New sails and Lift in April 2023

The week before Easter we collected "Susan J"'s new sails from SKB in Penryn.  The boat was facing the right way on the hard, and we were able to bend on the staysail and tried the jib, but not on the bowsprit until the boat building college residents had gone home.  The jib now has a torsion rope rather than wire and a set of tell tails.  The new, beige jib sheets lined up with the fixed, Tufnol" fairleads and all seemed well. 

The mainsail proved less so.  Instead of two, adjacent  small eyelets, for the new replacement robands with parrel beads, the sailmaker had made large eyelets for lacing - "standard on Heard 28's" - we had to remind them that - "no two Heard 28's are the same"!   More and more of the 91 small, original ash, parrel beads were splitting and have already been replaced, at some cost ,with a bag of 100 replacements, on new 5 m lines!  To be fair, SKB fixed this within 24 hours and we now have the option of lacing or, now one extra, eight in all, robands, which have always proved satisfactory in the past, especially when reefing.  

The new main sail has four battens, not three and an elegant "S j" rather than the simplistic gaffer tape "111" for a sail number.  The clew is now held down to the boom with double sided Velcro,  The spar lacing has reverted to spiral and is separate from the clew outhaul line.  being very stiff and unwieldy I had to temporarily extend the toping lift tackles.

 

We returned on the after Easter, with a blustery day for Julie to antifoul the propeller with Propshield, heated over a camping stove, polish the top sides, stow most of the remaining gear including the life raft, top off the water tanks and switch on the solar panels, in lieu of shore power.  Further rain on the Friday meant a wet morning launch in a strong, cold north easterly.  We set just the new staysail for the reach back to our mooring at Helford Pasasge.  A steady 4-5 knots meant we were back soon after lunch time and able to get ashore with the ferry, to launch our Anarth dinghy, with new wheels on it's trolley.

  

The next three days were ideal for stretching the new sails and Julie to have a kayak.  Initially the mainsail was disappointing, with the tack to gaff end crease persisting, despite repeated tightening of the outhauls.  However she was sailing well and off Manacles Buoy a gust of around 20 knots, seemed to sort it out as the pictures show.

 

We were delighted to find that the jib could be unfurled and furled with ease as the new "cage" on the lower Wickham Martin kept the furling line on the drum in all conditions.  Some adjustments to the staysail sheet cars was necessary.  After three shake down day sails to the Manacles, Gull Rock and on the Monday, St Mawes.  Where we followed the SS "Shieldhall", the largest remaining steam vessel built on the Clyde in 1952 and on the National Historic Ship Register, being welcomed by the Falmouth fire boat but no spray as there is still a hosepipe ban in Cornwall! We missed Roger, who had finished his painting but "Lizzy Dripping" is in fine fettle on her mooring.

  

"Susan J" has been moving at 4- 5  knots in as little as 7 knots of apparent wind.  While a  clean bottom and relatively flat sea undoubtedly helps, these "sasil" trails bode well for the forthcoming season. In the past we would give up if the wind dropped below F3 or 12 knots.  She also appears to point closer with an intact mainsail luff if we crack off to 45 degrees off the wind.  That was 60 degrees before!

The spray hood is about to have some repairs, requiring a final day trip, to include more fettling, next week.  Our remodelled new sail cover, commissioned 18 months ago, should be ready as well.

 As I write, it is just over two weeks before we sail to Plymouth to join the OGA60 Round Britain Cruise, then sailing clockwise to Ipswich.  Train tickets for the bank holiday after the Coronation, hair cuts and final dentist appointments are already booked.  Last minute stores, including a small bag for "Molly" the dog, who may join us in Kent but could be sent up at any time if she misbehaves, are being collated.  Hopefully there will be a few short sails, with some of the girls, between the bank holidays. 

