We arose at 05:00 to sunrise in Yarmouth and said our goodbyes to my mum & dad before setting off for Weymouth.
Sunrise from the cockpit at Yarmouth
Winds were dead ahead and we motor-sailed until Anvil point whereupon a safety vessel for Lulworth live-firing ranges told us to head offshore for 5 miles before continuing on our way. The Lulworth firing ranges are for tank firing practice. They fire at targets on-shore but, just in case they miss and shoot over the hill, boats are requested to keep well offshore. This actually suited us since the increased angle created to Weymouth meant that we could get all sail up and set a direct course. We romped towards Weymouth at 7+ knots and overtook a boat that was initially over a mile ahead. The man on the boat later said that we made a powerful and pretty picture as we went past. His nephew on-board actually worked at our local chandlery (Aladdins Cave).
Wednesday 21st June. Summer Solstice.
The morning forecast was good for an evening departure with NW winds force 4/5. We prepared the boat and picked-up the evening forecast. This was not so good since it suggested force 5/6 South-Westerly. We went out anyway with a view to see how the conditions were.
Up around Portland Island, we bashed into the beginnings of the overfalls with 2 reefs in the mainsail, staysail and a small amount of headsail. It was not a comfortable ride and, once committed around Portland Bill, the tides almost rule-out any return for 6 hours. We asked ourselves whether we needed to bash around uncomfortably for the night and decided that we did not. So, we took the headsail in and veered the boat off for a textbook controlled jibe and our return journey. Having sheeted the mainsail in and started our turn, I waited for the wind to catch the sail and swing the boom across. At that instant, I let the sail run-out on the opposite side. Shockingly, there was a loud CRACK as the mainsail split horizontally end-to-end leaving ragged tatters whipping in the wind.
Fliss took control and held the stern of Nadezhda steadily against the confused and occasionally breaking over-falls as I clipped m y harness on and went on deck. We managed to get the sail down and stowed on the boom and we sailed under headsail and staysail back to Weymouth.
Thursday 22nd June.
Having got the mainsail off the evening before, I got up, pumped-up the dinghy and rowed the sail across the small harbour to the sailmakers on the opposite side. I arrived as the owner arrived to unlock the premises. I presented the sail to him and he said it was repairable. His first question was “when are you leaving” to which I replied “tomorrow”. He had another job to do today but reckons that if he works late, he can get the sail back to us this evening – top man!
So here we wait in anticipation of setting-off to Dartmouth at 08:00ish tomorrow morning.
Weymouth Harbour
And again
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