5 minutes pumping. In this way I rounded the Spile and had an easier leg to Grain Edge. I took the trouble to round them as it wasn't far out of my way to the Medway and shelter, and I had a feeling that the problem might be terminal and didn't want to retire in what might be the boat's last race (I was considering changing her anyway, so a serious structural defect might mean the end).
Still had to pump her almost the same in the Medway, but had a fairly pleasant beat to Upnor, limping across the line at 8.44pm, and achored close in to the beach where I reckoned I would need to beach her in the night - one reason for going to Upnor was the beach!
I pumped her out and was bloody lucky to find she wasn't making too much while at rest.
Everything, but everything was soaked of course, spare clothes etc. Fortunately my sleeping bag was OK (triple wrapped!) and I found enough dry cloths to wipe the engine magneto dry.
On Sunday I limped home, under engine at first then easing her along with 3 reefs and working jib. I needed to pump a lot of the time but the leak seemed stable. At the Nore Swatch I made a 'go/no go' decision in favour of crossing the deep water, had a fast reach to the ray and a really nice beat up it (er, still pumping).
She's out now and the problem is evident; the chine joint on the port side had pulled open, mostly above the waterline thank goodness. There are stress cracks in the outer layer of the ply along the line of a frame, and signs of stress.
I've hacked off the ply in the area and it shows no sign of rot or delamination; and the chine and hog are solid, no rot there!
So it's not as bad as expected, and a repair job doesn't look hard (in fact, I've started).
Well, I did finish, and in last place of course; but I heard that about half the fleet retired, so I'm proud as hell of this last place!
Anyway, I breathe a sigh of relief over this trip; it could so easily have been much, much worse ....
