Love Sailing

After a wonderful night at anchor in Polgwyn Cove, protected totally from the northwest winds. The tide wasn’t with me until 1115hrs but the wind of northwest force 3-4 would be helpful. Being in no hurry to leave, l had a leisurely breakfast and tidied things away. Before pulling Elektra’s anchor up at 0945hrs, thinking we would get blown out of the cove l didn’t start her engine, but the wind was coming over the cliff top and becoming a head into the cove. So l just started the engine to get Elektra out of the cove into the wind before stopping again a few 100 yards offshore.

Sailing south across Mevagissey Bay, it was almost a dead run to Chapel Point. I thought the Cruising Association would be having a heart attack looking at the number of  pot markers in Mevagissey Bay, there must have been at least 300, but l almost never touched the helm which the tiller pilot was in control of while sailing across the bay. Off Chapel Point there were even more, but l just steered between them. Heading south-southwest inside Gwineas Rocks towards the Dodman Point, passing Gorran Haven at 1050hrs having logged 3.75nm.

Another yacht under full sail had come out of Mevagissey, heading east and south of the Gwineas Rocks and well south of the Dodman Point, they were taking the long way round! I had only set Elektra’s genoa as l was fairly happy that once around the Dodman Point, that would be plenty of sail for Elektra. Passing very close in to the Dodman Point at 1118hrs, l knew once out of the shelter of the point Elektra would be hit by a blast of strong wind.

I was absolutely correct, once out from the shelter of the point, Elektra was hit by northwest force 6 very briefly before easing again. This blast of wind knocked her over on her ear, with water running along her side deck logging 6.5kts, she also rounded up until it eased. After that blast of wind Elektra was logging 5-6kts from Dodman Point to the Roseland, it was great sailing. The wind got very flucky of the Roseland and went l got to Zone Point at 1330hrs having logged 15nm l started her engine and motored her into the Precuil River, dropping anchor at 1400hrs having logged 17.5nm.

There’s a lot to be said for sailing locally, around you local area you know where you can drop anchor for the night and not have someone coming and asking you for money! If only around locally you can normally sail even if only logging 2-3kts, nowhere is that far away that if it takes longer than 2-4hrs, it doesn’t matter because you’re still get there before dinner time. That’s not saying that you can’t have a sail in challenging conditions either, a fast passage across the bay in fairly sheltered waters can be exhilarating.

Passage making on the other hand can be expensive in more ways than it first appears. Your on passage logging 2-3kts and your chart plotter is telling you, that you will get to your next way point at 2200hrs, and that way point is still 1.5hrs from your destination. Normally we don’t want to arrive in the dark so start the engine and motor instead. Elektra’s engine uses 2lts an hour which doesn’t sound a lot until you realise that’s only about 10nm. Then when you arrive, you probably have to pay for a visitor mooring. When it comes to passage making over longer distances, l don’t have any experience of this type of sailing, but expect many of the above still applies.

Over night Elektra had been anchored in Polgwyn Cove which is one of a few places around Fowey area where l know l can drop anchor for no charge. Fowey charge for Elektra this season is £26.40, if you use the water taxi, it’s £3pp each way.

Skippers complain about the cost of anchors and anchor chain, but used regularly, this is a far cheaper option than paying for visitor moorings. I think my anchor chain bought in 2021 cost £80 and the new Rocna cost about £250 in 2023, since then l have probably anchored 150 nights. Although l might need to replace the anchor chain again in the next 5 years, the anchor itself will out live me. On the plus side, l know my anchor chain is good because l handle it every time l drop anchor, but how many you know what the visitor mooring is like? That you moored too unless you dived down to inspect it?

Out at first light and got Elektra ready to leave, with it light but not quite properly light l switched on her navigation and steaming lights. Pulling up her anchor at 0600hrs and headed south down the Tamar River under the bridges and into the last of the incoming tide and into Sand Acre Bay and dropped anchor having logged 3nm at 0630hrs. Quickly as l could got Elektra ready to leave, locked up, filled up the outboard and headed for Saltash Sailing Club pontoon. Where l after mooring up, walked up the hill to the co-op fir shopping. Then retracting my step back to The dinghy and back to Elektra. Where l lifted the outboard off the dinghy and onto the pushpit, l decided to tow the dinghy.

