Last Cruise of the year - Oct 22nd

And so it came to the last fling of the year.

Monday

A small band of intrepid mariners gathered at Ashlett and launched using the quay side as a temporary jetty, not ideal, but until the club replaces the pontoon needs must.

The water was slipping away and so Tony (D22 - Pellew), Nick (D22 - Isabella) and myself in Shrimper - Daislebee  set off - each it seems with a different plan in their heads.

Eventually we settled on Newtown Creek for the night anchorage and had a great sail down the Solent anchoring in the western arm of the creek, which was lovely and empty at this time of year.  I had a reef in as the south westerly was quite brisk.


Tuesday

Its seems with only three of us we can't settle on a plan - in fairness to Nick, Beaulieu had been talked about as a lunchtime stop en route to Lymington but Tony and I had discounted it and headed straight towards Town Quay at Lymington. So it was quite a surprise when Nick called up on Ch 77 asking where we were - he was half way to Beaulieu entrance, but he soon caught us up.

Before departing mid morning I had a lovely drift up the eastern arm of Newtown watching the wild life as I passed slowly by.

We had a cracking sail across and I managed to overhaul Tony by some judicious tacking which is always pleasing.

It was lovely to see a fleet of local Scows, make their way up the inside lake off Lymington and emerge into the main channel before reaching back towards Keyhaven. I threaded my way through them trying not to hinder their racing.

There are some lovely boats in Lymington, and as ever, in a harbour it is lovely to meander up the channel, imagining the stories the boats and their crews might have to tell.

We shared the pontoon with a large contingent from the royal Victoria Yacht Club from Wootton who were also out cruising.

A very large classic yacht

Andy Peter joined us at the quay, by road, which actually was out main reason for going there. Tony had some papers to sign and so had had them emailed to Andy, who kindly printed them off. Duly signed the three of us (minus Nick) wandered up to the Post office to send them off and then happened upon The Six Bells Wetherspoons pub ..well it would be rude not to....

After a lunch we wandered back to the boast for a quiet afternoon. We later met Andy, Judy and Sharon at the Mayflower pub, near the Lifeboat station for a snack in the evening.


Wednesday

Another lovely but almost windless day. We set off after a leisurely breakfast 0ur destination, Newport at the top of the Medina of the IOW.

Those ferries only get bigger

Pellew motoring out of Lymington

We ended up having to motor to get the tide right at Cowes but it was lovely out in a warm clear Solent with very little traffic to be seen.

Isabella motoring up the Solent

Motoring through Cowes

 The infamous 'Floating bridge'

Marcus had returned from Germany so came down to see us at the quay, whilst Tony and I enjoyed quite a good Chinese takeaway.

As the nights have drawn it there seem to be three distinct sections of the sailing season..the early part when it is bright , getting warmer and the days are lengthening but not enough to be sitting out side all evening..the middle section, warm dry hopefully..and long days..sitting around in cockpits chatting away...and then the third part when the day light deserts us and by 19.00 you are thinking about turning in.

We were definitely in the third part of the season ..suggled in the cabin with a good book or film.


Thursday

 We all had various reasons for needing to be back home by the weekend and with the tides as tey were we departed Newport and headed across the Solent back to Ashlett.

Isabella leaving Newport

Pellew in the distance

It was a grey crossing, but the wind was kind and we had a good run across and were quickly hauled out, courtesy of Tony and his electric winch.

Round the Island cruise - 1st Sept /7th Sept

The plan was to sail round the back of the Isle of Wight but the fleet was large and not all were up for it.

So the rendezvous was set for Shepards Wharf with a number of boats leaving Ashlett on the tide on Saturday 1st Sept, with Richard and Adrian joining us which gave a fleet of myself (Daislebee), Robin (Moonfleet) , Jim (Hippo), Tony (Pellew),  Ian (Moksha), Richard (Egret) and Adrian (Torridon).

We were also joined by two intrepid skippers and crew - Geoff  Aston in the Lugger "Melody" and Charles and Jan de la Fuente in their Lugger "Loulie".

Charles and Jan had booked B&B, both at Cowes and Yarmouth - Geoff planned to sleep aboard for a night before heading for home.

