Mersea Dredging Match, Sunday 4th September, Part 3

Whilst we were engaged in the dredging match there weren’t many opportunities for studying participating vessels, but back at home I had ample time for examining photos of them. I never realised how individual they were, but they share a common feature – their moderate to low freeboard for facilitating the deployment of dredges and fishing gear.



Being one of the larger smacks, CK 21 can comfortably manage three dredges. Her upright stem and sloping transom give her a real East Coast look. Note that a young lady is climbing the mast - presumably to gain a vantage point from where she will be able to take photos.



Here we have a smack with a fuller, more upright transom and less sheer than CK 21. Her mainsail does not have a boom. The tender she is towing is completely in keeping with the sort that would have been used years ago when she earned her keep. I doubt her tender is wooden one; most probably she’s a fibreglass replica smack’s boat. I can’t make out the vessel’s name, but her home port would appear to be Leigh-on-Sea. However, according to the insignia on her mainsail (LO), she would have been based at Lowestoft.



This graceful, pale blue, Colchester registered smack, CK 210, has been tastefully converted into a yacht by the addition of low profile cabin trunk. Accommodation would be sparse, but more voluminous than when she was purely a workboat.



MN 119 is a clinker vessel, which is unusual for smacks. In fact, I think she looks more like a bawley. With her long topmast she would be able to carry a very large topsail.

Mersea Dredging Match, Sunday 4th September, Part 2

I had a really good time aboard CK 36, ‘Electron’. Here are more photos of smacks that took part in dredging match.



The first photo shows ‘Electron’ at a mooring in Mersea Quarters. She patiently waits for her crew who will prepare her for dredging. That will entail replacing the working jib with a smaller one, putting a reef in the main and setting up a tricing line. Also marker buoys will be tied to the dredge lines so that if a dredge were to snag, the line could be severed and the whole lot retrieved later.



Here we have CK 159. Note that her mainsail is triced up to the second line of reef points. A small jib and the top of her mainsail provide sufficient power for moving the smack at the right speed through the water for dredging.



There were one or two smaller boats taking part. CK 22 has a crew of nine. Two of the prettier crew members are doing the hard work of hauling in a dredge. This boat is not a smack, neither is she a bawley, and I don’t think she’s a winklebrig. Could she be a bumkin?



Here is the pretty Maldon smack MN 17 - shame about the rubber duck, but I admit that the inflatable dinghy must be a practical solution for transporting her crew to and from the smack.


More photos tomorrow.

Mersea Dredging Match, Sunday 4th September

Some of the smacks

The weather held out for the on-the-water part of the Mersea Dredging Match for sailing smacks, bawleys and bumkins. Once again I had the special privilege of being aboard CK 36, ‘Electron’; this time while she participated in the dredging match.

MN 17

I had been warned that it could be a dirty business. Fortunately I got off lightly on account of my age. Younger, stronger, fitter ‘oystermen’ did the brunt of the work. They pulled in dredges, selected oysters, threw away rubbish and washed decks, plus worked the boat. Two members of the fairer sex did their stint too, including managing refreshments and keeping the ship tidy below.

CK 21

CK 21 was the lead boat that all the others were to follow after the 1100 start. Things soon got a bit ragged as boats dredged at their own pace, and they manoeuvred to find better oysters. There were one or two hairy moments when smacks came rather too close for comfort, resulting in the odd skirmish. During one encounter our skipper was hit on his ear by a muddy, flying starfish!

Oysters from CK 36

Dredging finished at 1300, and most contestants played the game by hauling in their dredges for the last time before retiring to Mersea Quarters. Assessment and weighing of the catch took place at Packing Shed Island where a crowd of people watched the proceedings and cheered those who entered the opening of oyster competition.

Opening competition

I took my departure at 1415, and our skipper kindly ferried me in his punt to West Mersea Jetty. Shortly after, there was a very heavy downpour that I hope did not dampen the party at Packing Shed Island.

Colne Smack and Barge Race 3rd September 2011

Daybreak at Brightlingsea

This year’s Colne Smack and Barge Race started at 0730 for the smacks and at 0800 for the barges. I had the privilege of being a crewmember aboard the smack CK 36 ‘Electron’.

