Love Sailing

With a few days of nice weather coming up,  it looked like sailing again but Vicki couldn’t because of an appointment. So l planned a day out on my own.

I needed to leave St Anthony beach before 0930hrs due to a falling tide. Going out in the dinghy into the sun it was difficult to see. Once out and aboard Elektra, l expected to have some baling out to do after the reasent rain! We still had a fresh water leak but it has slowed down, so one of the sealing jobs l had done, had worked partly but l still had the bale out some water! The water tank on the other hand had stopped leaking, it had proved to be the spare tank outlet cap even though the manufacturer said it wouldn’t be. I had asked for a new cap but they were slow about getting back to me, so l used a waterproof sealant inside the cap before refitting it and this had stopped the leak.

Then l got Elektra ready to leave, l was going to pull up the mainsail but looking out in Falmouth Bay, l could see white horses so decided not to. It was blowing west out of Gillan Harbour and the forecast was northwesterly force 3-4 increasing 4-5 later. With the wind blowing her out l didn’t bother starting her engine and just attached the dinghy painter to the mooring and let go. By the time l had walked back to the cockpit, Elektra turned around and was heading out to sea on her own! I set all the genoa and taking the helm took her out between Carcroc and the Dennis Head, with my local knowledge it’s what l normally do. Once out into the Helford River Entrance she soon picked up speed to around 5kts. We were heading for Pendennis Point north-northeast of Gillan. It was good sailing and she definitely didn’t need any more sail.

At Pendennis Point she lost the wind a little  and l had a 10min calm patch before she set off again towards St Mawes Castle. She could point a little better and it looked like she would sail past the point but with the out going tide she didn’t. So l tacked her on a west heading towards Falmouth Docks. On this tack Elektra was on her ear, it would have been better if l had reefed her genoa but l couldn’t let go of her tiller to do so! Tacked again just short of the east breakwater, she was now heading north again but as with the first tack the tide was pushing her towards St Just in Roseland.

I wasn’t able to see my passage notes on the chart table and couldn’t remember the tide height or time and the tiller pilot couldn’t cope with Elektra. I knew we were heading towards shallow water and with another yacht coming the same way to windward. And another yacht heading south, l thought it’s all going to be a bit of close sailing in a few minutes, so l decided to go about and head back. What a change the direction makes, everything calmed down the tiller pilot could cope and l could get below to check things out! Elektra was now making about 6kts and it didn’t seem very windy.

Sailing back the tiller pilot could cope and l could rest and write in the log. Sailing south and then south-southwest in a northwesterly wind it was lovely to be out. Before Gillan l started Elektra’s engine before l needed, but continued to sail her on east of Carcroc buoy and into Gillan entrance before pushing the leaver into foreward and rolling away the genoa. Motoring into her mooring and picked up after 13.5nm in 2.75hrs.

We had been aboard 4 lovely sunny days, it had been great but now the forcast had changed to heavy rain at the weekend. We decided it was time to go home, but with the strong east winds of the last few days there would be a big easterly swell running and with our seasonal swing mooring open to east wind we would need to take Elektra up onto her Carne gale proof mooring. The earliest we could get in there was 1730hrs. The tides had been and were still some of the biggest ranges of the year, plus with the high pressure the low tides were lower than perdicted. In the Precuil River the tide on Thursday went out lower than we had ever seen before.

On the Thursday night, when Elektra settled down onto a hard patch of bottom under her starboard keel, we went to bed with a nasty list to port! (In some ways drying out can give calm to a wild night at anchor but it also sometimes has a down side!) But sometime in the early hours she floated off again. When I got out at 0800hrs, I pulled up Elektra’s anchor and let her get blown out into deeper water before dropping anchor again and checking new transits. I like this new Rocna anchor as there isn’t any need for power to set this anchor. We had decided to go down to St Mawes for a pub lunch over low water and didn’t want Elektra to be high and dry on our return later. We lazed around in the hazy sunshine durring the rest of the morning and then at 1230hrs set off down to St Mawes in the dinghy. When we returned to Elektra at 1500hrs she was aground but still had water around her, we climbed aboard and waited half an hour for her to float before getting ready to leave.

