12th October; family trip; damage to stern transom

A trip with family is always worth writing about.  However, this was a trip with an unwelcome twist.

There is always the potential of finding Daisy II suffering after a week storms.  However, I didn't expect to find evidence of another boat having slammed into her.  It is quite likely the offending boat might have lost control in some difficult conditions but, having done this, I hope that someone will eventually step forward and own up.  I don't think the damage is going to cost much more than about £30, but it is the principle.  On rallies, when Drascombes have tangled with other moored boats, skippers have at least contacted the relevant boatyard and left details.  I have my suspicions about the culprit but it would be incorrect to put these into print.

Transom showing damage to grp and teak.  Flecks of light blue paint from the hull of the offending boat have been seized and quarantined.  Fortunately, all damage is superficial and repairs should be possible.

Damage to mizzen boom - the right hand section where the existing fitting has been ripped out, the damage on the left must have been from some other aspect of the offending boat, possibly its pulpit, tangling with the boom.  Fortunately, I can't see any structural damage and should be able to repair this.

Mizzen sheet damaged just above the whipping

Once damage had been assessed, photographed and temporary working repairs to rigging effected it was time for a sail.  Winds during the week had been F7and northerly.  Today, they were virtually non-existent although, following a few days of incessant rain, it was probably a blessing to remain dry.  We motored downstream against the tide until rounding Collimer Point, when we turned off the outboard, hoisted sail and made what we could of the little wind, advancing further against tide by about half a mile.  We then turned and sailed back, giving up hope with the wind just beyond Butterman's Bay.

Crew  just about hanging on in the stiff breeze

Limp sails...

Just as we were approaching the hard at Pin Mill, we noted Garfish, a visiting Drifter 22.  A brief chat with the skipper confirmed that I had come across this Oxfordshire-based boat once before at a rally in the Walton Backwaters about four years ago.

Drifter 22 Garfish on a cruise from the Blackwater

Crew having disembarked at the jetty at Pin Mill, Daisy II motored back to her mooring.

Daisy II at Pin Mill

6.1nm; season's total 644.0nm.