Love Sailing

As two of the engine mounts had suffered from heat damage in the July fire aboard, they needed to be replaced. I saw my engineer, Anthony was working at St Anthony and asked him when he wanted to jo the job, he was keen to get the job done. So I removed the saloon table and the bathtup(under cockpit floor locker) aft of the engine over the weekend.

Anthony came on Monday morning and moved Elektra’s engine forward into the saloon, I had some fire insulation to make good in the engine compartment before the engine could go back in. And Anthony was going to do a repair on the heat exchanger and engine water pump before the engine would be ready to go back in.

I got the insulation done on the Thursday and Anthony came back on the next Monday 3rd November to replace the engine mounts and refitted the engine. While aboard he did the normal engine service.

The invoice arrived by email on the 7th and I paid the same day, next day I sent the invoice for replacement mounts to the insurance and my insurance paid 86% of the amount on the 11th November having closed the insurance claim.

I hear lots of talk about marine insurance on social media, most owners seem to be more concerned about how much premium they are paying. But really the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I had no idea when I claimed for the fire aboard Elektra what it would be like, but I am really happy with the way my insurance “Beazley” handled my claim. It seemed slow while waiting but not in reality, I had back 100% of labour costs and 70% of replacement parts costs, which amounted to 86% of the total, and they paid this just 7 weeks after the fire. With the final closing balance arriving in my bank 4 days after I sent the receipted invoice.

I had worked nearly solidly through the winter 2024-25 in-between the few days of work l was still doing, Elektra had new Garmin electronics fitted, replacing the old Stowe units which had slowly packed up though the past 8 years since we bought her. The only thing that was still working was the depth sounder. As Elektra had to go indoors for some GRP work, her mast was removed. And while she was indoors I rebedded her chainplates and fitted new chutches. Elektra had also had an insurance survey for extending cruising and came up with another £1000 of work needed.

Elektra was launched on the last day of March, heading back down Helford River, only the new chart plotter was working, I am glad to say I managed to keep Elektra in the channel and not go aground! I can’t say I was very impressed with the eletronics. Over the next week or so I contacted the fitter a few times but never managed to improve how they worked (or didn’t). And then one day, they just started to work? But what I couldn’t get to work was the depth sounder, the fitter was based in Plymouth, so we sailed Elektra to Plymouth for “PRS” to get them working. The fitter wasn’t impressed either and got on to Garmin who promisted to replace the control boxes. But while at Plymouth the fitter did a Garmin update. Later Garmin refused to replace the control boxes after we had visited Plymouth twice more

When we went to Scilly in mid-June, we still didn’t have a working depth sounder. I wasn’t impressed with “PRS” after sales service. And then in Scilly, l managed to get the depth working on the chart table plotter! If available there, it should be on the bridge instruments. I got hold of “PRS” who promised to look again when we got back from Scilly.

There were lots of strong winds whilst we were in Scilly for 3.5 weeks. But we didn’t think about leaving for the mainland until early in July when the islands started to get busy due to the schools breaking up. But with strong easterly winds, we were stuck there until a change in direction. With the possibility of leaving between 2 strong blows east and then southwest on the 13th of July, we went for it. The forecast was correct for once. We left midday in southeast force 5 and rough seas, and over the 8-9hr crossing to the Lizard Point, the wind went light southerly and then picked up from the southwest.

We were 3nm west of our WP off the Lizard Point when we first discovered fire aboard, see eailer post “Fire aboard.” Elektra was towed to Helford by the Lizard lifeboat. Although l tried to make contact with “PRS” lots of times since fire, they haven’t responded, to date now 3 months later.

I contacted my insurance and sent a claim, but I pushed on with repairs without waiting for the the go ahead from my insurance. I found a marine electrician who was between jobs and could fit Elektra’s rewiring in, if l gave him the go ahead. Elektra was back sailing within a month of the fire, and my insurance eventually refunded me 85% of the total spend at the end of August.

After our second shake down cruise of the season, we carried on cruising for the remaining part of the season by sailing around the Lizard Point to St Michael’s Mount for a couple of nights. Then at the beginning of September, we headed east to the Yealm River for an SSOA rally. After 2 lovely day sails via Fowey, we arrived in the Yealm River and enjoyed the rally. Afterwards, the weather looked poor, so we stayed in the Yealm and then got stuck there for a further 9 nights with one gale following the next, we eventually escaped to Cawsands to roll around for another 3 nights at anchor.

