Maritime Ipswich Festival

It is 1705 and I am at the Maritime Ipswich Festival. There is a truly festive atmosphere. Classic yachts are berthed together, many colourfully dressed overall. There have been activities for the youngsters, including rubber-flubber football, dinghy sailing races, men's sculling race, blindfold race, hunt the duck race etc.

My favourite yacht was the gaff ketch, 'White Moth', designed by Pain-Clark and built by R. F. Wykeham Martin in 1903 for himself. She is for sale, but you will have to part with £22,000 to own her. She is a real classic at 32' LOD x 7.5' x 5'; including bowsprit she's 45' LOA. If you want to know more about her, contact Graham and Anne Mason on 01795 662143.

At the other extreme I was attracted to 'Dirty Girty'. She's a small, exceptionally racy day-boat type cruiser for adventure sailing. Quite unique, I've never seen anything like her. If I was less than a third of my age I would want to see what she can do. I know for sure, she is extremely fast.

The evening's entertainment is closing with a Sea Dog's competition. 'Electron's' dog is about to be entered. 'Electron' is the East Coast smack that is owned by my host at the Festival.

Odd Jobs, part 2

I suppose I could have been off sailing this weekend, but my wife and I have visitors staying with us - Besides, it’s a Saturday, and the weather is baking hot, which will encourage more boaters than usual to be on the water. The River Crouch on a sunny weekend at this time of year is always busy, being especially popular with those who own motor yachts and ski boats. Between them they create havoc by speeding up and down the River. Small sailing boats don’t stand a chance. They are tossed about by the waves from washes, and if there is any wind, it is spilled from the sails.

Instead of taking to the water I cut the lawn and trimmed its edges with a strimmer. I also took on the role of chauffeur for our visitors who went to a garden show in Southend. Between these activities I continued my ‘odd jobs’ programme on the boat.

Yesterday, because I did not clearly think through how I should refit the hasp and staple to ‘Sandpiper’s’ hatch and upper washboard I stupidly drilled two unnecessary holes in the latter.  I have since plugged them with wooden dowels that I shaped to fit. While I was varnishing them I touched up the paddle where it was slightly damaged by being caught under the shackle that fits through the port chainplate. I normally stow the paddle between the shroud and the cabin top, ready for instant use, but I may have to find a more satisfactory place.

Here is a photo of the wire that links the solar panel to the battery. It is kept in situ by self-adhesive clips.  I am using a bayonet fitting, rather than crocodile clips for connecting the solar panel to the battery. This is better than with the previous solar panel because I didn’t have the option of choosing a bayonet fitting on account of the wires being reversed in their polarity. I never got around to permanently fitting the wire, as I thought I may have a replacement panel, but as you know, it was never sent to me. Thursday’s blog tells the story.

Odd Jobs

Today I set aside time for doing a few jobs on the boat. The first thing I checked was ‘Sandpiper’s’ jib furling rod. For some reason I was convinced the rod was bent near the lower end, but when I checked it I found there was nothing wrong.

I tidied the wiring for the new solar panel by attaching it to the aft cabin bulkhead with self-adhesive clips. Instead of dangling from the exit slot at the aft end of the sliding hatch the wire is now neatly secured to the bulkhead.

When I originally fitted a hasp and staple for locking the cabin I attached them incorrectly, because when I was inside the cabin with the sliding hatch closed there was always a possibility that the hasp could fall over the staple causing me to become  trapped within the cabin. In an effort to stop this happening I would leave the lock on the staple to prevent the hasp from fully engaging with it. However, I was not convinced this would work; therefore I always resorted to taping the hasp to the sliding hatch.

Action was required to reverse the positions of the hasp and staple. This afternoon I got around to exchanging them. As a result I shall no longer be anxious when the hatch and washboards are fully closed.

Finally, I vacuum cleaned the interior of the boat, leaving ‘Sandpiper’ ready for her next adventure. When and where that will be I do not know, because I have not yet made up my mind.

Solar Panel Saga

Early in July I ordered a 10 watt solar panel for ‘Sandpiper’ from a dealer at Ebay. I naturally assumed it would work and I attached it to the ship’s 12 volt battery. Immediately I knew something was wrong because there was a smell of burning and the connecting wire became exceedingly hot. Later, I examined the wire and I discovered that the multifilament core had melted, causing the micro-filaments to fuse together. In places where the outer casing melted to reveal bare wire I bound them with insulating tape. When it was manufactured the wires were soldered to the wrong terminals, i.e., positive to negative and negative to positive!

The chap who sold me the faulty panel assured me he would let me have a replacement. For more than a month, despite my reminders, he never sent one. Eventually I had enough and I asked him for a refund, which he agreed to do, but he did not refund me until I said I would inform Ebay.

