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.