First outing..

Steve contemplates another cup of coffee..

Rodders gave us a general shout last week to ask if we fancied a day out on the water on AmiLy in advance of the upcoming Jolly Boys Cruise (*tm) - fair to say that we trampled the airwaves in the rush, but as it turned out just three of our happy band (Rodders, Smithy and me) were able to make it on the day..

Massive Spring tides at the moment, one of the biggest of the year in fact so the tidal choice on the day was not brilliant, but we opted to go early and then gamble on or return..

So it was that the three amigo's convened at Rod's place for an 0830 start, then down to Whale Island (where Rod keeps his boat) and we were off by 9/9:30

Winds were northerly, and I'll be frank there was an air of arctic convoy about the trip, it was chuffing freezing despite my three layers, and Smithy had 4 or 5!

UK is just beginning to open up, and I had spotted that the Lifeboat pub in East Cowes was open for table service..  quick call, table booked, and we were a boat on a mission - an enjoyable (but cold) sail over powered by tea and Smithy's home baked scones with clotted cream and jam (!).

Lunch time spot grabbed in East Cowes marina, and we were soon sat in front of our first pub pint of the year..  yee gods it tasted good...  the food was also good, quite possibly the biggest burger I've seen this year..

Wind was dropping, on the nose, and over a massive (massive) adverse tide, and after standing still for almost half an hour outside Cowes, needs must and the iron sail was turned on for a motor home - said tide required us to be on Rod's pontoon by 5, or wait 4 hours so we pushed it..  we used the inner swashway on the return trip, but as we turned the corner into the harbour entrance the sheer weight of water brought us to an almost stop..  3K rev's and we were making only 1 or 2 knots, but once we were through the bottleneck all was good, and there was water enough to get on the pontoon (though a half hour later I've not seen so much mud..)

Brilliant day out...  looking forward to the big Cruise now..  though I hope it's warmer!!

Log:

Yellow outbound, red home..

Distance: 28'ish - no GPS track (cumulative total in the mileage tab at the top)
Wind (Speed; Direction): NW'ly
Sail Plan: Full main/full jib..  motored home
Speed (Max/average in knots):  4's and 5's under sail