'Electron' at Pyfleet

On the dot, we crossed the start line between Bateman Tower and a mark boat off the entrance of Pyfleet Creek. There was very little wind from the southwest, but the ebb carried the smacks to the Colne Bar Buoy. From there they headed for a marker buoy off Clacton Pier, then on the wind with the aid of the flood to the Wallet Spitway before turning northwest for the River Colne, and the finishing line.

Closing in on the windfarm off Clacton

There was never a great deal of wind, but it felt like a Force 3 when ‘Electron was on the final windward leg to the Wallet Spitway Buoy. After she rounded it the wind gradually faded until just before the finish when there was hardly any at all.

Hanging out the washing

This was a fun race for us, without and any stress. We relaxed most of the time and enjoyed the sunshine. In fact it was so warm I discarded my sweater and rolled up my shirt sleeves. I thoroughly enjoyed observing ‘competitors’ and taking photos of them. The leading barges where not far behind when we crossed the line. All in all, we felt we had done pretty well to finish in seventh or eighth position, halfway in the fleet.


If all goes well tomorrow, I’m hoping to join ‘Electron’ for a bit of oyster dredging off Mersea Island. I’m not sure what it’s all about, but I think the event is a competition of sorts, and I’ve been warned that the crew will get thoroughly dirty – definitely a welly boots day! The weather forecast is not too great, but I’ve been reminded by my daughter that we can always wear oilskins. Thanks.



Links


CK 36 ‘Electron’

http://www.smackdock.co.uk/c3.htm


Colne Yacht Club

http://www.colneyachtclub.org.uk/


Brightlingsea Sailing Club

http://www.sailbrightlingsea.com/home/

Cape Cutter 19

I’ve heard people talk enthusiastically about Cape Cutter 19s. Today I saw one for the first time, and I was taken with the quality of her build and fittings. The gaff cutter rig looks pretty handy too. There is an option for a Bermudan rig. She has a large comfortable cockpit with direct access to winches and jam cleats on top of her flush cabin. All handling lines run back to the cockpit, and for a gaff rigged yacht, that’s an achievement. Getting past the dodger when it’s up would not be possible, but it can be folded down quite easily. When up, it will not present too much windage, and yet be adequate for protecting the crew when the boat is hard on the wind. There’s no pulpit or guardrails which help to make her look uncluttered, and because all handling lines can be worked from the cockpit, there is little need for them. In my experience, guardrail stanchions get a lot of bashing and often end up being the cause of leaks though decks. Savings are made by not having them, even saving of weight and windage.





It’s well worth taking a look at the Cape Cutter 19 Association’s website where there is an excellent display of photos. From them you can get an idea of the deck layout, including a recessed anchor well at her bow, which provides some security when working there. She has a forward deck hatch and wooden handrails. All in all, she would appear to be a very well-thought out shallow draught yacht with a centreboard, which makes getting her on and off a trailer pretty easy. Some people would classify her as a trailer sailer, but I think she’s more like a pocket cruiser that can be transported by road on her purpose-built trailer. I like the inboard outboard well and her tiller that can be lifted up to provide more useable space in the cockpit when at anchor or in a marina. There’s an option for teak seating in her cockpit and on the floor. There are so many little touches, like the pouches for rope tails in the cockpit that make for ease of handling, and tidiness.


Honnor Marine builds and markets the Cape Cutter 19, and they do a remarkably good job on both counts, the downside is the price of £20,950 for the standard boat, but what can you get for your money these days? It doesn’t go very far. If you want a trailer, you’ll have to fork out another £2,460. If you’ll settle for a second-hand boat there’s one for sale at Woodrolfe Brokerage for £13,500. (See link below) You could, of course, get the plans and build one from wood.



Links


Cape Cutter 19

http://www.capecutter19.com/


Cape Cutter 19 Association

http://www.capecutter19.org/


Cape Cutter 19 For Sale £13,500 as at 02.09.11

http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/V29vZCs0MDEyfldSRkIwMQ=-Cape-Cutter-19.html


CKD Boats do a kit for building from wood

http://ckdboats.blogspot.com/2009/03/ians-cape-cutter-19-build-progress.html

‘Ladybird’ has been sold – My tribute to her

'Ladybird' when she was at Exmouth last year

This is a final tribute to the fabulous ‘Ladybird’, my ex Seawych 19 sloop, that carried me safely from Burnham-on-Crouch to Falmouth and back, along the South Coast of England. My cruise is well-documented on this Blog.


