Lets make a start

Well I have finally made a start on the winter jobs.   I haven't put a lot of thought into what I want to achieve this winter, so I started on the basics.  I gave the hull a good scrub and washed it off with the pressure washer. This years anti foul had worked quite well but it hadn't adhered very well. I'm not sure why, possibly due to poor preparation last year or maybe something I'd used on the hull. What ever the reason, I shall have to take it back to a good base this year. While I had the pressure  washer out I set about cleaning the caked on seagull poo of the decks... Yerk!

I then set the engine up so that I could flush it out and run the carb dry.  While it was running I checked to output from the charging circuit.  I'd never used it before as it didn't seem to work.  The reason had been because one of the wires under the cover had become broken.  The output was up to 15v at full revs but at normal speeds it only puts out about 7 or 8 volts.  I will install a socket to allow it the assist with battery charging.

Somethings which occurred to me while cleaning were...

• Set up the boom to allow easy reefing.  
• Improve out-haul system.
• Make new point for topping lift to attach to.
• Strip the paint from the decks and coach-roof, repair any damage and repaint.
• Remove all deck fittings and re-bed to stop leaks.
• Rub down and re varnish all wood work.
• Redesign main hatch sliders.
• Move heads from current location.
• Make cushion covers.
• Make sail cover.

I'm sure this list will grow considerably over the next few weeks.

Haul out

Well the end of the season has arrived with a bang.... Ciao Bella is safely ashore as we wait for the worst storm since 1987 to hit.
I did it the easy way this year, Salterns had a special offer on hoist outs this year and I couldn't bring myself to go wading around upto my neck at Baiter park.   Paul and myself booked for the same morning, it's easier if we help each other.  The first lift was booked for 11am with the second at half past.  Fortunately they were flexible as we were a little late getting there.  Not much to say about the lift out, except it was a doddle. There is a wee vid clip below (It starts with Pauls Corribee then switches to Ciao Bella, just for continuity of the process).
Despite using the cheapest antifoul the wetted area seemed remarkably clean, it looks like I'll have to raise the boot top again, she's had a head start for Movember :)

Once out we had to concentrate on getting the masts down and strapping the boat down ready for trailering.   Both went remarkably easily considering the wind.  We didn't have A frames, just used the roller furler to steady the decent.
Paul had a posse ready and waiting at his house to help push the trailer up his drive, we then flew back to Salterns to pick up Ciao Bella.  By 4pm both boat were safely back at their respective winter homes. That's one heck of a relief with this lot coming...

Out on a grown up boat

Omega in Dartmouth

Last weekend I had the chance to crew on Omega, a Harmony 34, sailing around Torbay.   I couldn't turn it down..  Roger picked me up early on Saturday and we made our way to Torquay.  We met Nick, the owner down at the marina and readied the boat for sail. There was absolutely no wind as we set off and I thought we'd have to motor everywhere.

Motoring in light airs

Eventually the wind filled in and we made our way around Berry head towards Dartmouth.  As we approached the entrance to the river Dart Nick Suggested that we stayed out in Start bay, what a good call. We had a magical hour or so just messing about on the water.

Nick taking a rare turn at the helm.

The Harmony has a wheel in place of a tiller, I have to say it took some getting used to. Initially I made some school boy errors; turning it the wrong way and struggling to find the central position.  Once I'd got the hang of it it was a dream to helm. We reluctantly made for the harbour, the Devon coastline and the entrance to Dartmouth are absolutely stunning.

Our very own Keith Floyd

Rog took command of the Galley, which was great as it meant we'd eat well.  It's fabulous being able to walk around stood bolt upright on a boat... not something that I am used to :)
Dartmouth is beautiful at anytime of the year but just out of season is my favourite time.  There are some wonderful places to eat and drink, I suggested the Anzac street Bistro as I had been there before and we weren't disappointed.  Great food, reasonably priced and a nice atmosphere with Simon and Aga as great hosts.  We then strolled of to the Seven Stars for Rog to check out his old stomping grounds :)
Back at the boat and we couldn't help but notice that there were pirates every where.. One was even taking a large open wooden motor boat out.. I couldn't help but think he'd already been on the Rum ration.

