Can you spot the surfers?
Monday, April 30, 2012
Fire in Falmouth
According to the mayor, the fire at the Falmouth Beach Hotel this morning is the biggest ever fire in Falmouth. We drove through the smoke when we went into town on the bus, with lots of blue flashing lights and helecopters. The fire was fanned by very strong southerly winds. This also caused the cancellation of the Scillonian, the ferry to the Scilly Isles. If the ferry is cancelled, I guess we will be taking a rain check on our proposal to leave at 05.30 tommorrow morning.
Gail is rightly a bit concerned that she might be left helming on her own to Scilly and over to Ireland (26 hours) if I sucomb to seasickness again. We must therefore make sure the weather is set fair.
Gail is rightly a bit concerned that she might be left helming on her own to Scilly and over to Ireland (26 hours) if I sucomb to seasickness again. We must therefore make sure the weather is set fair.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sunday 29th April in Falmouth. Severe gale 9 and storm 10 keeps us tied up in the marina watching the various drips manefest themselves.
Mark from Seacraft Marine came down from Poole on Thursday and spent eight hours tracing the instrument problem. Fingers crossed he found it. A faulty wire coming from the depth transducer to the back of the instrument panel, feeding into the network and corrupting everything. We now have wind and depth.........fingers crossed this will be robust when we actually go sailing.
We had also lost shore power. Unfortunately, this was traced to the battery charger having gone down, We
Sorry for the repeat, but this did not publish first time around.
Mark from Seacraft Marine came down from Poole on Thursday and spent eight hours tracing the instrument problem. Fingers crossed he found it. A faulty wire coming from the depth transducer to the back of the instrument panel, feeding into the network and corrupting everything. We now have wind and depth.........fingers crossed this will be robust when we actually go sailing.
We had also lost shore power. Unfortunately, this was traced to the battery charger having gone down, We
Sorry for the repeat, but this did not publish first time around.
Falmouth in the rain
Here we are still in Falmouth with rain and wind. Forecast for severe gale 9 and storm 10 today and tomorrow.
We hope we have sorted the instruments. Mark of Seacraft Marine Poole spent eight hours before finding a faulty wire from the depth transducer. We've run a new one so fingers crossed.
Also found the problem with shore power cutting out. Battery charger failed. New one fitted (very expensive) and all working again. Had to do some wood butchery with a £12.99 jig saw from Trago Mills.
Had a quiet day watching BBC Iplayer, "The Bridge". A good Sweedish detective drama from channel 4.
If the weather is as forecast, we should leave for the Scilly Isles on Tuesday or Wednesday. We have tossed up between there and Penzance, but with Easterlies forecast, and difficulties with tide times, Scilly looks favourite at the moment. Watch this space.
We hope we have sorted the instruments. Mark of Seacraft Marine Poole spent eight hours before finding a faulty wire from the depth transducer. We've run a new one so fingers crossed.
Also found the problem with shore power cutting out. Battery charger failed. New one fitted (very expensive) and all working again. Had to do some wood butchery with a £12.99 jig saw from Trago Mills.
Had a quiet day watching BBC Iplayer, "The Bridge". A good Sweedish detective drama from channel 4.
If the weather is as forecast, we should leave for the Scilly Isles on Tuesday or Wednesday. We have tossed up between there and Penzance, but with Easterlies forecast, and difficulties with tide times, Scilly looks favourite at the moment. Watch this space.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Saw some boarts there and decided we were pleased we hadn't tried to come up river.
Might think of swapping for this one though!
Although it appears to be missing a boom. The mast has five spreaders and a light for aircraft. Must be 200ft high!
Went to the flicks tonight and saw the Best Marigold Hotel. Very relaxing. Leather sofa and you could take your G & T with you.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Well here we are in Falmouth. The saga continues.
The electric problem appeared to be solve, and we left Plymouth in hailstorm on Sunday. Going out through Plymouth sound we spotted the fin of a basking shark! There are supposedly lots around the Lizard, we shall see.
