Boat jobs

Thought it was perhaps time that I recognised that while Morgana is a lot newer than Magna Carter, and less 'major' work needs doing, there are still quite a few small jobs that need addressing... some less critical than others...On the major list, is the engine... three things...firstly, a minor one, its puffing a bit of blue smoke... Its obviously oil smoke rather than steam, and isn't black, so not unburnt fuel.... Suspect that the bores are getting a bit worn... its not a huge problem, as the oil consumption is very low, so i'm not going to get too hung up about it... esepecially as she starts beautifully, on the first turn every time.... but perhaps worth keeping an eye on..Secondly, the temperature guage on the cockpit doesn't seem to read properly... it starts as you would expect, but then maxes out at about 45 degrees... opening the engine compartment after a long run confirms that the engine isn't running at that temperature!, but I need to get to the bottom of it, as it might not set off the overheat alarm if needed... suspicion must lay with the sender.... usual process of elimination will be followed...Finally, as far as the engine is concerned, I need to stick a bit of paint on the top of the gearbox.... the impellor cover leaked, and now it is fixed, its time to sort out the small patch where the saltwater has caused the surface to corrode before it turns from a cosmetic to a mechanical problem....Outside of that, the ST50 GPS works OK, but takes a while to get a fix, and isn't as accurate as the GPS on the new Lowrance plotter, so that needs connecting up in its place... easy enough, but a ball ache job to run the cable through....The Autohelm seems to be working just fine now... it hasn't played up at all since the delivery trip, so I wonder if a bit of use has perhaps freed up a sticking gimbal in the Fluxgate compass......I still need to replace the cap on top of the shroud guard.... the new one I bought is the wrong size.....A couple of the hatches need a bit of careful inspection... I thought they were leaking, but opening them properly, and giving the rubber seals a proper clean with soapy water seems to have cured the problem.....I need to fit a 'string hammock' above the shelf behind the chart table... there is a large unused space, and if I can get the significant pile of 'useful bits' such as various chargers, spare bits of string, etc etc off the shelf, then I can use it as a very acceptable bookshelf, and get the alamanc, pilots etc out of the way, making access to the binoculars, and other essentials easier...There is a small edge on one of the cockpit seats where the teak is lifting... it needs a dab of sikoflex to put it back down...The gas pipes between the cooker and the solid copper need replacing, and it'll be a good opportunity to get the cooker out and clean behind it properly.... also, i'd like to fit a short wire strop at the same time to restrict the swing backwards, as currently it is possible for the oven to 'bottom out' under extreme angles, and i'd like to prevent that..I need to get the chain out, and mark it up properly... its been guess work thus far.... with me probably letting out too much, but if summer ever arrives, then tighter anchorages might mean a bit more prudence in scope... and I also, at some point, need to splice on a bit of anchorplait, as currently there is only 30m chain....And last, but not least, I need to plumb the shower back in on the transom... that means draining the water system down, otherwise, I'll have a repeat of the soaking that I got last time I disconnected it......Its so nice to have a list of jobs to do that generally aren't on the list marked 'reconstruction'!!!!!

