Day 5 & 6 Weymouth to Torquay
This was one of the longer legs of around 50nm. The main planning criteria was rounding of Portland Bill. Distance from Weymouth Harbour to the Bill is 7nm – about 1.5hrs by the time you have sorted sails out and set a course close in shore to take advantage of the south going stream and to stay clear of the Shambles. The tide was turning around 1200 and had turned by 1230. We aimed to get to the Bill at 1200 and then have maximum tide with us across Lyme Bay. The forecast was for very light winds from SE backing NE.
Departure was fairly straightforward. We had a raft of 3 behind and a raft of 4 small boats in front. With a stern spring we could get the boat to around 75-80 degs which would be enough to motor out past the front raft. Once in Weymouth Bay the only wind was from our motion through the water so putting up the main as well as taking out the reef from the previous sail was straighforward. You can always tell if your planning is right (or wrong) when using Portland Bill inner channel by the number (or lack of) boats you are following. It was clear we had got it right as there were around 10 boats all heading in the same direction!
I had prepared the cruising chute which was on deck as the predicted wind and direction would have made flying it perfect. Once we had dodged the multiple lobster pots and anchored or static fishing vessels thoughts went to raising it. However I could see a boat in front trying to do the same and the wind was simply too weak even for the Cruising Chute. So it was a motor across Lyme Bay on a course of 265 heading towards Torquay. On the AIS you could see the divergence of the other boats as some headed for Salcombe, Dartmourh, Brixham or Torquay. We were the only ones heading for the latter port. The sea was flat – it was hot – and almost breathless. I have not sailed across Lyme Bay before in shorts and not even a t-shirt.
With tide behind us all the way we averaged just over 6kts. We got through a large number of cold water drinks as well as some pre made sandwiches. To pass the time I undertook a sun run sun sighting with the sextant. I now do around 5 sightings in 5 mins for each shoot and take the best average. I do make use of a nautical calculator to simplify and create the sight reductions. Accuracy not great! Latitude accurate but longitude out by about 15 miles.
We could make out the details of Torbay about 15 miles out. And were greeted with a small family of dolphins – 2 adults and 2 babies. A wonderful welcome to the gateway of the West Country.
It was a relatively short crossing but with a 1015 start and a 1900 finish it still felt like a long day.
The approach to Torquay is straightforward. South of Hope’s Nose there is Tucker Riock and Ore Stone but these are very obvious. After that you can follow the coast around, keeping to the West of East Shag. In Peaked Tor Cove we could see individuals climbing and jumping/diving from the rocks just offshore.
The entrance to the marina has a blind corner as you come in hence the need to keep well to starboard. Once inside there are a number of berths on A pontoon for visitors but we were fortunate to be allocated a berth on B pontoon. This marina is definitely motor boat heavy and very large motor boats. We had one each side towering over us!
Saturday was an admin day, washing clothes, washing boat and engine checks. We visited the Royal Torquay Yacht Club for lunch and on the way back inside the marina we were treated to a gin tasting session made locally with Dartmoor Spring Water. Gillian preferred London Dry Gin and I preferred Plymouth Navy Strength. The latter was strong!
The marina itself whilst expensive was very pleasant and had a great position in Torbay.
Purrfect Tale 