Mark Rosenthal

Sunshine and a cold ENE 4 as we left Porth Penrhyn. We motored sailed down from Gallows Point until we turned to port to sail through Puffin Sound. Quite choppy waters as we sailed up towards Point Lynas. Making 10+ knots all the way around the top of Ynys Môn (Anglesey) through inside middle mouse and west mouse flanked by beautiful gannets. As we sailed round Carmel Head the winds abated gradually and eventually we had to motor again as we neared Holyhead Breakwater. Once at the mooring Al threaded his strops through the shackle on the Buoy as we cleared up ready to disembark.

Crew Tess Luke Andrew Sam Left mooring at 0620 Hoisted the main as we passed the knuckle. Engine off once round the end of the breakwater North westerly wind giving very little wind under the breakwater Seastate slight 10:10 making 5 - 6 Kt 179 deg winds increased to 17-18kt cloud cover 90 %. 11:10 winds strengthening. 20 - 22 direction 195 deg having to tack to get further west. Sea state no choppy putting in our first reef. We reached our planned waypoint almost to the minute at the northern end of Bardsey Sound with a gusty but quick transit through the sound. At around 15:00 as we crossed Hells Mouth, aptly named, the wind speeds were increasing as the rain started. 15:52 with the hig16gusty winds now directly behind us we furled the jib. 16:33 With the winds now in the mid 20s we headed up to wind and dropped the main. Engine failure 16:42 as we motored into Pwllheli Harbour. MAYDAY called and mad16preparations for running agroun. As the tide was nearing High Tide the RNLI were tasked from Pwllheli 16:48 beached on the groyne. The RNLI team arrived in their small rib and a tow was organised taking Flair to the Fuel Pontoon.

After lunch and a practice session on instructing we raised the anchor at 15:15 and motored out towards the island, Ynysoedd Gwylanod, before raising sails at about 15:25 and sailing west to get a good lay line to South Stack. Engine off 15:30 The cloud cover had increased as the wind changed direction making it significantly colder. Gradually as we headed to South Stack the wind filled in so again the overfalls became quite bouncy. With the wind now blowing from the SW and the flood tide running we were only making 1kt boat speed but 5kt SOG. We had left Sean on the helm and he did very well with the difficult helming in these somewhat normal tidal stream conditions. Once round North Stack we did some training on picking up a fender, dropped overboard, under sail. This didn’t go too well as the rope being used to lasso didn’t stay on the surface. As I noticed the Stena Ferry appearing in the background we changed to a motor pick up with the boat hook. I called Holyhead Port Control that we were aware of the ferry and were changing course to stay to the eastern side of the TSZ before entering into the harbour after the ferry had passed. Another good day out on the water enjoying the western coastline of Ynys Môn.

Set off after Becca practising her instructing on engine checks etc. Winds WNW 12kt broken cloud. Our departure was timed to get the last quarter of the ebb tide flowing round The Stacks. Choppy as we sailed through the tide flowing against the wind between North and South Stack. Sun breaking through as we sailed down towards Rhoscolyn Head. Thought about stopping at Trearddur Bay but decided Borth Wen would probably be more sheltered. So resumed course to Rhoscolyn Head. Anchored as a training session, showing how to deploy the CQR anchor. At low water we had 4m under the keel and deployed 30m of anchor chain gradually resulting in good holding so we could settle down with the cockpit table in place for lunch. The lagoon was quite busy with motor boats and kayakers but all well behaved.

F5 to F6 ENE Cloudy conditions with short swell patterns on the flood tide going north to the Skerries. moored in the lagoon for lunch, watching the families of seals with their young pups. Returned in the afternoon after the tide change. Same weather conditions on the return to the New Harbour. we had a failure of the starboard lazyjack halyard which Helen helped sort out with a mast climb once we were back on the our mooring.

Race 2024-09-04 As we arrived onboard we were greeted by blue skies with significant anvil clouds out to the west. The winds were light Northeasterly with a distinctly cool feeling. WIth a crew of 6, Chris, Luke, Sean, Richie and Henri we got prepared for a spinnaker or code 0 start. There were 5 club yachts out for the evening accompanied by a Squib or two. The course around Meath, Penrhos and Clipera meant a very long slow spinnaker run from Meath to Penrhos, then Clipera to the finish; and as the evening drew on the winds got lighter. A very enjoyable evening with interesting sailing conditions on a pretty flat sea.

With a reasonable weather window we went for a quick sail to church Bay and back. Winds NE gusting 24kt we put in a reef and enjoyed a social chat about the history of Holyhead Harbour and the Maritime influences of Anglesey (Ynys Môn) and Holyhead (Ynys Cybi) dating back to the 2 Roman occupations of Anglesey. Lovely sunny conditions until the cloud cover increased as we arrived back in Holyhead New Harbour.

SW F5 wind conditions showing Harri’s son and his friend the basics on Flair IV. Back on the mooring for a late lunch as the sunshine faded away behind high level cloud formations.

Issued 2024-08-11 Due to the forecast for very light winds on the west side of Anglesey. As the course would be against the tide up to SouthStack the alternative is to go back anticlockwise as the wind forecast to the east of Anglesey is much better the decision therefore is to cancel the event and for individual yachts to make a judgement on their return to Holyhead. Flair IV intends to sail at approx 09:30 with a planned lunch stop at The Brickworks for lunch to wait for the tide to flow west. Thank you for the great turn out see you back at Holyhead. Flair IV’s progress back to Holyhead Flair IV Left at 10:05 from the 2nd position in the raft alongside the Prince Madoc and the Iceni Marine Services vessel, slipping from between Hierro and Moonraker to sail anticlockwise back to Holyhead. In very light winds we motored east along the Strait head to wind. All the way along the Strait we were pestered by motorised vessels exceeding the 8kt speed limit and creating wake. After passing Beaumaris the wind filled in a little in patches so we deployed the jib. Approaching Penmon raised the main at just after 11 o’clock. As the apparent wind angle changed gradually turning at Penmon Head we deployed the code 0 and made good progress across Red Wharf Bay towards Point Lynas. From Point Lynas the wind angle was sufficient to fly the ‘floater’ spinnaker but insufficient wind to keep the main up so we sailed on the spinnaker alone giving us an opportunity for a late lunch at a quarter past three. The journey had taken so long in these light winds that the concept of anchoring in Porth Wen was not viable so lunch on the go! With the cloud cover changing from the west it quickly became cooler as we past Harry Furlong, looking back at the receding blue skies. We were being caught by Summer Wine motor sailing on our way from Carmel Head back to the New Harbour and as the wind died we motor sailed too. Back on our Mooring 18:00

RAR 2024 7 boats CL2 start 09:15 - but issues with the contohoot (b Yachts sailing some shoddew CLI 10.00 3 possible race finishes Penmon Head Beaumaris pier Light Winds but good speed well judged tides times for the start times. SUNDAY Race concelled due to lack of wind. Left it to individual owners to decide how to return to t Flair IV Left from 2nd position in raft to seil anticlocknise back to HH. Dow at 10:05, Plan te stop for Lunch at