Finally......

Since the last post I have managed to get onto the water twice. Today, I enjoyed a day of limited wind and some rain and occasional sun, on Cheddar reservoir.

My first time in a really heavy shower - odd really. Once I'd decided that there wasn't any lightening about, I just got on with it. With a dry suit, only the face getting peppered with stinging rain was a minor irriation. That, and getting the sails wet.

I even took part in the afternoon race. More by accident than anything else. As the PM race was lining up, the driver of a safety boat that I had chatted to in the changing room asked as he passed - " are you going to race then", so I thought, why not.

I'd like to say how brilliantly I had done, but sadly it's not the case. I lost time trying to keep out of the way of the Enterprise boys who went off first. Which resulted in my effectively doing a penalty turn to get around the windward buoy.

I just couldn't get the boat going in the very light wind. Consequently, I'll gloss over where I came in the fleet.

Still, four hours plus in the boat can't be sneezed at.

Small chuckle at one of the skiffs who managed to capsize and invert in near zero wind; quite and achievement - of sorts.

And we get to enjoy sunsets.

  

Long time - no sail.

Nothing much to say, sadly.

Trying very hard not to swear, but the recent weather has been more than a little disappointing.

Haven't been able to get on the water for weeks.

Not a happy bunny.

Near perfect Sunday sailing - 9th September 2012

As there was no wind forecast on Saturday, I changed my whole routine for Sunday and went sailing instead. Who wants to spend three hours in the gym anyway!

Pretty much perfect sailing condition; well, maybe the wind was a little soft, but steady breeze 8 - 10 kts - when I launched anyway.

Had a new toy to play with. A waterproof video camera. I mounted this on the tiller, which is a little low. So, will need to find a better place.

Still, at least it works. Too much in the knee department possibly; certainly in the other segments.


Having launched at 10:30 I found myself cruising past the slipway around 14:30. When to be frank, the wind had all but disappeared. So, the decision was made to call it a day; only slightly early really.

Any, even though I was smeared in factor 50 sun screen, I still managed to obtain a healthy glow - or pink colour to my face. The good news was that my knees didn't burn this time.

Half a Day Skipper certified - 7th September 2012.

Handed in my second and last final assessment for the Day Skipper Theory Course on Thursday morning.

Today, this arrived in the post.

Well chuffed - as they say.

Celebrated with a ride down to Watchet Marina for lunch.

Sailing - On a Wednesday! - 5th Sept 2012

I took the week off to study and take my final RYA Day Skipper assessments. But, as I had completed them a lot earlier than I had anticipated, I was able to take advantage of the final Wednesday evening sailing at the sailing club at Cheddar.

I got to the boat park at about 4:30 pm and was in the water for 5:30 pm. Winds were light but worthwhile when I got afloat. So., off I went tacking and gybing at a relatively modest rate.

About six o'clock Sue came down and I worked my way back to the pontoon so she could get in with the minimum of water following her. I suspect the gathered sailors outside the clubhouse were hoping for a complete horlicks of an approach. But apart from a couple of admitedly quick tacks to line up with the pontoon, I avoided anything remotely entertaining - phew!

As is generally the case. As the time progressed, so the wind dropped. Which made the final race of the season rather a sedate affair.

By 7 pm the wind was virtually nothing. So, having decided to go in - maybe ahead of the race fleet - we slowly, as in painfully slowly, made our way back to the slipway. The Praddel coming in very handy.

Not a bad way to spend a Wednesday afternoon / evening anyway.

The Race Fleet - Cheddar Gorge in background.

 

 

Sunset at Cheddar Reservoir - looking toward Crook Peak

A bit 'blowy' for some- Saturday 1st September 2012.

Saturday morning chores completed, off to the Sailing club.

I find myself wondering if everyone else's boat is a haven for insect life, as much as mine is.

I don't mind spiders that much - unlike the missus' - so clearing away spider or two isn't an issue. But the size of the blighters! I swear one had the body the size of my thumb nail.

Anyway, the wind was up to 18 kts as I got the Gull ready - as per my little Chinese anemometer anyway. However you measured it, damp finger or posh weather station - you know when it's on the edge of manageable; for my pitiful sailing skills anyway.

Back and forwards for a bit. It was when the water was consistently coming over the gunwales that I really wished I had reefed prior. It's also at times like these, you really wish the Calypso variant had some sort of self bailer.

So after a couple of hours in the water, I thought lunch ashore with reefs being applied was in order.

Lunch consumed, it became clear to me that the water wasn't as crowded as I remembered. Quite a few club members clearly deciding it was just a little too much of a challenge.

The wind had got up over a period and I couldn't quite summon up the courage or bloody mindedness to go out again.

I did give the boat a darn good rinsing down to get rid of various insect related stains and marks - so at least the dinghy looks presentable again - until next the time it's uncovered.

Packed away and slunk off home. Planning to cut the lawn, well grass, as a penance.

Shame, the grass was still wet.

So, books out and continue revising for the Day Skipper assessments coming up.

August catch-up.

I'd like to be saying how much I was/had been enjoying the Gull dinghy sailors outing to Rutland water this August Bank Holiday. However, due to being unable to get out of my galley duty at the sailing club, it was not to be.

If I didn't have quite such a positive attitude to doing club duties, I might mention that the sailing conditions were nigh  on perfect on the reservoir; sunny, good winds and not too many racing boats to avoid - although, having done a couple of races on holiday, it looked fun, damn it! Hopefully, Rutland Water was similarly blessed but this year it was not to be. Next year, I will make sure August Bank Holiday and maybe other BH's are booked off.

