Looking for the Fastnet Race

After a break away from the boat I finally had some time for a sail and early on Sunday morning a scratch crew, Neil, Garry and I set out for a trip round the bay. It was an early start 0700 and with a forecast of winds of F4/5 were looking forward to a good day on the water. In calm air on the river we raised the main, slipped the mooring at 0730 and headed downriver to the sea. There was talk of the Fastnet Race starting today and we might see them - little did we know the start was about noon and there was no way that they would be on this side of Lyme Bay until much later in the day.

A morning of variable winds followed, ranging from a F2 to a lively F5, giving us and the boat a good workout and given the conditions we decided to have lunch at anchor in Ansteys Cove, headed inshore. dropped the hook and spend a hour in the shelter of the cliff, so out of the wind, and enjoyed a relaxed lunch.

With the wind direction we had a cracking broad reach back to the Exe Safe Water Mark where we dropped the sails and headed in.

One of the challenges I have backed away from is picking up the mooring single handedly, but with two other experienced sailors on board today was going to be the day when I had to do it as I had the backup of people who could take over should things go wrong. The past issues where engine cut at very low revs has always given me that nagging doubt, but the engine was behaving, the wind was light and we were almost at high water, and I really, really, had to pick up that mooring on my own.

Garry and Neil stood at the transom as I lined the boat up, went to tick over, and at less than half a knot according to the GPS, picked up the boat hook and "sauntered" up the deck in a relaxed way, reached down and picked up the pickup buoy and pulled the chain onboard. We were on the mooring! A huge tick in the box. While it is something that I need to practice a few times I now know that it can be done! The only comment from Neil was to go into neutral as I left the cockpit next time.

---

Crew: Sandy Garrity, Garry and Neil

---

Weather Issued 6 August 04:05 UTC Sea area: Portland Wind: West, backing southwest, F4 or F5 Sea State: Slight or moderate Weather: Fair Visibility: Good Distance figures Distance: 38 nm Moving Average: 4.30 kts Max: 7 kts AIS Track

Engines and the Fuel Bug

Saturday

I've had an ongoing issue with the engine where she would reduce the revs then pick back up to speed, this was more prevalent when doing slow close quarter work, e.g. picking up the mooring. After much research I had found that others have had the same problem and there is some possibility that it there is a clogged lifting pump, but before replacing that I decided to check all the filters!

On opening the primary filter this is what I found!

Primary fuel filter and fuel bug

Looked like a dose of the "diesel bug".

After several hours of twisting, heaving and lots of swearing the new filter was back on. Whoever worked out that the primary filter needed to go under the bunk in the rear cabin behind the engine needs to be asked why! That is going to be re positioned this winter and a simpler system to replace the filter as well.

---

The Lads Trip 2017 - Lulworth Cove to Starcross

We had agreed that an early start was need in order to have a favorable tide round Portland Bill and set the alarm clocks for 0400 hours UTC! Needless to say I woke at 0330 hours, first light, and roused everybody. Without the formality of breakfast we raised the anchor and set off westward having taken the decision to stand about three miles out of the Portland Bill, but not too far thus reducing our distance sailed.

On leaving Lulworth hot steaming mugs of tea emerged from the galley and we notieced that somebody had stolen all the wind, thus the engine remained on until we passed to the west of Portland Bill and picked up an easterly F1/2. We hoisted the sails and "drifted" westwards at about three knots, thankfully we had a full 16 hours until we had enough water to enter the Exe so there was no pressure and a relaxing day on the water was enjoyed - I really must sort out a spinnaker pole for days like this.

After much playing with sails and fantastic views of the east Devon coast we anchored just off Sidmouth and had fresh mackerel for lunch, rested a few hours and continued our final leg of the trip to the Exe.

---

Crew: Sandy Garrity, Alex Bowling and Bob Watson

---

]

The Lads Trip 2017 - Portland, Swanage and Lulworth Cove

After the gentle inactivity of yesterday we made plans to sail along the coast to Swanage and then return to Lulworth Cove to spend the night at anchor.

After a leisurely breakfast we slipped the lines at 1000 and motored out of the harbour, hoisted the sails and headed east. Bob deployed his trusty fishing line over the side and we all looked forward to fresh mackerel for lunch.

Everybody was enjoying the sunshine and perfect sailing conditions a F3 over the starboard quarter and speed over the ground of 5 knots. At midday I popped down to the chart table to update the log and was surprised to hear the boat be called by name; it was the Lulworth Range control advising us that the range was active and to offshore by at least two nautical miles and wishing us a good day's sailing. Preferring not to get a broadside we followed their request and altered course to starboard by 15 degrees and continued our passage towards St Albin head.

On rounding the head we snuck close into the cliffs as Bob had climbed one of the long traverses many years ago and was keen to spot the line they had taken, while Alex and I enjoyed the spectacular scenery.

Passing Anvil Point lighthouse and then round to Peveril Ledge we kept the buoy well to port, as the over falls looked not the place to spend the day, we came into Swanage. Bob was dispatched in his kayak for supplies of milk and bread while Alex and I slowly motored round the bay until we spotted him heading out to sea.

All safely on-board we turned westward and beat into wind for the next couple of hours before the wind died and the engine was turned on for the final hour into Lulwell Cove.

Lulwell Cove has been one of those places I've been wanting to visit for decades and here we were heading towards the mouth and spotting five other yachts already at anchor. In we went, drop the anchor and motored back, the anchor biting in hard in the fastest time I've ever known the sea bed must be super glue. A good five minutes taking transits and it was time to open the beer.

---

Crew: Sandy Garrity, Alex Bowling and Bob Watson

---

Trip Stats: Distance sailed: XX nm, Moving time: X hours XX minutes, Average speed: X.XX knots, Maximum speed: X.XX knots.

The Lads Trip 2017 - Portland Marina

After a lazy start to the day we decided to stay in the marina, do some jobs on the boat and relax.