Slightly damp

Is it June?We got down to the boat a bit late on Friday to be greeted by a persistent drizzle.... never mind.... we got the kids to bed... no small challenge given the two extra kids being dragged along, and got ourselves to bed at a sensible time....Arising Saturday morning, it was unsurprising to see a fairly consistent grey cover of cloud, and the odd slightly threatening darker cloud on the horizon.... never mind... we set off with vague plans for Stone Point..... we'd only been out an hour or so when this plan seemed somehow inappropriate... out past Landguard point, it was a nice 18kts of breeze, but actually quite cold..... I can't believe its the height of June.... this was more like March weather... along the way we'd seen CliveG out on Sirenia, single handing again... he's getting to be quite a dab hand at this solo stuff!So we turned tail, and decided to head up the river towards Pin Mill to grab a buoy for some lunch.... a short tacking contest entailed between us an Sirenia.... not really a fair competition for Clive, but his excellent boat handling kept him ahead of us for a lot longer than I would have liked.... After maybe 20 tacks, the crew were complaining of exhaustion, a little excusable considering we were tacking every 45 seconds!We saw Clive heading for the shallows to drop his hook, so called him up and invited him over for lunch... a lot easier for him to raft alongside us anyway.... and a pleasant lunch was enjoyed.... the sun even shone for 10 or 15 mins....Then we decided to head back for the marina.... While we waited to lock in, the heavens opened, and a wet and cold crew entered the marina, and took a while to dry out...1 hour later, we all agreed that, given the improved weather conditions, a walk was in order, along the footpath up the side of the Orwell.... if anyone ever wants a nice walk, try this one... its lovely... load of wildlife, fabulous vibrantly coloured wild flowers, and great scenery....About 2 miles in, we could see black clouds looming on the horizon, so decided to avoid a soaking and head back... as we walked back (a little faster than the casual stroll heading out!), we saw Clive heading up the river towards Shotley.... looked like he was coming into the marina... he'd been to Levington to collect a visiting friend....We got back to the marina, just 500yds from the boat when there were several ominous flashes of lightning..... I looked towards Clive and then all hell broke loose.... there was a huge flash with an immediate crash... a very very close strike, and the rain started to come down so hard that visibility was reduced to just a couple of hundred feet..... Crikey... that strike had looked awfully close to Clive.... We sprinted into the shelter of the shower blocks, and looked out while the car park flooded in seconds....5 mins later, it seemed to have eased slightly so we made a dash for the boat... just 500yds.... half way there, the deluge restarted.... 6 very soggy people clambered into the refuge of the cockpit tent....I tried calling Clive.... no reply on his VHF, no reply on his mobile.... oh dear.So I stuck the VHF on ch80.... just 10mins later we heard him request a lock in.... phew.....So with the rain eased right off, I ran down to help him.... as he came through the lock he was obviously a little wetter than when he had left!!!!!! (he told me afterwards that the rain had put 3 inches of water in his cockpit despite the drains!!!!)The lock keeper informed us that the lightning had hit one of the cranes at Felixstowe.... just another 500yds farther away than Clive.... not a nice thought...So... we provided a cold beer or two to Clive and his crew, which seemed to cure their ailments.... and then all went to the Shipwreck for a pint and a bite to eat....On getting up Sunday, the weather seemed to be offering much the same pleasures, with perhaps even more rain.... so by 10h30, we packed up, locked up, and went home....So much for 'flaming June'....

Miles logged 16nm
Miles this season 524nm
Miles since this blog started 2,318nm

kiddy overload

Bit of a manic weekend coming up...Both M and C have friends along... so 4 kids on board this weekend.... plan is for a trip to Stone Point in the Backwaters, but weather forecast is looking decidedly average.... so it may be a quick trip out, and back to the marina!!!!

diary management

No sailing this weekend, as the kids are representing their school at an arts festival....But then, we've got a diary full right the way though to the end of August.... I think we have currently got 2 weekends where we don't have something planned!And on the subject of planning.... we've got to decide what to do with our summer trip yet..... current thinking is to head towards the Channel Islands, and then back via Poole/Weymouth, and popping into the Solent to visit Beaulieu and Yarmouth, and possibly Cowes.... the difficult bit is how we get to the Channel Islands.... we could either hop up the English coast, but then we sail back the same way we came, or via the French coast, but that then means 2 or 3 long sails in a row.... which I don't mind, but isn't going to thrill the kids!... initial thoughts are direct to Calais or Dunkerque from Shotley.... Calais direct to somewhere like Fecamp, and then Cherbourg or St Vaast or similar..... need to do some planning....