I've been sailing a couple of times this month. On the 5th there was certainly plenty of wind.

I sailed about in a fairly stiff breeze from midday to 2, when Sue joined me. I wasn't too sure if she was coming over, as she had important shopping to get done - as females do. Not to mention the cavity wall insulation survey I had neglected to mention to her (oops!).

Anyway, it was a bit touch and go if we went out, as the wind had picked up from the already plentiful amount I had enjoyed the in morning.

We clearly need to get a bit more practice launching with two. As, with Sue on board (not keen to helm), I prepared to jump on board, when a gust pulled the dinghy out of my hand, and Sue left the shore on her lonesome. Unfortunately, Sue isn't too confident on her own at the moment - maybe she should be, having done up to RYA level 2 already, but she doesn't go out much. Anyway, after a moment or two of panic both afloat and ashore, she managed to take control and edge into shore, close enough for me to grab a hold and leap majestically, or at least scramble, aboard.

Keeping to a beam reach, back and forth for a while. Discretion dictated we left it at that and we came in after about an hour. Not unenjoyable, but I wish it had been better weather, I need to encourage her as much a possible to get her up to speed in the boat. Otherwise, hopes of sailing offshore are going to be dashed.

Better weather on the 19th. In the water around midday and out about 4pm. Nice sail. Enough wind to be interesting and this time I tried to go as fast as I could in the prevailing wind. I measured  6+ knots on the GPS; fully hiked out and still not near anything level sailing. Good fun, but could probably do with more mass in the boat to keep level.


Currently, I am trying to complete my RYA Day Skipper Theory distance learning course.

I'm trying to return the mock assessment by the end of the week and get the final assessment done in September. It's becoming a bit time critical as I need to complete it all by early October.

Plenty of swotting to look forward to in the next couple of weeks.

21st July 2012 - Sailing in Plymouth Sound

Again, not strictly referring to Gull dinghy sailing, but sailing nonetheless.

We had the chance to spend a day on the The Helen Mary R, a 57ft two master, which is the training yacht run by the Morvargh Sailing Project , sailing around Plymouth Sound.

Onboard by 09:30, safety briefing and familiarisation, let slip around 10:30,through the lock gates of Sutton Marina and into an unfortunately foggy Plymouth Sound. Sailing was a fairly sedate affair, ending up in time for lunch at anchor close to Cawsand, on the Cornish side of the sound.

The sun appeared as we finished up lunch and, anchors aweigh, the sailing could begin proper.

I didn't generally hold back when there was hallyards to be hauled or fenders to be manned and had a whale of a time. And, so as not to waste the opportunity, spent all too short a time taking the helm tacking back and forward along the breakwater from Cawsand toward the Mewstone.

There was a bit of queue getting back into Sutton Marina, due to the regatta finishing as we headed home.

A very enjoyable day on the water, even if I didn't get the sun screen on soon enough and came home the colour of a strawberry - not necessarily a good look.

Sailing at Club Teos, Turkey : July 2012

Just got back from a weeks holiday in Turkey, with Neilson, at Club Teos in the Izmir region.

Not sailing with the Gull but sailing all the same.

As RYA training was included in the holiday, I signed up for the level 3 sailing course.

During the week, I got to sail; Laser 1, Laser Pico, Dart 16 cat, Laser Bahia, Laser SB3.

Plus kayaking, waterskiing and stand up paddling.

The wind conditions were quite variable; mostly F4 - F5, occasionally F6 - F7 down to almost calm, as the sea breeze balanced out the prevailing northerly.

I guess some of the sailing conditions might be considered challenging. I entered a Pico into the end of week regatta, so any chance I got I went out.

I probably wouldn't have normally gone out in 20 kt winds and four foot swell, but in order to get familiar with the boat, as much practice as possible was required.

So, smashing through the waves beating upwind, while not particularly comfortable, was a confidence builder if nothing else.

All in all, a good holiday, with lots of sailing. While I'd certainly recommend the resort and probably Neilson, to anyone, it would have to be said that getting to and from the beach to the bay was a slow affair, as the hill blocked the wind substantially.

Club Teos Beach - more boats required?

Going out in a Pico

View from the restaurant



Waterskiing - Starting a run

Waterskiing - Finishing a run in the usual way!

I certainly feel happier sailing in rough weather now, but if I want to risk my own dinghy in big waves remains to be seen.

Finally, some decent weather - Saturday 23rd June 2012

Having not been able to sail for a few weeks, due to work and extreme weather, there was at last some reasonable weather to get afloat with.

As I get to the club, it starts to rain  - great - but it doesn't last long. Quite a stiff breeze as I launch but manageable.

Around the buoys, clockwise, for a couple of hours. Hove to for lunch. Anti-clockwise for another two.

At about 3:25 I reversed for the final time and headed in. Only the wind had virtually disappeared. So, a slow arrival at the hard, derigged and home by 5:30.

Where it had been raining all afternoon - result.

Nice to get back on the water.

.... a photo of a Laser sailing with Cheddar Gorge in the background.

 

....boats and boards around the clubhouse at Cheddar


Next week -  Sailing in Turkey.

Ah well, maybe not today! - Saturday 9th June 2012

As I was unable to even think about sailing last weekend, due to work commitments - all over the Jubilee weekend - I had high hopes of getting out on the water this weekend.

Early in the week, the weather forecast suggested that Saturday might be a reasonable opportunity, sunny with maybe a stiff-ish breeze.