Fleet in Shepards

A good sail over was followed by a very sociable meal in the Duke of York, up the hill from Shepards.


Sunday

A bright day dawned and the tide allowed for a lazy morning before the stream would take us into the Western Solent with a variety of plans.

First things first, Robin and I helped Charles take his lugger round to a slippery slipway and try and fix a leak where is depth sounder fitting was letting in water. After much playing around we managed to slow the flow to a dribble and returned to Shepards to join the rest of the fleet.

Ian had had some trouble with his centre plate jamming and was contemplating returning to Ashlett to sort it out, until it was pointed out that if he couldn't he would be stuck without our help - in the event the issue cured itself.

Geoff left the fleet and made his way home via Beaulieu, but the the rest of us set off for destinations further to the west. The majority were heading for Newtown Creek, Charles and Jan had their B&B booked in Yarmouth, and an intrepid few, well Robin and and myself, pressed on to Alum Bay where we met up with Marcus (Drifter Sundance), Andy (Coaster Blue Peter) and Tracey (Norfolk Gypsy Carpe Dieme).

Charles and Jan in Loulie

A pleasant but rolly night was spent at anchor, but was more than made up for by the wonderful colours the sunset and indeed sunrise cast on the sandy cliffs.

Sunset looking towards the Needles

The coloured sands of Alumn Bay

Monday

Morning in the bay

Another lovely day, with little wind to start with saw the fleet depart Alum Bay to round the Needles and the start of our trip round the south side of the island.

The wind was southerley and so we had to head quite a long way out into the channel on long tacks to make it round St Catherines Point before the tide changed. In the event the expected overfalls amounted to nothing and as the wind moved round we had a fine sail along the south east coast of the island, passing Ventnor and Sandown before rounding the point at Foreland and heading for Bembridge where the rest of the fleet were assembled,. They had taken the inside passage through the Solent. 

Bembridge Harbour

A few elected to eat on board but some of us wander up into the village of St Helens and had a nice meal at the Vine pub.

Tuesday

Another fine day, no wind and a leisurely start was taken with Marcus, Tracey and myself walking around the harbour, visiting the second hand chandlers that always promises a bit you know you don't really need but ...

We continued up into Bembridge Village and bought lunch on the way. The return journey was via the ferry at the point and shortly after we all set out for Chichester.

There was little wind to start with, although by the time we reached the Chi beacon we were all enjoying a fine sail. There was a lot of drift wood in the water, a fact we were alerted about by the aptly named 'Slinger' Woods.

Some elected for a tea stop at East Head, by which time I had my cruising shute up and pulling well. I tried to head close to the wind and sail past the anchored fleet - all I actually did was alarm a anchored yachtsman who thought, in a poorly timed gust of wind, that I was going to ram him...closer to the truth than comfort allows.

The fleet eventually convened in the little harbour of Bosham, a first for me and we rafted up using the fender boards provided in a group at the far end of the run.

The fleet in Bosham

NOTE TO SELF - LEAVE LONG LINES

Yes, in spite of letting out what I thought was enough slack on the mooring lines I was alerted, whilst in the pub, to the fact I was hanging off the harbour wall. What made in worse was Jim's boat had partially dried out slightly underneath my boat. Could have had two badly damaged boats.... Thankfully lines and cleats held - testament to the quality and although it took until 03.00 am to re float and I could return on board safely, all was well in the end.

Yes that is light under the keel - about 3 foot of it .....

Wednesday

I seem t recall it was another lovely day, but after the vents of the night I have to confess I wasn't much interested. We cast off about 08.00 to avoid drying out and made our ways to various parts of the harbour. I picked up a buoy and promptly went back to sleep until midday. Adrian and Richard had to make it home and Tracey needed to be back at Newtown so the fleet was gradually reducing in size.

The rest of us did however have a plan, and that was to r/v at the Emsworth Visitors pontoon for the night. 

I set off for Itchenor and a quick stop at the harbour masters pontoon before setting off for Emsworth. En route I saw a few of the fleet and eventually we were all tied up safe and snug.

After some tea and cake, Robin, Ross and I took Moonfleet up to the quay at Emsworth and went shopping for supplies. Fish and chips from Emsworth for supper and very nice too.

