Post by allan on May 2, 2011 15:26:40 GMT
As we had a second 4day weekend, my son Steve and I decided it was time for a quick trip around the Bristol channel.
As we planned to leave on the early tide with XS. we only went into the club for one pint on Thursday night. Well we were still loading the boat after midnight! At 0430hrs getting up didn't seem such a good idea, so we headed over to Watchet on the afternoon tide, arriving at 1900hrs. At least the Saturday morning tide would be a little later than Friday. So off to the pub then.
Saturday morning is a little blurry, I do remember the gate was closed by the time we woke up! So, off on the afternoon tide to Watermouth, picking up a buoy at 2100hrs. Unfortunately both of the buoys we tried had lost their stern chains so we put the bow line on and backed onto the sand to dry out. After a few bears on board, 2300hrs saw me wading around in 1/2m of water, wearing just my underpants, using a boat hook to find the lost chain. I couldn't find the right chain so tied onto a sinker and went back on board.
Sunday we left Watermouth hoping to get back to Cardiff but doing our first tack north so we could go to Swansea if needed. On the way Steve nodded off, so I amused myself designing a new foresail that would set better than one, I got for nothing, that we were using. After Steve woke up and made the tea, I checked the sails and saw the genoa had started to split. As we started to roll the sail I realised the furling line was tangled so I had to go to the bow, quite exciting with 26-30kts and a Bristol channel chop. By the time that was sorted the sail had spit about a 1/3 of the way from leach to luff. Swansea seemed like the best plan.
We moored to sort out a berth and XS pulled in behind us on route back to Cardiff from Milford. While taking the sail off to replace it with on of my other sails a guy came up and gave me his card, Sabre Sails. He took the sail away and we went off for a late lunch in the Pumphouse pub. As we finished we were joined by Mary and Bill from Sanibel for a nice chat. By the time we got back to the boat the sail had been delivered back. Simon from Sabre Sails seems very nice and certainly does a quick job which looks fine. I will report back when I know if it stands up to use.
So after a nice evening in SY&SA club with Mary and Bill. We up early to check the weather forecast. XS had gone and Challenge Wales was preparing to go when I decided it was not the right day to check my repaired sail. Mary Bill and Steve set off for the station as I went to chat with the crew of XS, who had returned after an exciting sail out to west Scar buoy and back. They too headed off to Cardiff without their boat.
So, here I am, Johnnie no mates, on Chausey in Swansea planning to head back in the morning. Think I may pop to the pub!
Allan
As we planned to leave on the early tide with XS. we only went into the club for one pint on Thursday night. Well we were still loading the boat after midnight! At 0430hrs getting up didn't seem such a good idea, so we headed over to Watchet on the afternoon tide, arriving at 1900hrs. At least the Saturday morning tide would be a little later than Friday. So off to the pub then.
Saturday morning is a little blurry, I do remember the gate was closed by the time we woke up! So, off on the afternoon tide to Watermouth, picking up a buoy at 2100hrs. Unfortunately both of the buoys we tried had lost their stern chains so we put the bow line on and backed onto the sand to dry out. After a few bears on board, 2300hrs saw me wading around in 1/2m of water, wearing just my underpants, using a boat hook to find the lost chain. I couldn't find the right chain so tied onto a sinker and went back on board.
Sunday we left Watermouth hoping to get back to Cardiff but doing our first tack north so we could go to Swansea if needed. On the way Steve nodded off, so I amused myself designing a new foresail that would set better than one, I got for nothing, that we were using. After Steve woke up and made the tea, I checked the sails and saw the genoa had started to split. As we started to roll the sail I realised the furling line was tangled so I had to go to the bow, quite exciting with 26-30kts and a Bristol channel chop. By the time that was sorted the sail had spit about a 1/3 of the way from leach to luff. Swansea seemed like the best plan.
We moored to sort out a berth and XS pulled in behind us on route back to Cardiff from Milford. While taking the sail off to replace it with on of my other sails a guy came up and gave me his card, Sabre Sails. He took the sail away and we went off for a late lunch in the Pumphouse pub. As we finished we were joined by Mary and Bill from Sanibel for a nice chat. By the time we got back to the boat the sail had been delivered back. Simon from Sabre Sails seems very nice and certainly does a quick job which looks fine. I will report back when I know if it stands up to use.
So after a nice evening in SY&SA club with Mary and Bill. We up early to check the weather forecast. XS had gone and Challenge Wales was preparing to go when I decided it was not the right day to check my repaired sail. Mary Bill and Steve set off for the station as I went to chat with the crew of XS, who had returned after an exciting sail out to west Scar buoy and back. They too headed off to Cardiff without their boat.
So, here I am, Johnnie no mates, on Chausey in Swansea planning to head back in the morning. Think I may pop to the pub!
Allan
