Plans for Round Britain Challenge are developing fast. At national level the itinerary is now finalised and arrangements for all the local festivals are well in hand. From Toucando's point of view the pre-voyage maintenance programme is planned and it it looks as if April will be a busy month. Toucando will relocate to Shamrock Quay to take advantage of walk ashore pontoons, mains electricity, and easy access for the various trades people who will be helping to make sure everything is ready. I am planning to remove the mast for a week or two to allow for the application of more coats of Coelan (polyurethane "varnish"), particularly where friction from the gaff jaws has eroded the original covering over the years. The opportunity will be taken for a thorough inspection of all the standing rigging. Some minor electrical works are planned, as well as the usual annual service of the engine. Hull cleaning and anti-fouling will be undertaken at Sealift (Cowes or Gosport), and a general smartening up of varnish work will be done as and when the weather allows. If anyone is interested in helping please get in touch.
I have now decided that Toucando will take the Caledonian Canal option in the Round Britain Challenge. This is mainly because I would not want to miss the events planned in Dublin and Belfast, which would be virtually unavoidable in order to get to Campbeltown in time to set off round the top of Scotland. I think the Caledonian Canal itself would be pretty interesting and spectacular. A core crew is in place for the first half of the trip, although there is space for others. I am still looking for crew for parts of the second half... from Inverness back to Cowes, so anybody interested in any part of that is very welcome to make contact (toucando (at) citybeat.org.uk). I am ideally seeking one person with fairly significant experience as a first mate/watch leader and others with such experience as we agree may be desirable. In general the itinerary is fairly generous, enabling most of the circumnavigation to be completed as a series of day sails, although some longer passages in excess of 24 hours will be required where no suitable harbour is available. Equally it should be possible to plan passages taking advantage of better weather. Friends of Toucando who would like to visit, but not sail, are welcome to do so at the various rallies and parties which are being organised along the route. I hope to update the blog on a fairly regular basis during the run-up to the start of the voyage in early May... so keep checking to see how we are getting on.
Monday, 4 February 2013
Monday, 15 October 2012
Sunshine and showers
Toucando took the opportunity of a daysail on Saturday, joined by Rob (who has much experience crewing on a variety of sailing vessels old and new) and Alison (who completed the Clipper 09-10 circumnavigation). We filled up with diesel at Itchen Towage and motored out into Southampton Water. There was very little wind, but we got the main up, then the staysail and jib, and sailed towards the Solent fairly slowly on a broad reach. As we went the wind built up and we finished up crossing over to Osborne Bay at a reasonable speed. Although it was bright, Alison spotted some threatening clouds to the west, so we got our waterprofs on. We dropped the anchor for lunch, which we ate in the cockpit. The sun continued to shine, even when we were bombarded by a hailstorm. To the north over Lee on Solent there was a large, shallow arched rainbow... or perhaps that should be hailbow? We didn't linger. The anchor was hauled up and we set off this time with two reefs in the main. Conditions were squally going back, with the wind varying between Force 3 and 5, gusting 6. It also moved round to the north west so we had to tack up past Hillhead towards Southampton Water. As we got closer we saw the first of five large liners come out of Southampton, including P&O's Arcadia. We put the engine on off Hamble, dropped the sails and motored in the dusk back to the Itchen. It was completely dark by the time Toucando was back on her mooring. Thank you to the crew!
On Sunday I did some more work on "varnishing" the woodwork. There is a lot to do! I will have to make the most of the opportunities that present themselves to keep on top of it. Tonight I go to the committe of the Solent Gaffers, where one of the big topics of discussion will be next year's Round Britain Challenge.
On Sunday I did some more work on "varnishing" the woodwork. There is a lot to do! I will have to make the most of the opportunities that present themselves to keep on top of it. Tonight I go to the committe of the Solent Gaffers, where one of the big topics of discussion will be next year's Round Britain Challenge.
