Jonathan Harwood

Anchor well-stuck in the mud! Motored back to Gosport, refuelled & berthed.

Dep Yarmouth mooring approx 0930, brisk downwind sail to Osborne Bay IOW, arriving approx 1215. Anchored satisfactorily but discovered I was unable to move the helm & concerned that something was wrapped around the rudder. Called out SeaStart who arrived 40 mins later and enquired if autohelm was engaged - which it was! Problem solved by disengaging autohelm..

Left Brixham 0700, started off favourable tide but little wind so motored to Portland Bill (distant route round). Then wind increased to over 20 knots but tide against us so sailed downwind to Durlston Head. Tide turned so speed increased across Poole & Christchurch Bay. Brought sails down prior to entering Needles Channel due to risk of gybing in strong wind astern. Motored to Yarmouth Harbour and went onto one of their mooring buoys outside the harbour at 2130.

Largely uneventful sail. Motored most of the cruise due to light winds behind us. Into MDL Brixham Marina.

Left Dartmouth at low tide, very slow tack very light winds to Start Point, after which wind quickly whipped up to 18knots, allowing a quick beat to Salcombe entrance. Harbour quiet and very peaceful.

Motored inside route around Portland Bill. Heading to Dartmouth was dead into the wind so commenced tacking. Luckily about 1400 the wind veered SW to NW so was able to sail all the way on a close haul. Sunshine all the way. Winds increased to 16 knots so put in a reef. Lovely day but very long.

Left Poole 0815 with cruising chute already In place. However brought it down off Anvil Point due to increasing N wind strength. After St Adhelms Head wind dropped so motored for a while staying outside Lulworth Ranges limit. Wind increased again, this time NW backing to W over the next two hours. Beat towards Portland Harbour and berthed in Portland Marina for the night

Wind F3 astern so sailed with cruising chute only up on broad reach as far as Beaulieu river entrance. Then motor sailed to Hurst Narrows since wind dropped & foul tide. After exiting narrows swapped cruising chute for jib and sailed F4 beam reach across Christchurch and Poole Bays. Entered Poole Harbour approx 6pm, berthing in Poole Quay Yacht Haven.