Mooring or Trailer-sailing?

Perhaps today's trip will potentially be significant.  Will it be the final time, at least for a season or two, that Daisy II is launched with the purpose of returning to her mooring home for the past eight years?

For several seasons, I've mixed mooring-based sailing with one or two trailer-sailing breaks each season, breaks usually with the purpose of attending a Drascombe rally.  This has worked well, and, for the greater part of the season, I've much enjoyed having the boat, ready-rigged on her mooring for day sailing or extended cruising.  

So, what's changed?  Well, acquiring a Seahopper dinghy has provided an interesting new dimension.  Perhaps this as yet unnamed boat could fulfil the day sailing function, leaving Daisy II for rallies and extended cruising.  Purchasing a new car, with 4x4 drive and hence much more assurance and capability on slipways, makes trailing more manageable and enticing.  I'd like to attend more rallies in different parts of the UK.  I've also become increasingly concerned about the potential wear and tear on a boat left afloat for such a long time.  It was certainly true that I was slowed down this summer by a barnacle-infested hull, despite having applied the usual anti-fouling paint.  It would be great to scrape off this paint and not to have to reapply it each spring!  It's also good to have the boat at home for the purposes of spending a little more time on modifications.

On the other hand, Pin Mill is such a wonderful location, handy for delightful, varied day sailing and extended cruising to a number of fantastic destinations.

There is still time to think this through and next weekend's Seahopper rally at Horsey Mere in Norfolk will be a great opportunity to see just what the new boat can do.

In the mean time, Daisy II returns to her mooring home at Pin Mill and, weather permitting, there should be time for at least one more cruise prior to the end of the season at the end of next month.

1.8nm