Thursday

Another fine day which saw the fleet, after another visit to Emsworth, set out for Portsmouth. Most took the outside route, but looking at the tide and the beach I went for the inside route about 40 metres off the shore.

We had planned on Hazlar but they were having dredging work so we swallowed hard and went into Gosport Marina, to discover they had a minimum length which added to the expense but heh ho!

We made up for it with a visit to the Gosport Chinese - Sharon had some kit to drop off so joined us, along with Glenys and we managed to make sure Ian didn't break the pact by moving onto main courses too quickly - you can continuing ordering starters within the set price - until someone orders a main course - when you all have to move over to the main course menu.

The evening should have drawn to a pleasant conclusion then, but we decided to have a quick drink on Tony's boat - a boat that was moored very loosely, in fact so loosely that when I stepped aboard I promptly did the splits, dropping and smashing a bottle of wine and falling into the water - wonderful.... the only good news was I saved my phone from a dunking.......

Friday

A variety of plans were put forward for our last day out..none of which were stuck to.  In the event Marcus, Robin and Ross and myself ended up in the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Wootton Creek. They were very accommodating and we had a very nice lunch and a few beers in their garden.

Royal Victoria Yacht Club

The others went to various points east and  west before we r/v'd at Ashlett - those that live there pulled out, with some difficulty due to the lack of a pontoon at the moment. Marcus stayed afloat to head off for Newtown on the tide the following day.

A convivial club house cook in took place to finish off the cruise in style.

A really good, if eventful cruise. (unfortunately the events of the week lead to further embarrassment at the Poole dinner, but more of that later)

Drascamp 2018 – Drascombes, Devon’s, Deben’s…and kayaks

After months of planning Drascamp 2018 kicked off at Cleavel Point, on the south side of Poole Harbour on Monday 13^th August.

Throughout the day a procession of cars and motorhomes arrived and a growing collection tents and other structures began to appear as well as a large number of boats which were soon rigging on the grass next to the launch area.

Monday night saw a cheese and wine gathering where old friends gathered and new friends were found.

As was the pattern for the rest of the week Tuesday saw a 09.00 am briefing that was a little early for some…and it was noticeable that the numbers declined as the week progressed ……

The plan for the day was to start the Harbour familiarisation quiz put together by Bob. This would take people to a variety of different areas of the harbour,  unfamiliar even to those who had sailed there before.

And thus the pattern for the week was set – briefing followed by a day’s activity, be it a sail in the harbour, or indeed outside in Studland Bay, a walk, sight seeing or swimming, there was something for everyone.

The barbecues were lit at 17.00 to allow younger ones to be fed in good time, and as the darkness gathered there was a mass adjournment to the large tepee, which once your eyes got used to the smoke from the fire pit, proved a popular late evening venue.

Wednesday evening’s entertainment was a quiz, run and put together by Andy Peter, helped by his glamorous assistant Judy. There were rounds for everyone, from children’s TV, Drascombing history, general nautical and music. Competition was fierce but eventually Brad, Bob, Tony and Joe emerged victorious.

Andy had also set everyone a task – to produce a limerick about their or someone else’s boat. During the quiz he read some out.....many could not be put into print but here are a selection.

“9 years I’ve had Aspen, my Lugger
I’m so fond of her now I could hug her
But the first couple of years
She near brought me to tears
And I nearly got shot of the bugger!!”

“Drascamp is a jolly place
To sail in Periwinkle
But it ain't no joke
When your toilet's broke
And you need to have a tinkle”

“The skipper of the drifter Pellew

Had difficulty keeping a crew

They'd all disembark

When just for a lark

He showed them his secret tattoo”

“The skipper of the good ship Loulie
Set sail in Poole in a hoolie
And when having a pee
The mainsail broke free
And hit him full-on in the goolie”

Thursday morning dawned wet and windy and many decided to go exploring in land…a trip over the ferry at Studland and a couple of hours in the warm and dry watching Mama Mia put the world to rights and when we emerged the sun was shining again.

Thursday’s evening activities included pirate fancy dress and horse racing, marshalled by Tony Wood.

Races for junior jockeys, fillies and stallions (no geldings) proved popular with a penalty for the chair jump and the risk of getting a soaking at the water hazard. The children and many of the adults looked very ‘piratical’ in their costumes.

