That was the year that was.. 2019

Time for the traditional review of the year past; it's cold, dark, grey and wet outside, so this exercise provides a much needed mental fillip to get me motivated to start work on the job list.

This is my seventh year as owner of Sparrow and I still continue to learn and I still have absolutely no interest in parting with her - she does everything I want in spades... so the following is some happy (and some not so happy) memories of good times, bad times, warm weather, not so warm weather, sunshine glinting on the water, and fair weather sailing in shorts and t-shirts... I always enjoy putting this together, it's a good excuse to read all the old posts, and look at the video (not so much of that this year) and pictures from this years logs....

As of this moment work has not started on the winter jobs list, but she is scraped and cleaned, and to all intents and purposes is ready to go back in the water except for a coat of anti-foul. There is no major job this winter , other than a general clean up, and perhaps a coat of paint in the cabin..  not so much to do this year..

I would say that it was a "Dreadful" year; one of, if not the, worst season's I've had to be honest, either in 'Sparrow' or 'Papillon'... looking back my perception was that it was one long succession of poor tides, gales, and few weather windows, and then having the car break down on me for three months, and the outboard engine getting stolen was just the icing on the cake..as little'un said, it's yin and yang for the awesome summer we had last year... 😒

Solent trips this year were limited to 'Ocean Waves' and 'Liberty' though (as ever) the Jolly Boys had a superb outing on our 'Ocean Waves' charter this year though for weather reasons I don't think it was as good as last year - it was a blowy/blustery few days - but the sailing was superb, we really are growing in confidence as a crew.

...the resemblance is uncanny...  Jolly Boys 2019...

Of last winters jobs [clicky] the big one was the wiring in of the tiller pilot which was an absolute game changer in what little sailing I managed to get done this year - it makes life a whole lot easier, and the freedom to get away from the tiller is an absolute joy...

The other big jobs last winter were the alterations to the main sail and genoa - another unqualified success that has made a huge difference to sail trim - and the new VHF which after initial teething problems has worked, and continues to work, well...

Of the previous years jobs - the hatch covers are still good (all hail, West Systems), the cabin lights are still good (£7 from China and still no issues!), the battery is good, and also the solar charger is good and despite being small is providing more than enough juice..

...but all in all, that still rates as a poor year....  5 out of 10..  😐

Like a spider dipped in blue ink and left to wander all over Google Earth - here's where Sparrow went this year - nowhere out of the harbour this year: 

...and the following in "Ocean Waves" this summer on the outrageously entertaining  Jolly Boys Outing [clicky].

Friday blue, Saturday pink, Sunday green, Monday yellow..

What a(nother) stupendous trip that was, some simply superb sailing, never dropped below F4 all three days, often up to F5 or F6, in fact the only day the wind dropped and the sun came out was the last day on the way back ..  good memories...

...a brilliant four days in the Solent - and once again Smithy's missus's carrot cake was legendary....