We sailed back west for the Fowey CA Rally, which l had organised on the 19th of September. 7 yachts braved the weather with 11 members aboard, and a further 12 members arrived by road on Saturday evening for a meal at the RFYC. This was the first event organised by TeamSW since being set up in April 2025. We sailed or motorsailed back to our mooring in Gillan on the 22nd because of big seas and not much wind. The forecast for the weekend had been for very windy weather but never showed up durring the rally that weekend.

Once home again, the weather improves, but we had enough of being aboard for the time being, so apart from a few day sails, we left the good weather go by.

Elektra then went over to Falmouth for a few more electrical jobs, and when we got her back, we went off for our last few days aboard before the end of the season. The temperature by then was lower, and we were running the cabin heater in the evenings.

When we returned across Falmouth Bay, there was quite a big easterly swell running, and so Elektra went up in Carne Creek on her gale proof mooring. The barometer was showing 1028, and this pushed the tide down by about 0.3m, and so there was only just enough depth to get Elektra on her gale proof mooring in Carne Creek.

With no signs of any better sailing weather to come before the end of the month, l laid Elektra’s winter mooring on Monday the 20th October. On Tuesday before the tide came back I pulled out Elektra’s stern anchor and placed in dinghy and after Elektra floated, I motored her out into Helford River entrance, just to check a few things, before returning into Carne Creek and motoring her slowly (2kts) into the upper creek, the least depth I saw was 0.9m in the channel, but there must have been less at her winter mooring. But by then I was too busy with mooring lines, to look. Once I was happy with the mooring lines, I tranfered the anchor and chain to Elektra’s cockpit to lay another day. I then motored the dinghy back down river to St Anthony. I loaded the outboard and dinghy onto pick-up and drove home.

The next day before the rain in forecast arrived, I replaced the temporary stern mooring with the chain and anchor, which I had pulled out the day before. I also changed the washboard, removed her horseshoe float, removed the dodgers, changed to the winter sprayhood, and fitted Elektra’s winter cockpit cover. On Saturday, the 25th, l went back to Elektra and unbolted the saloon table to make room for my engineer to remove the inboard forward into the saloon, so he can fit new engine mounts which were damaged in fire. I also removed the bathtub under the cockpit floor for access aft of engine. Whilst the engine is out, l am going to replace any sound and fire insulation that needs to be done. Being a nice day, l also removed her sails to store at home.

The numbers are, having the time this season, we had been aboard for 106 days even having lost 4 weeks due to the fire, we were aboard 87 nights of which 57 were at anchor. But we only sailed 53 days, having been gale bound some of the time and in Scilly for 3.5 weeks, but still logged almost the same as last season, 798nm.

Now, Thursday, l went sailing yesterday, and l am going sailing again today. With the forecast showing north-northwest force 4, it looked good for a sail to Gull Rock and back, a beam reach in both directions.

I attached the dinghy to the mooring before dropping and motoring out of Gillan in what seemed like no wind, l set sail towards the Roseland, Elektra was making 3kts as she sailed passed Adrian in “Swallow Tail” his cat,  or his bungalow as he likes to call her. Adrian used to live on her and used his mother’s address. But he found out it’s very difficult to liveaboard without some form of land address. So he bought a place, which he goes back to in the winter these days. We became friends about 15 years ago.

The wind filled in a bit more, and Elektra was logging 4.5kts to 5kts across Falmouth Bay to the Roseland. Slightly more sheltered, Elektra slowed a bit but picked up speed again, crossing Gerrans Bay. With the tide now running against, it seemed to take an age to cross Gerrans Bay, and when we arrived at Gull Rock, Elektra lost the wind altogether and so l started her engine to motor though the gap between Gull Rock and Nare Head, the minimum l saw under Elektra’s keels was 7.5 metres

Once around Gull Rock and heading southwest again, Elektra was soon logging 6.5-6.8kts with the tide on a broad reach. As we were sailing along the Roseland, l noticed 2 tugs waiting in the bay. Looking south, l could see a sea going tug towing something, but looking into the sun, l couldn’t work out if it was a supertanker bow on or something smaller side on. So l went and looked at the AIS, which just showed a bunch of arrows on top of each other.

Anyway, l decided we didn’t want to meet in the centre of Falmouth Bay, so l turned Elektra in their direction, thinking we would go around their stern. It turned out to be a super yacht which had been towed back from the Med, which l was looking at the side of. All seemed to be going to plan until the sea going tug stopped to let the other 2 smaller tugs take over the tow

They may have drifted back a little while the exchange took place, and l seem to get a little too close for comfort. It’s not nice having a tug steaming towards you, and l was trying to keep out of the way.