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Thursday, 4 October 2012
Round Britain Trip: Summer 2013
I am considering the possibility of Toucando taking part in the OGA 50 Round Britain Challenge. The Old Gaffers' Association is the organisation which promotes gaff rig... that is, sailing boats with a four cornered mainsail raised by a spar called a gaff. In the nineteenth century most sailing boats were like this, but in the twentieth century the triangular sailed Bermudan rig has become the norm. In 1953 a group of enthusiasts set up the OGA to promote gaff rig at a time when it seemed in danger of dying out. 2013 will be the 50th anniversary and to celebrate a fleet of gaffers will be sailing round Great Britain, including stops in Dublin and Belfast. The fleet will be joined by boats from Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands and maybe further afield, making it one of the biggest and most ambitious gatherings of gaffers for many years. Each of the OGA areas will be laying on an event as the fleet passes through, where local gaffers will join in the celebrations.
If Toucando is to do this she will need a crew.... but not necessarily the same crew for the whole trip. My experience so far is that a crew of three or four (including skipper) works best. There is a theoretical maximuim of seven. I would require one person with fairly substantial experience as first mate, and others with at least some experience. The arrangement would be on a cost sharing basis.
The OGA50 itinerary is shown below. The shore events are fixed, as they will be organised by local OGA Area Committees. The actual route and timings would be determined by the weather conditions and similar factors. There will be two options in the north of Scotland: one will be to go round the top, the other through the Caledonian Canal.
If you are interested in crewing any part of the trip please get in touch. I must stress that this is a feasibility study at present, with no final decision yet taken as to whether I will be taking part. I will be keeping the blog updated as things develop.
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May: Solent Area event - Hamble
Monday 6th to Friday 10th May: Leg 1: Hamble to Falmouth
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May: Cornwall and Devon area event - Falmouth
Monday 13th to Friday 17th May: Leg 2: Falmouth to Milford Haven
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May: Bristol Channel area event - Milford Haven
Monday 20th to Friday 24th May: Leg 3: Milford Haven to Holyhead
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May: North Wales area event - Holyhead
Monday 27th to Friday 31st May: Leg 4: Holyhead to Dublin
Saturday 1st June and Sunday 2nd June: Dublin area event
Monday 3rd to Friday 7th June: Leg 5: Dublin to Belfast
Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June: Northern Ireland area event - Belfast
Monday 10th to Friday 14th June: Leg 6: Belfast to Campbelltown
Saturday 15th and Sunday 15th June: West of Scotland area event
[i]Monday 17th June to Friday 12th July: Legs 7 to 10: Campbeltown to Grimsby
There will be options either to go round the north of Scotland, via Orkney, or through the Caledonian Canal. The longer route will include stops at Stornaway, Lerwick, Arbroath and Eyemouth. In the case of going for the Caledonian Canal option the timings would allow for a couple of weeks cruising in the West of Scotland before going through the canal and working down the east coast including a stope at Newcastle.[/i]
Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July: Humberside area event - Grimsby
Monday 15th to Friday 19th July: Leg 11: Grimsby to Ipswich
Saturday 20th to Tuesday 30th July: East Coast area event - Ipswich (not sure of the details of this - however it would seem to allow for some sailing around the Essex and Suffolk coasts, and maybe a trip up the Thames to London - or even a quick visit to the Low Counties)
Wednesday 31st July to Friday 26th to Friday 2nd August: Leg 12: To Ramsgate
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August: Kent area event - Ramsgate
Monday 5th August to Wednesday 14th August: Leg 13: Ramsgate to Cowes - could allow for some visits to French ports in the eastern channel
Thursday 15th August to Sunday 19th August: National OGA event - Cowes Yacht Haven
Monday 20th August: Return home???????
Anybody interested in crewing please get in touch via: toucando@citybeat.org.uk indicating which legs you may be interested in.
If Toucando is to do this she will need a crew.... but not necessarily the same crew for the whole trip. My experience so far is that a crew of three or four (including skipper) works best. There is a theoretical maximuim of seven. I would require one person with fairly substantial experience as first mate, and others with at least some experience. The arrangement would be on a cost sharing basis.
The OGA50 itinerary is shown below. The shore events are fixed, as they will be organised by local OGA Area Committees. The actual route and timings would be determined by the weather conditions and similar factors. There will be two options in the north of Scotland: one will be to go round the top, the other through the Caledonian Canal.
If you are interested in crewing any part of the trip please get in touch. I must stress that this is a feasibility study at present, with no final decision yet taken as to whether I will be taking part. I will be keeping the blog updated as things develop.
