Moving on

I had arrived in Fowey on Thursday, l had expected a fast passage because of the forecast but it hadn’t happened, two other yachts had arrived same day from the opposite direction later, complaining of the strong winds, either the wind had increased or l had been going down wind and it seemed a lot less. On Friday in similar conditions only 2 other yachts arrived out of the 4 which had set out from Plymouth. 2 of them turned back with seasick crew. Then on Saturday another arrived from Falmouth area making a total of 7 at the rally, with 10 sailor’s aboard. On Thursday evening the 5 sailor’s who were there gathered in Elektra’s cabin for drinks and chat after we had all eaten our own dinner. On Friday we did our own things and in the evening gathered on the pontoon for drinks and music/singing in the evening. Again on Saturday evening more drinking aboard Suzie and Mike’s Sadler 34 “Cornish Gold” Then on Sunday the rally was meant to be over but 4 yachts were still there so we gathered in Elektra’s cabin in the evening for more drink and chat

After a lovely weekend with sailing friends in Fowey, on Monday it was time to leave. The forecast was westerly force 4. Mike and Suzie left first about 1/2hr before Philip and me leaving the pontoon straight after each other, Kevin had decided to stay another day. Being lone sailor’s with Philip and l spent 15-20mins just dodaling about while we packed away our fenders and lines. I followed Philip down river in Elektra once everything was stowed. Philip only has a little engine which he was motoring slowly down river, l think l would of past him on the way to the sea but the hollow sound of Elektra’s engine worried me so l didn’t push it. As soon as we exited Fowey l was glad to turn it off at 1220hrs.

I just set Elektra’s genoa as it was a dead run to Udder Rock Cardinal Buoy and then Rame Head afterwards. Philip seemed to head more out to sea on a parallel route, he had full sail but his genoa seemed to be collapsing every time l looked over his way. In the main Elektra’s sail continued to work but l had to change it’s side a few times as the wind changed direction. Logging anywhere between 2.5-4.5kts while on passage. The tiller pilot was coping with her, so l left it in charge of the helm while l went to investigate the engine. It gad seemed the water wasn’t cooling the engine but the water impeller case was cold. So l turned off the water and and removed the strainer to find it jammed full of eel grass! It was easy to clear, once done l checked the flow by opening the stop and the flow was good, then replaced the cap and tightened down before sponging out the water into a bucket. Once done l started her engine to check and all seemed good.

By this time Philip had dropped off behind, there were 2 other yachts which seemed to be catching up Elektra, one a cat was tacking down wind and leaving all others including Elektra standing, only proving that if you spend enough money you can have the fastest yacht on the water! Looking on the AIS the other yacht which looked like it was catching Elektra was 17m almost twice Elektra’s length, so should have done! But going down wind any yacht can only go as fast as the wind. She seemed to change tactics after the cat went by, and tack down wind but she lost ground to Elektra by doing so and before we got to Rame Head started motoring instead. I continued to sail Elektra because l wasn’t 100% sure of the engine and l would need it to get into Cawsands when we arrived. We slowly passed Rame Head, the wind seemed to pick up again afterwards and Elektra logged 4kts until Daystone Buoy, then turning into Plymouth Sound with wind now from port, she speeded up to 5-5.5kts until getting into the shelter of Cawsands, when l started her engine and motored in to drop anchor at at 1730hrs having logged 20nm.