location

We're absolutely delighted with out move to Shotley. It suits our sailing patterns far more than Neptune did. Its closer to the open sea (we tend not to pootle about in the river very much), and it has far more appropriate facilities for our needs especially access to the showers and loos that the kids can got to unattended. It has shore space for the kids to let off some steam, and a bar for Sunday afternoon grub before departing for home, and a pint Friday before heading off out!However.....We are seriously considering an option to move the boat next season down to Burnham.... we have many sailing friends in the Orwell area, but all our closest sailing friends are in the Crouch....Pros for moving:Close to friendsAccess to the Burnham shopsMuch better 'sailing atmosphere' to the localeCons for moving:Extra 15mins travelling timeBack to a longish slog out of the riverSlightly more expensive marina (but not a lot)Enforced mast stepping when boat ashoreI have spoken to Burnham Yacht Harbour, and they seem to think that space would be available next season...We might also consider a swinging morring given that there is a decent water taxi service, and pontoons for loading up....Need to chew this one over... and no rush....

the most important miles

This weekend, I had the pleasure of achieving just 2nm. But they were the best, and most important 2nm I will do this year.I was afforded the priviledge of driving the good ship Full Circle from a marina to a pontoon just a couple of miles up the river with the newly married Jim and Lynn on board as they travelled to their wedding reception...

What an utterly fabulous day.....To my wonderful friends Jim and Lynn.... all the very very best.... you are perfect together.

Miles logged 2nm

Miles this season 502nm

Miles since this blog started 2,296nm

home!

We set off earlyish Sunday morning, back towards Shotley. Predictably there was quite heavy fog, with visibility at about 100m in the Twizzle, improving to 1/4nm outside the river and 1nm as we approached the Hrawich estuary...Soon tied up in Shotley, the sun broke through again, and it was hot.What a great week.Many thanks to the forumites who made it such a fun trip, and a special thanks to Clive and his crew on Sirenia, whose company we enjoyed so much over the last few days.

Miles logged 6nm
Miles this trip 233nm
Miles this season 506nm
Miles since this blog started 2,300nm

puddle spotting

Following the previous evening's fire and barbeque, we had a slow and relaxing start. Sirenia's crew came over by tender for a full english breakfast, and then half an hour later tied up alongside us and we prepared for a grand adventure!.... today was the day that we, aboard Sirenia, were to sail around Horsey island, through Horsey Mere and over the wade causeway, in the footsteps of the Swallows and Amazons!Timing was everything.... with the Wade causeway and Horsey mere drying upto 2.8m, then we needed a good percentage of the spring tide to get over the shallows... we set off 1.5hrs before HW, and made our way out to Hamford water.... the usual quantity of anchored boats enjoying the tranquility, made a little more challenging by the thick fog.... as we approached the end of Hamford water, towards Kirby creek, the visibility lifted again, and ahead we could see a boat aground... a sign of things to come?We crept carefully into Kirby creek, avoiding grounding by generous use of the keel raising mechanism on Sirenia, and crept towards the end where it went green on the charts... drying grounds!... the further we progressed, the less and less boats we saw, with only the real east coast ditch crawlers making it this far!... eventually the anchored boats vanished completely, and we were in silent backwaters, occupied only by wildlife.Soon we approached Honey island, which would mark our turning point into Horsey Mere itself... the charts showed the water around this island as drying to 2m, but with two small pools that remained with 3 and 4.9m respectively.... as we crept past the island, and saw the pools, we were delighted to see two old wooden boats sitting on their moorings in these pools..... the stereotypical East coast mooring... with heavily restricted access, and 100% complete peace and quiet!We passed the boats and into the mere...now it got tricky.... water so shallow that even the withies had stopped.... Around the next corner, 3 large seals sat on the mud banks, surprised at seeing a boat in their usually undisturbed surrounding... they did however agree readily to pose for photos before slipping off to find somewhere quieter.The charts showed a twisting winding course for the channel, which would be challenging as at the state of tide we had, the mere was a lake of 1/2nm across.....So we found our way by edging gingerly until the sounder alarm went off and then altering course.... In reality we should have used a lead line or a marked stick... but we were lacking such essentials!... we hit the bottom numerous times, but eventually found our way to the wade causeway, which we crossed very slowly, and the headed towards the start of the Twizzle.... we soon reached deeper water (the luxury of 3.5m!!!) and worked our way to just shy of Titchmarsh marina, where we anchored for lunch....Soon enough we were off again, back into fog and felt our way back to Morgana, where we embarked, happy at ticking off another ambition!

