Derek Hathaway

Hoping for wind aft of the beam and to fly the cruising shute which was ready on the bow - we were disappointed to find we would be close hauled getting back - and then the wind dropped to zero! So motor sailed most of the way.

Needed a check on the engine after damage to a breather tube - repairs agreed for the winters layup. Great sailing close hauled to Anstys Cover in shifty wind but a slight sea. Good to enjoy the continued warm sunny weather and beautiful setting for an afternoon break at anchor.

That was all ok! End of a short cruise before family commitments. With a SW wind shifting to WSW I was able to sail with Genoa only at between 150 & 170 deg off the true wind. 12-16knts but gusts to 21 and a choppy sea at times but the autohelm steered to a wind vane heading throughout with occasional changes by 10deg to make the Exe estuary. Could have used the cruising shute but this time I was happy with the modest speed and well mannered boat! No rain out at sea!

Slight sea with very little wind (less than the forecast!) so motored around Start Point close inshore then straight line to Dartmouth. Mooring buoys free at Dittisham so picked one up and had pizza and a pint at the Ferryboat Inn.

Crazy busy in Salcombe/ Kingsbridge ria. Dinghy schools and dinghy racing as well as holidaymakers. Lots of fun being had! Slight sea outside so motored to this cove for lunch waiting for the tide to turn around Prawle and Start Pt.

An early start to get to Start with positive current! F4 with occasional lulls to 6knts and gusts to 20 - built later, approaching Start Pt, to prevailing 20 with gusts to 27 around Prawle and on the nose then into Salcombe with choppy 1.5+m seas and overalls. Hand steered there as constantly changing. Over 8knts SOG at times in spite of towing my bigger tender. Harder work than I was expecting and towing a tender was a bit limiting! But mostly sunny, with dolphin sightings so not too bad at all! Salcombe beaches heaving and town as well probably so to anchorage at the Salt Stone for what will be a peaceful evening and night!

How cool was that wind shift from a NW heading SW and then after a lunch stop shifting to a brisk SSE to head back NW. Sea state increased slightly but less than ½m following sea. In full sun this was a dream day sail.

Lovely gentle offshore NW breeze over calm seas. What a way to introduce two guys to yacht sailing! Smiling faces all round. Full sails all the way to Anstys Cove to anchor for lunch in the sun and watch dozens of children coasteering on those splendid rock formations.

Foggy start and finish but visibility at sea ok. Coming in the estuary in fog is probably as difficult as coming in at night! Wasn’t expecting to sail much and although I did for a while I had to resume motor sailing to get to the Exe before the start of the ebb tide. Back on her mooring - now the fog has cleared - Thalmia has looked after me well!

Started with “mist rolling in from the sea”! But clear offshore. At least this was the only day on this trip that I’ve had to motor the whole passage. With smooth seas and helpful currents the engine didn’t have to work too hard at less than normal revs to maintain good speed. Many dolphins before Start Point but still busy feeding and not playful! Those pot buoys are criminal! One visible and the other submerged. Had one close shave. Had credit with MDL so giving Torquay Marina a try out for free (?).