For various reasons I could no longer keep the yacht that had served her purpose. I bought her to teach my nephew and his son to sail, plus to cruise her when opportunity arose. In August of last year I put her up for sale, and I was surprised to receive an offer from my eldest daughter, which I accepted. She said she would have her, if I taught her to sail. In fact she could already sail, because she learnt the rudiments when she was young. Quite often she would crew for me, along with her sisters.

My eldest daughter nearest to the camera with her sister, sailing my Torbay Class 2 Racer


Well, not only was ‘Ladybird’ used to teach my nephew and his son to sail, my daughter also relearned the skills of sailing. She very quickly went on to bigger things, and now she frequently crews on larger vessels. She outgrew ‘Ladybird’ within months, and because she was spending so much time on other boats, she could not justify keeping her. She subsequently placed her on the market, and within a few weeks a new owner took responsibility for her.


In a way, that was a sad thing for me, because as long as she was owned by my daughter, I could take her for a sail whenever I liked, or be her crew.


I can only wish the new owner happy times sailing ‘Ladybird’, and trust that he will look after her.


Adieu ‘Ladybird’, but I shall keep my eyes open for you whenever I’m sailing the River Crouch, as I believe you will be kept on your old mooring at Rice and Cole. Behave yourself, and look after those who put their trust in you. Have fun.

Leigh-on-Sea Bank Holiday Amble Part 3

'Patrice'

In addition to ‘Endeavour’ and ‘Nancy Grey’, another yacht caught my attention. She was ‘Patrice’, an Oakleaf class yacht built by Sutton and Smith of Great Wakering, possibly between 1970 and 1972. I didn’t find her as aesthetically attractive as the others, but she gave the appearance of being a practical vessel, suitable for East Coast cruising.


These 28’ wooden clinker boats, with four berths and a separate head, also have a decent size cockpit large enough for a crew of four. ‘Patrice’ has been fitted with a bowsprit for her furling jib which will help in light airs.


The wooden interior of a traditional yacht such as ‘Patrice’ can be a home-from-home, providing warmth and comfort, a place of refuge on a cold winter’s night. She would have a double leaf table that hinges out from her centreboard case, and long lounge seats either side that convert into bunks. In the forepeak she would have two separate bunks.



There were other yachts of interest, but I’ll just mention one, this shapely gaff cutter with a taffrail stern. Despite her short waterline I think she would be a slippery little thing, very exciting to sail with her crowd of canvas – good fun too working those running backstays.


Notes


Statistics for an Oakleaf 28

LOA: 27'7"
Beam: 8'3"
LWL: 21'6"
Maximum Draft: 4'0"
Displacement: 4 tons


Links


1972 Oakleaf 28 for Sale £12,950

http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/boats.phtml?id=2200

http://www.4yachting.com/yacht_info.php?yid=103842

Leigh-on-Sea Bank Holiday Amble Part 2

'Nancy Grey'

Continuing my amble along the sea front at Leigh-on-Sea I deliberately focussed my attention towards the water where a few interesting yachts were tethered to their moorings, gently jigging to the ebbing tide. I thrust away all thoughts of the bustling activity behind me made by bank holiday visitors; the sound of their voices and the hoot of a passing train could not draw my gaze away from the yachts. I knew that within an hour they would return to their mud berths where they would remain until the next high tide.


I mused about this, and of the inherent dangers to those who did not understand the workings of the sea. Each year, our local inshore lifeboat is called to rescue people who stray onto the mud for a cooling dip in the murky water, or to wade knee deep in the dark, squidgy mess. Shallows beyond the outer banks have become a venue for kiteboarders, adding to those who have who have run into difficulties requiring rescue by the lifeboat.


