The Truro Harbour master used to allow local boats and yachts anchor for nothing in their area north of St Just in Roseland and Truro and Fal Rivers. But 2 years ago they changed to free first night for locals.
Last year Vicki and l didn’t visit even the once, l had been anchored a few nights this season and had been charged £7 for one night. But doesn’t, being charged discourage visits, since being charged l had stopped for an occasional night but made sure l didn’t stop two nights. And after one night in Channels Creek it was time to move on.
So, l planned to motor south to St Mawes and the Precuil River. Having planned to motor l didn’t bother unwrapping the mainsail but once south of Turnaware Point at 1020hrs there seemed enough wind to sail. So l set the genoa and was logging about 3.5kts in the southeast force 3. I was liking this sailing, minding my own business, but more the one other yacht decided to take Elektra on in some sort of race, of course they were all faster but had more sail up. I had tacked Elektra 7 times by the final tacked which took her from Pendennis Point into St Mawes Harbour, l sailed Elektra upto the moorings before starting the engine and rolling away her genoa.
I motored Elektra up the Precuil River though the moorings to anchor in the same area as we normally did. But this time l headed as close to the northest creek as possible before dropping anchor at 1250hrs having logged 9.5nm.
Next day at first light l motored Elektra into the creek and beached her to dry her out over low water. Something which hadn’t ever happened before was her anchor chain had got twisted this season. None of the yachts we had sailed had ever had an anchor swivel, but it hadn’t ever been a problem until this season. I think is was the 3 weeks anchored in Carne Creek when Vicki was in hospital. With the tide coming and going and no swivel the chain had tangled.
Anyway being able to pull all her 40m of chain out of the locker, l was able to untwist it. It was surprising how twisted it was, so good job done. I’m looking into an anchor swivel for next season.