Saturday morning, it seemed a bit more than forecast, but I packed the sails and foil along with my other kit and headed off to the res'.

On arrival, it was blowing like a bugger - to use a technical term.

Not giving up just yet, I sat in the car for a while, then checked the dinghy was still OK, given the recent winds, and finally headed for the clubhouse to watch developments. Wind gauge showing around 18 kts gusting above 20.

At the start of the official sailing time, one laser launched and this was followed a few minutes later by the sailing course.

Watching sailors launch in a reasonable wind could be considered amusing by some, but entertainment wasn't on my mind. I was still, metaphorically, beating myself up for not continuing sailing last time, and I was looking for any encouragement to brave it again.

Five boats, varying from RS200's to Enterprises, launched after some considerable efforts by the crews of two or three. All were using a small sail, with Mirror icons on them mostly; giving roughly half the sail area of a full size sail for the dinghy. Flogging wildly in the wind as they were rigged.

Within ten minutes, three had gone over. After about 30 minutes, I noticed the Laser had recovered to the hard and was being packed away.

I caught half a conversation involving a windsurf instructor, to the effect that they wouldn't be taking their students out in this sort of wind.

About this time, I decided that discretion was the better part of valour, and reluctantly, decided to give it a miss. I couldn't see me getting onto the water until 2pm anyway and the winds hadn't shown any inclincation to abate by that time.

Single handed, it was going to be a struggle to get launched and recovered - maybe OK once launched and away, but as this is supposed to be fun and I didn't want to damage the dinghy.

So, off home I went. Bonneville out of the garage and 60 miles around Somerset later back into the garage.

Not a wasted day after all.

Busy day for the safety boats - Saturday 26th May 2012

As forecast, sun and as much wind as you can handle, or maybe more than some can handle.

Various weather sites were forecasting 16 kts plus for today and for a change, they proved to be right.

Single handed, a stiff breeze gives some challenges when getting afloat. But, off we went at 11:30. Soon there were a number of other boats on the water, with reefed mainsails - unlike mine. Damn.

Can't say exactly how strong the wind was, but the white horses on the water suggest force 4 to 5.

It's not so much the wind, but the gusts and holes in the wind that provided a couple of hours of entertainment; punctuated with a pause on the slipway to reef the mainsail.

Back and forwards I went, with the safety boats buzzing around all over the place, as they raced to the latest dinghy to capsize. Typically, the water closer to the clubhouse were calmer, given the E to NE direction of the wind. Far more excitement to be had on the leeward side of the water.

Sue turned up to watch from a dry position around 1PM so I did my best to demonstrate my boat handling skills as she observed through binoculars - she copes well with disappointment.

Around 1:40 PM I headed in for a chat and tied the boat up near the slipway ramp and while I eat lunch, we observed the near carnage going on around the reservoir. Well, maybe a slight exageration, but plenty of boats were going over.

It's hard to say whether the wind surfers were falling in more than usual, as they spend a lot of time in the water anyway.

Credit to the juniors in the Optimists - but I suppose having no concept of fear helps. They weren't immune from capsizing, but they seemed to cope better with the wind than the larger boats. A few did need recovering to shore by safety boat, but still, fair play to them.

Lunch consumed, I pondered the prospect of going out again. As I had already confirmed the effectiveness of my drysuit, I was in two minds.

I would have only been going out for another hour anyway, so I chickened out and decided to recover the boat and go home to mow the lawn.

Tomorrow AM, I'll be out on the Bonneville; got to make the most of the weather. PM I'd plan to cycle out to the reservoir and maybe watch a couple of races while cycling around the perimeter.

...and that's without mentioning the motorsports. Busy, busy, busy. So many interests, so little time.

More light winds and slicing your finger - Saturday 19th May 2012

As it was a Saturday, best be on the water again.

Dead calm on arrival at the club, but by the time I was prepped and ready to launch, a reasonable breeze had arrived.

Still trying to concentrate on gybing; so around the buoys clockwise, round the buoys anti-clockwise and then in and out the centre and outer buoys in a star shape - sort of. In and out of the traffic, observing collision regs - although trying not to be too much of a nuisance to the learners.

Sharing the water were some juniors sailing Mirrors and the beginners class. Maybe two or three other casual sailors but most of the reservoir was quiet.

Off the water by around 3:45 PM, having enjoyed a freshening breeze in the afternoon, with four hours more boat time. Getting happier with the gybe business - hopefully not famous last words.

I managed to find a sharp edge on the after end of the centre board slot whilst pulling the centre board down for going upwind.

Unfortunately, I had decided not to bother with gloves today, given that it wasn't cold and everything.

If I'd had them on, I wouldn't have sliced my left pinky. It's a bit embarassing to have to admit to it really, but for the sake of completeness, there you have it. The blood dripping around the boat was a bit of a pain. I took the opportunity to hove to and eat lunch whilst trying to elevate the hand and wait for the blood flow to stop. It doesn't help to repeatedly knock it.

Hopefully, it will have healed by next week - weather permitting we'll be afloat again - with gloves!

Sunburn and light winds - Saturday 12th May 2012

Finally, after what seemed an age, I get back in the dinghy.

Bad weather, club duty and looking after Sue after surgery, meant missing a few weeks.

But, with light winds forecast and nothing else to stop me, off I went.

Before getting in the water, I refitted the centre board strap that had come loose.

The plastic ends that Harteys had fitted had disintegrated. Not surprising really; the little plastic balls that the screw had at each end, had no washer. So, the screw was just squashing the plastic.