Flying the Hurley flag

The Sunday morning was heralded with a cuppa and the smell bacon and eggs.   We had a very chilled start to the day and eventually got the boat ready to head back to Torquay.  We had a downwind run back around the head and made great time. All too soon we were back in the marina and packing up to come home.
A huge thanks to Nick and Rog for inviting me along.  I had a great time.. Proper boats are fantastic,Omega feels more stable (because it is) faster (because it is) points better (erm, because it's not a bilge keeler) and roomier... however I have no plans to sell Ciao Bella and move up to big boat ownership.  Aside from the costs Ciao Bella does everything I want a boat to do,  reasonable performance, tough & safe, easily manageable single handed, I can get into shallow creeks and rivers,  cheap to buy, run and keep and I don't have to travel to far to feel like I've had an adventure.

Thanks again Nick, and if you still want cross channel crew, let me know... I'll bring the Pastis instead of the Pasties :)

Rock & Roll to Yarmouth

The trip to Yarmouth was an absolute bonus.. I'd committed to Family duties but on the Friday I was told that I'd been double booked.. What could I say, I tried to look offended and said well I try and find something else to do instead ;)

The forecast for Saturday was pretty rubbish for going to Yarmouth.  F5 upwards coming directly from the East.  I decided to give it a go, if it looked like I couldn't make it it wouldn't take long to get blown home.

The Tern defenses that I'd rigged before going home last week seemed to have worked.. Much less poop on the boat.

Tern defenses

I got away from the mooring just before low tide and made my way to the entrance.  The harbour is well protected from easterlies so I would get a feel for the conditions until I got out of the harbour.   The wind was much weaker than expected and I was able to made way with full sail, deciding to take short tacks along the beach as I was pushing the last of the west going tide.  

An hour in and the wind had strengthened conciderably, I put a reef in the main a used the furler on the genoa to regulate as required.  As the tide started to flow with me I took a longer tack out to take me past the Hengisbury ledge.  The sea state out here was pretty full on, the boat would drop off the top of a wave, crash and judder into the trough, the bow would then dig into the next wave and as it came up it would toss gallons of water over the cockpit...  My brand new foulies are now completely caked in salt :) As you can appreciate there are no photos from this part of the journey!

I tacked back and made a good course along the 'right' side of the headland. 

Beating past Mudeford beach huts.  

Even though the wind was blowing at the headland the sea state was much calmer in Christchurch bay.  The sailing conditions where much nicer here, however time was getting on so I planned to sail as close to the beach at Highcliffe as possible then tack back and motor head to wind towards hurst. 

Motor sailing towards Hurst, time to put my feet up.

I furled away the genoa, started the engine and motor sailed to Hurst.  It was nice to be able to relax for a bit, the last few hours had been hard work.   Although not sailing side by side I had come across in company with Lapwing.  Pauls engine at this point was not pulling very well and was only making 4 knots.  We stayed together because if we got to Hurst too late we might not be able to get through so would have to find another destination.

Before entering Hurst narrows Paul refilled his outboard with fresh petrol, it was like magic, back upto 5 knots.  We got to Hurst at slack water, perfect,  the chop was building as we approached Yarmouth but who cares.. we were nearly there. Including Paul and myself four boat had made the trip.  We were welcomed with a large glass of Ardbeg on Gazelle then nibbles on Whisper before heading into town for grub at Saltys and a few beers.

The return journey was much less eventful,  we left Yarmouth a little after 9am and had a pleasant run back, goosewinged most of the way. There were various forecasts but they'd all over egged it,  F3 max from the east, Perfect.  Apart form motoring out of the harbour the engine stay off and out of the water, I even managed to pick up my mooring under sail.

Lapwing passing Hengisbury.. Much calmer than Saturday.

Weymouth

Tenacious leaving for the day.

Last weekend John and myself on Ciao Bella and Paul in lapwing made the trip to Weymouth.  After the usual shenanigans (Clearing seagull poop) we slipped the mooring around 11am and headed out of the harbour.

It was pretty much a spring tides so we needed to take the long route out around the tidal race off St Aldhelms head.  With the wind from the south west there was no way we could head to the mark in one beat.

A much faster yacht haring past us off Swanage.

Pauls Corribee can make a better heading to windward than Ciao Bella so managed to get far enough south to tack in one. Our course put me in the path of the ferrys and as it was poor visibility I decided to tack early then tack out again.  The rest off the passage was one long beat,  we had to skip through a small strip of overfalls but as it was so short it was quite fun.  With the nights drawing in and the wind dropping to a F1 we decided to motor the last 7 or 8 miles.