Two reefs were called for in the fresh force 5 round Rame head, and we made good speed towards Fowey. It was really blowing quite hard by the time we dropped the sails and headed for the entrance, passing a J24 open meet just outside the harbour. Evidently Duncan Mcarthy of Parkstone Y.C. was there. As we passed the Js the instruments went down again. Luckily Fowey is deep all the way, and we managed to tie up to the floating pontoon.
A water taxi and walk around the town, but decided against Sams for supper (can't go out every night).
Forecast was for wind again, but decided to try for Falmouth. The instruments seemed to be working again. Putting up the sails outside the harbour I spotted a huge fish, white, and about eight feet long, swimming under the boat. Not sure what it was, but I don't think it was a dolphin.
The force 4/5 forecast turned out to be a force 5/6 and 7, with occational gusts up to 29knots.
Intruments failed again in the lumpy seas off Dodman point. We were making 6+ knots, with two reefs and partly furled jib. Not quite able to make the right angle, so five miles from Falmouth started the iron jib and motored into an increasing wind. Blowing the top end of a 6 by now. Only saw 2 other sailing boats all day.
Coming into Falmouth with no depth instruments proved interesting. We edged up the chanel towards Falmouth marina, to stop gently on the mud, smack on low tide, just outside the marina. We were then informed the deeper chanel was to Port of the marked channel, and having got off, came into the fuel pontoon. Transfering from there to a tight berth with a force 6 still blowing was a challenge, but we made it without hitting anything........just.
Now to sort out the electics again. And the shore power is also tripping out now.
Here are a couple of pics.
The electric problem appeared to be solve, and we left Plymouth in hailstorm on Sunday. Going out through Plymouth sound we spotted the fin of a basking shark! There are supposedly lots around the Lizard, we shall see.
Two reefs were called for in the fresh force 5 round Rame head, and we made good speed towards Fowey. It was really blowing quite hard by the time we dropped the sails and headed for the entrance, passing a J24 open meet just outside the harbour. Evidently Duncan Mcarthy of Parkstone Y.C. was there. As we passed the Js the instruments went down again. Luckily Fowey is deep all the way, and we managed to tie up to the floating pontoon.
A water taxi and walk around the town, but decided against Sams for supper (can't go out every night).
Forecast was for wind again, but decided to try for Falmouth. The instruments seemed to be working again. Putting up the sails outside the harbour I spotted a huge fish, white, and about eight feet long, swimming under the boat. Not sure what it was, but I don't think it was a dolphin.
The force 4/5 forecast turned out to be a force 5/6 and 7, with occational gusts up to 29knots.
Intruments failed again in the lumpy seas off Dodman point. We were making 6+ knots, with two reefs and partly furled jib. Not quite able to make the right angle, so five miles from Falmouth started the iron jib and motored into an increasing wind. Blowing the top end of a 6 by now. Only saw 2 other sailing boats all day.
Coming into Falmouth with no depth instruments proved interesting. We edged up the chanel towards Falmouth marina, to stop gently on the mud, smack on low tide, just outside the marina. We were then informed the deeper chanel was to Port of the marked channel, and having got off, came into the fuel pontoon. Transfering from there to a tight berth with a force 6 still blowing was a challenge, but we made it without hitting anything........just.
Now to sort out the electics again. And the shore power is also tripping out now.
Here are a couple of pics.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Well we seem to have sorted the electrics.......fingers crossed. Evidently there were four terminators in the system and there should only have been two. Therefore the resistance was 30 ohms instead of 60 ohms. Double Dutch to me, but the boys from SMG seem to have figured it out.
Just been for a small sea trial up the river Tamar, and under the two bridges. The Royal Prince Albert railway bridge built by Isambard Kingdom Brunell, and the Tamar Road bridge. See pics.
So, should be off to Fowey tomorrow, all being well. Watch this space.
Just been for a small sea trial up the river Tamar, and under the two bridges. The Royal Prince Albert railway bridge built by Isambard Kingdom Brunell, and the Tamar Road bridge. See pics.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Still in a windy Plymouth, but managing to sort out a few jobs.