I've used two stainless penny washers either side to compress the strap, which seems to work OK.

Not desperately exciting but had to be done.

It was the busiest I've seen on the reservoir. There was a basic sailing course going on and a Saturday Opie Squad on the water along with several other casual sailors.

I did try to get in amongst the crowd and practice evasion as per collision reg, but was gently asked to bugger off, as, whereas I may know the rules of the road, they might not. Which is how it did work out later on. There I was on a good course to avoid one of the course boats, when they inexplicably turn course directly for me. All good practice though.

Tacking and gybing, with the emphasis on gybing as this is a weak area I feel.

All went well though, and stayed dry throughout.

Tried out videoing with a camera mounted on the tiller - too low sadly. Back to the drawing board.

Had a play with one of the 'Praddel's' that I've bought. I really want it to be Praddle, but it's not.

...and a bargain at 99p on Ebay.

So, four hours later, I head for shore. Lunch, as previously, hove to. Nothing that can get soggy the order of the day.

I didn't get much to drink. I clearly didn't put the top on firmly enough, which meant the elasticated loop I put it in, just squeezed most of the contents into the bilges. Doh. Must sort out a bottle holder.

The boat now has more elasticated loops all over. I've a twisted length across the front of the boat to try to control lengths of halyards etc. Just in case it does go over. I find the unsecured rope manages to twist itself into the most surprising knots, or bunch of bastards, as they say in nautical circles.
http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/guides/Nautical_Terms_A-D

I can secure the Praddel along the thwart under three loops - just slides in without much guidance. My lunch box goes under the thwart under a loop.

Useful stuff, bungy chord.

I have been using a fair bit of velcro strapping to tie ropes down, but feel that in a panic, they may not loose immediately. Bloody useful stuff all the same, but prone to stick to inself, when you least want it.

 Off the water by four. Much to the relief of the duty staff. Have to admit to being a bit uncomfortable towards the end. Darn hard those side benches, even with cycling shorts. Oh for some Pilko Pants - a la Carl Pilkington. http://www.pilkopumppants.co.uk/

Even managed to get a little hiking burn on the thighs; as well as actual sunburn. I had thought I was just a little dehydrated but it's genuine sunburn.

Not that it mattesr much, but my healthy or more accurately, just tanned face has been noticed. Shame it's just the face at the moment. Pure white everywhere else, apart from the arms maybe from what cycing I've managed to do this year so far.

Again, an enjoyable day on the water.

Galley Duty and Safety Boats : Sunday 22nd April 2012.

The day of our first BCYC duty finally dawned.

We understood that as the sailing club was self sufficient, there would be duty days a few days of the year that we would be required to fulfil; no problem with that. Fingers cross for safety boat then - no such luck.

For reasons only guessed at, but logical I guess, my wife and I were down for galley duty this Sunday - with me head chef.

Now, my egg on toast may be legendary in my own lunchtime, but chef I aint'.

But I am game to give it a go.

Provisions, as per instructions bought, arrived at the clubhouse at a little after 09:00. To be greeted by Wilma - known as Willa - who was to be a third set of hands, and as luck would have it, an experienced galley hand.

Various preparations commenced, with me cooking chicken tikka for twenty. Potato's into the oven in plenty of time to bake and stuff cut up and put out.

Luckily for us, we had not only the usual crowd for lunch but there was also an Enterprise Open meeting to partake in our culinary efforts - and more importantly for us to cope with.

There was a mad hour or so as we made like a restaurant and eventually just about everyone was fed; either with the baked potato plus filling or some of our filled rolls - lucky, lucky people!

So, relax.

On the sailing front;

During the morning, the weather had been a bit dire, well wet, but there were no significant problems on the water.

In the afternoon, however, the wind picked up again and about 14:30 a call came from the OOD / Race Officer for a volunteer to man another safety boat, as there were too many capsizes for the two already out.

Well, as I've said, I'm game.

About 15 minutes later I'm on the water, as crew initially. Just as we get out to the windward mark - three Enterprises collapse. Commence circulating like a nautical vulture. Everyone gets themselves up, so no problem. For the next hour, half as helm on the RIB, we gad about, descending on likely victims, but on the whole everyone sorted themselves out; and there was plenty of capsize recovery going on.

Wind speed got up close to thirty knots and near one metre waves - which for an enclosed reservoir can't be bad? One crew did take a long while to get back upright, but considering it was getting to the end of their third race and the conditions were far from good, maybe thats understandable and as it was only the one crew, maybe BZ'z all round for everyone else.

Brilliant fun tearing around the water on the RIB - but very grateful I brought the dry suit. I got wetter than most days sailing.

About 15:45 the last of the boats were leaving the water and derigging. Most surely crews had more than enough fun for one day!

RIBs out of the water and back into the galley for me, to finish off the day around 16:45.

Overall then, an enjoyable and varied day - given that I'm not sure I would have ventured out on my own in the weather, just about as good a day off the water and could have been got on it.

I hadn't really noticed the tendency before for windsurfers to go back and forward across the reservoir on a beam reach. Just that, back and forward; appearing to use the far side of the reservoir to stop and turn around (surely not?) There was clearly one guy on the reservoir edge walking about on the concrete fiddling with his board - well it is his board I suppose. Don't they do courses - doesn't going back and forward get boring. True, they were going at a fair speed, which must be enjoyable. Can't see me doing the back and forward thing for too long; give me a route around the buoys anytime - clearly I need a purpose not just exhilaration; I wonder what that says about me?