I was left with a panel that did work, but was highly suspect, on account of damaged wiring. To make it work I had to reverse the polarity of the wiring.

When I was at Poole Harbour the panel functioned well to provide all the energy required to work my Autohelm and to top up my iPhone. I intended to fit new wiring, but on my way home when driving at about 60 MPH along the M3, the panel was ripped off the hatch by the apparent wind. I thought it was securely attached by the framework around it because of the very tight fit. On my journey to Poole there was no indication that it was insecure, because it stayed put; even when sailing it never budged.

Well, I learnt that a replacement panel would need to be fitted in such a way to prevent a similar happening. I was glad that no one was injured and that no vehicle was damaged as a result. My granddaughter was following in her car, and it was she who contacted me on my mobile to inform me that I no longer had a solar panel. I dread to think what may have happened had it gone through the windscreen of her car.

Well, that was not the end of the story. I ordered an identical replacement panel, but when it arrived today I discovered that it was smaller than the original having 64 cells instead of 72. I first tested it with a voltmeter and I was relieved to find that it was wired correctly and that it gave a healthy charge. Rather than have more hassle by returning the panel and paying postage I have decided to keep the new one. Furthermore, I have fitted it where the previous panel had been. I had to make a few adjustments to the frame, and I added Tufnol brackets for preventing a reoccurrence of the mishap on the motorway.

Fit for Purpose – Fishing Dory

I am not thinking here of a traditional stacking dory as employed by Banks fishermen when line fishing for cod, but a more modern flat-bottom boat in the form of a punt, used as a workboat or tender, usually equipped with an outboard motor. I happened to notice such a boat at Burnham Yacht Harbour. She was one of those boats you would rather not pay attention to, the sort you pretend you have not seen, but this one took my attention for the fact that she was uncared for, yet she was a slave to the person who owned her. He would take his life into his own hands the moment he set foot aboard.

At one time she must have been a pristine white GRP, brand new vessel, the apple of her owner’s eye. Subsequently, after being neglected she was given a coat of dark blue, almost grey paint, appropriated for a workboat, to smarten her up. Perhaps instead of being employed as a tender for a yacht she became the means whereby a fisherman could transport his fishing gear. From that moment I wouldn’t think a penny has been spent on her upkeep.

By carefully examining the photos you will observer that a wild plant has taken root by the inner transom on the port side. Rainwater swills around the floor. Fishing gear, including nets and floats occupy the central area of the cockpit around which the fisherman can move. I would not want to take her out of the Yacht Harbour and trust my life to her, particularly if the weather was at all rough. I wish the owner safe passage, and I hope the boat will not let him down as he has his boat.

Links

Banks Dory

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

Dory Fishing Boat

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DORY-FISHING-BOAT-SNIPE-TRAILER-AND-OUTBOARD-ENGINE-/190714456447?pt=UK_Power_Boats&hash=item2c6777a97f

Poole Harbour Photos

Here is a selection of photos taken with my iPhone during my recent cruise aboard ‘Sandpiper’ at Poole Harbour.

'Sandpiper' Returns Home

By far the most dangerous part of my sailing holiday at Poole Harbour was getting there and coming back. The roads were busy both ways. I was pleased to arrive home safe and sound, along with my family who had been camping at Sandford Park, near Poole. We were away for a week and had the best weather that was shared by Olympians and spectators alike. For the next three days there will be rain here in the SE of England. We were extremely fortunate.

The most exciting part of my cruise was during windy weather on Sunday, 12^th August. The boat was tested in the strongest winds so far. I have yet to examine the luff spar which may have become bent at the lower end. ‘Sandpiper’ performed well in winds of Force 4/5, even going to windward at 45 degrees. Attention had to be paid to getting the balance right between the jib and mainsail to bring about slight weather helm.  I was grateful to find a berth beside an Invicta near the entrance of the River Frome. There the reeds and small trees provided a lee.

The cruise was a great success bringing sailing in conditions from almost dead calm to gusts of Force 6. I had plenty of variety by anchoring at different spots: Shipstal Point, Cleavel Point, and Goathorn Point, plus one night at Poole Quay Boat Haven. Cleavel Point was the most sheltered and my favourite.

The great advantage of trailer sailing is that when you arrive home you can put your boat in the garage and there are no additional costs. ‘Sandpiper’ is resting there tonight and until she has her next adventure.

Pool Harbour, part 7

It will be a short blog today, because I took 'Sandpiper' out of the water early this morning at Redcliffe Farm. Conditions were ideal - no wind and no current. The slipway at the farm has a gentle gradient which necessitated retrieving the boat with a rope - strictly against the rules, but at 0630 I was the only one there.