We were entertained later by fireworks from Poole Quay.

Brian Oswald and Andy Cooper entertained the children with a sing song on the Friday evening, and after the BBQ we were able to compared the quality of Bournemouth’s firework display.

The scouts from the London Docklands, with Jeff  and Andrew Webber, Will Combes , assisted by John and Ollie Webber ran a fiercely competitive knot tying competition, which showed some dark horses in the filed with knots tying talents previously well hidden.

They followed this with a general quiz on navigation lights. This involved one of them standing out in the dark field holding a variety of coloured torches whilst the audience tried to guess submarine from pilot boat. The site of Ollie running like a whirling dervish past the tepee, with a headlight on his forehead, a red torch griped in his mouth, displaying a port hand light in his hand had us all in stiches.

Saturday was our last full day and many crews planned to go for a last sail in the harbour. Alas this was not to be as the promised level of high water never materialised and most were unable to get off the beach so a group recovery took place and soon most of the boats were on their trailers ready for Sundays journey.

Fish and chips were collected and returned at high speed from Wareham for a very convivial last evening in the tepee.

Drascamp 2018 drew to a close on the Sunday morning after a very successful week at Cleavel Point. With over 74 adults and 32 children we had a really good time, one family even boasted bringing 4 generations, whilst another had 3 along for the week.

We had 26 boats on the water and a bewildering number of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, which ensured all had a good time on the water.

Maintenance and short cruise

As you may recall - on the journey back from Dartmouth my water pump began to leak. With the Yanmar 1GM 10 fitted in the Cornish Shrimper, or should I say shoe horned in, this is no mean feat to attend to, but luckily for me, help was on hand.

Robin is another Shrimper owner at the club and hand the same issue a couple of years ago, so I called for advice.

The parts list below was what Robin kindly sent and I phoned a company to see if they could come over to do it as it is beyond my limited mechanical abilities.

There was much intake of breath and sucking of teeth in the club house when I mentioned it - the cost was likely to be quite significant....so during another conversation with Robin about the oil pipes, he suggested that he could come down and have a go.....amazing....

I got all the parts together with the exception of the shaft as we could assess that once apart and see if a new one was needed.

I obtained the rest of the parts from the sources below, and after discussion also bought new lower oil pipes as once that area was accessible it made sense to do some preventative maintenance - the oil pipes came from Ebay and I bought the nickel steel variety as opposed to the Yanmar mild steel. I covered the banjo ends and treated them to several coats of steel coloured Hammerite.

Robin commented that they looked so nice it was a shame no one was going to see them buried in the engine compartment.

This picture is taken of a static display at an engineering company and shows the main parts that needed to be undone or changed.

Item                                                               Yanmar Part No       Approx £

water pump O ring	24321-000350	2
Shaft	128170-42060	100
Seal 1	128170-42110	10.47
Seal 2	124240-91450	8.93
Hose From Sea Cock to pump	Any	10
Hose From Pump to Spigot  (90 Deg)	128170-49010	12
Hose From Spigot to Thermostat	128170-49050	20
Hose from Thermostat to Elbow	128170-49040	34

Suppliers

French Marine  - https://www.frenchmarine.com

Bottom Line Marine - https://www.bottomlinemarine.com

Ebay UK

Monday 23rd  - work commences ...and concludes 


First of all the alternator and belt were removed which gave better access to the work area.

Then the bolts on the water pump were undone..all was gong well until Robin came to the third bolt that was burred and none of his spanners or socket would grip..it was looking bad, when an old spanner he had just thrown into the tool bucket got a grip and the bolt was loose. - The alternative would have been a whole engine removal I suspect.

The pump was soon out, followed by the oil pipes, as well as the oil filter as it blocks access to one end of the pipes...I had previously drained the oil.

The water pump shaft was inspected once Robin had coerced it from the housing ..and yes it was in a bad way and needed replacing.

I located a supplier - Marine Power (https://www.marine-power.co.uk/) at Deacons Yard on the Hamble - what the lady there didn't know about engines - impressed and re assured. - whilst Robin put the oil pipes on.