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May: Solent Area event - Hamble
Monday 6th to Friday 10th May: Leg 1: Hamble to Falmouth
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May: Cornwall and Devon area event - Falmouth
Monday 13th to Friday 17th May: Leg 2: Falmouth to Milford Haven
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May: Bristol Channel area event - Milford Haven
Monday 20th to Friday 24th May: Leg 3: Milford Haven to Holyhead
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May: North Wales area event - Holyhead
Monday 27th to Friday 31st May: Leg 4: Holyhead to Dublin
Saturday 1st June and Sunday 2nd June: Dublin area event
Monday 3rd to Friday 7th June: Leg 5: Dublin to Belfast
Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June: Northern Ireland area event - Belfast
Monday 10th to Friday 14th June: Leg 6: Belfast to Campbelltown
Saturday 15th and Sunday 15th June: West of Scotland area event
[i]Monday 17th June to Friday 12th July: Legs 7 to 10: Campbeltown to Grimsby
There will be options either to go round the north of Scotland, via Orkney, or through the Caledonian Canal. The longer route will include stops at Stornaway, Lerwick, Arbroath and Eyemouth. In the case of going for the Caledonian Canal option the timings would allow for a couple of weeks cruising in the West of Scotland before going through the canal and working down the east coast including a stope at Newcastle.[/i]
Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July: Humberside area event - Grimsby
Monday 15th to Friday 19th July: Leg 11: Grimsby to Ipswich
Saturday 20th to Tuesday 30th July: East Coast area event - Ipswich (not sure of the details of this - however it would seem to allow for some sailing around the Essex and Suffolk coasts, and maybe a trip up the Thames to London - or even a quick visit to the Low Counties)
Wednesday 31st July to Friday 26th to Friday 2nd August: Leg 12: To Ramsgate
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August: Kent area event - Ramsgate
Monday 5th August to Wednesday 14th August: Leg 13: Ramsgate to Cowes - could allow for some visits to French ports in the eastern channel
Thursday 15th August to Sunday 19th August: National OGA event - Cowes Yacht Haven
Monday 20th August: Return home???????
Anybody interested in crewing please get in touch via: toucando@citybeat.org.uk indicating which legs you may be interested in.
Monday, 1 October 2012
toucando.net domain problem: normal service will be resumed as soon as possible
Unfortunately the toucando.net domain does not seem to be working: the problem has been logged. This is the website where details of Toucando's forthcoming voyages are published, amongst other things. I am hoping to go sailing on any decent weekend through to the end of November, except 6/7 October and 3/4 November. Anyone interested in crewing is invited to get in touch at toucando@citybeat.org.uk.
Thursday, 20 September 2012
The only way is Cowes
On Friday I collected the staysail from SO31 Ltd in Hamble, who had done an excellent repair job, including replacing the very worn UV strip. I was joined in the evening by friends Steve, Janey and Isabella. Two weeks previously I had sailed with them on their boat on the River Orwell: today they had driven across from Essex. I brought them out by tender to Toucando's pontoon. where we had 7 vegetable tagine and various other bits and pieces, washed down by Toucando's stock of Guinness.
In the morning we had a leisurely cooked breakfast on a mirror smooth River Itchen, watching the seaweed and flotsam rising with the tide. We fed the seagulls stale bread, Isabella spotted the cormorant, my visitors walked along the pontoon to see the dunlins who take their morning rest a bit further along. I put the staysail back on, and furled it so the UV strip could be admired. It was a very good match with the Egyptian cotton (colour) of the original.
Eventually the tide turned. We got ready to leave and set off down towards Southampton Water. We were duly impressed by the size of the Wallenius Wilhelmsen car carrier that left her mooring just as we passed. It had looked as if there would be little or no wind: in fact there was a very good sailing breeze. We raised the main off Weston. then unfurled the staysail and sailed down the channel on a comfortable starboard tack. It got even breezier out in the Solent, although it was variable. We more or less held our course, heading towards Ryde, admiring Osborne House, before turning west towards Cowes. We dropped our sails in good time and motored through the bottleneck that is the entrance to the River Medina.
Cowes Yacht Haven was full, so was Shepards Wharf: it was another busy weekend as people took advantage of the fine September weather. Fortunately there were still spaces at East Cowes, one of which was allocated to us. Some of the party took advantage of the excellent showers, whilst others headed straight to The Lifeboat pub where we sank some Guinness and Goddards.