A peculiar thing about seaside towns like Leigh-on-Sea, where high water briefly comes within touching distance, but twice in twenty-four hours; sometimes they have the suffix ‘on-sea’ added to their name. Next door to Leigh, there’s Southend-on-Sea, and further north there’s Frinton-on-Sea. At these places the sea remains aloof for much of the time. Two or so hours before high water, a surging flood of muddy liquid sweeps up Leigh Creek. Within minutes it swallows surrounding mudbanks to release vessels that were stuck in gunge. They pop out of the mud and assume a perpendicular stance. If Aeolus ruffles the surface they dance in unison to his piping tune.


After admiring ‘Endeavour’, the lovely Woolworths green-painted smack, my gaze fell upon a beautiful barge yacht, the ‘Nancy Grey’. I love her long clean lines, fairly low topsides and varnished cabin trunk. Everything looks just right, including her swallowtail burgee, her Wykeham-Martin furling gear and her large leeboards. She’s a vessel I have admired over the years since I moved to Essex decades ago, and whenever I visit Leigh I seek her out to have a glimpse of her. This 30’ yacht was built by Shuttlewoods of Pagelsham in 1939. More can be discovered about her by searching the links below.


Anyone who would like a full-size photo of the one above for wallpaper on their computer, just give me your email address and I’ll send it to you via attachment. Paul, if you are reading this, and want a photo, please get in touch. I know you have an interest, because you have subscribed to bargeyacht’s YouTube Channel, which features the ‘Nancy Grey’.



Links



‘Nancy Grey’ of Rochester

http://www.thamesbarge.org.uk/barges/barges/nancygrey.html


Photos of ‘Nancy Grey’

http://www.flickr.com/photos/louisahennessy/3867712262/


Barge Yacht, ‘Nancy Grey’ – Sailing around the Maplin

http://www.youtube.com/user/bargeyacht


One Bob and Two Nicks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SarZZIqKeA


Barge Yacht ‘Nancy Grey’ Sailing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=Y25qPoecWPM


‘Nancy Grey’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVxRcga6sK0&NR=1


Blackwater Race

http://www.youtube.com/user/bargeyacht#p/u/5/WjaXyI7FLE8


Stangate Creek

http://www.youtube.com/user/bargeyacht#p/u/7/P_zDAk7hivo

Leigh-on-Sea Bank Holiday Amble

Belton Way Smallcraft Club

Leigh-on-Sea is very well-known for being a venue for fresh sea foods, especially, cockles. This late summer bank holiday I walked along the sea front to take in the flavour of the place. Without a doubt, Leigh has character; there are the old, quaint houses and shellfish processing sheds, pubs, art and craft studios, restaurants, fishing boats, yachts and boating clubs. There’s even a small stretch of sand for the kids, and acres of dark, squelchy mud at low water.

The Moorings

Hordes of visitors sat in the open air at pub benches admiring the view over the water while eating sea foods and downing pints of ale, lager and soft drinks. Kids, mums and dads, dogs, ice creams, candyfloss, prams, slow moving cars on a narrow road by the railway line, all contributed to the thronging scene.

LO 41, 'Endeavour'

Ditto

My eyes focussed on a nearby smack, painted in Woolworths green. I remembered seeing her in Leigh Creek years ago, without a mast and looking forlorn, as if she had given up all hope of being cherished again, but there she was, with her short stout mast, tanned main and painted boom resting on her counter in traditional style for shedding rain. No ugly raised cabin disfigured her workmanlike appearance, much to the credit of her owner. Instead there was a low profile trunk, barely visible above her gunwales. She was registered as LO 41 and she had the name ‘Endeavour’ painted on her transom. I admired her sturdiness and full-bodied hull, her transom-hung rudder and curved metal tiller. Unusual for a vessel of this type, I noted that her mast was stepped in a tabernacle, instead of passing through her deck to the keelson. Her clear foredeck and side decks gave easy access for her crew when anchoring and shipping the bowsprit.


Other sailing vessels were equally interesting to me, but they will be left for another day, even tomorrow perhaps! You’ll have to wait and see.

Saturday, 27th August, 2010 – Walk by the River Crouch

Beside the River Crouch

For the past couple of months the weather here in the UK has been decidedly unsettled. Yesterday, 27th August was typical with sunshine and showers, calms and windy spells – not the fine weather I hoped for to go camping with ‘Talitha’, my small, homebuilt keelboat. That’s nothing new, because the weather for this time of year is running true to form.


