Looking at the forecast l decided to move from Channels Creek to Place. On Wednesday the forecast said strong westerly wind and rain, Channels Creek would have been OK but Place would be a lot better. By the time l thought l would move it was really to late to do so before low water,so had to wait until the tide would be high enough to get into Place.
I had planned to leave Channels Creek at 1830hrs but like always, l can’t ever wait! Vicki was good at regulating me, holding me back until it was time to leave. I think of all sorts of reasons to leave early! I know l thought, l have dinner before we move, but of course l put dinner on early! Lol 😆 And l pulled up Elektra’s anchor at 1735hrs, l didn’t start her engine, thinking l would just sail her out, but with the tide stream running against, Elektra was only logging 1kt, and so l started her engine.
I motored her out past Turnaware Point and a bit down Carrick Roads before starting sailing again. We were early, so we didn’t have to be quick. Logging just 2-3kts SOG going into the tide, l was just using Elektra’s genoa, getting there slowly was fine. As we got a little further south the wind picked up a bit and speeded up to 4kt. By this time just west of Falmouth entrance, there was a yacht race coming from Falmouth. The first 4 yachts turned round a buoy and ran parallel to my line. I wasn’t wanting to get involved in their race, so l moved over to hug the coast north of St Mawes Castle. The problem was l think the following yachts thought l was part of the race! So followed me, l got to the point l wasn’t going any closer to the rocks, so l’m not moving over any more! Of course they all overtook, but l was surprised how slowly. They all had full sail, obviously very light, some had 6 or 8 crew. I was alone, sailing on just Elektra’s genoa and heavy with stores l even a dinghy on davits!
Once the racing yacht to port of us got out the way, l cut across behind and between Castle Point and Lugo Rock to get totally out of their way! And once though the cap jibed Elektra onto a port tack. Sailing on into St Mawes, l started her engine and rolled away her genoa just before the moorings.
Then motoring in towards Place watching the depth. There were 3 other yachts already at anchor in Place, so motoring into Place between them slowly, l found there was just enough depth, l dropped anchor 0.3m under the keel at 1910hrs 2.5hrs before high water having logged 4.5nm. Here l wasted no time putting up Elektra’s cockpit enclosure which l hadn’t used since before Vicki got poorly.
Love Sailing 