At 1605hrs I pulled up her anchor and while I was stowing into the anchor locker, Vicki started to motor her back down the Precuil River, slowly at first because there wasn’t much depth. But we had to put on the power as there was about 1.5kts of incoming tidal stream to push against. There wasn’t much wind and once out past Black Rock a big easterly swell running. We just continued to motor Elektra back to Gillan and on into Carne Creek, picking up her gale proof mooring at 1730hrs having logged 7nm.

On the Sunday evening after the heavy rain over the weekend, l moved Elektra back into Gillan Harbour onto her seasonal swing mooring ready for the next time we could use her. But l have a week of work to do first.

After a lovely summer’s day in Fowey we were going to sail back to our favourite anchorage in the Precuil River to the southwest on Wednesday.

The forecast was for east force 4-5 and east force 4-6 west of the Dodman Point. We knew that the wind had been blowing since we got to Fowey and so knew the sea would be quite big but we thought with plenty of wind it would be a good sail.

The tidal stream would be with us from 1015-1615hrs and we cast off at 1105hrs, Vicki motored Elektra out of Fowey and l set just her genoa, at first Elektra was logging 5kts which was quite nice but when she slowed to 3.5kts so l pulled up the main with one reef and she picked up speed again to 5kts. From there until we were west of the Dodman the sea increased steadily to moderate/rough and Elektra speed 5-7kts it was great sailing. But off Gull Rock at about 1400hrs the wind just died away, the sails were useless in such sea conditions as Elektra started rolling quite savage in the 3/4 following sea! Only motoring the rest of the passage into shelter could get us out of this sea. It was a long hour into shelter and we were both glad to turn north in past St Anthony light house and calm waters at 1500hrs. We motored into the Precuil River and dropped anchor at 1540hrs having logged 22nm.

The weather forecast was for summer weather this coming week, not that any of the forecasting had been very accurate this season!

Anyway, we planned a few more days aboard. Vicki had an appointment at 1215hrs, so we couldn’t leave until after that but the tide would be out until 1300hrs. We were going to Fowey, along the coast to the northeast of Gillan, the forecast said light easterly winds, we were hoping to be able to sail some of the way but also thought some motoring would be required.

We didn’t waste any time and we were aboard soon after 1300hrs and cast off at 1405hrs. The tidal stream was with us between 1415-2015hrs but we didn’t want to arrive in Fowey after dark (it’s normally a 5hr passage). Vicki motored Elektra as l pulled up her mainsail and set it and the genoa. We continued to motorsail for about 2nm before turning off the engine. For 1.5hrs we sailed but the wind died away and so we started motoring again until the Dodman Point when the wind picked up and l turned the engine off. Then about 3nm later the wind died away again and l started her engine again. On a smooth flat sea Vicki went below to make the bed and with the tiller pilot in control l packed away the mainsail. We motored into Fowey picking up a swing mooring at 1900hrs having logged 23.5nm.

With a few days aboard planned l needed to top up the diesel and water tanks. We would have gone today but Vicki had an appointment on Monday.

I couldn’t get aboard until midday because of the tide time. I launched the dinghy at 1200hrs then carried the 50lts of water in 2 cans and the 30lts of diesel in 3 cans and some other provisions to the dinghy on the waters edge. Once ready l pushed off and started the motor heading out to Elektra, the dinghy was very heavy, so was slow going. Out at Elektra l unloaded the diesel and provisions into her cockpit, then moved to her bow with the water, the first can of water wasn’t a problem as normal l pick up and slide onto the the side deck, Elektra’s toe GRP lip stops it from sliding off. With the second can, a gap opened between the dinghy and Elektra before l managed to get the can aboard and it fell into the gap but l had hold of the handle and didn’t let go! Good job the dinghy is very stable or it might have capsized! Anyway got it aboard on the second try, then  back to the cockpit and climbed aboard myself.

I opened up Elektra and checked for water in the normal places, l had definitely slowed the fresh water leak but it’s still getting in a little, l am hoping over the winter to rebed the chain plates because the mast is coming off for other jobs.

I stowed the provisions l had bought aboard and set to work filling the tanks, l did the water first in case l got diesel on my hands. I have a large funnel aboard just for this job, so l can just pour into the tank via the filler cap on the side deck. Once l had finished, l put the funnel back in its plastic bag and stowed it away. Then same job with the diesel and its funnel, the diesel filler cap is on the side of the cockpit comming.