The vang has been adjusted to give us more power to flatten the sail by moving the attachment to the boom aft by a few cm. We realised the electric bilge pump has probably never worked since we've had the boat. Might be something to do with not knowing what the switch on the electic panel did. Anyway, the electrical supply was faulty. That is now fixed and the faulty float switch will be replaced tomorrow. It's surprising what you never need when only racing around Poole harbour.
Still a problem with the autohelm computer. Think that might need replacing but won't know until the sparky can come.
Enjoying Plymouth despite this, went to the theatre last night and saw a very good production by a young Belgian group, "A History of Everything". Lunch today at the River Cottage Canteen at the very impressive Royal William Yard. Making very good use of the OAP bus passes.
Have downloaded my pictures so hear are one or two.
Leaving Poole Harbour . (N.B. timing on these photos U.T.)
Les just before groundbaiting the fish
Last view of Old Harry for a while
Dartmouth.
The vang has been adjusted to give us more power to flatten the sail by moving the attachment to the boom aft by a few cm. We realised the electric bilge pump has probably never worked since we've had the boat. Might be something to do with not knowing what the switch on the electic panel did. Anyway, the electrical supply was faulty. That is now fixed and the faulty float switch will be replaced tomorrow. It's surprising what you never need when only racing around Poole harbour.
Still a problem with the autohelm computer. Think that might need replacing but won't know until the sparky can come.
Enjoying Plymouth despite this, went to the theatre last night and saw a very good production by a young Belgian group, "A History of Everything". Lunch today at the River Cottage Canteen at the very impressive Royal William Yard. Making very good use of the OAP bus passes.
Have downloaded my pictures so hear are one or two.
Leaving Poole Harbour . (N.B. timing on these photos U.T.)
Les just before groundbaiting the fish
Last view of Old Harry for a while
Dartmouth.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Still having electrical nightmares. Now the camera will not connect to the computer. So no pictures yet.
Spoke to an electrician about the Simrad problems, and he can't come for 7 to 10 days, so looks like we might be stuck in Plymouth for a while. As it's blowing hard at the moment, not a problem yet, but will be frustrating when the wind drops.
Spoke to an electrician about the Simrad problems, and he can't come for 7 to 10 days, so looks like we might be stuck in Plymouth for a while. As it's blowing hard at the moment, not a problem yet, but will be frustrating when the wind drops.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Well, we are now two days into our trip and tied up securely(I hope) in Plymouth waiting for the force 8 promised around midnight tonight.
On Sunday we slipped from PYC at 06.15. A force5/6 occationally 7 N.E. was forecast, so we put two reefs in from the start. We were at times making 9 knots on the GPS and were off Portland Bill by 09.50.
An hour or so after rounding Portland Les decided to see if he could attract some fish by projectile vomitting to port. After he went down below to lie down, it obviously worked as we were joined by the largest pod of Dolphins we had ever seen. We guessed about 50 swimming either side of the boat. The excitment brought on another bout of vomit rocket from Les, who was feeling pretty rotten, and wondering why he had decided to have this adventure.
We made very good time to Dartmouth, arriving at Darthaven Marina just 11 hours after leaving our berth in Poole. A quiet and early night was called for. Gail only had one glass of wine and Les none. Shower and supper and bed by 9pm.
A later start was made today, with no time pressure, we slipped from Dartmouth towards Plymouth at 09.50. The forecast was a 2/3 NE going to a 3/4 ENE later. We hoisted full sail outside Dartmouth and were soon cracking along on a tight fetch in a force 4/5 southerly. So much for weather forecasts! After about 30 minutes all the Simrad instuments went down. No depth or wind readings. Fortunately the GPS chartplotter was still working.
A couple of tacks later we passed Start Point, hoping to crack off onto a reach, only to find the wind dropped to about force 3 on the nose. Not being too proud, and still without instruments, we fired up the iron jib, dropped the sails and motored to Plymouth, arriving around 16.00 at Mayflower marina. On the way in the instruments went down again. We think it is a problem with the self steering computer. Not sure how we are going to fix it, as they usually need replacing when they play up.