On my return we replaced the shaft and seals and re assembled the pump - and finally after about 6 hours we were ready to test - with the boat still on the trailer everything seemed to be working well.

Previously Marcus N and Andy P had indicated they would be out and about in the Solent and so they sailed up to Ashlett that evening - with me hoping the repairs has been successful so we could join them.

Robin and I launched our boats and I tested the engine more thoroughly in the water all good, thank god.

We all adjourned to the curry house in the village where I bought Robin a well deserved meal.


Tuesday 24th

It's funny when you have lost of choices of where to go that it becomes hard to make a decision - as it was we all decided we had never been to the Island Harbour marina on the Medina, just south of the Folly Inn on the Isle of Wight.

We departed Ashlett in high temperatures and a light breeze and with a lot of easterly bias sailed and were swept by the tide towards the Cowes entrance. Progress was good so we opted for lunch in Osbourne Bay, where having fallen asleep the anchor promptly dragged until I was awoken by a phone call from Robin...he is a treasure.

Later I sailed into Cowes, needing several tacks to make the entrance, but in the process left a Cape Cutter way behind which was pleasing.

The fleet at Island Harbour

Christian at Island harbour could not have been more welcoming and after a very nice shower we adjourned to the bar.

From there we walked along a very well made path into Newport for a meal.  A boat yard adjoins the marina and the sorry state of the paddle steamer 'Ryde' could be seen up close.  She was a passenger ferry between the island and the mainland between 1937 and 1969 - she saw wartime service and a mine sweeper and an anti aircraft role as well as being involved in the D-Day landings. (More details)

Paddle Steamer 'Ryde'

Thankfully Andy, who joined us later, had the presence of mind to bring torch - otherwise the return journey could have been interesting....


Wednesday 25th

Morning coffee

Looking north from Island Harbour towards the Folly and Cowes

We set off by about 09.30 to spend the night in Lymington.

Outside Cowes the wind died totally and we drifted in style, until it picked up and we had a great sail down the Solent. Marcus and I managed to sail almost all the way to the quay but the wind failed us at the top end of the harbour. Space was available on the Town Quay and we rafted up behind an elderly couple on their 34 m motor sailer who had been tied up for three weeks enjoying Lymington !

Town Quay - Lymington

After trips to shops and chandlers we adjourned to the Lymington Town Sailing Club where we watched the evening racing from their very nice balcony. We were joined by Andy's wife Judy and ended up eating there..and very good it was too.


Thursday 26th

Alum Bay was the destination we decided up for lunch, Marcus fished but Robin and Andy sailed, whilst I gave my engine a bit of a work out to clear the pipes.

We anchored in the bay to enjoy the sun. It was a little rolly and I would advise independent anchoring and as I found out later, setting a trip line is a wise precaution.

Alum Bay - just inside the Needles

Fantastic colours in the cliffs

Robin and I even had a swim in lovely cool water - we needed it.

The clouds started to form in the late afternoon and the very loud rumble of thunder rolled across the bay so we set off for a night in Yarmouth (Andy left us for his home port of Keyhaven).

Storm clouds across the bay

On the way back we fished-  having equipped ourselves with mackerel lines in Lymington, the competition commenced-  and I caught two lovely fish, Robin - one and Marcus..the fisherman...nil but he made up for it by filleting ours and cooking them up as a pre dinner snack toed up in Yarmouth..the storm passed by with no rain.

We did see a harrier of some sort, dodge through our rigging with a small bird of some sort clutched in its talons. Quite some acrobatics to see.

We wandered into town and had a drink at the George to watch the sunset and saw a seal playing briefly off the beach,

Sunset off Yarmouth

We then wandered around the streets and came across a fairly new restaurant  La Cucina, in the High Street - very nice, good value and very friendly staff. ( https://lacucinaiow.co.uk/)

That got us in the mood and back on the boats red wine was produced..and a late night ....



Friday 26th

Robin and I left Marcus and drifted with style on the tide back to Ashlett where recovery was simple and I set off of home.

Another blog you might be interested in....

Two friends of mine have decided to sell up and sail the world...they have bought and fitted out their Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 40 and set sail from Portsmouth harbour on the first leg of their adventure - exploring the Baltic.

A similar boat

Follow their blog at https://yachtseahorse.com/