With a free night on a mooring in Fowey, l had considered staying in Fowey for the next 3 nights until a CA rally. But at almost £80! l also considered going out and anchoring in St Austell Bay somewhere to wait until the rally.
In the end l decided to sail back the 20nm to the Precuil River and come back to Fowey again on Friday. The forecast was showing northwest force 4-5. The tide wasn’t going my way until 1230hrs. So l put the outboard on the dinghy and went for a shower at the yacht club.
Once back aboard and Elektra made ready for passage, l cast off at 1155hrs, motoring out of Fowey slowly. Once clear of the entrance l set all the genoa, but having Elektra knocked over, a reef was needed, l pulled it back in to the second reef and set course for Cannis Buoy, getting there St Austell Bay was covered with white horses. The wind instrument was telling force 5, but at 20-21kts it was nearly a force 6! But Elektra was handling it well, l let out 2 rolls of the genoa and Elektra was logging 5-6kts.
The 2nd entry in my log wasn’t until 1310hrs when we passed Yaw Buoy having logged 7nm. About the same time a bigger yacht passed Elektra as if she was standing still.
Elektra slowed as we got closer to the Dodman Point, but l knew once past the wind would be blowing again, so l used the slower speed to get a drink and biscuits.
Once past the Dodman Point, as l thought the wind was just the same as St Austell Bay and the sea was very lumpy and seeing that l couldn’t sail the course anymore. At which point l decided to motor her towards the shore for better sheltered waters. Heading towards Porth Loe for 3nm and calmer seas. Then l started sailing again, over Falmouth l could see there was a squall coming. During the squall the wind instrument was showing force 6, 24-25kts, Elektra was flying along at over 6kts on her ear, she slowed again when the squall cleared away but still doing over 5kts. When Elektra got back to the GPS track at 1500hrs and 4nm east of Zone Point l started her engine again and motored across the waves and avoid motoring into the waves nearer Falmouth.
It had been much more wind than the forecast and l was happy just to arrive safely, there had been some great sailing on passage but l would have dinner to cook after arrival. The sun was difficult at Zone Point shining off the sea, trying to see the pot markers, l was really glad to turn north around St Anthony light house. I motored her into the Precuil River and dropped anchor at 1630hrs having logged 22nm
Love Sailing 