Hillyard Owners Association

Detailed below are some contributions from members of the association about their escapades.

Have just returned from a few weeks cruising West of Scotland in our
9T Lady Grey.

As ever she continues to provide us with a sea-kindly and comfortable cruising home often admired wherever we go.
Our first port of call was Glenarm where our sailing club barbeque was taking place. (Carrickfgergus SC)
Our old friends Fred and Angela Winstanley from Preston were in attendance in their 16T Hillyard "Moonflower", they later joined us in Rathlin before heading South.
Then our travels took us to among other places, the Isle of Gigha, where we caught sight of 12T Fiordiligy.
Unfortunately we did not have the opportunity to speak to the crew other than a brief hello as they were passing us on their way out of the bay. I believe they had been in this area for the three peaks challenge.
We made our way on to Oban before heading South again for home, via Craobh Haven and the beautiful Isle of Jura.

Anyway I have attached a few pictures some of which you may wish to place on the HOA website.
Oh, and one of 9T Hillyard "Noggin" who we met last year while in Oban.

Yours Aye

Brian & Linda McGregor

'Joline 12 Ton Travels'

'Lady Corinne in the Tropics'

Greetings from Gaynor and Iain MacAlister on board Lady Corinne in Rodney Bay Marina. St Lucia, Caribbean. It was very nice to get a mention in issue 61 and many thanks for your kind words.

After leaving Puerto Mogan in Gran Canaria we were pushed further and further South in our search for the elusive Trade winds. Eventually we were only about 120 miles away from The Cabo Verde Islands and, having never been there, we decided to call in and fuel up, re-plenish supplies and enjoy the arrival of the New Year ashore. This we did at the well appointed marina at Mindello where we were treated to a spectacular firework display and some local firewater.

On leaving there it was as if someone had thrown a switch and suddenly we were in serious Trade winds. The Atlantic crossing took us a mere 16 days, surely a record for a Hillyard? and was mostly with our Twistle rig alone which performed superbly, I really can't praise it enough.

You can read about all of our travels on the website www.mailasail.com if you go to blogs and look for LadyC they are all there. I am also writing for the company that my Daughter, Zara, works for www.cowesonline.com and they are publishing extracts on their website under the heading columnists.

We will shortly be leaving St Lucia and heading for Grenada before heading back up North through the islands. I will be writing Blogs of what we're up to so I hope you will join us, it would be lovely to have you aboard. Lady Corinne and her Caribbean crew

This is a picture taken from the commitee boat on the finishing line of the Antigua Classic Regatta 2010 showing Lady Corinne taking line honours from Velsheda.

17:00.46N 61:45.87W Antigua Yacht Regatta

We never intended to enter for the Antigua Classic race series but as we were so close we decided to come and have a look. Arriving in Falmouth harbour we dropped the anchor and the next day we walked around to The Antigua Yacht Club, in torrential rain, to see what it was all about. We were introduced to Kenny Coomes, the Regatta Chairman, who spent a long time explaining how the series worked and he assured us that we would have a great time. We provisionally singed up for all the races and the Concours De Elegance and having done that we set about making the old girl look respectable, which after all her cruising wasn't easy especially in the baking heat of the day. We also had to take lots and lots of measurements as she had to be rated to be able to compete. The entry was £125 and included free berthing in the marina at English harbour so once we had scrubbed up we went around to take up our position. We were to moor stern to on the first pontoon out from the club, a maneuver that is rather unpleasant in a boat with an offset propeller, but with a long line to the jetty we managed to drop the anchor from the bow and winch ourselves into pride of place right in front of the lawn of the yacht club. We were in the front line and best placed for all the activities, Panerai, the main sponsors had their hospitality bar set up about 10 paces away from us and they provided an incredible level of liquid and gastronomic delight for the duration of the races, including a breakfast bag and daily paper delivered to the boat each morning. Gaynor and I have never raced and we were a little apprehensive about it although Kenny assured us that we would be able to take on crew without any problems. On the way back to the boat after registering we stopped for a beer and looking out of the bar I spotted Mike Frith, the artist from Chichester who sails his boat, Blue Eagle out of Itchenor where we keep Lady C. Mike was out her with his girlfriend Sandy and they had two more friends, Alan and Jenny arriving the next day, suddenly we had a full crew and they were absolutely fantastic. Walking around the pontoons that night to look at all the other boats was amazing and the beauty of the big boats such as Velsheda, Ranger, Rebecca and Windrose was awe inspiring. We wondered why we had entered the Concours but when the judges arrived the next morning they made very positive noises and that night we were awarded 2nd place in the privately maintained vintage boat category. Friday dawned grey and cloudy and my nerves were jangling as we lifted the anchor and headed out to the start. We were the second race to go off and thanks to Mike's cool hand on the helm we made a good start and headed for the first mark. It wasn't long before we could see the bigger boats charging up behind us and the two massive J's came past, one on either side in a truly magnificent display of speed and grace, their huge quarter wakes almost swamping us with what appeared to be two mini Tsunamis. After a great race we finished in third place and headed back to the wonderful party atmosphere in Falmouth harbour. Day two saw the start of The Butterfly race and there were lots of squalls coming through with prolonged periods of heavy rain, we were all totally soaked, but very happy to secure 2nd place. Sunday, day three of racing, was The Cannon, straight out and back twice, a total of 24 miles on a broad reach . We were reduced to only four crew as Alan and Jenny, who had been a bit seasick on the first day, decided to have a beach day but we still managed a great days racing and came second in class, just pipping Velsheda across the finishing line. The guys on the committee boat came around to see us and told us that they have a fabulous picture of us taking line honours from her, one for the album I'm sure. The race ended and we headed round to Falmouth Harbour for the parade of sail where we received some very flattering comments from the commentator. Day four was a real toughie with an 8 mile slog to windward but by now the skies had cleared and the sun was shining and Lady C was obviously enjoying herself and appeared to be better balanced than she had been previously. We romped home in second place again and an elated ship and crew headed round to English Harbour to take up the offer of a further two nights free berthing right beside the prize giving arena. This has been a truly amazing experience and we have had such a great time racing with a fabulous crew and now have over a hundred miles of racing experience under our belts. Our final position is second in class and we've just bought the T Shirts with Lady Corinne listed as one of the participating Yachts, we real do feel very proud of her and this experience will be a memory we shall cherish forever.

