Michele and Ava joined Toucando for a trip to Yarmouth. It was to coincide with the Solent Gaffers' "Centenary Chase". We left at 1330 with two reefs in the main. We got the sail up as soon as we were off the mooring and had a very nice sail down Southampton Water. The barometer had been falling steadily, and Southampton appeared to be under a black cloud as we looked back, but it was fine where we were.
We turned towards Yarmouth after Calshot Spit, putting on the engine to get through the "precautionary area". The wind picked up to a Force 7 (32 knots) from the SSW (the direction of Yarmouth). We made slow progress. We had a go at tacking, but our progress was not good.... another trip with a Force 7 from the wrong direction! We considered the merits of working our way to Yarmouth, but decided to head for Cowes instead.
We got the sails furled in the Medina and found a berth at East Cowes. We caught the bus to Yarmouth and arrived in time for dinner at the Royal Solent. Only five boats had taken part in the Chase, and many of the participants had themselves come by land, or ferry. The winner of the open boat class had taken a bang on the head from the boom, and had had a trip to A&E as a result. He managed to get back in order to claim his prize. Our decision to stop at Cowes was probably the prudent one.
On Sunday we headed back to Southampton. It was an almost perfect day for sailing... a Force 4 from the west. We sailed in a nice straight line across from Cowes towards Hillhead. Then we had to make a few tacks to get into Southampton Water and past the oil terminal. We then managed to have a long close-hauled tack most of the way up Southampton Water, during which we had lunch. We dropped the main just off Weston Shelf and headed for the Itchen. At that point the rain came, heavy and intense... the worst I can recall on Toucando. Fortunately there was not much wind at that point. We huddled in our waterproofs with the hoods pulled well over, and motored up to the pontoon, where we made a perfect landing.
And so ended Toucando's last scheduled event of the season.... However there will be more weekend sailing, providing the weather is ok. I have just heard a forecast suggesting we are going to get heavy snows in October. I hope that is wrong.
Showing posts with label Ava. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ava. Show all posts
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
The Great Squall
Ava and Alexander joined Toucando on Friday evening ready for a prompt start on Saturday to take part in the Old Gaffers' Annual (Race and) Rally (Toucando was not racing). We left shortly after eight on what seemed to be a fine morning. The forecast was for winds of Force 4 or 5, with the possibility of a 6 "near headlands". We raised the mainsail with two reefs near Dockhead in very calm conditions and unfurled the staysail and jib. We proceeded to have a nice sail on a beam reach down Southampton Water.
We had hoped to see the other Gaffers somewhere off Cowes, but we couldn't. The wind, however, was much fresher when we got out into the Solent proper. We headed in the general direction of Ryde, and started picking out the occasional gaff rigged vessel.
By now the wind was more or less behind us, so we went on a training run, executing a number of excellent controlled gybes. By now we were close to a good part of the fleet. We looked over our shoulder and saw some dark grey clouds. Each of us went below and put on our waterproofs as a precaution. Then in the space of about half a minute, just off Gilkicker Point, the wind rose from Force 5 to the top end of Force 7 and the rain was lashing down. We turned north to be well clear of gybe point, and were grateful for the two reefs as Toucando heeled in the squall. As we were not racing we had no inhibitions about turning on the engine and getting the main down. We then turned back on course and completed our passage to Gosport quite comfortably, under the staysail alone.
We had a good berth at the end of a pontoon in the Royal Clarence Marina, near Morwenna (Heard 28) and Brilleau. We enjoyed a stroll around Gosport, which was rather dominated by the festival music throbbing in the park. Then we called into the bar where the results of the race were announced. All the talk was of the squall. Fortunately no damage was done, but many boats had had an exciting few minutes. Mark Woodhouse's Foxhound was the overall winner.
Sunday was a day of doing very little, except sitting on the boat and reading. Toucando had a few admiring visitors, many of whom recognised her lines as a Heard. In the evening we joined in the barbecue on the dockside, and listened to shanties provided by Terry (amongst others). Amazingly they muffled the sound of the Gosport Festival quite effectively.
On Sunday Three Brothers rafted up beside us... she is an amazing traditional fishing boat, with very little in the way of modernisation.