(Note to self; need more photo's)

Sailing between the showers : Saturday 21st April 2012.

Off to the reservoir Saturday morning - weather not too promising. But, as I have a dry suit, I don't have much of an excuse, or want one really.

Boat prepared for launch - with sailing due to start at 11:30. Right on cue, skies darken and it chucks it down at 11:25 prompt - with serious attitude. Retire to car for about ten minutes while it blows itself out, to a tolerable level anyway.

Onto the water, with little wind. It does pick up pretty soon after launch fortunately.

Todays' aim was to try to sort out my gybe. I'm probably not quite getting the timing right, but occasionally it rounds up coming out of the gybe and comes close to loss of control/capsize. So, downwind we, or rather I, go - the better half still not quite up for sailing just yet, but soon apparently - gybing like a good 'un. One instance of near loss of control but on the whole OK. Still not that confident to be honest.

My initial plan, with weather in mind, was to sail for about an hour and a half and then then go in, as there was a ridge of heavy rain and possible thunder storms coming.

I was tempted to stay out longer, but as 13:00 approached, the clouds duly rolled in and the wind picked up significantly. Discretion being the better part of valour, I headed in and got the boat out of the water. Just as I got into the boat yard, the heavens opened and the wind got up to about 25+ knots. Lumpy water and white horses, nice to look at but gybing could have been interesting - no guts!

Short but sweet really.

Tomorrow we have galley duty! I hope they are ready for us.

Safety Boat Training : 7th April 2012

As the club provides its' own safety boat crews - probably like most other clubs - we get to mess about with boats on the reservoir for a day.

Can't fault the day at all. Starting with intro from Bob, The Commodore, onto Alan, the Membership Secretary, to give us a tour of the various bits and pieces we need to know the location of, and onto the boats.

Big ribs, small ribs and fibreglass Dory dragged out, prepared and pushed into the water and off we go; S's, U's and circles, forwards and backwards around buoys - great fun.

Lunch in the wet room while Bob goes over radio procedure and then back onto the water.

Recovering M.O.B.'s, righting dinghys, with and without shrouds, and of course, the tired windsurfer.

Boats dragged out of the water - some more keen to help than others - and into the clubhouse for 4:30.

A tiring but very enjoyable day. Thanks to Bob, Alan, Karen and Peter for giving up their time.

So, any unmanned boats or plastic barrels in trouble in our reservoir will be in safe hands come my safety boat duty! I'm sure that waving an RYA Level 1 |Powerboat certificate will do the job.

Staying flat, but not flat out

Today's task was to sail, but not to hike out. On the water by 11:30. I was, again, approached by a couple of club members in the car/boat park, asking about the boat. One enquiry was from a couple who had an Enterprise but found it a bit 'tippy' and not really sailable - by them anyway - solo. Maybe a Gull convert?

Around the bouys, tacking and gybing as you do. Heaved to, for lunch, sail on until 3:30pm.
A comparatively busy day today. Four other dinghys and a dozen or so windsurfers on a course.

Oh yes, as I started off by saying, I had decided to avoid hiking out today. It was something the other half said, and it got me thinking about cruise sailing. I'm thinking that sailing around Plymouth Sound probably shouldn't be done at max speed - 'cus thats when you capsize; apparently. It may be better to sail within your own limitations and stay upright and not in the way of a large ship in a narrow channel. Just a thought.

So flat it was then. Still enjoyable though - well I was on the water, what's not to like.

There was a small hiccup on one occasion when gybing, which gave the drysuit another test - doesn't do to try to hang on and climb over the side - especially when it was a bit of an afterthought. But, although the boat did start to invert, it stopped short of being fully inverted and came up easily - I think the mast floats are working. Note to self; if you are going to try to be flash, don't think about it for too long - do or do not, to paraphrase Yoda.

The wind, although a reasonable strength, was a bit shifty and by 3pm was starting to drop, so rather than incur the wrath of the duty crew, I headed in. There were a couple of boats behind me, but not for very long.

As I was de-rigging the boat in the car park, I glanced over to a sound of splashing in the reservoir. Two people, one child and one adult, swimming toward the shore from about 20 metres or so, and, behind them a Mirror dinghy sailing serenly off towards the centre of the res' - all on its' own.
Oh for a camera a couple of minutes earlier! Could have been worth something.

Anyway, an enjoyable day.

Apart from , that is, having been shunted from behind on the way home. At a narrow section of the road through Banwell - a notoriously crap road, I stopped for a car coming up the hill, just a few seconds earlier than the car behind who saved his brake pads and used my car to come to a halt. As it's a lease car, I'm remarkably relaxed - probably shouldn't be. Let's see what hits the fan on Monday!

10th March 2012 : Flip up rudder and more compliments.

I've posted in this blog and elsewhere, about how I dislike faffing about with the rudder when launching and recovering.

So, there I was messing about in the garage, giving the outboard a test run, when it occurred to me that I may have the making of a flip up rudder.

Taking some of the length of shock cord that I bought a bucket load of a while ago, and a couple of screw eye bolts, I came up with a D.I.Y. self raising rudder.

The rudder came with a locking rope to keep the rudder down anyway. It needed, in my opinion, a guide of some sort, to stop the rope slipping sideways and getting jammed. Having used one eye bolt to try to achieve this, I positioned another on the other side of the rudder blade. Attached to that a small shackle. On the rudder stock there is a horizontal bar which looked promising. Positioning the rudder in an raised position, I wound the shock cord around the rudder stock bar and shackle bar.

A couple of test runs later and I appear to have a winner. In the garage anyway.