Fowey Classics 2022

After a week in Somerset, we were back on the A30 to Helford Passage.  Making good time, we just caught the last Helford Ferry to take us out to "Susan J", removed her covers and soon took a call from Tim, already aboard"Picottee", persuading us to start a little later on the Tuesday than planned, despite the little wind forecast.  To this we agreed, anticipating a favourable tide from 10:00, although we woke, as anticipated, to little wind!

 

In the event, we took the opportunity to effect a long overdue revision of  "Susan J"'s gaff lacing, to spiral rather than hitched, to avoid bunching at the throat.  At the same time I implemented a separate outhaul from the now surplus 8mm line.  So, as a result, we cast off a little after 10:00, with "Picotteee" already wafting out of the narrows.  Muting the engine, we anticipated a long motor sail but, by August Rock, thh wind filled in to a steady north westerly and we both fine reached all the way on port tack, finding plenty of room, once we could see it on the No 1 pontoon in the Pill, before 16:00!

  

 

 

"Aeolus", and "Arianna" were already there.  Unfortunately "Picottee", with a siezed throttle cable, formed also  formed the permanently dressed base, on the pontoon, for most of the event! "Pica" an Heard 28 form the Helford also remained dressed overall, while Jeremy and Helen used "Gelvenek their Francois Vivier Aber as a very rapid tender under oar or skull and the smallest entrant in the races. although "Perriwinkle" and "Dayspring" sailed by Ian Uglow, a handy looking one off Percy Dalton design about the size of an Heard 28 and saving up for a bowsprit, with "Susan J" and "Roxane" were amongst the usual SW Gaffers to join in the racing.  We also had some lovely classic bermudans, "Mati Hari" form Helford, Keith Tullett's "Vivona" from Mylor, Tiger Lily, a grp Marieholme replacing Nina's varnished Folkboat and Serif" a late arrival, whose transom had given way releasing her back stay, en route.   "Our Boys", "Cynthia" "Ayesha" and  and other larger gaffers and classics were opposite Berril's yard and the lifeboat.  Later in the evening "Planet" a Heard 28, with low freeboard like ours, came alongside, unaware of the classics but hopefully Simon and Kat and their young family, will be future attendees at gaffer events.

A run ashore to the Royal Fowey YC for conviial beer, reintroducing ourselves to the lovely Karen for registration and a very enjoyable dinner in the Club was enjoyed by all, to the extent that we were grateful to only have to attend the race briefing at the Fowey Golants SC at 12:00.  This enabled me to alter the lacing on the boom in  a similar way. Following the briefing, armed with pasties and only slightly confused, we all repaired aboard and undressed for racing in the afternoon.

 

There was a gentle but steady wind to start with and after a rather fraught start, that rather put "Susan J" of her tacking, we all cleared the line and went around until serenaded with a horn.  This indicated a return to the pontoon, re dressing overall and a cup of tea.  

 

Several crews went back to the RFYC for supper and music in aid of the RNLI, while we dinghied to Golant on the tide to have a beer at the Fisherman's Arms in the hour of tide allowed, before returning aboard for a quiet supper serenaded by the excellent shanties from the RFYC!

 

Thursday was a "free day", so after Julie tried her paddle board, many of us sailed in company to Lantis Bay, just west of Udder's Rock, for a beach picnic, in, almost , idyllic conditions.  Those who stayed aboard their anchored yachts, missed a large quantity of excellent pasta and rice salads, from the night before, but escaped a rather wet landing!  Fortunately, Julie and  Katie, crew on "Cynthia", helped most of us out through the surf as they had thought to swim!  

  

  

Back for beer and excellent food at Golants SC, Karen had arranged an excellent talk by a young  Henry Stenner, who had restored,   "XXXX"  a Mevagsissey Tosher from an engineering rather than sailing background.  It was fascinating to see how his grasp of sailing a traditional gaffer increased and continues to do so, throughout the restoration, another vessel in need of a bowsprit!