Once the tow was exchanged, the sea going tug just turned and headed for sea again.

Elektra arrived back in Gillan 5 hours after leaving and had logged 20.5nm.

Wednesday, 8th October, came along. By now, l was thinking our sailing days were numbered. And l needed to get out sailing at every opportunity. With light winds forecast for the next few days, the time was now.

I had to go out to tidy and clean Elektra after the resent work, l was going to do that on Tuesday, but by the time the tide was high enough, l didn’t fancy going out to her. So, I decided to make a day of it on Wednesday.

So l was down to St. Anthony, before the tide went out, launched the dinghy and out to Elektra. The first thing l needed to do was re-stow gear and clean the cabin. It was nearly 1300hrs by the time l was finished. Then l started getting Elektra ready to go sailing. There, didn’t seem much wind, but just enough to swing Elektra off her mooring and with a little genoa turn her downwind and out past Carcroc Cardinal Buoy at about 1.5kts. Crossing Helford River entrance was slow going, Elektra never got above 2kts. But once north of Rosemullion Head, suddenly out of nowhere, it was blowing northwest 10-12kts, and Elektra took off across Falmouth Bay at, between 5-6kts on a calm sea. The wind strength varied across Falmouth bay, but generally quite good sailing on one port tack.

I tacked Elektra onto Starboard crossing tack, just south of St Mawes entrance, and we headed across the Carrick Roads Falmouth Harbour breakwater. Before tacking, heading north-northeast for St. Just in Roseland. Sailing Elektra right into the edge of the mooring before tacking. From here, l was watching the depth sounder as l knew we were 1.5 hours after low water springs, and my normal rule is to say in the channel north of St. Just 2 hours, either side of low water on spring tides. But as Elektra crossed over the flats north of Mylor, the lease l saw under her keels was 1.5 meters. I tacked Elektra again just before we reached an anchored yacht, this time heading for Turnaware point. Elektra then crosses the channel again and then runs parallel with the channel still over the shallows to just south of Turnaware. I put one final tack in back across the river and into shelter out of the wind.

I then started her engine for the first time today, hooked up the tiller pilot, and l packed away the mainsail. Then l turned Elektra around and headed south on just her genoa. Then it dawned on me, l hadn’t planned this sail very well, l had tacked Elektra north up the Carrick Roads, and now l was sailing against an incoming spring tide approaching the 3hr! Elektra was logging 4kts through the water, but only 2.5kts SOG. Needless to say, it took a while to cover the 4nm back to Pendennis Point. By which time it was getting late and l didn’t want to be late for dinner. So l motored Elektra back across Falmouth Bay, doing as many packing up jobs as l could while “Tilly” the tiller pilot steered Elektra for Gillan. Once moored up in Gillan, we had done 18.5nm in 5 hours. A few more packing up jobs and into the dinghy and home.

After Elektra’s fire, she had been rewired at the end of July. And then we had been away sailing for 5-6 weeks, we had found a few little electrical jobs which needed doing. So I had concacted Rupert our marine electrician to arrange for them to be done.

On the 1st of October at first light, I got down to St Anthony and launch dinghy to get out to Elektra. With no wind, I motored Elektra over to Falmouth, logging the 7nm in 1.5hrs and moored her to Ruperts own mooring. I had arrived in good time and Rupert came out by dinghy about 1/2hr later and we talked about what work was needed.

I had arranged with Paul for him to pick me up from Falmouth about 1100hrs with his Hawk 20, so I could try his yacht out while sailing her bck to Gillan. He arrived about 1100 like he said and we talked for a bit before casting off and setting sail for Gillan. It was lovely to sail something different and the Hawk sailed very well indeed but I kept on thinking how low in the water I felt and was looking for some form of speed indicator. Anyway it was a nice sail, thank you Paul.

Rupert, the marine electrician, found Elektra needed new light wires in her mast, and so Matt at Alspars ran new cables on Monday. I went over to Falmouth in the evening and motored her back to Gillan.

After the last day sail on Friday, it had got me in the mood for more sailing, and Sunday was looking good. The forecast was NNW force 3 and Elektra sails very well in a light breeze. One out to the mooring and aboard Elektra, I started getting here ready to leave, what wind there was blowing west out of Gillan Harbour. so I pulled up the full mainsail. I hadn’t started Elektra’s engine, I walked up onto the bow with dinghy and attached painter to Elektra’s mooring before dropping over the side. The wind gently pushed Elektra towards the sea as I walked back to the cockpit from the bow. And turning her out towards Carcroc East Cardinal Buoy, she was logging 2kts, soon after I turned her north-northeast to cross Falmouth Bay, I pulled out and set all her genoa. This only increased her speed by half a knot.