I then got Elektra ready to go out sailing, the forecast was southwest force 4 becoming west force 4. I left Gillan with just her genoa out but sailing was slow so l pulled up the main with a reef and we headed southeast towards Manacle Buoy but once out if the shelter of the land the tiller pilot couldn’t keep control anymore so l had to pull the main back down again! She had covered 3nm before the tiller pilot was back in control and l was back in the cockpit and could relax!

We sailed on, the apparent wind seemed like southerly, the sea was slight, the weather warm, it was lovely to be out sailing, we continued on this southeast coarse until turning around about 5nm southeast of Manacle Buoy and then set a course northwest for Nare Point. The apparent wind then seemed to be westerly! Elektra had been logging up around 5kts most of the way out  and back and when l picked up her mooring again 3hrs later she had logged 14nm.

Then l packed away the sails and got Elektra ready to leave. Heading in to St Anthony in the dinghy l came across a chap trying to paddle his dinghy in using one paddle after his engine wouldn’t start, so l gave him a tow back to the beach.

I pulled the dinghy out  and up the beach and carried the empty cans to my pick up and headed for home.

It had been Wednesday when we last left Elektra on her gale proof mooring before the forecasted bad weather. Now on Saturday l had to move her back onto her seasonal mooring before she would become neeped, it was an early tide so l was down at St Anthony beach at first light and launched the dinghy to head out to Elektra, the tide was already turned so l wasted no time getting Elektra ready to leave. I am quite used to seeing very little showing on the sounder. So with 0.0m showing l dropped her gale proof mooring and reversed her out into the channel, once over the channel the sounder was showing 0.3m. So engaging forward she came to a full stop, before heading forward slowly down the channel and out into Gillan Harbour. Even out in Gillan Harbour the sounder was only showing 2,5m under her keel, I was still only motoring her slowly with a paddle border to port and a swimmer to starboard, I was taking care of others on or in the water. When I picked up Elektra’s seasonal mooring, it was my intention to leave her there and head ashore but Falmouth Bay looked so inviting.

So at 0845hrs I attached the dinghy to the mooring, dropped and headed out for a sail in the bay, I just unrolled her genoa. the wind was northerly about force 3, she would have been faster with the mainsail as well but I was being lazy and didn’t want to repack afterwards. We headed east-northeast at 3-4kts SOG, another yacht coming out of the Helford River followed out track but even under full sail didn’t catch up. An hour later I turned her about and headed back to Gillan, sailing in past Carcroc Buoy, I started the engine and rolled away the genoa, the boats were lying across the enterance in a rolly swell, which meant motoring in and turning north to pick-up the mooring, just before the turn I noticed a speed boat coming in far too quickly as per normal (my pet hate, they dont know what havoc they leave in their wake). I don’t know what the skipper thought when I turned Elektra to starboard across his track, cutting him off! I think he was doing about 10kts at the time (the speed limit is 6kts). Mooring Elektra alone in these conditions is a challenge, a rolling deck, a lot of up and down motion when trying to hook the buoy, getting the speed just right before I leave the helm and walk up the side deck with the boat hook to the bow, to be honest I never looked at the speed boat again! I managed to hook first time but on the rolling deck I still managed to skint my knee leaving a bloody mess on the foredeck. Back to the cabin and clean up my leg and a plaster before washing decks. We had logged 8.5nm in 2hrs, it was a quick tidy up and going ashore before the tide went out.

The forecast for the coming few days and over the weekend was poor, with the centre of a Low being in Biscay we would have easterly winds and rain. So we planned to head home before hand. The tide wouldn’t be high enough to get into Carne mooring until 1700hrs, so we went to St Mawes by dinghy for milk from coop and lunch at the Victory Inn. On our return we slowly got Elektra ready to leave, the wind in the Precuil River seemed strong and gusty, I decided to head home across Falmouth Bay on just Elektra’s genoa.