Friday was the big day and the weather remained remarkable fair and warm with a hint of some breeze to come.  An earlier briefing, limited the choice of pasties available but most of the boats includung "Picottee" with a new throttle cable but still single handed, paraded up and down the river in front of the town until about 13:00, when, with the exception of "Arrianna" , because Mike Forward had to return to the Tamar drekly, we gently sailed at the entrance to locate the start line for the "Trafalgar Cup" race, while consuming the alternative pasties.

  

 

The start was much less fraught with, possibly, more attention being paid to the main local and enduring additional Race Direction that the founder of Fowey Classics instituted, to the effect that "any protestor is automatically disqualified"!  It looked as if three laps as far as Cannis Rock would be possible but, in the event, the breeze faltered and the course was shortened to one or two laps dependent on size.

"Susan J" managed to fill her water tanks and "Picottee"'s jerry can at Albert Quay but only on the second attempt.  Being almost August, her bowsprit seemed less intimidating to the uninitiated holiday makers and their rubber dinghies,on the outer side of the pontoon,remained longer than usual!  

Gelvynek

Once again we out board motored over in the dinghy (it sems to have survived it's ducking two weeks previously!), being, again, beaten by Jeremy rowing Gelvynek!  We weaved through the beautiful racing Troys and assembled for the Prize Giving.  It's not about winning at Fowey but " Susan J" was  last in class following Roxane and a local Itchen Ferry," Wonder". "Picottee" had retired and "Obsession" an Ohlson won!  The racing results will, no doubt, be published in due course but I believe that "Cynthia" was just beaten by "Ayesha", with "Sibyl of Camae" third in the beutiful big classics class.  

In the meantime Martin and Jan of "Roxanne" were awarded the "'ansome Transom" for the best overall boat and "Our Boys"' dog, Poppy, for the best boat dog.  "Mata Hari" another Helford classic, earned a well deserved award for the most improved boat and, of course, the Gribbin Cup to "Gelvyenek", the best under 18 foot!  All this was followed by an amazing "Tapas" buffet, more beer and the prizes for the Troy's.

Later on the evening ended at the invitation of martin and Jan, aboard "Roxanne", with John and Graham of "Perriwinkle" enjoying rum and hopefully not Covid, on this occaision!

Those returning to the Tamar had left soon after dawn to catch the tide while "Mati Hari" "Susan J" and Picottee left around 10:00.  Rather grey and drizzly with a building SW wind on the nose meant an 11 hour beat for "Susan J" picking up our mooring at 21:00 but at least knowing all the lights work!  "Mati Hari" passed us soon after the Dodman and "Picottee" anchored off Porthscatho to wait for another tide in the morning.

Fowey Classics has for the second time for us, proved to be a wonderfully relaxed and pleasant event and Karen's organisation seems to be just right!

 

                  Our Boys                                                                          Picottee

Helford and Plymouth Rallies June 2023

 Animal illness prevented us returning to Cornwall for Falmouth Classics,  Instead Diana L. had crewed admirably on "Picotee", a 70 plus year old wooden cutter, normally with a centre plate, just restored by Tim and launched at Gweek the week before.  They had a brisk return, a day early, because of adverse winds, so missed the relatively boisterous parade of sail.

By Sunday the dog had returned from Bristol and David was able to return aboard "Susan J" and join in the Helford Rally BBQ, on the Monday.  

 

The Tuesday dawned cloudless and very hot, with a gentle breeze for the planned "raid" to Gweek.  Diana and her friend, Julia, expertly sailed "Flat Sea", our 10' Anarth Lugger, up to Gweek, while David took various passengers in the rubber dinghy, with outboard.  We enjoyed a quick look around the boatyard and some coffee, and acquired pasties for lunch.  Two up in the Anarth proved too much to win the rowing race from Tremayne Quay to Groyne Point, on the return tide.  A further impromptu picnic at Penbilly beach was enjoyed in the evening.

   

The race took place on Wednesday and, once the start had been located, we 

 

enjoyed just enough wind.  With Diana helming and only one crew, we completed the course in a timely fashion, conceding to "Roxanne" but only just!