Miles logged 5nm
Miles this trip 227nm
Miles this season 500nm
Miles since this blog started 2,294nm

where did everything go?

After an exciting crossing back from Dunkerque, a day of rest was called for in Ramsgate, which proved to be an excellent decision. The sun shone all day, and its got decidedly warm. CliveG's son and daughter took M and C to the cinema to see Pirates of the Caribbean, we lounged in the cockpit and drank a few cold beers!In the afternoon, we visited the beach... M and CliveG's son swam in the sea!!!!!!!!!!!The evening was quiet... relaxing, with us sat in shorts and tee shirts until gone 9pm in the cockpit...A decision was made that we would head off Friday morning towards Stone point in the Walton Backwaters, and so by 09h00 the following morning, we slipped and headed out to sea. With a forecast of NE 3/4 it looked promising for a decent run across the Estuary... how wrong we were to be proved!We found about 4kts of wind upon leaving Ramsgate, and bang on the nose, so we motored past North Foreland and on towards Long Sand Outer, the buoy marking the entrance to Foulgers Gat. as we closed within 3nm of LSO, it became obvious that the visibility was closing in, and by the time we reached 1nm off, we could tell it was bad, but with no reference points, being out of sight of land, it was hard to tell how bad. Numerous VHF calls were appearing on ch16, with yachts issuing 'all ships' warnings, so we took great care, with the radar running.... Clive called... could we wait for him, as without radar, he was feeling pretty vulnerable... so we agreed to head for the shallow water around LSO, circle the mark and wait for him there.... as we approached the position given on the charts, there was no sign of the buoy... not unusual for the East Coast, where marks are regularly moved to reflect shifting sands, so I looked on the radar, to see it quite obviously just to port.... we motored towards it, still no sign... and then it appeared out of the fog..... jeepers!!!!! the visibilty was 100ft if we were lucky...... we circled the buoy... a most disorienting event in heavy fog, and waited for Clive... in the end I had to call him with the lat long, as in the fog he couldn't find it!We cautiously crept through Foulgers Gat, at times struggling to see each other despite us sitting almost on Clive's stern...using the radar to confirm that the charted position for Long Sand Inner was correct, and following the depth guage carefully, and as we entered Black Deep, I started full time radar watch to enable us to cross the 2nm wide channel safely..... we saw no traffic, not that it made it any less easy, and then crept along the 5m contour on the far side of Black Deep.... and 20 minutes later, burst out into bright sunlight, and 15nm visibility... phew what an experience... the Estuary is a scary place in that kind of heavy fog, and 2 hours was enough for me!We headed on down the remainder of Black Deep, round Sunk Head, NE Gunfleet, and promptly into more heavy fog..... however, we were now in shallow water, and out of normal shipping areas, so a run down to Medusa under sail was far less stressful, and as we rounded Medusa, towards Pye End, the visibilty came back, and we had a simple run from there into the Backwaters.As soon as we had anchored and sorted ourselves out, Clive arrived and anchored nearby, and a plan was hatched to go ashore to the lovely beach at Stone Point, barbeque, and maybe light a beachfire.... which we did.... a splendid evening was had by all.... good food, nice cold beer (OliveOyl - The Popeye beer was magnificent!!!!), and a great roaring beachfire which we sat around until dusk...We've got back to the boat now, M & C finally to bed, sitting quietly at anchor in a whisper of a breeze, smelling faintly of woodsmoke, and as I look out, the visibility has gone again, I can't even see the shore, and we sit happily in our own little bubble with the halo that an anchor light makes.I'm happy.