At 0800hrs l pulled up the anchor again and pointed Elektra back out of Sand Acre Bay and south down the Tamar River past Devonport, remembering what l had been told about keeping to the Cornwall side of the Tamar to avoid any contact with the river navy police! I had also to keep clear of 2x navy tugs manoeuvring on the Cornwall side of the river. I seemed to time my arrival at the Torpoint Ferrers just right and passed easily. Things are going well l thought!

Bruce shouldn’t think these things because within 10mins it was raining! I saw the rain coming and went down and grabbed my coat before it arrived. It was that horrible misty rain and coming in head on, l really need windscreen wipers for my glasses in such conditions!

Down though the narrows and out though the bridge, then turn to starboard and head for Cawsands, the rain continued all the way, just stopping as l arrived to anchor in Cawsands at 0920hrs. I packed up and went below for breakfast. Within half an hour the sun was out and by the time l had put away the breakfast things the cockpit and decks were dry.

I had planned to stay in Cawsands and move west on Friday. But looking at the tides and the forecast. The stream was with us between 1040 and 1640hrs and the wind forecast of westerly force 1-3, picking up to a northwest force 4 later. So l thought that doesn’t seem to bad, l told you before about Bruce’s thinking!

At 1100hrs, l pulled up Elektra’s anchor and whilst motoring out of Cawsands pulled up her full mainsail. Once out around Daystone and heading west towards Rame Head l stopped her engine and she was logging 2-2.5kts with all the other yachts motoring past with full sail up. Once past Rame Head and not as tight to the wind, a southwest force 2-3, Elektra was logging 3.5-4kts but heading for Looe. It was the appearance of force 4 which made me think to reef the mainsail. For those of you who don’t sail, going into the wind quite often feels more like a force higher because you have to add your speed onto the wind speed. And Sadler 29s do have a big sail area for their size.

Having pulled the first reef into the main, Elektra was going half a knot faster than before, but the wind continued to increase and Elektra was getting over powder and wad rounding up. It was then l decided to motor into the wind to lower the mainsail but of course l needed to go on deck to do so. All was fine apart from skinned knee and blood over the foredeck! Once done, l turned Elektra south on her genoa and she was logging 4.5kts, after about 2nm in this direction, l tacked her into the west again. The wind by this time had veared into the northwest and wad a steady force 4, Elektra was logging 4.5k-5kts.

I wasn’t going to Fowey like most of the other yachts, l was planning to cross St Austell Bay to an anchorage l know north end of Mevagissey Bay. Crossing St Austell Bay it was northwest force 4 gusting 5, by this time Elektra had 2 reefs in her genoa and no mainsail, still logging 5kts. Sailing into the sheltered of the headland, l rolled away the genoa and started her engine. Motored into the cove and dropped anchor at 1645hrs having logged 25nm since leaving Cawsands.

After breakfast, l pulled up Elektra’s anchor and headed back down river to a planned anchorage just south of Weir Point south of Cargreen.

The forecast was for no wind until midday and then southwest force 4 vearing northwest in the evening. I had plans to meet up family in the evening, but wanted to know Elektra was holding well before leaving her. I set her anchor on the outgoing tide, but l am happy her Rocna anchor resets well.

The forecast was spot on, it picked up from the southwest just before low water so kicked up the sea with wind against tide and Elektra sat across the tide for about an hour until the tide started coming in again. Then with the wind and tide running together calmed down. Before setting off to meet the family the wind changed into the west and the anchorage calmed almost completely.

Motoring the dinghy across the Tamar towards the railway bridge across the entrance to the Tavy River, l could see big signs on the bridge legs and was beginning to think they would say, no entry! But when l got to the bridge the signs read “max speed 10kts” that’s OK then l thought.

