Steve Rowley

Today was largely a test to see if Bradwell really does have fewer tidal restrictions and it does! Left after HW and returned before LW. I thought conditions would be similar to Sunday so set off with fully reefed main and some genoa rolled away. But unrolled the genoa then removed both reefs. The wind continued to drop and wind over tide meant progress was slow. Whilst getting the boat ready managed to trap my thumb between the head of the rudder stock and tiller so had the deploy the first aid kit!

Up early to catch 0539 HW so we could complete our move to Bradwell. After a good long period hove to whilst I had some breakfast and faffed about we set off out of the Blackwater on the ebb. Conditions were fresh and the northerly gave us a fast reach hitting a tide assisted 8.2k. As we closed the Gunfleet Sands wind farm we reefed then hove to again to add a second reef in the main and rolled some genoa away, after which Lou-Lou Belle was much more comfortable. We headed back into the river and as usual it was choppy on the approach to the power station, good job I had my oilskins on. We got up to Ross Revenge then turned towards our new home entering the marina about an hour after LW, something impossible to do at Tollesbury. Kirsty came to pick me up and drove me back to Tollesbury to collect my car. Best sail of the season so far!

Late afternoon sail because of the tide. Not much wind although we trucked along nicely until it died altogether and started raining again. But still fantastic to get afloat.

Not sure wind again. A 1430 HW meant we didn’t have to be up at an un-Godly hour. Decided to pop into Bradwell to get a feel for the channel and marina layout, all achieved without drama. Once back out in the estuary the sails went up but the Tiller Pilot wasn’t behaving, I hope another expensive repair isn’t required. Hopefully it’ll behave when we got out again. A good second sail but don’t like it when things don’t work!

First sail of the 2025 season and it went very well! Not much wind to begin with but strengthened later. No disasters and great to be afloat again. Lou-Lou Belle went beautifully as you’d expect!

I had no particular plan in mind, I just wanted to get afloat for the thirds time this month - more delightful winter sailing! As usual the wind was blowing from Maldon at a decent rate. So with a reefed main we just reached back and forth off Bradwell. Lou-Lou Belle was going like a train! A few nice beam on waves added to the excitement.

I dressed for the occasion so was toasty warm. My B&Q builder’s gloves are excellent. Set off with a reef in the main and a reefed mizzen but shook them out as we got up towards Osea as the wind was dropping. Lou-Lou Belle went beautifully upwind, I’m sure moving 31kg out of the bow has helped. As the tide turned we headed back down wind and got the sill in good time with 5ft depth. Did brilliant parking. A smashing sail and as you can see from one of the photos the AIS is working well.

With high spring tide at 1300 today was ideal to introduce Liz, a family friend, to Lou-Lou Belle and the Blackwater. The wind was decent and rain wasn’t forecast until later so we set off, hard on the wind with a reefed main, towards Osea. The boat was bounding along, dipping her gunwale every now and again, with the odd lump of spray. Once past Ross Revenge we hove to so we could add some waterproof trousers and make a cuppa. The change of motion didn’t suit Liz and she was soon throwing up over the side and looking none too clever. We turned for home with the wind on the stern and soon back in the marina where I did some top banana parking! Despite the foreshortened trip it was still brilliant to be afloat again and Lou-Lou Belle felt very good. Removing the 31kg battery from the front of the cabin and cleaning her bottom seems to be appreciated.

Although there wasn’t much wind there was a nice high tide so I decided to explore the saltings and circumnavigate Great and Little Cob Islands, all under motor. Very pleasant little trip.

It’s was really foggy on my pre-dawn drive to Tollesbury but fortunately there was no fog when I arrived. High tide was 0619 and we left the dock just after 0700 with plenty of water over the marina sill. I watched the sun come up from a buoy off West Mersea where I had breakfast. My plan was to take the ebb tide up The Wallet for a close look at The Gunfleet Sands wind farm. There wasn’t much wind to begin with but after some tacking we had a nice close reach parallel to the coast past Jaywick and Clacton. As the wind was dropping we motored across to the wind farm then broad reached back towards The Blackwater. Then the wind disappeared almost completely so we motored sailed the rest of the way. Despite there being not much wind it was still a cracking day!