Eventually we were all ready for a walk into town, via the chain ferry. We checked out a number of us and restaurants before settling on The Red Duster where we enjoyed an evening meal of island fayre. Eventually it was time to go home, so we caught the water taxi.
It was a leisurely start in the morning. The weather had changed somewhat. It was cloudier and colder, but at least to begin with there wasn't a lot of wind. We topped up Toucando's water tanks and prepared to depart. Getting off the pontoon went very smoothly and we motored north along the Medina to the Solent. The wind was very variable in terms of strength. In the interests of a quick and comfortable return passage we motor sailed on the jib and staysail, getting back to Toucando's home pontoon for a late lunch, so that our visitors could get on the road for their return trip to Essex.
Thanks to all three of them for crewing, and a special mention to Janey for breakfast cooking and washing up, and to Isabella for some expert renditions of the Essex vernacular.
In the morning we had a leisurely cooked breakfast on a mirror smooth River Itchen, watching the seaweed and flotsam rising with the tide. We fed the seagulls stale bread, Isabella spotted the cormorant, my visitors walked along the pontoon to see the dunlins who take their morning rest a bit further along. I put the staysail back on, and furled it so the UV strip could be admired. It was a very good match with the Egyptian cotton (colour) of the original.
Eventually the tide turned. We got ready to leave and set off down towards Southampton Water. We were duly impressed by the size of the Wallenius Wilhelmsen car carrier that left her mooring just as we passed. It had looked as if there would be little or no wind: in fact there was a very good sailing breeze. We raised the main off Weston. then unfurled the staysail and sailed down the channel on a comfortable starboard tack. It got even breezier out in the Solent, although it was variable. We more or less held our course, heading towards Ryde, admiring Osborne House, before turning west towards Cowes. We dropped our sails in good time and motored through the bottleneck that is the entrance to the River Medina.
Cowes Yacht Haven was full, so was Shepards Wharf: it was another busy weekend as people took advantage of the fine September weather. Fortunately there were still spaces at East Cowes, one of which was allocated to us. Some of the party took advantage of the excellent showers, whilst others headed straight to The Lifeboat pub where we sank some Guinness and Goddards.
Eventually we were all ready for a walk into town, via the chain ferry. We checked out a number of us and restaurants before settling on The Red Duster where we enjoyed an evening meal of island fayre. Eventually it was time to go home, so we caught the water taxi.
It was a leisurely start in the morning. The weather had changed somewhat. It was cloudier and colder, but at least to begin with there wasn't a lot of wind. We topped up Toucando's water tanks and prepared to depart. Getting off the pontoon went very smoothly and we motored north along the Medina to the Solent. The wind was very variable in terms of strength. In the interests of a quick and comfortable return passage we motor sailed on the jib and staysail, getting back to Toucando's home pontoon for a late lunch, so that our visitors could get on the road for their return trip to Essex.
Thanks to all three of them for crewing, and a special mention to Janey for breakfast cooking and washing up, and to Isabella for some expert renditions of the Essex vernacular.
Monday, 10 September 2012
Old Gaffers' Annual Race and Rally 2012
For something like 54 years old gaffers have gathered in the Solent for a race and rally. This year the event started in Lymington on Friday evening, with a race to Island Harbour on the Medina on Saturday. Toucando's crew on this occasion all happened to be based on the Isle of Wight. They came over on the Red Jet on Friday morning and joined Toucando at Shamrock Quay for lunch before we set off. We motor sailed most of the way (there wasn't a great deal of wind, and as usual it was from the wrong direction), although we did do a bit of sailing in the western Solent. We were also slightly hampered by the lack of a staysail - it is being serviced by SO31, who are putting on a new UV strip. We had a comfortable passage and crept into the Lymington River between the large ferries which ply between the mainland and Yarmouth. We saw a lone gaffer sailing out by a minor channel as we went past the Enticott starboard post:
We got to the Dan Bran pontoon where we moored alongside Rula (Aeolus later moored outside us). We were just in time to get ready to go ashore for our evening meal of fish pie at the Lymington Town Sailing Club. There were a few announcements about the race, some music from a local band, and from the gaffers increasingly good shanty singers.
