Love Sailing

I slept between 0230-0800hrs and then got out and made breakfast. Then l emptied the cockpit locker looking for some stainless steel cleaner, l had looked home and it wasn’t there, so it must be aboard l thought. But after emptying l never found it. I did have some other cleaning products and tried different stuff until I found something which worked.

I was aware it wad around high water and l wanted to go for another walk, so looked at my tide app. It was an hour before high water at which point l thought that the cleaning could wait. And so fitted the outboard on the dinghy and motored it down river to Place ferry landing pontoon, made the painter off and went walking again. I walked up the hill out of Place and joined the path to the coast path and headed for zone Point and St Anthony Head. It was approaching midday and the temporary on land had risen.

I had done this walk before, but still lovely, walking on passed St Anthony Head, there aren’t many seats and the one’s which were free l made use of. Once back to the dinghy l popped over to St Mawes and the co-op for milk, before heading back to Elektra for a sit down at 1530hrs. It was too early for dinner but yet l was a bit peckish, l then grazed until 2000hrs, not eating properly, but just a bit of this and bit of that.

My friend Robert suggested walking to Tresillan and have a “Mary’s Pasty” Having not slept well overnight, l was out early, had breakfast. To be fair Robert had said it wad about 45mins walk one way and he and Mandy normally come back on the bus to Truro.

But l left Elektra sometime probably to early in the morning for the walk, l don’t know because l didn’t take my smart phone which l had left on charge and didn’t think about until getting to the Malpas pontoon in the dinghy. But l wasn’t going back for it then! I had look at the OS map so knew roughly where l was going. So no Google maps, no time and no camera! But total peace. To a certain amount, l followed my noise to the end of the road in Malpas and then a footpath behind some houses and thought a wood. I knew from the OS map it was meant to go uphill across a field. The path came to a kissing gate which had a warning of bull in field.

This looks right l thought, the field was grazed off but there was a definite trodden path going uphill, at the top another kissing gate and another field. I knew l should join a road going downhill to the side of the creek.  But at the other end of the field was another gate into another field. All the cows and the bull were lying down just inside this gate. But l wasn’t worried as years ago l had kept cattle and so just walked around them, a few stood up but l was soon over to the next gate which came onto a lane downhill beside another field. At the bottom another kissing gate onto a tarmac lane, which came to a crossroads, still following my noise l turned right and the country lane went downhill to the side of the creek. I was expecting a tarmac lane along beside the creek, but it was an unmade lane/pathway.

From there it was level going all the way to Tresillan which came out at the Truro end of the village, the pasty shop wad near the other end. Still with no idea of the time l bought my pasty and a drink. Walking back the way I came, eating my pasty ad l went, l eventually found a seat which l sat and finish eating, and had the drink. Afterwards I felt a bit bloated and thought l should walk back. Halfway back down the creek side path someone gave me the time, it was just gone 1200hrs. I thought no wonder l felt bloated, l had breakfast and a pasty before lunchtime! Good job l was still walking and not going back on the bus! I got back to Malpas and dinghy back to Elektra by 1300hrs.

At 1330hrs l pulled up Elektra’s anchor and motored her back down the Truro and Fal Rivers to Turnaware and set sail from there towards St Mawes. It was good sailing south to St Just, but then the wind died away and so l started her engine again and motored into the Precuil River dropping anchor at 1500hrs.

By then l was very sleepy, but l forced myself to do all the tidying jobs before going for a sleep on the fore bunk. I slept and l slept and didn’t wake up until 2000hrs! Getting out, l thought about dinner, but couldn’t be bothered and l wasn’t hungry anyway. I sat and listened to the radio and went to bed again at midnight, but it didn’t help, l still didn’t go to sleep until after 0230hrs.

Came back Monday, was home on Tuesday for family event and home shopping. I cut the grass on Wednesday morning and l was getting stuff ready for going back aboard by midmorning. I needed to leave St Anthony beach before 1430hrs. But l was earlier than that. The forecast was showing strong northwest winds and l was thinking l might have stayed on her mooring overnight but, it didn’t seem too bad as l stowed the gear away.

So having got ready, l decided to go and dropped her mooring at 1305hrs. I only thought to use her genoa as the wind was meant to be strong! It wasn’t, with westerly force 2-3 off the Helford River. There was a spell half way across Falmouth Bay when the wind got up to force 4 but it died away again afterwards. I got too close to Pendennis Point at 1415hrs and lost the wind having logged 4nm.

