Post by Matt on Jul 15, 2012 10:12:40 GMT
The Background
For the last 3.5 years I had owned a 20 foot bilge keel sailing boat 'Sunbeam' and had much fun on her learning what ropes to pull and where best to go in the Bristol Channel. After going out on many other shapes and sizes of boat I thought I would get something bigger and more comfortable to sleep on. As everyone in the Bristol Channel asks - should I get a bilge or fin? I had been on a lot of different types and I can see the advantages of both. I accept that in the Bristol Channel a bilge keep would be better but having only dried out on Sunbeam once in the time I had her (although that was good fun) I thought that a fin would be fine, possible a little faster and point higher so after scouring the internet for ages and traveling around various parts of the uk viewing various different sailing boats I bought a 32 foot sailing boat. She was based in Lymington so I had the choice of having her trailered back or sailing her back. As I could only get one week off work I decided to do part of the trip myself and let a friend and his wife and nephew sail the rest of the way back.
The Crew - Peter, Joff, Keith
The crew consisted of myself, Keith Pritchard, Peter Borthwick and Jonathan Gunter. Peter is an old hand at sailing and I've known him down the club and gone sailing with him many times before and was happy to have his sailing experience and DIY skills. Keith who is a dab hand at electrics, has a practical mind and Joff the resident fisherman are relatively new to the club and have just bought themselves new boats 'Arrietta' and 'Sunbeam'. Although they are novices they learn fast and have lots of enthusiasm ;D.
Lymington - Sunday
I met Lyndon, one of our club members who owns Poppea at 10am at the club and loaded his car with tons of stuff (sleeping bags, pillow, clothes, food, outboard, dinghy, oars, etc). He had kindly offered to give us a lift down to Lymington. By the time the car was fully laden we could hardly move inside.
We arrived at Lymington sailing club at 2pm and the owner handed over the paperwork, keys and signed the bill of sale. The boat was now mine. There were a few things I knew needed fixing on the boat and others that we were to discover. The first was that there was not much anchor chain so we had to buy more, also the nav lights didn't work and the electrics were very much shot, including the VHF radio. We motored up to the local marina, filled up with gas, fuel and water and retired to the local yacht club in the marina where it was £25 for 5 drinks (3 of which were coke!) judging by the many millionaires yachts we were certainly not in Cardiff . Lyndon left us to travel back to S Wales. Many thanks for your assistance Lyndon much appreciated. We headed off into town where everyone was wearing designer gear and all the young chaps had neatly groomed hair. The local supermarkets were M&S and Waitrose although we did manage to find a Tesco to provision the boat. We found a kebab house and had pizza and then to 'The Ship' pub on the town quay where we sat outside planning our journey and checking the weather forecast for the days ahead of us.
Ocean Factor - Benetau Oceanis 320
Getting fuel
Pete up the mast
The next day we decided to go for Poole. Trying to get out of Lymington harbour was interesting as the large Isle of Wight ferries were going in and out of the narrow channel and there were many sailing boats buzzing about. The water was so clear though and it was sunny too. We hoisted the sails an had a great sail towards Poole averaging 6kts (I think the wind speed was around 18-20kts). Passing the Needles on the Isle of Wight was our first point of interest and I knew we were getting closer to Poole as I could see the balloon in Bournemouth from many miles away. Joff dropped a trawling line over the side and caught a mackerel after 30 mins. As we approached Poole there were many lobster pots to avoid and we entered the harbour. I was surprised at how shallow Poole harbour is and we had to make sure we were within the marked channels of which there were many. We chose a quiet spot to drop the anchor where only one other boat was moored. We had a lovely dinner and beers (as well as the mackerel). It was very tranquil, no wind, no choppy waves. We all slept well.
Joff at the helm
Joff's first catch of the week (There would be many more)
In the morning we headed off to Poole town quay, visited the toilets and tesco to get more food (these lot eat like horses - not me though I'm like a sparrow with my food ).
Poole to Lulworth
Our of the town quay at Poole we sailed down wind and were passed by 2 RN marine ribs and landing craft going full speed. An impressive sight. Our own boat was going pretty fast too and we reached out of Poole rounding the corner in strong winds to Lulworth later in the day. I had always fancied traveling to Lulworth Cove as years ago going in a car I had peered down into the bowl like bay that has cliffs on all sides. We dropped the hook. As the wind was a little high and was from the SW it was pushing the waves into the bay so it wasn't a very comfortable anchorage (although I have been in worse).