I have a habit of hating to be late and with no real idea how long it would take to get to Bere Ferrers, when l landed l was 2hrs early! Not to worry l thought, l will just got for a walk. I like to get somewhere high up to take some photos, but having walked up 2 hills l didn’t find anywhere good for photos! So l went back to the harbour and waited. Whilst l was there waiting, l worked out my plan for tomorrow, so not an entire waste of time.

When my family arrived, we had a good evening, and a waved good buy to them around 2030hrs and arrived back at Elektra just before dark.

I had thought of going up the Tamar River to Calstock but having looked at Calstock boat yard website, l changed my mind. They needed to see a copy of my insurance before hiring a visitor mooring at £15 per night. The insurance had to be 3 million cover, you yacht had to be in good condition and it needed to have a clause cover for full salvage and disposal.

Elektra has 3 million cover and is in good repair, l didn’t know about the salvage and disposal clause and l didn’t have the insurance with me to send a copy. Apart from that, l am trying to avoid visitor charges where l can this season anyway. So decided just go north up the Tamar and find an anchorage.

I left Sand Acre Bay about 2hrs before high water and motoring east out of the Lynher there was quite a bit of tide against. But once around the point Elektra was logging over 6kts with the tide and got up to nearly 7kts off Saltash just before going under the bridge. Then as the Tamar opened out the stream slowed, still helping but not as quick.

It wad a lovely evening without any wind and l really like the country views, this is my sort of place. The moorings off Cargreen and Weirquay were nice. Around the next bend after Weirquay was a anchorage marked on the chart which l planned to use overnight. I slowed Elektra down and dropped her out of gear and lowered her anchor out over the bow just using the last of the tide to dig it in. Elektra stopped and swung around into the stream, she was holding. It had taken just an hour to cover the 6nm. What a lovely place.

Not true really. Since Vicki became ill at the end of April, l have massively reduced the amount of alcohol which l was drinking back then.

Drinking alcohol is a social thing and being alone now, l don’t have them same need for it, but that’s not saying l’m now tea total either.

Anchored in the entrance of the Lynher River, l had decided to explore the river by dinghy as Vicki and l had done so many times on other rivers in the southwest.

Even fin keel yachts can lie at anchor in Dandy Hole 2nm west if where Elektra was at anchor, although swinging room has been serious reduced by a sunken yacht in the middle of the pool which sunk there 2-3 years ago. But l decided to leave Elektra at anchor in Sand Acre Bay and explore the upper river by dinghy.

I like to explore the rivers at low water if possible or just as the tide is flooding into them, so l can see first hand exactly where the deep channel is. The upper reaches of the Lynher are perfect to navigate by dinghy at low water and it wouldn’t worry taking Elektra in there now having seen for myself at low water.

I read on my old (2006) chart the channel was marked by red poles to port from Dandy Hole all the way to St German’s. But not finding any poles, l looked at the chart for the position of the channel from west of Dandy Hole. This is where local knowledge is a bonus and l didn’t have any! I came to a part of the river where there didn’t seem to be any definite way to go! And only the outboard grounding told me l was wrong! I stopped the motor and rowed, working my way into deeper water to port, only then could l see a red can buoy further on to port. I started the motor again and headed for it. From there the channel was marked by port and starboard buoys all the way to St German’s

Now low water most of the yachts at St German’s were aground and the water level wasn’t deep enough to proceed any further upstream than the railway viaduct. So l made the dinghy off to a pontoon and climbed the ladder onto the quay.

Having had a little walk on the quay and up the road, l went back to my dinghy and headed back out the channel into the in coming tide.

Once back down stream to where the Lynher goes north, l explored in there too, the channel is well marked from here with poles and port and starboard buoys at the entrance as part way in here is a big boat yard built on the spoil heap from an old quarry. With quarries here up until the 1930s the river had been used to transport the stone out and old quays can be seen all the way into the upper reaches, certainly quite big vessels would have come in here, and apparently still do.