It is the hurricane season for the Caribbean and eastern seaboard of the US. These unwelcome, awesome natural phenomena wreak devastation upon whomever they choose, causing loss of life and vast damage to property. As I write, Hurricane Irene threatens Battery Park City in Lower Manhattan, where residents have been evacuated; likewise there’s a prediction that Long Island, east of New York City could be subjected to a storm surge that would be far more lethal than havoc caused by the wind.


By comparison, we in the UK seldom experience winds of hurricane force, but we feel the after-effects of hurricanes when they diminish in force and expand while travelling over the Atlantic to bring rainstorms over Britain. Scotland normally takes the brunt, while the south east of England sometimes escapes.


On Saturday afternoon I took a walk beside the river Crouch at South Fambridge, and my attention was drawn to the sky where there were volatile clouds, rapidly changing their forms and colours. Gusts were accompanied with light showers that sprinkled rain drops on my anorak, soon to be dried by the wind and fleeting bursts of warming sunshine.

Pioneer 9, almost identical to 'Aziz'

I couldn’t resist glancing at a beautiful Pioneer 9 that lay to her mooring waiting for her owner to take her for a spanking sail. She was like a pup, impatient for a romp when he heard sound of his master who returned home from work or a hound anxious for the hunt at the call of the pack. The graceful blue yacht so reminded me of my Pioneer ‘Aziz’ when she was alive. Now she’s all but dead, propped up on a quay at Calstock, Cornwall. Could this famous yacht be revived and preserved as a living tribute to Nicolette Milnes-Walker, who sailed her across the Atlantic to become the first woman to do it without putting into port en route?


If only I lived near Calstock I would be inspired to form a consortium of interested partners and sponsors to bring it about. A group of enthusiasts is all that is needed. They could share her between themselves, finance the project and carry out the necessary renovation.



Links


Hurricane Irene Pushes North with Deadly Force

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/us/28hurricane-irene.html?pagewanted=all


Pioneer 9 ‘Aziz’

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/09/pioneer-9-aziz.html


‘Aziz’

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2009/11/aziz.html


A Whale of a Time

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2006/01/whale-of-time.html

Laura Dekker, Exemplar of Youth Today?

Laura Dekker, Exemplar of Youth Today?

I speak as an oldie, but I believe our young people of today are being portrayed as unthinking, disobedient and selfish. When I think of my own youth, I was a bit of a rebel; not that I deliberately disobeyed my parents, but I would do things they would not have approved; for example, I stole a cotton reel from Woolworths. Why I did it I do not know. Was I attracted to the colour of the thread? Could I get away with it? Did I enjoy the adrenaline rush it gave? I also stole a small bar of chocolate that was a laxative, and I paid the price!


On a completely different scale, only recently there have been riots in the streets of UK cities when three Birmingham men died after they were hit by a car. Youths have largely been blamed for the rioting.


I can’t believe that all young people are tarred with the same brush. There are examples to prove they are not; take the group of seven UK youngsters who founded YPDG (Young People Doing Good), and the initiative in the US aimed at getting kids to contribute to the community (Teens Team Up to Give Back) – see links to their websites below.


We hear of the importance of role models for our children, the likes of sportsmen, pop stars, film stars and even the Royals. Not all of these are beneficial, especially some of the so-called celebrities with chequered backgrounds.


There is one role model that some young people are looking up to today, and that’s Laura Dekker. As young as she is, she demonstrates that a young person can achieve things that were thought to be impossible by one so young. She shows extraordinary determination and tenacity. She is living proof that young people can do astonishing things; she’s an exemplary role model.


Yesterday, she arrived in Darwin, about halfway around the world, in her attempt to be the youngest person to complete a solo circumnavigation aboard a yacht. Is she an exemplar of modern youth, i.e., one who represents and reflects the character of young people? I would like to think there are many youngsters doing positive things, just like Laura.


Well done Laura, and God speed!



