Post by Sui on Jul 18, 2011 14:47:04 GMT
no photos!
The weather forecast was bad, so I sailed for Watchet on Friday. Nice place, must remember to post the fob back
. Planned for Swansea the next day, and had an argument with the weather. However, I like weather, so I went anyway. A few lumps here and there, F5/6 gusting F7, wind over tide, close hauled; 5 panels was enough. Slipped lines 0600 ('slipping', in honour of Viv, my bestest pal, even though he farts), arrived 1400. Unfortunately, I was spun around, AGAIN!, when taking down the mainsail, resulting in my boom losing a torque argument; it broke, *schniff*. Junk sails don't like wind-over-tide reefing; methinks starboard tack, with fitted downhauls and a much-need boom-stand (similar to a Gaff rig's). Tied up outside the Ferry terminal to a nice big black rubber-type thingamebob, until Bright Flyer came along and showed me the light (aka, the pontoon outside the Tawe Lock). Spent night in Swansea, which was short, being tired 'n' all (did, of course, manage at least one pint of very fine). Slipped out 1130 Sunday, having to motor back to Cardiff. More lumps on the way, F6/7 gusting F8, rough to very rough - I agreed with the forecast, as did my autopilot (something else to repair). Some nice people ashore thought me in trouble, so informed the CG; I was only being tossed about, surfing, around 6kts to 9kts SOG. So, I had an hourly contact with them on the way back. No other boats around. I must remember to reseat my dipstick properly next time I check the oil, so spent some time fretting below about the oil slick. And my water problems re-surfaced; I'll have to spend some time dealing with this one. Still, water and oil, wedged down below in a nice auld blow, stripped so my brand new HellyHansens wouldn't get dirty, was another good experience - I lasted about 30 mins of being tossed, working on the engine, looking at the shore loom large, before feeling sick; I must be getting marinised at last! Plus, Viv wasn't on board, so I couldn't possibly be sick.
Went through the Nash Passage, and quite a sight to see the Nash Sands with HUUUGE breakers; took photos, but not as dramatic as seeing them. When vis got down to 50 yards or so when raining, I was delighted to use the AIS (which spotted two vessels). The Barrage opened 10 mins before time to allow me through, which was almost straight through, and glad to tie up Sui at home berth. Good little sail, some motoring, oil, water, tossing, leaks, and so on… Can't go out again until I replace boom (38mm, with 10mm or greater internal dia, 510mm - if anyone has alu tubes), sort water problems (header tank drains!), and a few other bits and bobs. Sailing's fun ;D
The weather forecast was bad, so I sailed for Watchet on Friday. Nice place, must remember to post the fob back
. Planned for Swansea the next day, and had an argument with the weather. However, I like weather, so I went anyway. A few lumps here and there, F5/6 gusting F7, wind over tide, close hauled; 5 panels was enough. Slipped lines 0600 ('slipping', in honour of Viv, my bestest pal, even though he farts), arrived 1400. Unfortunately, I was spun around, AGAIN!, when taking down the mainsail, resulting in my boom losing a torque argument; it broke, *schniff*. Junk sails don't like wind-over-tide reefing; methinks starboard tack, with fitted downhauls and a much-need boom-stand (similar to a Gaff rig's). Tied up outside the Ferry terminal to a nice big black rubber-type thingamebob, until Bright Flyer came along and showed me the light (aka, the pontoon outside the Tawe Lock). Spent night in Swansea, which was short, being tired 'n' all (did, of course, manage at least one pint of very fine). Slipped out 1130 Sunday, having to motor back to Cardiff. More lumps on the way, F6/7 gusting F8, rough to very rough - I agreed with the forecast, as did my autopilot (something else to repair). Some nice people ashore thought me in trouble, so informed the CG; I was only being tossed about, surfing, around 6kts to 9kts SOG. So, I had an hourly contact with them on the way back. No other boats around. I must remember to reseat my dipstick properly next time I check the oil, so spent some time fretting below about the oil slick. And my water problems re-surfaced; I'll have to spend some time dealing with this one. Still, water and oil, wedged down below in a nice auld blow, stripped so my brand new HellyHansens wouldn't get dirty, was another good experience - I lasted about 30 mins of being tossed, working on the engine, looking at the shore loom large, before feeling sick; I must be getting marinised at last! Plus, Viv wasn't on board, so I couldn't possibly be sick.Went through the Nash Passage, and quite a sight to see the Nash Sands with HUUUGE breakers; took photos, but not as dramatic as seeing them. When vis got down to 50 yards or so when raining, I was delighted to use the AIS (which spotted two vessels). The Barrage opened 10 mins before time to allow me through, which was almost straight through, and glad to tie up Sui at home berth. Good little sail, some motoring, oil, water, tossing, leaks, and so on… Can't go out again until I replace boom (38mm, with 10mm or greater internal dia, 510mm - if anyone has alu tubes), sort water problems (header tank drains!), and a few other bits and bobs. Sailing's fun ;D
The problem is not having a reef in, but taking down the sail when being tossed about. Without downhauls, I depend on gravity alone. The bundle will come down, but more often than not I will then get tossed by a wave, the sail will catch the wind, and blow out again. It gets, eh, interesting thereafter, but a lot of fun! ;D
I'll be down this eve; Slipping out...