Jonathan Taylor

Force 2-3 wind most of the time. Spent the day tacking up and down the river until we lost the wind. I managed to drop the boat hook whilst mooring up but managed to jump in the dinghy afterwards and retrieve it.

Set off from Queenborough at 10:30. Very little wind so motored into the wind out of Swale estuary. Watched the start of the MCC race as they headed towards grain hard. Turned up the Medway with full sails achieving about 3-4 knots. Wind completely dropped after an hour so dropped down to 1-2 knots. MCC race cancelled so sailed until they caught up and then motored home in convoy.

Something went wrong with the recording. Club gala from strand to queenborough. Headed into the wind the entire way so a lot of tacking to get there.

First trip since getting the broken headsail halyard replaced. Spent a lot of time getting the sail up as the halyard was spinning round with the furler. On the move took the furler apart and greased and then was successful at raising and furling the headsail. Then proceeded to get the main sail up and sailed for the first time with both sails up. Sailed to sheerness and then turned back to head home. About a mile into return journey the wind completely dropped so was only making half a knot gain. Motor sailed the rest of the way back which gave time to set up the new sail cover. Returned to the causeway at low tide which was very muddy but still navigable.

Started the trip stopping by Gillingham Marina for fuel. Wind and tide pushing onto pontoon which made leaving quite tricky. Headed up river under motor to allow calculation of fuel burn per hour. Underway setting up the headsail furler but upon hoisting the sail the halyard snapped at the top of the mast. Headed up to Upnor castle and then back to mooring.