Just been for a drink and to listen to a talk by Chris Tibbs, the weather guru. Met a couple of people we knew, including the guy who sold us the boat.
I will post a few pictures when I have downloaded them.
Les. and Gail
On Sunday we slipped from PYC at 06.15. A force5/6 occationally 7 N.E. was forecast, so we put two reefs in from the start. We were at times making 9 knots on the GPS and were off Portland Bill by 09.50.
An hour or so after rounding Portland Les decided to see if he could attract some fish by projectile vomitting to port. After he went down below to lie down, it obviously worked as we were joined by the largest pod of Dolphins we had ever seen. We guessed about 50 swimming either side of the boat. The excitment brought on another bout of vomit rocket from Les, who was feeling pretty rotten, and wondering why he had decided to have this adventure.
We made very good time to Dartmouth, arriving at Darthaven Marina just 11 hours after leaving our berth in Poole. A quiet and early night was called for. Gail only had one glass of wine and Les none. Shower and supper and bed by 9pm.
A later start was made today, with no time pressure, we slipped from Dartmouth towards Plymouth at 09.50. The forecast was a 2/3 NE going to a 3/4 ENE later. We hoisted full sail outside Dartmouth and were soon cracking along on a tight fetch in a force 4/5 southerly. So much for weather forecasts! After about 30 minutes all the Simrad instuments went down. No depth or wind readings. Fortunately the GPS chartplotter was still working.
A couple of tacks later we passed Start Point, hoping to crack off onto a reach, only to find the wind dropped to about force 3 on the nose. Not being too proud, and still without instruments, we fired up the iron jib, dropped the sails and motored to Plymouth, arriving around 16.00 at Mayflower marina. On the way in the instruments went down again. We think it is a problem with the self steering computer. Not sure how we are going to fix it, as they usually need replacing when they play up.
Just been for a drink and to listen to a talk by Chris Tibbs, the weather guru. Met a couple of people we knew, including the guy who sold us the boat.
I will post a few pictures when I have downloaded them.
Les. and Gail
Friday, April 13, 2012
Well, nearly ready. At least I am. Gail has not really started yet, although we did buy a few things from Waitrose including the boxes of wine.
The electricians finished today, with everything up and running including AIS, battery monitor and three brand new absobed glass mat batteries. Many thanks to the two Marks from Seacraft Marine.
The cockpit locker is packed and pretty chocker. My bed is already made so all I need now is a few clothes and Gail.
With the wind from the North East , we are now planning to slip from Poole at 06.00 on Sunday. Wind a bit strong, force 6 forecast, for the first day, but more wind due Tuesday and Wenesday, and we would like to be tied up safely before it arrives. Tomorrow, Saturday might have been good, but we are not quite ready, and Gail has organised a farewell BBQ with her sister and Ollie and their families.
The electricians finished today, with everything up and running including AIS, battery monitor and three brand new absobed glass mat batteries. Many thanks to the two Marks from Seacraft Marine.
The cockpit locker is packed and pretty chocker. My bed is already made so all I need now is a few clothes and Gail.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Well the electricians turned up to fit the AIS and new batteries. Unfortunately the batteries didn't turn up. We are promised they will be there tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed.
Looking at the weather forecast, I am thinking of bringing departure time forward by 12 hours, as strong winds are forecast from mid day Monday. So present plan is to leave 18.00 Sunday 15th and sail overnight to Dartmouth. Should I tell Gail? She was probably planning to teach swimming Sunday night.
Of course, we've yet to load the boat, as the electricians have it in bits today. Three days is plenty of time.........after eighteen months carefull planning!
Looking at the weather forecast, I am thinking of bringing departure time forward by 12 hours, as strong winds are forecast from mid day Monday. So present plan is to leave 18.00 Sunday 15th and sail overnight to Dartmouth. Should I tell Gail? She was probably planning to teach swimming Sunday night.
Of course, we've yet to load the boat, as the electricians have it in bits today. Three days is plenty of time.........after eighteen months carefull planning!
Last Ride
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