All went well, but I noticed that the luff spar may have been bent at the lower end. I shall have to examine it when I'm back home. 'Sandpiper' was out in a brisk wind yesterday, and the luff spar may have been severely strained.

At the moment I have no plans to sail further west. Maybe I'll try a bit of East Coast sailing.

Thanks for following my blog and for the comments which are always welcome.

Poole Harbour, part 6

It has been a very interesting day, to say the least. The early shipping forecast for inshore waters at Wight was E 4, increasing 5/6, showers later, moderate or good.

With that prospect in view I made sail immediately after breakfast. There was no time for a shave. I put one reef in the main, and no jib. We ran through South Deep, following it around to the west of Green Island. From there until we were in open water to the NW of Brownsea Island it was a matter of tacking through the channels. To make headway in the Lee of Brownsea Island I had to unroll the jib a little.

South of the Continental Freight Ferry Terminal where Condor was berthed I put in a second reef. Wind was against tide, making it a bit bumpy. No other boats were sailing. The time was 0830.

To slow the boat down I handed the main and ran before the wind as far as the River Piddle, which is also named the Trent. From there the channel narrows. One mistake and you are on the mud.

Just inside the Frome I found a moored Invicta to which I rafted 'Sandpiper'. There the boat was sheltered from the wind - a snug place to stay until the early high-water on Sunday morning. There was a price to pay however, because all afternoon there was a continuous procession of all manner of craft buzzing up and down the river.

I had a pleasant surprise when the owner of the Invicta turned up and introduced himself. We chatted for quite a while.

This evening things have quieted down. Only a few passing vessels spoil the silence. Silence, yes, a whispering silence as the reeds sway to and fro making a soothing sound not unlike that of a distant waterfall.

PS The photos are of things seen today.

Pool Harbour, part 5

Last night I had the luxury of a hot shower at Poole Quay Boat Haven, and instead of eating aboard, I 'dined' at Fishy Fishy. When the jazz finished at ten, and most people had returned to their boats, the Boat Haven fell quiet.

First thing this morning there was no wind. I took a stroll by the Recreation Ground towards Parkstone. This pedestrian/cycle track is very popular with dog walkers. Half a mile from the Boat Haven there is a public slipway, but it is not suitable for 'Sandpiper' because the gradient is too shallow.

The wind picked up and I left the Boat Haven at 1100. It was almost bedlam with tripper boats, motor-yachts and sailing yachts all wanting the same small space by the Public Quay. I motored clear and made sail with the objective of sailing to South Deep and Goathorn Point.

The going was slow against wind and tide. 'Sandpiper' tacked to the SE over shallows seaward of Parkstone Yacht Club and Salterns Marina. From there to Brownsea Castle was choppy on account of many fast motor yachts, runabouts and a small freighter heading towards the harbour entrance.

The wind eased, and as I could only hold station adjacent to Brownsea Castle I started the engine. Fifteen minutes later 'Sandpiper' was snugly anchored in the Lee of Goathorn Point.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent doing sweet nothing, which was totally relaxing. I watched the comings and goings of numerous sailing yachts and motor yachts. There was a beautiful clinker double-ender with the name 'Albatros', but she was too far away to photograph with my iPhone. She looked similar to Arthur Ransome's gaff cutter he had built in Scandinavia, then sailed her to the Walton Blackwaters.

There's more motion here at Goathorn Point than at my previous anchorage, Cleavel Point, but I'm planning to stay overnight. There should be a wonderful sunset with Green Island silhouetted against a gorgeous backdrop.

PS I've added the sunset photo.

Poole Harbour, part 4

Thursday, 9th August

Today has been the best so far. Not only was it sunny, but I had a good crew to enjoy the sailing.

The idea was to sail to Poole Quay for my crew. At first I thought I may not be able to be there for 1030, because fog enveloped the yacht, but it thinned sufficiently to make a start at 0830. There was no wind; therefore it was a case grinning and bearing the outboard.

An hour later I was taking a stroll along the quay where there was a square-rigger, a small ship with great character. My crew arrived on time, and within minutes we were pushing off for a sail towards Whareham. The southwesterly wind was just strong enough for steerageway, and the tide was making.

We made it as far as Gigger's Island; that's where the Whareham Channel becomes the River Frome, and the meandering river winds it's way like a snake to Whareham and beyond. The tide started to ebb and the wind faded. We motored back to Russell Quay where we anchored for lunch.

A sea breeze set in from the southeast, so we tacked through the moorings off the Dorset Yacht Club and the Poole Yacht Club. There we started the engine for entering Poole Quay Boat Haven.