Going north up Carrick Roads into the out going tide, the wind direction was very variable and strength anywhere between force 3 and 5 gusting 6. I enjoyed the sailing very much! It was only when very close to the lea shore, nearly to Turnaware Point when l thought l should start her engine and motor away from the rocks. Going around Turnaware Point at 1515hrs having logged 9nm

I had planned to go into Channels Creek north of Turnaware Point. But getting there l decided to carry on up the Fal and Truro Rivers and drop anchor south on Malpas at 1550hrs having logged 12nm, l planned to walk to Tresillian tomorrow from Malpas.

After 2 days of rest, l needed to get home for a family thing on Tuesday, so l rearranged my home shopping for the end of Tuesday.

I had been in contact with a friend who was having a hard time. Jane had experience of sailing and so l suggested coming for days sailing. In turned into half a day and then just a few hours as Jane is a very busy person.

We had agreed to meet at Mylor at 1300hrs, l was running late because there wasn’t much wind, and so l picked Jane the pontoon at about 1325hrs. Jane hadn’t ever used a tiller before, the yachts she had sailed both wheels and the tiller was confusing to Jane but she was beaming from ear to ear to be out sailing again! There wasn’t much wind and we slowly tacked into the wind there was out to Black Rock before turning around. Once we had turned there didn’t seem to be any wind, so we motored back to Mylor. It had only been a few hours in almost no wind but Jane was very thankful to of being able to come out sailing. Dropping Jane off on the pontoon about 3hrs after l picked her up.

I motored Elektra back out of Mylor, still with very little wind, l continued to motor her south and south-southwest to Gillan. Picking up the mooring Elektra had logged 17nm.

Later Jane, texted me and thanked me for the days sailing.  I said it was a pity there wasn’t more wind! She said but being rusty, it was better for her that it wasn’t too windy.

After the passage back from Polgwyn Cove the day before, l had slept well and hadn’t got out early.

After breakfast l decided to go for a walk and refitted the outboard to the dinghy. On the way to the beach, l stopped at Gary’s motor boat for a chat. I had know Gary since 2009, back then he was the fork lift driver on St Mary’s harbour for the Scilly steam ship company. And a fellow owner of a Hurley 22. The day we met Phil B and myself had just sailed our H22s into St Mary’s harbour having crossed from the mainland that day.

Gary a self tought sailor, had bought his Hurley 22 in the channel islands earlier in 2009 and did his delivery passage over 2 days via Falmouth. Over following years Gary always impressed me with his travels! One year he left Scilly and went to Cork, hopping along the south coast of Ireland, crossing to Melford Haven, then Lundy and Padstow. From Padstow to Falmouth and then Salcombe before crossing to the channel islands. Crossing back from the Channel islands to the Yealm River, he had to leave his yacht there and go home by bus, train and ship to Scilly because of a relative funeral. Gary returned to his yacht afterwards and sailed her on back to Scilly via Falmouth.

Gary did many more similar trips in a number of different yachts over the years, moving to the mainland, somewhere near Falmouth in 2020 after the lockdown. He bought a bigger sailing yacht here, but with the hike in Falmouth mooring fees after Covid he sold his yacht again. And we lost touch until Gary was persuaded to buy a little Hurrwind motor launch which came with a mooring later in 2024, so since then have seen him from time to time.

After chatting with Gary, l headed on into the beach for my walk. There on the path was a footpath closed sign. But l headed in the opposite direction, l took a wrong turn and ended up on top of the hill, l was going to double back, but decided to find out where it came out. It had lovely views of the Precuil River, looking southeast.

After finding where the the path came out, l walked back down the main road to the path heading back along the creek. Of course l eventually came to the other end of the footpath closed sign, but just kept going around the barricade to the problem on the  path. There had been a landslide and the path had slipped into the creek, but it was obvious that folk had been crossing anyway. And it wasn’t any problem for me to also cross over. Back along the path to the dinghy and back out to Elektra.

Later on Robert came to visit, he was keen to find out what depth of water there was where Elektra was anchored. Elektra draft is about 1.2m and she had 0.6m under her at what was now, low water on spring tides, he was surprised there was as much as that. He stayed for a chat and a drink. We chatted for about an hour before he when off again to his wife Mandy aboard their yacht anchored off St Mawes.

After dinner l listened to the radio for a while and turned in at 2200hrs, l then slept like a log not waking before 0800hrs next morning. I got out for breakfast, Robert and Mandy invited me for coffee at 1100hrs, they are good company and l probably stayed longer than l should have, they were heading back over to their Falmouth mooring and then home.

I went back to Elektra and my own thoughts, that afternoon and evening dragged for some reason. And l ended up going to bed early, l slept for a bit but woke again at 2300hrs and was still awake at 0240hrs.

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 wind 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 when 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 5nm. 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 £3.50pp 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.