Steve Rowley

I was delighted when Kirsty my wife agreed to sail with us, her third sail. And what a sail with a few firsts! Bradwell Marina sells fuel so need to take Lou-Lou Belle’s petrol tank to a petrol station in the car, we simply motored round to the fuel berth and Arthur lowered the nozzle down to us about 10 feet below as the tide was low. We then motored across the Blackwater the Mersea Island as I wanted to see how easy it is to get ashore; useful info for the forthcoming Drascombe Association rally. I discovered my VHFs don’t have Ch37 to we couldn’t hail the West Mersea SC launch service. Instead we picked up a mooring and managed to flag down the launch as it passed us. We were quickly on the jetty and went up to the sailing club for a drink. They welcome visiting yacht’s people providing gentlemen don’t wear hats at the bar and you have to sign the visitors book. After a bit of a wait for the launch we were back aboard Lou-Lou Belle’s for lunch before setting up the estuary towards Maldon on the tide. The First Mate did a super spell on the helm holding a steady course. As the tide turned we tacked back towards Bradwell with Kirsty manning the headsail sheets. We also had to get the black bucket out for a wee, another first for the First Mate! Once we got back we were able to say hello to Toby who is a YouTuber. What a day!

I didn’t have the best night’s sleep but did manage so sleep eventually. I had to go on deck several times to tight stuff up as things started to bang and rattle as the wind picked up. The anchor alarm woke me at 0430, and back to sleep and woke up again at 0700. Motored back to Bradwell, did some excellent parking for once!

First overnight trip of the season. Wind was a bit fickle but we got up to Maldon on the rising tide. Now anchored at the top of the Salcott Channel beyond the moorings.

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.