1st Outing of 2021 – 12th/15th April 2021
A Nervous Monday Start – More Relaxed on Thursday
We had been down to the boat a couple of times between February and March but with the ban of overnight stays away from home these were just day visits. Sort out the boat, get to grips with some of the electronics, B&G systems and new Fusion stereo with speakers in the cockpit. Gillian put this into the boy’s toys bracket and could not see the need for such an extravagance especially as I was beginning to whinge about cost of Alice’s wedding. So a truce was formed, as long as I paid up for wedding, Gillian would allow me a couple of more toys for the boat!
It would be fair to say it was not a warm day! Wrapped up in coats and gloves at the Gaff Rigger for coffee before we started and a bacon butty shared between us put us both in a more optimistic mood! Departing with Tom went well with a reverse out and no paint scratched. The day was spent in Southampton Water adjusting sails, playing with the reefing system, tacking and gybing. Lunch was as they might say in Yorkshire, a grand affair on one of the pontoons in the Hamble. A Gillian special of an all in one pot of beef stew – probably has a much posher name than that – but it satisfied us all as stories were swapped down below. We did discover 3 things; winches were underpowered which required much luffing up to get the mainsail with the right tension, the ‘German’ main sheet has been mounted on the boom too far forward and the friction in the in-mast reefing could not be winched out from the cockpit. So…….. as I explained to Gillian not the gadgets I was wanting to buy were completely vanity projects! We returned home that night somewhat exhausted despite a short days sailing.
The Thursday was equally cold – when will this weather get warmer. The day did not start off quite as well with my decision halfway out of the berth to change my mind in which way we would reverse; Tom expecting a starboard turn and I deciding to go to port! But it worked out with the first use in anger of the bow thruster. Yep a winter addition. I had dithered over whether to fit – cost and did I really need one on a 34′ boat. Well the purists would say absolutely not but wow am I glad I did! It makes coming into and leaving a berth with just the two of us so much easier. Gillian lassoes the mid cleat ashore from midships, whilst I hold the boat against the mid cleat and engage the bow thruster to keep the bow either in or out. Leaving is even easier with a straight reverse out and then a long burst to turn her around the keel. A great investment!
But back to Thursday. We decided to sail up to Netley Abbey in Southampton Water and practice anchoring with Gillian and myself. Usually I stay at the helm whilst Gillian goes forward and there is much gesticulating and silent shouting! However Tom got us to swap roles, talking Gillian through using transits to judge position and movement over the ground with myself lowering the anchor chain. Worked well! Drifted back on the tide, gentle reeves of 1,000 till the anchor took hold and then 2,000 as a final burst to both bed in and make sure we were not moving.
Once complete is was down below for a chicken and chickpea lunch what Gillian had quickly knocked up!
A gentle sail sail back to the Hamble before mooring up and a cup of tea to end the day.
We stopped overnight for what has become a customary pizza at the Gaff Rigger and a bottle of wine. All suitably togged up in ultra warm clothes next to the heater and with blankets.
Purrfect Tale 