   

The Helford River SC was our venue for the prize giving.  This was Don Garman's last Helford Rally, as he was to be stepping down from his role as Cornwall representative.  Unfortunately, he was unable to attend, as he and several others had, or were contracting, Covid. Despite this, the rest of us enjoyed an excellent dinner and eight of us repaired aboard  "Arianna", where a fine selection of rums were sampled into the early hours.

The following day, after some fettling aboard, David drove back to Somerset, to review the new dog's progress..  Molly was much better for being at home but David developed Covid very suddenly in the early hours.  For the first and, hopefully, only time, it was almost certainly the Omicrom variant and he was fully recovered by the following weekend, ready to return, with Julie, to "Susan J", in preparation for the Plymouth Rally on Monday.

The weather remained kind and, after a pleasant sail in company with " Picottee", we anchored in Cawsands not far from "Passager" a 35' gaff cutter belonging to Janet and Mike G.  We had a pint a shore and a good night's sleep.

 

As always we came alongside at QAB marina, with plenty of helping with lines throughout the afternoon.  By tea time, various refreshments, including Rawlins cider were being enjoyed on the pontoon. Penny Jolly had produced a lovely birthday cake and sparkling wine as it turned out she was a much older gaffer than many of us!

Fiona arrived by train, just in time for a drink and to introduce us to Phillipe, from Bourg St Maurice, for the first time.  Phillipe's English, was excellent and he seemed to enjoy the somewhat unusual setting for a "meet the parents", as much as we did! 

                           

(At the time of writing, in January, they have returned to the Alps, Fiona with her cat and a visa for the whole of 2023, they are just waiting for some snow!)

We repaired to Chandlers, now called the Waypoint, Bistro for an enjoyable meal and good company, before a good night's sleep aboard.

The day of the race was another glorious one.  Phillipe a very experienced skier, uphill as well as down, had sailed a little before and proved to be a competent helm.  We managed a respectable third place on correction and retained the Tyrone Trophy. 

The main meal at The Stable on the Barbican was preceded by the usual prize giving, including the Victory Block, which contains a piece of her copper sheathing, for "Susan J" having travelled the furthest to attend, 400 yards further than "Picottee"!

 

Wednesday's activities didn't happen, several boats needed to catch tides and it remained very hot and windless.  As treasurer, we had to wait to settle the bills and to help Tim with "Picottee's engine.  A replacement battery was averted, once the strange multiple 12 V switching was identified and connections improved!  By the afternoon we  decided to forego our third night and sail off to Cawsands, where it would be cooler and ready to start our leisurely cruise along the south coast.

Our first visit to Brixham Heritage Regatta

Following our voyage to Wales and after two days ashore, including a visit to the Merlin cinema in Falmouth to see the new Downton Abbey film, we are once more aboard, bound down wind for Cawsands, a passage stop before rounding the south Hams for the Brixham Heritage Regatta.  This is an annual event at the end of May bank holiday, which we had always hoped to attend.  This year the bank holiday was shifted for Her Majesty's Jubilee, so that our politicians could ensure that the teachers missed the extra time off, despite their efforts for Covid.  However, this allowed us to attend  for the first time.  Penny Jolly organises the event and a smaller one in September, harnessing all the incredible good will of the people of Brixham, not just the excellent Yacht Club.

   

                Poled out from Helford                                                          Anchored at Cawsands

One reef in the mainsail and poled out staysail achieved 4 to 6 knots as the SW wind reached F6 as forecast. We kept the jib furled so avoided the inevitable falling off of turns on the Wickham Martin and laying on the bowsprit to recover it all! This worked well with a starboard gybe 10 degrees off course, followed by a port gybe 10 degrees less than the course and we rounded Penlee point to a flat calm and gentle refracted swell.

Following a slightly vinegary Valpolocelli, opened in Lawrenny, on the other side of the Bristol Channel, Julie cooked a superb meal eaten to the hiss of the Taylor stove! 

