The Shakedown Sail (The Return Leg)

27th May 2006 Saturday

Well after a favourable forecast we decided to leave Ramsgate at 06:00am. This was going to prove interesting as the marina was absolutely packed due to the Calais Rally and a race from Oostend. Not sure if Pete has mentioned Nadezhda doesn’t like turning, and going backwards is a complete no, no. Next to us was a small sailing boat who managed to squeeze next to us it was so close that Pete had to lift up the fenders to let them in. Pete & I were very concerned as Nadezhda can bite when other boats get too close for comfort. Anyway this proved to be extremely easy and Nadezhda gently slipped out and we were on our way. Goodbye Ramsgate which we left shrouded in a grey mist. Solent here we come.

You know they say best laid plans of mice and men, this is totally true! Wind as promised by Dover Coast Guard didn’t happen so we motored (again)… until the engine stopped! Pete did a very good job trying not to show the panic he felt but it turned out the fuel tanks had loads of gunk and had been mixed up by the rough seas so he changed the fuel filter and we were off again.

The wind picked up just off Dungeness (did I mention the tide was against us?) so we decided to sail and the wind kept increasing so a reef was necessary. South westerly winds against tide it was a horrible bumpy sail plus spreaders and engine problems made the moment quite stressful. The conditions deteriorated so much that I said to Pete that he should call Dover Coastguard to see if a gale warning had been issued. Dover Coastguard (I love these guys for the old fashioned approach) in their professional and calm manner informed him that they were only recording 23 knots of wind. The thought of beating ourselves & beloved Nadezhda up for 24 hours we decided to run back to Dover. I was very pleased to hear another boat call on the VHF to Dover Coastguard asking what the hell was going on off Dungeness as it made us completely happy to have made the decision to turn back.

So we headed back, very rolling seas and as we approached the port walls we decided to take the main down. I find it very hard to helm Nadezhda in rolling seas so up I went to take the sail down. Steep seas and the boom swinging from side to side my safety harness came undone, a little scary as I’m a terrible swimmer! Attention all sailors make sure your harness is secured as I ran a big risk of being tossed into the deep old briny.

28th May 2006 Sunday

Another favourable forecast (whatever!) 3-4 north westerly winds. We left Dover at 11am for the sail back to Southampton.

Again the tide was against us up to Dungeness (we both have a strong dislike of this place) so again we motored. Pete being a purest said enough was enough and we were going to tack due into south westerly winds (he was also worried about the engine)

We did have the tide with us for about 3 hours (we missed the window due to the time spent getting past the dreaded Dungeness, (did I mention that we hate this place!)

Due to this being our first trip out in 6 months I was nervous of being left on watch on my own due to the amount of very large container ships which appeared to be very close, truth is they were probably a good 5 miles away but the visibility was very good. Sorry Pete for waking you up every time you managed to drift off. I will aim to control my anxiety.

Monday 29th May

So after 28 hours of wind against tide plus south westerly winds we approached the western end of the Solent it was quite windy so we put a reef in. Poor Pete due to a nervous crew had little sleep and found the conditions exhausting (I apologise again)
The problem is with just two of you on board you can’t go off watch in the Solent especially on a Bank Holiday Monday and at 2pm.



We picked up a pigeon that landed on the horseshoe life bouy and managed to hang on in the high winds, he then decided that that was too much like hard work and hopped on to the tiller whilst Pete was helming. This was a bad call as the tiller is varnished and very slippery, bless the pigeon as he hung on for a good five minutes and then headed for the companion way, to the sanctuary inside the boat.



The wind kept increasing and we both spotted a seriously menacing black cloud and agreed a second reef was necessary. This turned out to be a good call as within a few minutes we were hit by a squall. We were hard pressed and the cap rails were under the to the water. I was glad Pete was helming as Nadezhda can be very heavy to control in these conditions. It was squall after squall and they just kept coming and the Coastguard was overwhelmed with the amount of maydays and was heard calling up emergency services to be told that they had no one available. Do you know I find it amazing how many boats had full sail up and then found them selves in difficulty, you think like us they would have seen it coming and took sail in. Discretion being the better part of valour.

At this Point Pete said enough is enough and decided we should anchor off Hayling Bay.. Well done Pete! The pigeon then re-appeared and decided we had stopped so jumped onto the cap rails got his bearing and then flew off.

Did you ever hear the story of the English boat that picked up a pigeon in the Biscay and carried it for a few days until a French boat came close the pigeon jumped ship and flew to the French boat. The English boat met up with French boat in Northern Spain and asked them what happened to the pigeon, The Frenchies looked horrified and asked if the bird belonged to them, cut a long story short they had cooked it! Moral of the story the grass isn’t always greener! The pigeon thought the other boat was going to get to land sooner.

Anchored firmly in place large whisky’s were poured and off to bed at 4:30pm.

I have to say that I really enjoyed the buzz of the last bit and found it totally exilrating it did wonders for my confidence as towards the end Pete flagged a bit & I took over. The one problem I have is confidence and the fear of the unknown, but Pete is excellent and just makes me do it to prove that I can & I generally do well.

Anyway enough for now as Pete will do the next instalment.


From Pete………..

Tuesday 30th May

We got up just after midnight to catch the tide up the Solent to our mooring. The wind had eased and after a spell of sailing, we once again resorted to the engine. We moored just as dawn was showing and went straight back to bed.

We arose again at about 10:00 since we had engine service, fuel-tank cleaning and rigging repairs to organise. I then went to Overton to pick up Robyn who stayed with us until Sunday.

Friday 2nd June

The rest of the week was filled with chores until Friday when we motored around to Moodys boatyard for the pumping clean and swilling-out of the fuel tanks. They weren’t as bad as I had expected considering the state of the filter and what had appeared like oxtail soup rather than fuel that had poured-out when I had changed it. Still, that’s another job that hopefully will not need repeating soon.