Links


Laura Dekker Again

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2011/02/laura-dekker-again.html

Laura Dekker

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2009/09/laura-dekker.html


Mike Perham, Jessica Watson, Abby Sunderland and Laura Dekker

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/05/mike-perham-jessica-watson-abby.html


MiniCat 310

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2011/02/minicat-310.html


England Riots: Fightback underway, says PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14474393


Young People Doing Good

http://www.dorsetforyou.com/380483


Teens Team Up to Give Back

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1599703,00.html


City Year Young Heroes

http://www.cityyear.org/youngheroes.aspx

‘Faith’s’ Cruise Photos 2008, Part 2

As promised by me yesterday, here are more photos taken during my South Coast cruise to the Scilly Isles.



A highlight of the cruise was watching the start of the Artemis Transat Race for solo sailors. Dee Caffari raced ‘Aviva’. The photo shows her sailing her IMOCA 60 with another person who, presumably was taken off the yacht before the start of the race. Being there among the competitors and hundreds of spectator boats was truly exciting. (Read my log for 11th May – Link below.)



‘Kaskalot’ was one of the spectator vessels. This 153 ft oak on oak replica three-masted barque was built by J. Ring Anderson, Svendorg, Denmark in 1948. She happens to be for sale with an asking price of 995,000 euros.



Here we have ‘Faith’ and ‘Little Jim’ at Porthloo Beach, St. Mary’s, Scilly Isles. Sailing in company was great fun. Both boats performed similarly, and seldom was one faster than the other. If one got ahead an appreciable distance, her skipper would spill wind until the other boat drew near. On passage we kept in touch via VHF.



This was a typical evening meal aboard ‘Faith’. You’ll see a fried egg, fried bacon, boiled potatoes and French beans. Yoghurt was my favourite sweet. I didn’t put weight on, nor did I lose it.


I hope you enjoyed the photos.



Links



‘Faith’s’ Log for 11th May, the day of the start of the Artemis Transat at Plymouth

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2008/05/cruise-part-15.html


Dee Caffari – Completes Artemis Transat with ‘Aviva’

http://www.theartemistransat.com/60/article.asp?sid=16123


‘Aviva’ – Dee Caffari

http://www.theartemistransat.com/60/article.asp?sid=13880


Dee Caffari

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dee_Caffari


‘Kaskalot’ for Sale

http://www.easternyachts.com/kaskelot/index.htm


‘Kaskalot’

http://www.square-sail.com/square_rig_ships/kaskelot.html


Porthloo, St. Mary’s

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/936064


Porthloo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porthloo

‘Faith’s’ Cruise Photos 2008

I did a fair amount of cruising with my Paradox sailboat, but the most memorable cruise was in 2008 when I sailed her to the Scilly Isles from Burnham-on-Crouch. During the cruise I took a good many photos, a small selection of which I shall be publishing here at my Blog.



Al Law joined me at Plymouth with his Paradox, ‘Little Jim’. This photo of Al’s boat proves that Paradoxes have full standing headroom!



‘Faith’ was the smallest yacht at Brighton Marina.



I was at Plymouth for several days before Al could join me, and I took the opportunity for exploring the River Tamar as far as Morwhellham . Here’s a photo of ‘Shamrock’ at Cotehele.



Francis Chichester’s ‘Gypsy Moth 1V’ was a visitor to Sutton Harbour Marina at the Barbican.


I will publish more photos tomorrow.



Links


Morwellham Quay

http://www.morwellham-quay.co.uk/


The Tamar Barge ‘Shamrock’

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2258969


‘Gypsy Moth 1V

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gipsy_Moth_IV


The Cruise – the first page of ‘Faith’s’ cruise log, 2nd April, 2008

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2008/04/cruise_06.html


Al Law’s Website featuring ‘Little Jim’

http://www.little.jim.freeuk.com/little_jim/little_jim.htm


Sutton Harbour Marina, the Barbican, Plymouth

http://www.suttonharbourmarina.com/marina_plan.html

‘Ladybird’s’ 2010 Cruise Photo Selection – Part 3

Coastal cruising in a yacht requires a lot of attention on the part of her crew, and especially so for a solo yachtsman. He has to work his boat, navigate, while keeping a lookout for hazards which may be anything from a small crab pot buoy to a high speed motor yacht. He has to take into account coastal features that could endanger his yacht - the most hazardous perhaps being a headland around which run fast-moving water passing over shallows. Crossing a shipping lane can be a very dangerous business because of the high speed of modern ships. Ships’ watch officers monitoring radar may not observe the position and course of a small yacht because of the diminutive target.