We were not taking part in the race, which meant we could have a leisurely start in the morning, enjoying the fine weather on the pontoon.
We were joined by John, a friend of Carole and Paul, so we had four on board when we set off. It was a light airs morning. We got the sails hoisted east of Lymington and had a good couple of hours sailing in the western Solent, practising tacks and gybes, and being carried ever closer to our destination by the rising tide.
Eventually the tide dropped to virtually nothing, and we were happy to drift while we had lunch enjoying the view of other gaffers trying to race.
We dropped the sails off Gurnard and motored into the Medina. Island Harbour has a lock, and because we wanted maximum flexibility regarding departure times we decided to moor on one of the Folly Inn's pontoons.
We caught the water taxi ashore and joined the festivities at Island Harbour... starting off with some excellent beer aboard Susan J, a 28' Falmouth Working Boat. Like Toucando her hull was built by Martin Heard of Gaffers and Luggers in Mylor, and also like Toucando the remaining work was done elsewhere. Mike and Dan Shaw (respectively the National and Area Presidents of the Old Gaffers' Association) sailed Susan J around the UK and actually saw Toucando being built in Howth.
After the boat party we went to the Breeze Restaurant, where prizes were awarded, Miss Ningi an 18' open boat skippered by Bernard Bowes, coming first overall. We enjoyed a chilli and were entertained by a bluesy cover band. Eventually we caught the water taxi back to Toucando's pontoon.
On Sunday we left the Medina in very light winds and motored round to Osborne Bay where we dropped the anchor, enjoyed the view and had lunch. Whilst we were doing so the wind gradually picked up, to a Force 4 in the bay, which meant it would be stronger out of the lee of the island. We raised the hook and motored back home in a Force 5, gusting 6,with a couple of slight showers thrown in. The main excitement on the way back was some high speed air sea rescue activity at close quarters (practice we presume).
We got back to the Itchen and returned to Toucando's home pontoon. Thank you to Carole and Paul (and John on Saturday) for being an excellent crew.
We got to the Dan Bran pontoon where we moored alongside Rula (Aeolus later moored outside us). We were just in time to get ready to go ashore for our evening meal of fish pie at the Lymington Town Sailing Club. There were a few announcements about the race, some music from a local band, and from the gaffers increasingly good shanty singers.
We were not taking part in the race, which meant we could have a leisurely start in the morning, enjoying the fine weather on the pontoon.
We were joined by John, a friend of Carole and Paul, so we had four on board when we set off. It was a light airs morning. We got the sails hoisted east of Lymington and had a good couple of hours sailing in the western Solent, practising tacks and gybes, and being carried ever closer to our destination by the rising tide.
Eventually the tide dropped to virtually nothing, and we were happy to drift while we had lunch enjoying the view of other gaffers trying to race.
John, Carole, Paul and Andrew aboard Toucando at the Folly
We caught the water taxi ashore and joined the festivities at Island Harbour... starting off with some excellent beer aboard Susan J, a 28' Falmouth Working Boat. Like Toucando her hull was built by Martin Heard of Gaffers and Luggers in Mylor, and also like Toucando the remaining work was done elsewhere. Mike and Dan Shaw (respectively the National and Area Presidents of the Old Gaffers' Association) sailed Susan J around the UK and actually saw Toucando being built in Howth.
After the boat party we went to the Breeze Restaurant, where prizes were awarded, Miss Ningi an 18' open boat skippered by Bernard Bowes, coming first overall. We enjoyed a chilli and were entertained by a bluesy cover band. Eventually we caught the water taxi back to Toucando's pontoon.
On Sunday we left the Medina in very light winds and motored round to Osborne Bay where we dropped the anchor, enjoyed the view and had lunch. Whilst we were doing so the wind gradually picked up, to a Force 4 in the bay, which meant it would be stronger out of the lee of the island. We raised the hook and motored back home in a Force 5, gusting 6,with a couple of slight showers thrown in. The main excitement on the way back was some high speed air sea rescue activity at close quarters (practice we presume).
We got back to the Itchen and returned to Toucando's home pontoon. Thank you to Carole and Paul (and John on Saturday) for being an excellent crew.
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