Motoring the dinghy back out into the increasing flow, l continued to check the outboard as l had realised the cooling water flow from the motor wasn’t flowing well, just dripping out, but the motor wasn’t seeming to hot! Back down river and passed Dandy Hole, although not run out l had refilled the fuel tank twice since leaving Elektra!

Now heading east-northeast in open water of the main Lynher River into the incoming stream, the wind about force 4 from the southwest kicked up the surface, we hadn’t gone far before the dinghy started surfing, at which point l sat further back so not to risk digging the bow in while surfing!

Having got back to Elektra, l lifted the outboard off the dinghy and onto the pushpit, from there once aboard l disassembled the engine to clean the water jet. The engine hadn’t got too hot, but better for the water to run though properly. Checking via the chart l could see l had logged over 10nm in the dinghy today and burnt about 2.5lts of petrol.

I was woken up early before day break because of the anchor chain grinding on the bow roller. The forecast wind for the day before was here now here and Elektra was swinging to and throw in the gusts, making a lot of clonking from the bow roller. There wasn’t  anything l could do about it, but listen! Having woke, l got out as soon as it was light and from looking out the cabin windows, l could see Elektra hadn’t dragged her anchor.

So l boiled the kettle and made tea for breakfast. Then after that the morning dragged. I was going to move Elektra up the Tamar River to Lynher River, but when should l leave? I couldn’t decide and it was blowing hard! In the past l would have discussed with Vicki and we would have decided what to do!

In the end, l decided to leave the anchorage at the beginning of the incoming tide. Not a good idea as it turned out, but l have to make my own mistakes now! At 1145hrs l pulled up her anchor and headed for the Tamar River.

At the Bridge (a marked channel through the rocks between land and Drakes Island) it was quite obviously wind against tide! And not very nice to head into! But Elektra ploughed on though it none the less. Approaching the narrows, l thought,l don’t think this is a good idea and turned into Barn Pool where l dropped anchor at 1210hrs having logged 2nm.

I stayed for 3hrs until nearing high water the sea looked like it had calmed down quite a bit.  So l pulled up her anchor again at 1510hrs and headed out into the narrows and on up the Tamar River, it still wasn’t nice but with the wind blowing northwest force 5 to 6, it wasn’t surprising. Negotiating the Torpoint Ferry’s was another hazard, but got passed without getting run down!

The nearer we got to the Lynher entrance the easier the wind became. Having turned the corner into the Lynher River the shelter was apparent and it seemed Sand Acre Bay was the place to be. So l motored Elektra in between the anchored yachts and found a place,dropping anchor at 1610hrs having logged 6nm for the day.

After the previous week at anchor in the Precuil River, l was keen to start sailing again. The forecast for the weekend looked good for getting up to Plymouth. The weather app l was using gave north-west force 3-4 backing to west north-west 4 increasing westerly force 5, with possibly stronger winds for Sunday.

It looked good to me, and l planned to get aboard on Friday, stowed up and ready to go first thing on Saturday. The tide stream wasn’t with me until 1250hrs but being neeps wouldn’t be a strong stream in any case

Up early and had breakfast, l cast off at 0705hrs, leaving outside Carcroc Cardinal Buoy, l set the chart plotter up for the way point  of Daystone off Plymouth Sound 37.5nm in a east-northeast direction. About 0715 the CG shipping forecast was giving northwest force 4-5 backing west 5-6. With little or no wind l continued to motor Elektra towards Plymouth. At 0745hrs, l stopped her engine and sailed, but by 0814hrs we were motor-sailing again. By 1017hrs the wind had picked up to a northwest force 4 and Elektra was sailing. But by 1044hrs the wind had eased to northwest force 2-3 and l had rolled away her sails and was motoring.

With a bit more wind we were motor-sailing by 1205hrs having logged 23.5nm. Then with the wind increasing we sailed for the next 2hrs. But with the wind dropped off to northwest force 3 we started motor-sailing again. We passed the Daystone way point at 1530hrs and we’re anchored just north of Cawsands by 1545hrs having logged 39.5nm. Today had been a disappointment for sailing, but l think the wind which was forecasted came in overnight and during Sunday.