Miles logged 48nm
Miles this trip 222nm
Miles this season 495nm
Miles since this blog started 2,289nm

Ramsgate bound

After some debate about the weather forecast, a decision was made to wait until Thursday to leave Dunkerque for Ramsgate. The weather was much of a muchness, but we figured that one extra day of lighter winds would allow the sea to settle slightly. And then, we debated again, and decided to leave Wednesday, along with Sirenia.So at 06h00 BST, we slipped Dunkerque into a clear, albeit slightly cloudy morning, and headed off west down the inshore passage through towards the Rade de Calais, where we would be able to turn north towards the UK.With the wind across the port beam, and at 15kts, we flew down the coast, with a sea state perhaps touching moderate on occasions, but certainly nothing to worry about, and only took 2 hours to reach the RCE marker where we would turn north, amking a comfortable 10kts over the ground. The sun had poked out on occasions, but it remained very cold, with hats and gloves the order of the day, a bit sad really considering its June in a couple of days time.As we turned North, the wind was a little behind us, making the course a little rolly, but not too bad. We couldn't quite safely hold the course to cross the TSS at right angles, but near enough. However, a little too much westing in our course helped as it put us nicely on track to round South Goodwin as the tide turned East.The TSS was very busy. As busy as i've seen it, but remarkably, our course just took us through the middle of everything, with no need to alter speed or direction. Pretty amazing when at one point I could see at least 8 ships in the East bound lane.We slipped equally unobstructed through the west bound lane, and soon could see the South Goodwin buoy, which we rounded comfortably. It did set our course then to be pretty much dead downwind, and with the wind having built to around 20kts, a bit rolly polly, so we headed up a little, and put in towards the coast line, and planned a gybe to head back out on then opposite tack. As we approached the coast, we prepared to gybe, and then it happened!.... something that C has been patiently waiting for (and sometimes not so patiently), for just over 2 years....... a dolphin appeared on our stern.... squeals of delight, and a grin that the cheshire cat would have been proud of!!!!!We gybed and the course looked good for the whole of the rest of the journey. With a load of east going tide, we were set towards the Gull channel, straight where we wanted to be.... as we got closer to the end of the Gull Channel, we had to furl the genny away... the course had got even deeper, and the wind had been steadily building.... Morgana was starting to feel a bit pressed, and I looked down to see 28kts registering on the instruments, and holding at that speed... we were grabbing waves from behind, and surfing upto pretty quick speeds, reaching 13.3kts at one point.With the genny furled, things felt altogether more under control, although the boat wasn't overly comfortable with just the main, she was sailable, and with only 2nm to go, it wasn't worth rounding up to furl the main and unfurl some genny, so we plodded on...Soon enough we headed up on the channel into Ramsgate, back across the wind, and with the 28kts, it was a little more lively.... the shallowing water off Ramsgate had made the sea very short and choppy, and so we bounced our way in.... with white streaks in evidence, we were touching a F7, and with regular ferry movements, and little room for maneouvre, we decided to furl the main outside rather than inside the outer harbour.... so the last 1/4nm was very rolly indeed, but OK. and soon enough we were inside into more sheltered water, and round into the marina area....With such a strong breeze, getting onto a berth was going to be a challenge, so from afar, I picked one where we were being blown off from the bow, and port side too, and threaded my way in. Which was scary enough. The aisle was very narrow and with the wind dead behind and only 2 feet either side of us, it was a nervous moment getting into the aisle in which our berth was located, but with a bit of teeth clenching, we were in..... the sign as we tied up said 'private berth'... arghh.... so we wandered over to the office, and he was OK for us to stop... which was good, as we didn't fancy moving in this wind.... so here we are... back in the UK.

Miles logged 45nm
Miles this trip 174nm
Miles this season 447nm
Miles since this blog started 2,241nm