Ciao Bella and Lapwing safely tied up.

The moorings on the west bank of the river were all taken and I didn't feel like rafting up so spun round and tied up near the ferry terminal.  I'd avoided this side of the river before as its a bit chavvy at night, but this turned out to be perfect.  It's far enough away from the pubs to be undisturbed.

Nothe Fort

After a splendid night out in Weymouth we had to be up early to catch the tide back to Poole. There was not a whisper of any wind nor a ripple on the sea. We had to motor all the way back to Poole

Following Lapwing out of the harbour.

Portland

I'd misjudged the amount of fuel that I had on board and the engine spluttered to a halt at Swanage, Fortunately Paul had a spare can of unmixed unleaded so after a quick refuel we were on our way again.

Back at the club and there was plenty going on.. One of the members had brought a whole dear and was spit roasting it in the car park.  There was also match racing with the two club picos.  The chap in the safety boat was getting bored so I took over for a while so he could grab some food.  A good sociable week end  rounded off with a pint at the bar :)

Pico match racing

Mirror takes another slow step forward

Having not been on the boat for a while may not be good for me but it's certainly good for the Mirror dinghy.  What started off a a quick project boat which required a couple of weekends work to get it back on the water has dragged out to nearly a year and it's still not finished.. As the temperature was ok this evening, I broke out the West epoxy that I had bought at the boat show and set about repairing the centre board case to hull joint.  

The old joint had looked good until I started scraping off the old varnish the other month.  I'm not sure if the old joint had been made with epoxy or polyester resin, either way it hadn't bonded to the wood and pretty well just pulled away in one lump.  

I knocked it back until there was enough clean wood to bond to woven tape, I then cleaned the surface back with sandpaper and wiped the whole area over with acetone.  

The battens down each side have sharp edges, I took these edges off to help the tape adhere.  The West system mixes and spreads easily, soaking into the tape was remarkably easy as well. I made up 36ml in the first batch, this didn't look a lot when I was mixing it up but it was plenty to do the whole if the centre board case joint and I didn't need to mix any more.

I am genuinely getting close to finishing the Mirror, just in time for winter :)  All that is left to do now is prepare the wood for varnish and apply the varnish.  It will be great to get out and give it a go :0))

Old boats, new boats, glamour and glitz

On Saturday I was able to get over to the Southampton boat show to check out what I would spend my lottery winnings on. We arrived just after the gates opened and got stuck straight in.  There were a fantastic selection of boats from fold away tenders to enormous luxury motor yachts.  My interest lie in the middle ground from the trailerable yachts such as the Cape Cutter 19 and the offerings from Swallow boats through the exquisitely designed  weekend-sailers such as the Rustler 33 to the wonder of the Hi tech race boats and of course the classics in all shapes and sizes. Below is just a small selection... I was so enthralled that I kept  forgetting to get the camera out!

Bestwind 50 - This was fantastic,  so much room inside, you could have a barn dance.  Looked and felt like it would go around the globe without a hiccup. 

Rustler 33 - This was easily my favourite boat at the show. The classic lines mixed with modern materials gave it the feel of a week end sports car.

Clean lines - shame I couldn't get it all in one shot. 

Caterhams forray into racing yachts - Using F1 technology to break into the yacht racing arena.  I hope this handles better in the wet than a caterham 7 :) 

I know which one I'd rather spend time on.

A recreation of a Pheonician sailing boat from 600BC - This has circumnavigated Africa

 As well as all the wonderful boats, there is a huge selection of chandlery and services to hunt through.  I managed to pick up a Henry Lloyd coastal suit for £200... my old XM suit had served well for 6 or 7 years but is now ready for retirement.  The quality of the Henry Lloyd is instantly realised over the XM and I can't wait to try it out next weekend when I go to Weymouth... At this time of year I'm expecting rain :)

Sorry, couldn't find a professional model so here's me doing my best Grattons catalogue poses .

Bestewind - http://www.kmy.nl/yacht/bestewind-50--kooi-aap.html

Rustler 33 - http://www.rustleryachts.com/resources/Rustler%2033%20Brochure.pdf

Caterham challenge -http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/169504/Caterham-Challenge-a-new-entry

The Pheonician - http://www.sail-world.com/CruisingAus/Sailing-Close-to-the-Wind---following-Phoenicia-around-Africa/105597