Our day together had been perfect.

Poole Harbour, part 3

Wednesday, 8th August

The time is 0910 and 'Sandpiper' is still anchored at this beautiful spot by Cleavel Point. There was no lovely sunrise this morning; instead, low cloud threatening rain. In the cockpit I stripped for a cold water body wash and a shave. No sooner than I returned to the cabin PE 755, a small fishing boat, almost came alongside and set her net in the main channel. I watched with interest, because having buoyed each end of the net, the skipper raced his boat around in circles to one side. I can only assume he was trying to frighten fish into swimming into the net. Then he and his crew hauled the net in, but I did not see a single fish! The whole procedure barely lasted half-an-hour.

While washing up the breakfast dishes in sea water, as I usually do to conserve water, a total of 19 geese swam towards shallows where they stood preening themselves. Almost immediately it started to rain.

Thankfully, having sorted myself out for the day, I retired to my bunk for a session of quiet reading. This truly is a wonderful retreat - just as I had hoped.

By 1130 the rain stopped and I made sail. A light northwesterly wind was ideal for pottering to the Town Quay at Poole to look at the public landing facilities.

To the northwest of Brownsea Island a vessel was working over the shellfish beds. At first I thought she was dredging, but then it dawned on me that she was lifting shellfish. Further on there was a fleet of Lazer dinghies racing at Middle Mud, to the south of Poole Yacht Club.

Landing at the town quay was by ladder, primitive at best, with no floating pontoon, only a plank to keep the boat from coming into contact with the quay. Instead of landing, I thought I would try stemming the tide for a beat upriver towards Moriconium Quay where there is a Marina village, but the wind was too light for the boat to make headway. By then the tide was ebbing fast, and I didn't fancy starting the engine. The only sensible option was to sail back to Cleavel Point, which is by far the best anchorage when the wind is from the west or southwest. I did think of continuing to Goathorn Point; however, the wind petered out and just as I was preparing to anchor where 'Sandpiper' was before, a tripper boat came by. In an endeavour to keep clear, I took 'Sandpiper' the wrong side of channel buoy causing her to touch bottom. I lifted both the rudder and the centre-plate; then by vigorously paddling astern managed to float her off.

It was time for afternoon tea; therefore I anchored in almost the same place as before, but in slightly deeper water. Three yachts motored by, including 'Jade', an interesting trimaran, not unlike a 1960s plywood Piver.

Nothing of any significance has happened since anchoring. I'm looking forward to tomorrow because I am expecting a crew to join me for a few hours.

Poole Harbour, part 2

Tuesday, 7th August.

Messing about in a boat is the nature of this cruise. I was woken by a very noisy gaggle of geese. 'Sandpiper' would shortly be on the mud, but there was time for a quick breakfast before taking action.

My word, what a shock I had when I broke out the anchor - I had never seen such black, tenacious mud! There was no way I could continue until the mess was cleaned. I paddled the boat to a nearby Swift trailer sailer and tied a painter to her stern. Half-an-hour later my little boat was spic and span Bristol fashion.

At 0930 the wind was from the SW, about force 2; and heavy grey clouds hung low overhead.

I reached along the Upper Wych Channel towards Brownsea Island, then tacked to the south between port and starboard-hand markers via Ramshorn Lake and South Deep. At the southern end of South Deep I anchored off Cleavel Point.

On the way, there were a few light rain showers; the first of them had me changing into my waterproofs. At that moment the Harbour Master sped by in his fast RIB.

Cleavel Point provided a good lee. I drank coffee and watched three Cornish Shrimpers sailing by; then a bright yellow tripper boat, 'Maid of Poole' followed in their wakes whilst making a circuit of the Islands.

Later I ate lunch and watched a fisherman haul his nets for a very meagre catch of no more than a handful of fish. He worked from a smart dory named 'Eve Irvine'. I did not envy his job, routinely moving around the harbour setting and hauling nets.

At mid-afternoon my peace was broken by the return of campers to their site at Cleavel Point. They were a group of very active vocal youngsters who played a number of organised games under the supervision of adults. These teenagers had a great time, and I'm sure they will go home with happy memories of their time together.

It is 1630, and I am enjoying being at anchor here, doing very little except rest and be entertained by the changing scenery.

Now, at 1850, I have finished eating spaghetti bolognaise with tinned tuna, followed by a helping of delicious yoghurt. Fine drizzle transforms the view towards tree-covered Green Island, Furzey Island and Brownsea Island into an exquisite Japanese painting of delicate green and grey hues; each silhouetted island fades the further it is from me.

Soon it will be dark and I shall be snug in my warm sleeping bag dreaming of tomorrow and what it may bring.