Paul Morris

West 2, Slight fog. Rocky night in Polkerris. Wind turned onshore about 0900, so left and sailed gently to Fowey. Sailed through the harbour on the Genoa, and lost the wind, just past the Bodnick car ferry. Motored up past all the moorings, but ran out of water. Low water. So anchored, waiting for tide. Will either carry on or go back to Fowey to collect the new batteries, that should be delivered to the Harbour Masters Office. Then may carryon to Looe. HW there 1840.

East 2-4, Sunny. Gentle sail round St Austell Bay, seeing what the swell was like at the bays around Charlestown with a small onshore breeze. There wasn’t too much swell, but would have been a mistake with the wind later picking up. (Not forecast). Then tacked to Polkerris on the other side. Quite strong winds on the way, but calmer when inside the shelter of the land. One reef and three rolls on the headsail. Undecided whether to stay, with the odd gusts and occasional swell. Anchored in 3.7 m with 2.2m of tide and LW 0.8 = 2.2 m. Lifted the keel half way, anyway, but knocking in the swell.

Weather SW4, overcast Left St Mawes at 0940 motoring. Put the Genoa up as soon as we were off the wind enough. Motored all the way as batteries were very low due to the overcast conditions the past few days, ( It’s supposed to be summer!). Main up with 2 reefs as it previously was, before Dodmans Point, to steady the boat with a following sea. Kept tight inshore and went into Gorran Haven, to have a look. Worth anchoring there with the right conditions. Furled the Genoa then, so the ridiculous amount of pot buoys were easier to spot. ( best to stay well out ). Wind picked up just before entry, but calmer inside and the right direction to keep us off the rocks. Visitors buoys have small strops on which made life easier. (I was worried about Zoe being able to hold on, but she was okay. Photo of Ship at anchor off Gull Rock. I thought it was on a rock at first at 2.7CD, but that was further along.

Set off a 5am motoring with two reefs in the main and 90% Genoa, as close to the wind to keep sails full. A bit lumpy with the swell coming from the leeward side from last night’s wind direction. Stayed tight to Dodmans Point which was rough for a while, but made for a shorter route. Headed a bit more after, but slowly managed to tighten the course to make Falmouth. Wind gusting up to 25 knots for the last two miles before heading into the Fal. Berthed in Falmouth Haven with the assistance of Malcolm and Tim. Not a great welcome from the people we rafted to, but moved back behind them when there was a space available, and Tim came along side us. Justice was served when three blokes (probably live aboards) on an old wooden boat with an eight foot bowsprit and two fenders?, took our place.

Hard beat all the way. Apparent wind 14/25 knots. Crew wasn’t keen on conditions , so spent a lot of time inside. Which was beneficial, because I kept more SailTies up for longer and made better progress.

Started off on a good beam reach for a couple of hours and then the wind kept dying and filling back in ,but more on a beat. Constantly switching between motor sailing and sailing. Engine on from Teignmouth and then sails dropped once past Berry Head. A good day though, before probably being restricted in the river Dart, by the weather.

Very variable wind. Constantly adjusting sails and direction. Had to motor the last 3 hrs, because it died off Sal together.