Derek Hathaway

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 (?).

So that was fast! Broad reaching in a F4 with full sails passing 8 knots SOG and 7 boat speed. Fair bit of swell and waves from the SW. And the bonus of 2 pods of dolphins (didn’t catch them well on camera!). Very murky start in Cawsands Bay and low cloud on Bolt Head. Boisterous entering Salcombe and dropping the sails singlehanded but harbourmaster girl helped me secure to a buoy off the town. Taxi ashore this afternoon for shower and good food!

The forecast was 4-5 SW after benign start. Early rising to maximise use of current all the way to Plymouth. Motor assisted when winds were light at start and end but reasonable downwind sailing using Genoa only. Hardly reached F5 which Thalmia needs to hold steady downwind. Fishing rod out during some lulls but nothing bit! Anchor down in time for lunch!

It was a misty start after rain overnight. The wind was favourable though for a steady sail across the interminable Mounts Bay. Only a bit lumpy close in around Lizard Point to get the early turn of the tide. Downwind to the Manacles motor sailing then another lovely sail on Port tack into the Fal and to anchor in Channal Creek under Trelissick House. Now drizzle when I expected sun! Maybe later this evening?

Very big swell and waves exiting Old Grimsby Sound and around Men a Vaur and Round Island. Had this before! Swell was at least 3m until I slipped away from the Islands then just 1-2m. Set main with preventer and eventually poled out Genoa for dead downwind sailing the rest of the passage. It was bouncy on the foredeck! Blue skies but not relaxing for me or Thalmia! Autohelm handled it though. A late start after Ruth caught her plane home. I wasn’t going to make the tidal gate around the Lizard so anchored outside Newlyn harbour.

The forecasts had predicted 30 knots plus later in the day so left Mounts Bay early with little wind and foul tide. That changed later to fresh breeze (15-17knts) from stern quarter and following current hitting 8knts SOG. Shipping lanes not quiet - behind one and raced ahead of another. Now anchored in Porth Loo beach near Newfoundland Island while the strong easterlies and possible thunder storms blow through overnight. But I’m back in Scilly! Hooray! Ruth arriving Saturday and fingers crossed the winds are abating.

With a WSW wind this leg was doable - a few deep tacks. Sea state was better than expected - slight except around Lizard Point which was characteristically lumpy - occasionally 2m plus but not the short chop I’ve had before. Fast sailing with spring currents. Anchored close to the entrance to St Michael’s Mount - for now - wait to see if the anchor sets well and I’ve left enough depth! And there were dolphins in Mounts Bay but they were camera shy! Tomorrow hoping for easterly winds (for just one day!) and not too strong before I reach Scilly.

I put my faith in PredictWind which suggested a route to sail. Started with a little wind for while from NW, then none for several hours until, when I was southeast of the rum line it filled in from the south and I had a brilliant sail close hauled in 12-15 knots wind spot on for St Anthony head. Earlier I had motored a bit slower than usual as I had an engine issue. Hopefully now resolved. Unfortunately I closed the SailTies app so the track is not exact- but it picked up from when I opened the app again.

Started very early with the promise of calm seas and light breezes if not a favourable direction. In the event we managed to sail across Start Bay and Bigbury Bay just motor sailing around Start & Prawle Point and into Plymouth Sound. Berthed in QAB to allow crew Aidan to return home.

Not the most comfortable point of sail but in the event slightly less tacking than we anticipated. Winds were unbelievably variable in strength (20knts max) and direction but apart from a brief bit of drizzle it stayed dry and bright and the sea state only became more “moderate” towards the end. A great days sailing ending in a meal in good company in Dartmouth.