Keith on tiller
Lulworth cove
Lulworth to Weymouth
We left Lulworth in the morning. A few small fishing boats are based in Lulworth so we found many pot buoys on the way which were hard to see what with the waves and the fact that some of them were black, not only pink. I wouldn't have liked to get one of those around the prop. All though out trip the wind was 20kts and it was lovely to see Weymouth beach ahead where I had holidayed with the kids and the ex for many years so lots of happy memories. As well as a large tanker anchored in Weymouth bay there were many fast little dinghies out darting about all over the place. I guess they were getting ready for the Olympics. It was a lovely sunny day and when we tied up in Weymouth harbour we had to put out T shirts on and suncream. I must say Keith helmed the boat into a really tight spot on the quay. Hats off. We paid the harbour master and had fish and chips on the harbour wall. Then we looked at the weather and realised that we needed to get around Portland Bill TODAY as the forecast for tomorrow was 38kt winds and heavy rain. Time was also running out as we were going to miss the tide to get us around Portland. We decided to go for it rather than have to stay in Weymouth for 2 days and not make any progress or try to go out in the crappy stuff. We were either heading for Torquay/Brixham or Dartmouth.
Pete chillin
Weymouth Harbour
Weymouth harbour2
Weymouth to Brixham
We left Weymouth at 5.30pm and it was lovely and sunny. We had to put 2 reefs in the main and shorten the genoa as the wind ramped up to 28kts. To ensure we didn't have a bad journey we tried staying out of the Portland race and wanted to be over 5 miles out before turning west. The seas were large to what me Joff and Keith were used to and we had lots of rolling waves threatening to break over us. We did have a couple of soakings and it was impressive to see such large waves approaching, the anticipation, some we would just ride over and we wondered what all the fuss was about but a few just carried us up and up and then dropped us down. It felt very humbling and the boat felt like a very small cork in a big sea. While all three of us were having an exhilarating ride up on deck Pete was making a Pork casserole down below to the tunes of Cheryl Crowe and wondering what all the fuss was about. We had 7kts over the water and 10kts with the tide. Whilst we were being thown about HMS Ocean, one of the small aircraft carriers of our Royal Navy was carrying out maneouvres and shrugging off any confused seas that were about. 2 Lynx helicopters patrolled one of which buzzed by us.
Night came and some of us tried to get to sleep but the waves caused quite a bit of rolling and banging so it was difficult. Progress was slow at around 2kts as the wind had come around to the west and we could either sail NW or SW, neither ideal. Half way across Lyme Bay we decided to put the engine on and at 8-9am we motored into Brixham harbour, tied up and everyone fell asleep. We were shattered.
Brixham
We awoke around 2pm, had a much needed shower in the marina facilities (our faces were covered in salt) and did the 3 's's. It rained all day and was windy so we were very glad that we had made the decision to go from Weymouth when we did. I can't believe how much condensation a boat can churn out when 4 blokes are onboard and cooking! I rang a local marine electronics chap to see if the VHF radio could be fixed as felt it essential in order for the journey to continue. He said he would come over to the boat the next day. In the evening we dined out in a posh pub on the front, dining on muscles, mackerel pate, pollock, crab bisque and of course chips. After the meal we retired to a lovely pub near the marina where there was a roaring fire, chamber pots covering the ceiling, a parrot that was a real character and a landlady that smoked behind the bar and couldn't give a crap. We thought the place was fantastic and I hope one of the other guys can remember its name. Highly recommend it. We all slept well, being thankful that we were snugly on the boat in harbour.
Mr Tibbs
Brixham in the rain
The next day the sun was out and the wind had died down. After the 'radio guy' visited and fitted a new VHF after confirming it was knackered we popped over to the harbour and had chips on the harbour wall (seems be a regular thing for us). Dean (a friend) drove down and joined us for the day as did Elaine (Pete's wife) and Steve (their nephew). A few items of fishing equipment were bought in the local tackle shop and we headed off out into Torbay to try them out. Now there were 7 on board and it didn't feel cramped on board. A trawling line was hung over the stern of the boat and within 5 minutes Joff had caught a mackerel. 'that was fast' we thought, we won't catch another. Within 30 seconds another was caught and another 2 lines were put over the stern at different depths. It was amazing, we had so many fish there wasn't enough bags to put them in. Many fish slipped out of hands and were flapping around the deck. In total 55 fish were caught although 10 little uns were put back. We had a lovely mackerel dinner with salad, new potatoes, beers, wine and dance music in the background. It really was the rockin party boat .
Keith taking the hook out
Catch of the day
Gutted
Lets eat...
After a lovely day me, Dean, Keith and Joff drove back to South Wales with many happy memories, leaving Peter, Elaine and Steve to carry on the rest of the trip. Thanks to everyone who joined me on our little adventure .