Saturday dawns, with the promised wind and off we go to Cheddar reservoir.

Ready to launch at 11:30; after checking with the Officer Of The Day, that I wasn't jumping the gun again.

Looking aft after the obligatory thrust away from the slip comes the moment of truth. A good tug on the locking rope and down goes the rudder - remarkably just as intended - result. No hanging over the transom fiddling with the tension screw.

So, around the buoys, tacking and gybing like a good un'.

As seems to be the way at the moment; it's just me and the safety boat crew. Can't last, surely?

Talking of which. The safety boat crew made a trip out to me, just to find out what it was I was sailing. I've had a number of positive and appreciative comments about the boat - which is nice.

Lunch taken; hove to. Meandering upwind at one knot-ish. Thanks to Chris Abela for mentioning the technique on the forum.

Fastest boat speed, from the Garmin Etrex GPS, at 5.5 knots in the morning. I find it quite exciting at that speed. Requiring full hiking out action - solo anyway.

My collection of speed landmarks, so far includes; 1 knot to keep the boom on the right side, 3.5 knots to require leaning out inside the boat, 4 knots to sit out on the gunwale and 4.5+ knots, toes under the hiking strap and get out as far as you can. It's all irrelevant of course,  but it keeps me interested; there's probably an -ism to cover it.

After lunch, three other boats launch. An ever quirky Moth - for sailors who feel no shame about capsizing, an RS Vareo and another solo sailor in a dinghy with a sail insignia I'm not familiar with. Looked rather like a burgee shape. Can't find it on the web so far, but surely will. There was also a windsurfer who seemed a touch agoraphobic; never straying far from the clubhouse pontoons.

About 3 PM the wind strengthened significantly. Still couldn't get above the 5.5 knots boat speed. Can't say I wasn't trying though.

Then, during a gybe, we have the good news / bad news scenario. The good news is that the mast head buoyancy I knocked up seemed to be effective - saving an inversion, the bad news was, of course, I needed to capsize to find out. Still, also managed to confirm that my dry suit, in fact, is.

Also, the collapsible bucket I now carry proved effective as well; more good news. Takes about ten minutes to bale out on your own.

At about 3:55 PM I happened to glance across towards the clubhouse, and spied a safety boat heading my way, quite purposefully I reckoned. Sure enough, it approached and after courtesies were exchanged, it was suggested that about then would be a good time to pack up. Fair enough. After four and a half hours, my backside was just about ready to sit on something softer than a boat.

A pleasant way to spend a Saturday.

And as for the self raising rudder - it also worked a treat on recovery. Release the locking rope and up she pops. Brilliant.

4th of March - survival sailing?

My habit on a Sunday, is physical abuse for a couple of hours in the gym that I pay an arm and a leg for. But, having been inspired by yesterday's visit to the dinghy show, I just couldn't resist a Sunday afternoon on the water.

A bit breezy I thought, but what the hell.

I did get a little worried after chatting to a Laser driver who was coming in. The phrase, "it's not for me, more like survival sailing" did nothing to inspire confidence. But, no going back by that time.

Off I go. Got to do something with the rudder - seems a bit of a faff to get it down when under way. Too loose and it drags on the bottom as you prepare, too tight and you're hanging out the back fiddling with the tension screw. When I was learning to sail, we used an Omega with a nifty rudder arrangement - got to get one of them methinks!

Not entirely happy initially, couldn't work out why the boat wouldn't point too well, and tacking needed a good deal of boat speed, else I ended in irons, hmmm! Also, I had decided to give it a go with a reef on the main. Note to self. Don't tie the reef around the boom and the main sheet - doesn't help the movement of the sheet. Doh!

After a while I noticed the sheet was getting caught around the transom corners, so the sail wasn't often a really good shape. I may have noticed it earlier if I hadn't been in and out of boat, hiking, like the proverbial fiddlers elbow. My powers of concentration getting a good workout. And then I noticed that I had managed to fit the tiller incorrectly. Double Doh!

So, no problem. Back to the slipwayI thought, sort it out and back on the water.

However, the safety boat crew had other ideas. They had been 'sort of' buzzing me earlier. Which could have been just showing they care, or maybe something else - don't want to get all sensitive about it that's for sure.

Anyway, as I was sorting out the rudder, I noticed that the RIB was in the process of being hauled up the slipway.

So I wasn't going back out then.

Apart from the spray, I managed to stay dry, unlike some of my fellow club members who were practicing their recovery drills - which was nice; for me that is, not them necessarily. I do find those Moths impressive - when they are not on their side that is; which is often. Given the horlicks I made of setting the dinghy up, could be thought of as a result.

I'm not sure if it was a completely good idea to go out, I'd probably have to admit to a degree of wearyness; long day, short of sleep and a session in the gym, aren't generally ideal preparation, but no experience is a waste. Certainly learnt that I need to check more carefully before taking the plunge.

P.S.  I learnt subsequently that the mean wind speed during the afternoon was around 25+ kts.

RYA Dinghy Show 2012

Up at the 'crack of sparra's' Saturday, 6:24 train to London Paddington - off the the RYA Dinghy show.

British Rail, apart from new rolling stock are much the same as ever; but at least we were on time - which is the point I suppose. The tube is marginally better than my last trip to London village, I'd have to admit.

Meandered up the hill to Ally Pally for just after opening time at 10:00.

No idea where the time went. Fair play to the better half that she put up with me shuttling backwards and forwards from the Volvo Main Stage and the Coaching Area - with but a short break for lunch.