Jolly Boys 2019 - that sums up the weather nicely...  grey, windy, but superb!

~~~~~~~~~
Number of visits down to the boat (ie. actually on it): 16 or 17 (couple/three down on last year) but once again if you count all the times I visited in the mornings/evenings while she was on shore (usually two to three times a week), and the days I worked on her pre-season - easily triple or quadruple that...  I've been to see her two times this last week alone.. 

Total distance sailed:  77.59 miles, which compares with 151.21 last year - least miles I've ever done in a season in either Sparrow or Papillon... weather not good, a succession of poor tide weekends, engine getting nicked kicked the stuffing out of me for a bit, and I also had car problems for two or three months..  'nuff said..  onwards and upwards...

Nights on board: None - nada - 'nuff'ing.. I've done it before and it's usually cold and uncomfortable..

Crew on occasion: None...the whole year was solo...  I don't mind, I'm good company.. if I start talking to the tiller pilot I know I've got a problem.. 

Cruising range: Mooring to the west, Emsworth Quay to the north, Snowhill in the East and HISC to the south.. much reduced sailing area this year..

Biggest Cruise: The day I saw the seal in the cut [clicky].. just less than 13 miles on a single tide on a breezy day in the harbour - so good I turned and went back when half way home..  

Closest I got to the Solent this year...

Best Cruise: With dew to choose from this year the first trip down to Snowhill [clicky] was hard to beat..  perfect day..  

Worst cruise: The row out to confirm the engine was stolen, without a doubt..

Oddest cruise: The end of season trip [clicky] probably...  not much sailing but the mackerel was good  

Best anchorages: None this year, no need..

Best mooring:  ...my club mooring continues to be a delight; water 3.5+ hours either side of high tide...

Worst mooring: Not a one to be honest.. they've all been good..

Plans for next year: The America's Cup is picking up, Sir Ben has launched his first boat (they're allowed two) and I'm hoping the Jolly Boys will get a trip out and see her at some time..  no idea of there are any warm up traces scheduled..  we haven't started planning yet, but I have no doubt there will be a Jolly Boys cruise (no idea where we'll end up, and we're wondering about chartering something a bit bigger) ..but as for Sparrow?? I've given up making plans and resolutions..  too much pressure.. I have a new (to me) engine though, and would like some time in the Solent .. and a better season, please... 

2019:

Date	Distance:	Wind:	Direction	Sail Plan:	Max Speed (knots):	Average Speed (knots):	Comments:
21st Feb	27.23*	n/a	n/a	n/a	8.6	5.1	Trip out on Liberty for lunch in Cowes..
5th May	4.51	F3 gusting F4	NxW through NxE	Full main and jib	6.0	3.8	Gusty, cold day, shakedown cruise..  first use of the magic wand..
25th May	12.08 (16.59)	Both ends of  F4	SW  going WxS	Reefed main and jib	6.3	3.8	First time out in a fortnight on a sunny breezy day - seals and Snowhill
2nd June	9.74 (26.33)	Top F3 gusting F4	SWxW	Full main and full/reefed jib	5.4	3.4	Down to Eastoke on a single tack, a Harrison Butler yacht was lovely..
14th - 17th June	62.76* (26.33)	F4 to F6	SW mostly	Full/reefed main and jib	7.4 (avg)	5.1 (avg)	The 2019 Jolly Boys Cruise!
22nd June	11.34 (37.67)	F3 gusting F4	SE	Full main and jib	4.7	3.1	Tack, tack, tack, down to Pilsey in glorious sunshine...
30th June	12.54 (50.21)	F3/F4 then F3	WNW going WxS	Full/reefed main and full jib	5.3	3.5	Both ends of the harbour
21st  July	12.94 (63.15)	Both ends of a F4	SWxW going WSW	Reefed main and jib	5.3	3.5	To the end of the harbour twice, a seal in the cut, and my first jammed roller furler!
24th August	4.07* (63.15)	F0	n/a	Engine	4.7	3.1	First day out following the theft of the outboard, but no wind and blisteringly hot..
31st August	9.25 (72.4)	F4 gusting F5	WxS mostly	Reefed main and jib	5.5	3.0	Sunny day got dark and grey quickly - plan to go to the Bar Beacon abandoned
14th September	5.19 (77.59)	F2 going F1	E going SSE	Full mon and genoa	4.9	2.0	Round Hayling on a hot and most wind'less day..  mackerel caught
.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.

Year total (to date): 77.59 miles NB:

2019 total (in Sparrow): 77.59 miles 
2018 total (in Sparrow): 151.12 miles
2017 total (in Sparrow): 141.91 miles
2016 total (in Sparrow): 138.29 miles
2015 total (in Sparrow): 141.29 miles
2014 total (in Sparrow): 137.98 miles
2013 total (in Sparrow): 113.73 miles
2012 total (in Papillon): 173.29 miles
2011 total (in Papillon): 193.41 miles
2010 total (in Papillon): 154.23 miles
2009 total (in Papillon): 125 miles