She continued to log 2.5kts in almost no wind across the entrance to the Helford River, and then from nowhere suddenly it was blowing northwest force 4 on a flat sea, and Elektra took off across the bay at over 5kts. The crossing of Falmouth Bay continued like this, wind up and down until we reached Black Rock in the entrance to the Carrick Roads. Then in the Road the wind seemed a little more stable and I rolled the genoa up a little to give me a bit more visablity with other yachts and boats about. Our first tack was under St Mawes Castle across to Falmouth harbour breakwater, before then tacking again onto the making port tack almost into St Just in Roseland. The next tack took us over just south of Mylor, before tacking and oridnaly heading for Turnaware Point but after the deep channel, the wind changed and Elektra’s best heading was west-northwest. The next tack took us back to north of Mylor, over the shallows, there was 1.5m showing under the keel, which was possibly only 1.1-1.2m allowing for heel (bilge keel yachts go deeper when they heel). I hadn’t ajusted the settings on the new sounder because most of the season it hadn’t worked at all. 1.2m under the keel is plenty really, but it makes you think ” I hope there isn’t a sunk boat sitting on the bottom” when logging 4-5kts!

Because Elektra was heading for a group of learning sailors, I tacked her north again, this time heading for Turnaware Point, we were still in shallow water until getting bact to the channel. Knowing Elektra would crossing over the shallows again east of the channel and still 1.5hrs before low water. I decided it was time to turn around and head south. Heading south it seemed like the wind had disappered, except Elektra was still logging 3kts. The dinghy racing had started, I like to keep clear of racing yachts and dinghies, but the problem is sailing south, I had no idea of the course they were following and going towards the back of the fleet quite often ends up where they are going next!

I was happier once we were south of them, so I didn’t have them to avoid anymore. I had pulled the mainsail down, because going down wind it takes the genoas wind, Elektra has a masthead rig and her genoa is twice the size of the mainsail, quite often sailing off the wind she goes faster without the mainsail. The idea would be a mainsail and cruising chute or spinnaker, but with my lack of balance (I crushed my foot with a tree back in 2009), so I don’t like going on the foredeck to deal with those sorts of sails.

We continued on south out of the Carrick Roads and into Falmouth Bay, turning south-southwest the sail angle was slightly better for the sail across the bay back to Gillan, lots of other yachts still on full sail but not going any fasted. We sailed into Gillan, just starting Elektra’s engine to get back on her mooring. She had logged 17.5nm in 5.5hrs

After being aboard for 2.5 weeks in some pretty awful weather, we were both glad to get home! Even if the weather did improve over the next week.

So when my friend Paul asked, could l take him across the bay in Elektra, to see what she sails like, Paul was thinking of buying a bigger yacht. He also sails his Hawk 20 from Gillan Harbour. It was at least a few days after we had got home, so looking at the forecast, Saturday looked the best, we agreed to meet at St Anthony at 0900hrs.

Motoring out to Elektra in the dinghy, we could see she was bouncing up and down on the mooring, and getting aboard was going to be interesting. The forecast was only east force 3-4, vearing southeast force 3 later. But Gillan Harbour is open to the full force of the English Channel from the east. Very carefully, we both made it aboard without falling in.

Elektra was bouncing up and down while l carefully got her ready to leave. Once ready, l attached the dinghy to the mooring, and Paul motored Elektra out of Gillan while l set the sails. Reefed main and all genoa, l asked Paul who was on the helm how she felt. Paul said she had quite a bit of weather helm, so l rolled up the genoa a little, which balanced Elektra up, and we headed north-northeast across Falmouth Bay towards St Mawes in a lumpy easterly swell. Aftert a nice sail we dropped anchor in St Mawes for lunch.

After about 2.5hrs, we had bee chating and time had slipped by, I pulled up the anchor again and we headed back towards Gillan to start with on just her genoa. Before Paul suggested we headed for Manacle Buoy, so I pulled up the main, but the winded had backed into the southeast and Elektra couldn’t head in that direction, so we cotinued south, until the wind started to disaper when we were east of Nare Point. At that point we turned for Gillan and sailed arround the Nare Point at a sedate 2-2.5kts, we sailing into Gillan entrance before starting Elektra’s engine. We had logged 12.5nm over 4.25hrs