Having motored Elektra back out down the Precuil River and out past St Mawes, the genoa seemed at first to be plenty of sail as Elektra was logging 4.5-5kts SOG against the incoming tide, but once out into Falmouth Bay the wind eased and Elektra slowed. But this was short lived as she moved south away from the shelter of Pendennis Point, by which time SOG had increased to 5kts again. She covered the first 5nm in one hour. Once inside Gillan Harbour we had to stop and lower the dinghy from davits before we could enter Carne Creek. I took the helm to take Elektra in and up the channel with only 0.3-0.5 showing under her keel before Vicki to the helm again and turned Elektra over the bank towards the mooring buoy which I pickup with the boat hook. This mooring hadn’t been used since May and the lines were covered in seaweed which made a mess of the foredeck and cockpit, Elektra was just floating with 0.0 showing on sounder. We set about getting packed up and getting Elektra ready to leave to go ashore, this took an hour. When we were ready we loaded the dinghy and motored ashore to St Anthony beach, unloaded the dinghy into the pickup and headed for home.

Over night as predicted the swell calmed down and we both slept well. There wasn’t any real hurry to get away as the tidal stream wouldn’t be running our way until 1040hrs, l pulled up the anchor at 1000hrs and we headed south across Mevagissey Bay towards Chapel Point on just Elektra’s genoa, on the way l pulled up her mainsail with one reef. The wind was variable close in under the cliffs and around the Dodman Point.

But Elektra had covered the 5nm in one hour. Once around the Dodman Point the wind picked up and l rolled the first reef into the genoa, Elektra was logging 6kts with Vicki at the helm. When l took the helm after 2hrs the wind had eased a bit and so l let out all the genoa again. Then at about 1300hrs with 2nm to our way point the genoa head and the halyard parted and the genoa luff went noticeable slack. So l started her engine and rolled away her genoa as best l could and we motored in and dropped anchor in the Precuil River 50mins later.

It was time for some food before l climbed the mast to investigate. Our friend Gary was also at anchor in the Precuil River and offered to help. Having been up the mast with tools and a replacement shackle which was to big, l came down again to reorganise. It turned out to be a broken shackle between the head of the genoa and top swivel on the furler, all sorted on the 2nd time up the mast.

We cast off in the Yealm River at 0820hrs the tidal stream would be with us between 0915-1515hrs, l wasn’t expecting much wind to sail by, so thought we would be motoring west.

We had motored out to south of the Mew Stone 0850hrs, with almost no wind we continued to motor on in about 5nm of visibility across the entrance to Plymouth Sound and on past Rame Head. Then the visibility deterred to 1-2nm for the next 12nm. It was a case of switching on our Active Echomax reflector and checking the AIS often for the next 2hrs. By 1200hrs the fog has cleared and we had started sailing. We sailed for about an hour before the wind died away, then motored on across St Austell Bay to our favourite anchorage of Polgwyn Cove after logging 28.5nm in 5hrs. Vicki wasn’t happy because it was very rolly.

But we stayed anyway and Vicki went to bed for 2hrs. The forecast was for the wind to pick up from the northwest overnight so l was expecting the swells to stop during the night.

Vicki and me have always liked the Yealm River, in the past we would always be looking to get there for a night or two normally during a week’s holiday in September. With our last yacht, only missed the 2012 season between 2006-2016. With Elektra we came again in 2017 and 2018 but not in 2019. Then came Covid and our next visit wasn’t until last season. Vicki and I would always have a meal in the Ship Inn (always party a reason for a visit). We had arranged a meal there this time with family on Sunday evening, so we would be staying 3 nights. The harbour master was quick to pick up his mooring fee, l used to think the Yealm was very reasonable compared to other ports but nearly as expensive as Fowey now!

As we had left Salcombe early, Vicki cooked brunch when we got to the Yealm River, so we didn’t need more food that evening. On Saturday Cargreen YC had a rally on the pontoon we were on and so we were invited to join in.

On Sunday morning l went for a walk, it wasn’t great weather but it was dry, well until l was halfway around the walk went it decided to rain! But it had stopped and l had dried out again by the time l got back to Elektra.

In the evening we had the meal and met up with family which was great, at the Ship Inn which has changed hands since our last visit. Although still good food, it’s not as good as it used to be, so maybe the Yealm River won’t be the place we will want too visit as it once was.