So, impressions;

My god, what a lot of dinghys - sailing porn really. Top of the pops would have to be the wooden dinghy's - beautiful, absolutely fantastic to look at. Not for me though. I'd be afraid to use them for fear of damage; it would break my heart to get one scuffed. And I still can't get to like the bouyancy bags; completely spoils the appearance - IMHO.

Impressed with Olly Rofix's presentation, pretty good for a non-professional speaker and very poignant in places. Good on him.

Not too impressed with Rob Gravett's hard sell of his training courses. I think most people were expecting more hints and tips on towing etc, but all we got was a 15 minute hard sell of his towing and driving courses, diluted at the end by a couple of questions posed by the stage host, who I suspect had caught the mood of the room.

Liked the coaching tips in the Coaching Area - could have done with a better area to present them in, only the front row really got the full benefit.

The RYA also took the route of the hard sell with the 'Rules' session on the main stage. All very dramatic ripping out most of the pages in a perfectly good book (presumably). And then gabbled through the rules - hardly a chance to catch your breath. Followed by the hard sell for the ebooks now available.

Is the RYA a sailing organisation or a selling organisation - I have the same issue with Sustrans, only they are cycling, not sailing. Same approach to shifting their merchandise.

...and then it was 5 pm and time to meander back again. Nearly got everything done I wanted to do.

Played platform hokey cokey at Bristol. On the way in it was platform two for the next train, so from platform 11 we set off, when we got there it had changed to platform 12. Still, good to have some exercise after a long day.

Home by 11 pm, cream crackered.

Always have a plan B

So, last weekend I had work committments that ruled out being on the water, what could we do this weekend?

As predicted, a high pressure system arrived UK, and as before, it brought 'not a lot of wind'.

Conditions were almost ideal; sun, reasonable temperature, etc, just no wind.

I did go and have a polish of the Gull's hull, around a couple of scratches I noticed. Which gave me a chance to loiter around the sailing club for a while. I did have to finally accept that it just wasn't going to happen. There were some fingers of wind to be seen on the water, but in fairness to the duty crew, I decided to give it a miss - didn't stop some troublemaker with a windsurfer getting his kit out though.

So, what else can you do on a Saturday afternoon with otherwise good weather?

Triumph Bonneville 865cc

Riding my Triumph Bonneville around Somerset for a couple of hours is a reasonable plan B.


Next Saturday, of course, there's the RYA Dinghy Show in London - fingers cross for Sunday's weather.

Bobbing around for a while.

So, Saturday arrives and with -4 degree C ambient temperature off to the reservoir at Cheddar for around 9am. It was noticeable that the promised wind hadn't bothered to turn up. Still, maybe later.

Took my time rigging the boat and donned my dry suit with multiple layers and down to the slipway.

Lots of water in the reservoir at the moment, virtually no slipway left above the water level.

I'm ready to go at about 10:30, when the OOD hails me (as they say), explaining I may have been a little too keen to get into the water. I thought sailing started at 10am, but apparently this is when the safety boat crew turn up and they needed to get their life sorted etc. After a friendly bit of banter, I agreed that if they were happy, I was happy to take responsibility for my own safety in the meantime. Given there was about zero knots of wind, this wasn't in fact that brave.

Paddle away from the slipway and out onto the reservoir. One of these weeks, I'll sail away - hopefully.

Commence bobbing about a bit. There was the occasional bit of pressure, but the fastest my GPS registered was 2.1 kts, but this may have been under paddle power. Typically, I was lucky to get up to 1.5 kts under sail, even then, only occasionally.

With the sun out, it's pleasent enough just being on the water; not exactly exhilerating but what the heck!

I got a visit from the safety boat after about an hour and a half - apparently to check that I was OK; with maybe a little undercurrent of 'what are you doing out here you idiot'.

Whether it was a hint or not, I did start to meander at 0.5 to 1 knot, toward the slipway. The forecast was supposed to be some light wind early on and dropping off after lunch. I don't think the 'light wind' actually arrived and we went straight to 'not a lot of wind'.

So, out of the water and derigged by 1:30pm. Quick hike around the reservoir, coffee and chocolate and homeward bound - with a bit of a sailing tan.

I had posted a question on the Gull forum about sailing in low temperatures. The biggest problem I had today was getting the centreboard down; it was frozen in place. Managed to free it up by pouring water over it from the reservoir. There was a little frozen water in the boat, as might be expected from the small amount of water that found its' way under the cover. No problem with that, other than the sponge I keep in the boat had frozen into it. Pouring water over it eventually freed it up enough to be able to use it - although there was ice on it when I came out. Personally, I was warm in my dry suit. Hands warm enough in my 5mm neoprene gloves. I did start off with a wooly hat, but swapped it for a peaked cap - just for the low sun. So, no problem with the temperature.

Some wind would have been nice!

Fingers crossed; again.

So, back to studying the weather charts.

By Saturday, it looks like we will be in the influence of a high pressure system, and I'm promised; cloud, 8 - 10 MPH winds and 5 degree C temperature.

Time to finish off the new tiller extension I think.

(I've mentioned before that the tiller is, in my opinion, too long and probably not meant for my dinghy. I believe, rightly or wrongly, that Hartley's put a Wayfarer or Wanderer size tiller on my dinghy. Consequently, not only is the tiller too long, the tiller extension is also too long - it snags on the main sheet at the transom occasionally.

So, I'm trying to recycle an old 4-iron shaft and making one out of that. It's just the universal joint that is currently giving me a problem. But I can try out my latest idea on Saturday - hopefully.