In sunnier weather, we broad reached past Salcombe, only to find a flat calm after Start Point. 

 

We motored on to Brixham and tied up on the town pontoon, amongst large and small traditional vessels and a fair number of junks.

 

       Mike Forward shaking out a reef on  "Arriana"         Berry head - where is the breakwater!

    "Capraia" arrives at the pontoon                          The assembled fleet

After a shower, we had a few beers at the very hospitable Brixham YC, enjoying the incomparable view over the harbour breakwater and towards Golden Cap in Dorset, with large gas carrying ships miraged, spectacularly, above the sea.

The Saturday was the hottest day of the year, so far and shorts were worn. Julie walked to Torquay, to complete that section of the SW path, from Salcombe.  Soon after she left, clouds of black smoke were visible above Torquay.  A large superyacht, that had taken on 8,000 litres of diesel, in Brixham, the day before had burnt to the water line, having, fortunately, burnt through her mooring lines and drifted out of the Torquay marina area.  Most of the sea front was closed, forcing Julie to walk inland to catch a bus back to Brixham, where David had enjoyed a pleasant day drinking tea, washing up, repeat and  doing a few odd jobs.  She found most of the Gaffer contingent in "Arriana"'s cockpit with beers at 16:00!

  

 

Following a briefing aboard "Prospect",  we were ferried to the Brixham YC and given a wonderful fish pie supper, before wandering back around the harbour to our boats.

                                                                        Photo Mike Garlic

Sunday dawned slightly grey, with the promise of a little wind later.  Shorts were stowed for another few weeks and we joined the throng in the shelter of the breakwater hoisting all sail.  We sailed as best we could for the parade and eventually started the race, while the skipper had to answer a call of nature.  Ralph, who had sailed his venerable, gunter rigged, twin bilge keel, Westerly22 from Torquay, had joined us for the race and regaled us with tales and anecdotes of yore.  His boat, "Charlie Bravo" was identical to the boat I had crewed on, from Dartmouth to Audierne, while still at school. Eventually, "Susan J" was her usual third in class behind "Capraia" and "Miscief". 

                                                                                                           Ralph Bell aboard "Susan J"

 

                                                                                                            Several junk rigged classics

                                "Minx"                                                                           "Provident"

Mike Garlick in "Mischief" took some lovely photographs of Susan J under way.

Photo Mike Garlic

 

                                                                                  "Susan J"                                                Photo Mike Garlic

The racing was very pleasant and a real privilege to be able to sail amongst a variety of boats from the junk rigged cruisers, the bermudan sloop, "Falandia", restored and recently sailed around Britain by 14 year old Katie and her parents, larger yawl "Amyrillis"; to the two Brixham trawlers - "Vigilance", still sadly, as I write, awaiting full coding and "Prospect", already restored, both a lovely sight close to.  All followed by a curry supper at the YC, prizes and more beer.  

 

             "Falandia" single handed Katie McCabe                                      "Provident"

"Susan J" had to be back on her mooring, at Helford Passage, before a family camping trip in Dorset, so it was decided to do one long passage on the Monday, setting off in crystal clear blue sky and fair weather cumulus, while leaving "Mischief" to lunch en route and "Capraia" motoring off into the "sunset".  By the time we had rounded Start Point, the clouds had gathered, the wind was rising and a squall, at least, looked likely.  By the time the reef was in, the wind had dropped but with evening approaching, we left it in, had a pasta supper and plodded ever westwards into the night, which was spent dodging unpredictable trawlers, so brightly lit you couldn't see their lateral lights!  By dawn, Eddystone Light was well astern and we continued to our mooring, for a late breakfast on Tuesday, before driving home.

 

 

 

So, in May, apart from two days ashore, we had been aboard for well over three weeks and covered approximately 840 Miles with four nights spent under way.  Time for a break at home, before Falmouth Classics!