Beachy Head is a notoriously demanding headland for yachtsmen. When the wind blows strongly from the south west and the ebb runs against it, overfalls can make the going very uncomfortable.



Dungeness can be equally demanding, but if the wind is light, the sea can be smooth; however, when the wind is light, progress around the headland can be very slow. Indeed, one can be sailing through the water while losing ground. Under that circumstance it is better to anchor in shallow water either side of the headland to wait for a helping hand from the ebb or the flood tide, as appropriate.



A most terrifying hazard is a large ship like the ‘Balmoral’ pictured above at Dover Harbour. At night she will display many lights, but identifying those that matter, i.e., the masthead lights and the port and starboard lights, is imperative for understanding her movements, so that evasive action can be taken if necessary.



When you arrive at your destination you may be fortunate to come across a famous vessel anchored or moored there; such was the case with ‘Jolie Brise’ when I arrived at Falmouth.



Links

'Jolie Brise'

http://www.joliebrise.com/


Docking of the ‘Balmoral’ Cruise Ship at Dover

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/07/monday-26th-july.html


Balmoral Cruise Ship

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balmoral_(cruise_ship)


Dungeness

http://www.dungeness-nnr.co.uk/


Beachy Head

http://www.beachyhead.org.uk/about_the_area.html

‘Ladybird’s’ 2010 Cruise Photo Selection – Part 2

I took this photo of Simon Renton at Salcombe. He was attempting to sail around Britain in a Wayfarer dinghy to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. His latest blog is dated 14th May, 2011. I know that he ran into difficulties with adverse weather during his 2010 attempt, and had to give up.

As I write this blog, Simon has raised £3,387.00 for Macmillan Cancer Support – see his Just Giving webpage. (Link below)



Last year ‘British Steel’ was in a miserable state when I took this photo at Dartmouth. The good news is that a group of enthusiasts are restoring her.



Here is a Troy class yacht I saw off the entrance to Fowey.



The Starcross/Exmouth ferry was a familiar sight as I lay to a mooring at Starcross.



Links


Simon Renton

http://simonrenton.co.uk/wp/


Simon Renton – Just Giving

http://www.justgiving.com/user/20174218


Macmillan Cancer Support

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx


Tues, 6th July, 2010, when I took photos of Simon and his dinghy

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/07/tuesday-6th-july.html


British Steel is being restored by enthusiasts

http://www.britishsteelsailing.co.uk/


Troy class Yacht

http://www.foweyphotos.com/gallery_40496.html


Troy Keelboat Class

http://www.woodenboatbuilder.co.uk/?page_id=12


Thursday, 15th July, at Starcross – another photo of the Ferry

http://bills-log.blogspot.com/2010/07/thursday-15th-july.html

‘Ladybird’s’ 2010 Cruise Photo Selection

'Ladybird' at East Head, Chichester Harbour

Continuing with my memories of last year’s very successful cruise to the West Country aboard ‘Ladybird’, my old Seawych 19 - here is a selection of photos.


A coastal cruise on a yacht is not comprised solely of sailing; a major part consists of activities ashore. Indeed, the flavour of a cruise is often defined by these experiences, rather than those when at sea.



Take this Brixham Trawler, for example; she was based a Torquay Marina. I had to pass by her every time I went ashore via the pontoon walkway. I was intrigued with her sturdy functional design and her battered, rust streaked hull.



Walking along Exeter’s High Street I came across an innovative sculpture which was made from reflective materials. This mirrored sphere reflected a distorted view of the buildings, and an equally distorted reflection of me holding my camera.



While exploring the backstreets of Weymouth I noticed that many of the older houses had numerous chimneys of different shapes and sizes. These are not elegant and they have little architectural or artistic merit, but they are striking with their cowlings and a gull perched on top of one.



Here is a prettier scene, a view of Salcombe from the south east side of the estuary. I took it when on one of my coastal walks.