Sometimes, it's just not meant to be.

On Saturday, I was supposed to be on a safety boat course, giving a RYA Level 1 certificate - which is nice. Given that I have just bought an outboard, for use with the dinghy, it could be fairly useful.

However, with a forecast of -5 degrees C, the course was called off. I have to admit to being a bit peeved. My intention, as I now have a dry suit,  is to be out on the water whenever possible, so I was up for it. But, no matter, it is now put off until April.

As it happens, due to unforeseen circumstances, it turned out to be just as well. So, a return journey to Heathrow instead - not quite the same as a day on the reservoir, but there you go.

However, the forecast for next Saturday looks promising!

Sailing on Cheddar Reservoir 28th January 2012

Well, I watched a High Pressure system meander across the Atlantic and true to form, the weather was good for sailing. Maybe a bit on the light side, wind-wise, but mainly sunny - what's not to like.

So, after faffing to olympic standard getting the Gull into the water, around 11am. Back and forward, around the buoys - clockwise and anti-clockwise; until around 3:45 pm. Lunch afloat during a lull.
For some reason, the fact that I stayed out, basically all day, drew some comments in the boat park.
To my mind, even just bobbing about on the water is better than not; and go easy on the liquids.

I'm almost reluctant to mention the fact that I virtually had the entire reservoir to myself all day. There was a Laser 2000 sailor who joined me around 1pm for an hour and a half. Also, there was about half a dozen windsurfers - apparently doing some sort of course, but they didn't venture more than 30 metres or so from the clubhouse. So, yet again, I was free to bimble about without too much in the way of having to avoid anyone else. Having said that, the Laser and myself met up a couple of times and passed fairly close. Same tack, upwind gives way, port tack gives way, etc.

And the sunset wasn't bad either.

Company!

Sunset across the hard at Cheddar Reservoir.

Sunset over Cheddar with crescent moon.

DIY Weather Forecasting

Whilst kicking my heels in the hotel last week, due to there being too much snow, arriving far too quickly to venture out on the ski's, I completed several modules of the Day Skipper theory course I am currently working through.

One of these modules was Meteorology. A useful website was mentioned www.westwind.ch.

On the site there are weather charts; both actual observations and also predictions.

So, to get a feeling for the weather over the next few days I've been downloading analysis charts and predictions. UKMO 0-10 day predictions.

Analysis Chart for 23rd January 2012

It is also possible to register, for free, with Dundee Satellite Receiving Station to look at the satellite images. I'm particularly liking the Channel 3 infra-red. http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/


Infra-red Satellite image for Western Europe 23rd January 2012

Sailing solo at Cheddar reservoir - quite literally.

So, Saturday arrives and much as forecast, we have go for launch.

Arriving at the reservoir around 9:15 and into the water, after a fair amount of faffing about, at about 10:45 - I can faff for England.

First, take paddle and paddle away from the slipway. Because; a. I wanted to see if the paddles I have  recently varnished were around the right length. Solo paddling, the longer length works better I think, but with crew, shorter ones may be better - hmm!, and b. there wasn't really much in the way of wind initially.

A busy day at Cheddar reservoir

 I should feel a little guilty really, there's me, reservoir to myself and four duty bods for the sailing club, with two safety boats looking on. Still, my turn will come.

So, sticking with it, about 50 metres from shore a little breeze picks up and off we go.

The wind improved all day and when I finally go ashore there was enough to necessitate hiking out occasionally.

Cheddar gorge in the distance

Around 2 o'clock I was joined in the water by a wind surfer. Well, he spent a fair amount of time in the water, fortunately, I remained dry. But, we still have a safety boat each.As a  bonus, my wife and daughter arrive to watch me and I chase them around the reservoir until they get bored, well cold, apparently.

Around the buoys until around 15:15 and after a couple of final reaches, I thought it time to go in. Although the wind was still improving, the light wasn't good and was only going to worsen - it's as well to de-rig whilst it's still light I always find.

BCYC clubhouse in the background

So, a good day.

Weather watching.

Historically, the British are renowned for being obsessed with the weather - probably with good reason, as it's so changeable.

I'm finding that I am more and more interested in the weather these days, looking for the opportunity to get afloat.

This Saturday, for example, I have a window of opportunity to get out on the water; weather permitting. I haven't been out for a month and won't be able to get out for another two weeks otherwise.

So, everyday day - without fail, with fingers crossed, I find I am repeatedly using up to four different long range weather sites - hoping the more favourable one is more accurate, naturally.

Now, the opinion held of the accuracy of any forecast depends on your experience, and mine isn't that high with regard to the Met Office, but it's all we have to go with.

There is, apparently, a term for time wasted on messing about with computer user settings etc - the Futz Factor - I wonder what the sailing equivelent is for the time spent studying weather trends?

Anyway, Saturday is looking good - at the moment.

Gull Dinghy Class Association

Here's a link to the Gull Class Association website.

A bit more active than the 'official' Gulldingy.org website.

http://www.gullclassassociation.co.uk/home

BCYC New Years Day pursuit race.

Due to work commitments, I missed the Bristol Corinthian New Years Day putsuit race.

But, I did get back in time to see the finish of the race. Well, I say race, but with virtually no wind, it may be the slowest race of the year.

So, here is about ten minutes of dinghy's drifting past, heading towards the slipway.

And, yes it is an experiment to see what my old camcorder can do and what it's possible to knock up in a reasonably short period.

http://youtu.be/2AJQ3A0lzps