Edward O’Keeffe

Perfect conditions for a great social sail! (Wind 12-16knots S-SSE, sea state slight in the Lee of St Bees head) 6 boats participated (all with a few extra crew) Blueberry had a great run out with water speed regularly indicating over 8knots with 9.5-10 max at times (1 reef in the main and full no3 Genoa)

Galeon Andalucia not showing on AIS so not sure where coming from… Wind 8-10 knots but quite a left over swell from previous hours/day. Rain arrived almost straight away and visibility deteriorated. Raised mainsail and left 1 reef in as didn’t want to go too far out (already lost sight of Whitehaven and St Bees Head) Sailed out at approx 3knots - no sight until decided to head back… Galeon spotted looming out of the mist! Went back ahead of Galeon but kept loosing it in the murk. Held off by harbour wall and re-entered marina on free flow ahead of Galeon (worried we would get locked out as they were closing gates straight after entry to preserve water) Very Atmospheric experience!

Turned up for a race but no other willing contestants! Theo and Anne keen for a sail so we went out to the start line just in case anyone else turned up… They didn’t - so we had a quick sail before the tide was going to lock us out of the marina for another 5 hours… Reasonable swell from last night and 14-18knots wind (westerly) 1 reef main sail only (so as not to wet the Genoa :) )

Short outing to check that newly replaced mainsail slides and slugs worked OK.

Test of laminate No2 Genoa (and if I could rig it single handed in a seaway with 15-20knots wind) Lunch while averaging 7knots water speed. Great sail!

Very light wind race against Katara. Good start under asymmetric but wind dropped after first 10mins or so. Very light conditions for remainder of race with lead changing right up to the finish line with Katara just taking line honours (by about 10 seconds). Blueberry first on club handicap and YTC

Singlehanded delivery from Fleetwood to Whitehaven NW 3-20 knots (mostly 12-15 when sailing) substantial swell from the West for much of the trip