We set off about 1100 to catch the west flowing tide. We raised the main in the harbour and unfurled thejib and staysail in the Swashway. We tacked up the eastern Solent to Warsash, by which time the wind was definitely from the northwest, and the tide falling: not a good combination for getting up Southampton Water efficiently, so we completed the passage under engine and made a perfect landing on Toucando's pontoon.
Thanks to Alexander and Ava for being a very efficient crew... and the Solent Gaffers for a great event.
We had hoped to see the other Gaffers somewhere off Cowes, but we couldn't. The wind, however, was much fresher when we got out into the Solent proper. We headed in the general direction of Ryde, and started picking out the occasional gaff rigged vessel.
By now the wind was more or less behind us, so we went on a training run, executing a number of excellent controlled gybes. By now we were close to a good part of the fleet. We looked over our shoulder and saw some dark grey clouds. Each of us went below and put on our waterproofs as a precaution. Then in the space of about half a minute, just off Gilkicker Point, the wind rose from Force 5 to the top end of Force 7 and the rain was lashing down. We turned north to be well clear of gybe point, and were grateful for the two reefs as Toucando heeled in the squall. As we were not racing we had no inhibitions about turning on the engine and getting the main down. We then turned back on course and completed our passage to Gosport quite comfortably, under the staysail alone.
We had a good berth at the end of a pontoon in the Royal Clarence Marina, near Morwenna (Heard 28) and Brilleau. We enjoyed a stroll around Gosport, which was rather dominated by the festival music throbbing in the park. Then we called into the bar where the results of the race were announced. All the talk was of the squall. Fortunately no damage was done, but many boats had had an exciting few minutes. Mark Woodhouse's Foxhound was the overall winner.
Sunday was a day of doing very little, except sitting on the boat and reading. Toucando had a few admiring visitors, many of whom recognised her lines as a Heard. In the evening we joined in the barbecue on the dockside, and listened to shanties provided by Terry (amongst others). Amazingly they muffled the sound of the Gosport Festival quite effectively.
On Sunday Three Brothers rafted up beside us... she is an amazing traditional fishing boat, with very little in the way of modernisation.
We set off about 1100 to catch the west flowing tide. We raised the main in the harbour and unfurled thejib and staysail in the Swashway. We tacked up the eastern Solent to Warsash, by which time the wind was definitely from the northwest, and the tide falling: not a good combination for getting up Southampton Water efficiently, so we completed the passage under engine and made a perfect landing on Toucando's pontoon.
Thanks to Alexander and Ava for being a very efficient crew... and the Solent Gaffers for a great event.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
A blustery sail to Cowes and back
Ava and Alexander joined Andrew on Saturday morning. We set off down Southampton Water, with two reefs in the mainsail and crossed the Solent in a Force 6 with some biggish waves rolling up from the west. We berthed at Shepard's Wharf on the third attempt as the wind kept trying to blow us off. On Sunday morning Ron and Beth of "Nightingale" came aboard for a cup of tea. They remembered seeing Toucando at Brest in Brittany a few years ago. On Sunday we returned to Southampton. It was just as windy, although the waves seemed smaller.
Alexander, Ava, Hugh and Andrew - photographer: Sara
On Monday we were joined by Sara and Hugh. It was a grey, damp day... more wet mist than rain. After a tour of the docks we motored down to Fawley and then practised tacking back up Southampton Water. We gradually improved our technique after getting a few tangles. The crew were very enthusiastic and resourceful: we all had a good sail. Back on the Itchen we had some high tea before everyone went on their way (except Andrew). After a typical "Bank Holiday Weekend" it is now a bright, calm morning on the Itchen. Toucando is now looking forward to a trip to Yarmouth IOW later in the week having logged another 44 miles.
Alexander, Ava, Hugh and Andrew - photographer: Sara
On Monday we were joined by Sara and Hugh. It was a grey, damp day... more wet mist than rain. After a tour of the docks we motored down to Fawley and then practised tacking back up Southampton Water. We gradually improved our technique after getting a few tangles. The crew were very enthusiastic and resourceful: we all had a good sail. Back on the Itchen we had some high tea before everyone went on their way (except Andrew). After a typical "Bank Holiday Weekend" it is now a bright, calm morning on the Itchen. Toucando is now looking forward to a trip to Yarmouth IOW later in the week having logged another 44 miles.
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