Matt
For the last 3.5 years I had owned a 20 foot bilge keel sailing boat 'Sunbeam' and had much fun on her learning what ropes to pull and where best to go in the Bristol Channel. After going out on many other shapes and sizes of boat I thought I would get something bigger and more comfortable to sleep on. As everyone in the Bristol Channel asks - should I get a bilge or fin? I had been on a lot of different types and I can see the advantages of both. I accept that in the Bristol Channel a bilge keep would be better but having only dried out on Sunbeam once in the time I had her (although that was good fun) I thought that a fin would be fine, possible a little faster and point higher so after scouring the internet for ages and traveling around various parts of the uk viewing various different sailing boats I bought a 32 foot sailing boat. She was based in Lymington so I had the choice of having her trailered back or sailing her back. As I could only get one week off work I decided to do part of the trip myself and let a friend and his wife and nephew sail the rest of the way back.
The Crew - Peter, Joff, Keith
The crew consisted of myself, Keith Pritchard, Peter Borthwick and Jonathan Gunter. Peter is an old hand at sailing and I've known him down the club and gone sailing with him many times before and was happy to have his sailing experience and DIY skills. Keith who is a dab hand at electrics, has a practical mind and Joff the resident fisherman are relatively new to the club and have just bought themselves new boats 'Arrietta' and 'Sunbeam'. Although they are novices they learn fast and have lots of enthusiasm ;D.
Lymington - Sunday
I met Lyndon, one of our club members who owns Poppea at 10am at the club and loaded his car with tons of stuff (sleeping bags, pillow, clothes, food, outboard, dinghy, oars, etc). He had kindly offered to give us a lift down to Lymington. By the time the car was fully laden we could hardly move inside.
We arrived at Lymington sailing club at 2pm and the owner handed over the paperwork, keys and signed the bill of sale. The boat was now mine. There were a few things I knew needed fixing on the boat and others that we were to discover. The first was that there was not much anchor chain so we had to buy more, also the nav lights didn't work and the electrics were very much shot, including the VHF radio. We motored up to the local marina, filled up with gas, fuel and water and retired to the local yacht club in the marina where it was £25 for 5 drinks (3 of which were coke!) judging by the many millionaires yachts we were certainly not in Cardiff . Lyndon left us to travel back to S Wales. Many thanks for your assistance Lyndon much appreciated. We headed off into town where everyone was wearing designer gear and all the young chaps had neatly groomed hair. The local supermarkets were M&S and Waitrose although we did manage to find a Tesco to provision the boat. We found a kebab house and had pizza and then to 'The Ship' pub on the town quay where we sat outside planning our journey and checking the weather forecast for the days ahead of us.
Ocean Factor - Benetau Oceanis 320
Getting fuel
Pete up the mast
The next day we decided to go for Poole. Trying to get out of Lymington harbour was interesting as the large Isle of Wight ferries were going in and out of the narrow channel and there were many sailing boats buzzing about. The water was so clear though and it was sunny too. We hoisted the sails an had a great sail towards Poole averaging 6kts (I think the wind speed was around 18-20kts). Passing the Needles on the Isle of Wight was our first point of interest and I knew we were getting closer to Poole as I could see the balloon in Bournemouth from many miles away. Joff dropped a trawling line over the side and caught a mackerel after 30 mins. As we approached Poole there were many lobster pots to avoid and we entered the harbour. I was surprised at how shallow Poole harbour is and we had to make sure we were within the marked channels of which there were many. We chose a quiet spot to drop the anchor where only one other boat was moored. We had a lovely dinner and beers (as well as the mackerel). It was very tranquil, no wind, no choppy waves. We all slept well.
Joff at the helm
Joff's first catch of the week (There would be many more)
In the morning we headed off to Poole town quay, visited the toilets and tesco to get more food (these lot eat like horses - not me though I'm like a sparrow with my food ).
Poole to Lulworth
Our of the town quay at Poole we sailed down wind and were passed by 2 RN marine ribs and landing craft going full speed. An impressive sight. Our own boat was going pretty fast too and we reached out of Poole rounding the corner in strong winds to Lulworth later in the day. I had always fancied traveling to Lulworth Cove as years ago going in a car I had peered down into the bowl like bay that has cliffs on all sides. We dropped the hook. As the wind was a little high and was from the SW it was pushing the waves into the bay so it wasn't a very comfortable anchorage (although I have been in worse).
