Derek Hathaway

Oh that was a tough start to the passage! Strong wind over strong tide again. Passing the “Bridge” near the end of the Needles channel it was full on roller coaster with Thalmias nose buried deep into short big waves. Without my experience of her I would have been really scared - and the autohelm kept the steering all through - absolutely amazing piece of kit when you factor in the pitching and rolling and almost corkscrewing! The videos you see are when i wasn’t holding on with both(!) hands - yes there was worse! After the end of the channel I was determined to sail and give the motor and my ears a rest. Deep tack to make my destination but in 17-18 knts gusting 22 I had 2 reefs in main and equivalent of 3 in Genoa she made good speed - generally around 6-7 knts SOG and a manageable heel. I was clipped on of course! Now a calm evening in the really good shelter in Studland bay and assess what to do next!

Boisterous hardly describes it. The Solent at its worst? 20-25 knts of westerly wind over 2.6knts of easterly tide had Thalmia burying her nose into the steep short waves in disgust! Water over the deck but with my new chain locker drains in place hopefully none in the bilge - I’ll check later! Fortunately I’d set my fenders in Newtown river and they stayed stowed on deck (apart from one that was washed over but still attached) not a lot of space in Yarmouth harbour to set lines so hurriedly done with autohelm in use and then pushed by the harbour dory to raft up against a 38ft modern boat which fortunately was well crewed. Very tightly packed here with 2 rallies arrived from Southampton.

Decided on a lunch break in Newtown River. Started with gentle sail down tide - very strong then tough getting back uptide in a fresh westerly breeze. Mooring buoy in the west flank of the river for easy exit and better shelter from the brisk(?) wind! Lots of noisy birds and some seals - delightful!

An early start - again! However what a sunrise around Old Harry Rocks followed by a quick motor across Poole Bay to make the end of the tide around Hurst Point into the Solent. Very turbulent for short distance but quicker than using the Needles Channel. Worrying pan pan from a yacht caught on fishing gear - important to keep a watch out in these strong tides! They eventually freed themselves. Meeting up with brother and family in Lymington.

Left pm to arrive St Alban Hd after the current had turned. Trade off was that there was much less wind in the afternoon so after starting with a gentle sail the motor went on to go outside the firing range. However it’s a very calm evening and night in prospect moored on an eco mooring in Studland Bay. Only my second time here and I love it. May move on early tomorrow to make the tidal gate around Hurst Point into the Solent.

Early start before daybreak motoring down the main channel over some shallow bits! Falling tide but it was neaps. Predicted westerly wind didn’t kick in until approaching the Bill then it was gnarly close to the rocks in the inner passage with swell and waves breaking close by! Calm on the eastern flank and a calm Portland Marina now owned by Premier and loads of space! Couple of nights rest then see what the forecast allows.

That was a very lively sail. ENE close hauled at start and very bouncy then slowly veered to E and a beam reach from Berry Head but still big seas. Gusting to 18knts but SOG slowed by the short waves and swell. 2 reefs in Genoa and should probably have dropped to 2 reefs in main. On the edge of being uncomfortable but the Fulmar and Raymarine Evo100 coped well with the challenge. I’d had a good breakfast at the Anchorstone Cafe so managed with snacks and without lunch or hot tea! Clipped on in the cockpit! Eased a bit after the Orestone. Exhausted at the end!

As predicted the wind was merely 3-5 knts so motored to Dartmouth. At Start Point for the first time I went inside Black Rock and Cherrick Rocks on the really “inshore” passage! Black Rock was white with the guano! Dittisham is quite deserted so picked up a mooring buoy for convenience. SUPing tonight? Maybe Anchorstone cafe for breakfast? Back to the Exe by tomorrow pm - fresh easterly wind predicted - let’s hope!

Calm seas and little wind expected to die completely so motored round to Elender Cove for some lunch and a swim. Just west of Prawle Point so easy to time a quick passage around Start. Lovely little cove but can be busy at holidays and weekends.

After the beautiful Lynher river it is a bit of a drag getting out to sea but when there I had a cracking sail across Bigbury Bay with a F4 broad reach with full sails! It doesn’t get much better. A very large ketch passed me port to port (close!) heading to Plymouth then tacked around and followed me towards Salcombe. Tacking must have a challenge to skipper and crew. A race was on! As well as being so much bigger she was also very heavy and we both made circa 6knts over the ground. Salcombe is unsurprisingly rammed. It even got quite busy at the Salt Stone. The fresh breeze has died down overnight and a calm morning is in prospect.