October is always an iffy month for sailing and this year is much the same. The first few days where just as good as summer, but no wind for sailing. I had also managed a day sail. Since then it had either been raining or very strong winds. Ever hopeful, l continue looking for the weather to go sailing, and this weekend looks good before the wind and rain returns for the last 2 weeks of the month.
Friday 16th, l had to wait home for a plumber to come and do a small job before l could leave for Elektra. I just got to St Anthony before the tide was gone out. I had to row the dinghy into deeper water before l could start the outboard to motor out to Elektra. Just a few bags to lift into the cockpit before lifting the outboard onto the pushpit and dinghy onto davits. The forecast was north-northwest force 4-5 which of course would feel more like force 5-6 because of heading into it. I was in 2 minds whether to leave or not, but looking out over Falmouth Bay l couldn’t see many white horses.
So in the end l decided it should be okay, having got Elektra ready, l dropped her mooring at 1400hrs and motored slowly out between Carcroc and Dennis Head and set just the genoa with 2 reefs, stopping engine once clear of Carcroc. Elektra was logging 4.5kts from the start, using the tiller pilot l let out another couple of rolls and she picked up to 5.5kts. From then on l had the helm of Elektra and she was hard on the wind and following the track most of the way across Falmouth Bay. It was only approaching the Carrick Roads with the out going tide which pushed her off course.
It was obvious that Elektra wasn’t going to make it into St Mawes on this tack, but having had a good sail l didn’t bother tacking and started Elektra’s engine, motoring north around the point into St Mawes Harbour. Elektra had logged 4.75nm in an hour with almost 2 reefs in the genoa and no mainsail.
I motored Elektra on up the Precuil River and dropped anchor at 1530hrs having logged 6.5nm. Colder now, l ran the cabin heater in the evening to say warm.
On Saturday morning there was a frost and when l got out of the bunk, l saw the temperature was 9C, so l started the heater again and quickly put some clothes on! The cabin seemed to take ages to warm up, so l ran it for 1.5hrs before turning off. A little while after that the sun came up and warmed things up. So l decided to go for a walk. A dindhy ride ashore a nice 1.25hr (7500 steps) walk and a dinghy trip back. The rest of the day l checked things out and jotted down a list of jobs which need doing over the winter (that should keep me busy l thought 🤔). At the end of the day we were treated to a wonderful sunset.
That evening l ran the cabin heater 3 times as the temperature dropped outside. I watched the battery monitor with Interest, but although it pulled heavy load to start each time the batteries coped well.
I set my alarm for 0700hrs as l needed to get back to Carne Creek by 1030hrs, l got out, dressed, started the heater again and had breakfast. I pulled Elektra’s anchor up at 0840hrs and motored her back down the Precuil River for the last time this season, it wad a lovely morning but definitely a chilly wintery air. The forecast said northeast force 4, but there didn’t seem much wind at all motoring out past St Mawes.
But l set her genoa and she was logging 3.5kts into the incoming tide stream. As we got a bit further away from the land the wind increased and the swell with it, was a 3-4ft short swell, making for a corkscrew ride. Could have done with a bit more wind to help Elektra along, after about a mile l started her engine again and was motor-sailing across Falmouth Bay to arrive in Gillan Harbour in time to have enough depth to get into Carne Creek.
We arrived into Gillan Harbour right on high water. The tide was meant to be 4.2m but the high pressure of 1028 had obviously pushed the high water down. I very slowly motored Elektra in though the narrows and followed the channel to port around the raised ground in the centre. Then over the slightly deeper area of mud beyond. Dropping anchor with just 0.3m under her keels at 1030hrs having logged 7nm.
After l had packed away Elektra’s cruising gear. I set about removing her sails for the winter, this is a fairly long job especially as l was alone. But l got it done eventually on a lovely dry day and rolled up into their sail bags. I then removed her dodgers. By the time l had finished the tide had gone out, so l would be staying aboard another night. After the lovely day the evening became cooler again and by 1600hrs l had closed the companion way hatch and turned on the cabin heater back on. I ran it a couple more times in the evening before going to bed early with a hot water bottle.
The next day during breakfast l ran the cabin heater again. Then washing up, afterwards stripping the bed and packing up all the clothes and food which were on board. Get off Elektra around midday and loaded up the dinghy with as much as it could carry, l headed ashore to unload the dinghy into the car and drive home.
