Sunday 18 October 2015

Further forays along the Stour

Saturday 17th October
Double reefed main with part-furled jib and full mizzen.  F4 gusting 5 along the River Stour.  Up to 6 knots achieved against the last hour of the flood tide.
Last week, there was a plan.  This week was just a 'suck it and see' sail although, in outline, it turned out to be much the same sail as last week, four hours later in the day.  However, as any sailor knows, conditions never quite make any trips the same.

21.7nm
Today, winds were from the north, F4 with some stronger gusts.  It made sense to head back to the Stour and enjoy reaching both ways.  The sailing was terrific, as can be seen from the photograph heading this blog entry.  On the way up the Stour, single reefed main with a few rolls in the jib necessitated a good deal of wind spillage as the stronger gusts came over.  Following a lunchtime anchorage in the lea of the north shore, just beyond Holbrook Bay, I decided to put a further reef in the main, setting the mizzen instead.  This resulted in a much better balance on the return trip and speeds well in excess of five knots against the last hour of the flood and much less heeling over in the gusts.
I had a go at tacking back into the Orwell against the tide but, along with all the other boats around, furled the sails and resorted to the engine.  Sometimes, it's just not worth the hassle!
Motoring up the Orwell
As a result, upon returning to Pin Mill, most sails had been safely stowed and there was even time to hoist a few plastic bags for fending off the local feathered wildlife whilst the boat is kept on the mooring.  Many thanks to a local Drascombe owner for the following pictures!
Returning to Pin Mill, sails already stowed and plastic 'bird-deterrents' already in place!

As is often the case, the linked video footage only shows the 'calmer' parts of the sail since this was often one of those days where concentration was key and it was definitely important to hang on as those gusts pushed their way across the estuary.
So, it is hoped that the half term break, the week after next, will yield mild conditions suitable for cruising if only to push the season's log, currently 679 nautical miles, a further 57 miles or so.  That would, indeed, be a great way to end the season.  Two years ago, during the same week, Storm 'St Jude' had other ideas...

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