Keith on tiller
Lulworth cove
Lulworth to Weymouth
We left Lulworth in the morning. A few small fishing boats are based in Lulworth so we found many pot buoys on the way which were hard to see what with the waves and the fact that some of them were black, not only pink. I wouldn't have liked to get one of those around the prop. All though out trip the wind was 20kts and it was lovely to see Weymouth beach ahead where I had holidayed with the kids and the ex for many years so lots of happy memories. As well as a large tanker anchored in Weymouth bay there were many fast little dinghies out darting about all over the place. I guess they were getting ready for the Olympics. It was a lovely sunny day and when we tied up in Weymouth harbour we had to put out T shirts on and suncream. I must say Keith helmed the boat into a really tight spot on the quay. Hats off. We paid the harbour master and had fish and chips on the harbour wall. Then we looked at the weather and realised that we needed to get around Portland Bill TODAY as the forecast for tomorrow was 38kt winds and heavy rain. Time was also running out as we were going to miss the tide to get us around Portland. We decided to go for it rather than have to stay in Weymouth for 2 days and not make any progress or try to go out in the crappy stuff. We were either heading for Torquay/Brixham or Dartmouth.
Pete chillin
Weymouth Harbour
Weymouth harbour2
Weymouth to Brixham
We left Weymouth at 5.30pm and it was lovely and sunny. We had to put 2 reefs in the main and shorten the genoa as the wind ramped up to 28kts. To ensure we didn't have a bad journey we tried staying out of the Portland race and wanted to be over 5 miles out before turning west. The seas were large to what me Joff and Keith were used to and we had lots of rolling waves threatening to break over us. We did have a couple of soakings and it was impressive to see such large waves approaching, the anticipation, some we would just ride over and we wondered what all the fuss was about but a few just carried us up and up and then dropped us down. It felt very humbling and the boat felt like a very small cork in a big sea. While all three of us were having an exhilarating ride up on deck Pete was making a Pork casserole down below to the tunes of Cheryl Crowe and wondering what all the fuss was about. We had 7kts over the water and 10kts with the tide. Whilst we were being thown about HMS Ocean, one of the small aircraft carriers of our Royal Navy was carrying out maneouvres and shrugging off any confused seas that were about. 2 Lynx helicopters patrolled one of which buzzed by us.
Night came and some of us tried to get to sleep but the waves caused quite a bit of rolling and banging so it was difficult. Progress was slow at around 2kts as the wind had come around to the west and we could either sail NW or SW, neither ideal. Half way across Lyme Bay we decided to put the engine on and at 8-9am we motored into Brixham harbour, tied up and everyone fell asleep. We were shattered.
Brixham
We awoke around 2pm, had a much needed shower in the marina facilities (our faces were covered in salt) and did the 3 's's. It rained all day and was windy so we were very glad that we had made the decision to go from Weymouth when we did. I can't believe how much condensation a boat can churn out when 4 blokes are onboard and cooking! I rang a local marine electronics chap to see if the VHF radio could be fixed as felt it essential in order for the journey to continue. He said he would come over to the boat the next day. In the evening we dined out in a posh pub on the front, dining on muscles, mackerel pate, pollock, crab bisque and of course chips. After the meal we retired to a lovely pub near the marina where there was a roaring fire, chamber pots covering the ceiling, a parrot that was a real character and a landlady that smoked behind the bar and couldn't give a crap. We thought the place was fantastic and I hope one of the other guys can remember its name. Highly recommend it. We all slept well, being thankful that we were snugly on the boat in harbour.
Mr Tibbs
Brixham in the rain
The next day the sun was out and the wind had died down. After the 'radio guy' visited and fitted a new VHF after confirming it was knackered we popped over to the harbour and had chips on the harbour wall (seems be a regular thing for us). Dean (a friend) drove down and joined us for the day as did Elaine (Pete's wife) and Steve (their nephew). A few items of fishing equipment were bought in the local tackle shop and we headed off out into Torbay to try them out. Now there were 7 on board and it didn't feel cramped on board. A trawling line was hung over the stern of the boat and within 5 minutes Joff had caught a mackerel. 'that was fast' we thought, we won't catch another. Within 30 seconds another was caught and another 2 lines were put over the stern at different depths. It was amazing, we had so many fish there wasn't enough bags to put them in. Many fish slipped out of hands and were flapping around the deck. In total 55 fish were caught although 10 little uns were put back. We had a lovely mackerel dinner with salad, new potatoes, beers, wine and dance music in the background. It really was the rockin party boat .
Keith taking the hook out
Catch of the day
Gutted
Lets eat...
After a lovely day me, Dean, Keith and Joff drove back to South Wales with many happy memories, leaving Peter, Elaine and Steve to carry on the rest of the trip. Thanks to everyone who joined me on our little adventure .
Matt