LadyC and her Prize Winning Crew wish you all the very best from The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta 2010.

Memories of Folly Rally 2009

It is not often that you berth alongside a pontoon escorted by motor boats flashing all round blue lights. But this is how 'Mandriella' made her entry to the 2009 Hillyard Rally of Boats. The trouble started right in the busy entrance to the Medina off Cowes. I was just putting the last sail tie on the main when my wife Viv who was on the wheel said:
'We've got a problem. We've lost way.'

As fast as my gammy knees would let me I rushed into the aft cabin and lifted the floor boards to get acess to the propellor coupling to the engine. Like a good boy scout I was prepared. On top of the aft stern cupboard I had a socket wrench with the correct size grub screw key fitted which I grabbed and with the engine out of gear frantiocally tightened the screws on the cast iron coupling. It wasn't very satisfactory but I manage to get enough grip to breathe a sigh of relief as I watched the propellor turn and give us power again just in time to avoid RedJet and the evil yellow coloured IKEA ferry bearing down on us.

It wasn't the first time I had had this problem with the coupling and prior to sailing a fellow club member (ex Merchant Navy Chief Engineer) had drilled a hole through the full width of the coupling and shaft and inserted a stainless steel bolt. His final comment had been:
''That'll be fine as long as it doesn't sheer.'
Low and behold on the passage to Cowes the wretched bolt sheered and was lying in the bilge badly mangled.

The early Hillyard arrivals had to moor mid channel as the alongside pontoons were still occupied. We tied up and waited for the summons to move and when it came 'Mandriella' left the pontoon OK but as we approached our night berth the coupling gave way again. Luckily a berthing master was close by in his dory so I hailed him and asked for a tow alongside. He willingly obliged tied up alongside put on his blue flashing light and began to tow us. A nearby water taxi joined in the fun and pushed us from the stern - again with blue light flashing and so we came to a safe haven alongside the Folly pontoon.

Once securely moored I explained to the berthing master my problem with the coupling and he advised me that a bolt should not have been used for securing the shaft and coupling but a device called a 'roll pin'.It was completely new to me but is a device often used in repairing agricultural machinery. It is a hardened steel tube with a taper at one end and a slot running down its entire length. A pin is selected which is slightly larger diameter than the hole and tapped in until it protrudes the other side then it can be wired into position if required.

After explaining this to me he offered to speak to their engineer to see if he had any roll pins which he did and arrangements were made for him to visit the next morning. Meanwhile Ken Hargreaves arrived on the pontoon to greet old friends and to welcome the visiting Hillyard yachts. He heard of the problem I had and said that he thought he had some roll pins and if he could find them he would bring them down the following morning on the offchance that one would fit.

Now came the best part of the day - off to the Folly for good food good beer and convivial company. When we left at not too late an hour a live band was in full flow and people were dancing on the tables.

As breakfast was cleared away Ken arrived with a box full of roll pins and it only took a few moments for one to be selected and tapped into position snugly joining the shaft to the coupling with no trace of movement and I am happy to say that it is still securely in position and will hopefully stay that way for many years to come. Ken who is an engineer said that he thought the coupling was oversize for the shaft which was why the grub screws were not keeping their grip but vibrating loose periodically. The Folly engineer was contacted and told that the problem had been fixed and he was very understanding about the matter.

So all-in-all a lively weekend with it's dramatic moments and a solution to a long standing problem now permanently fixed and I know what a roll pin is and how it is used. To make things better the weather on the Saturday was brilliant sunshine but rain and wind came on Sunday.

A message from CORSARO !
6th December 2009

On Thursday Dec' 4 we slipped away from the pontoon just south of the Tamar road bridge with the tide on the ebb for a run upstream on this wonderful crisp winter morning .

My new custodian has made my electric's a priority with those excellent LED running lights - a new charging circuit backed up with 2 x 50 watt solar panels - the starting circuit complete with new high torque starter motor has made life much easier for us both - domestic electrics will follow once this plastic card he uses has cooled !

I have made many new friends as my custodian is a 'liveaboard' with his black cat 'Lucky' - this was my first run up river remembering that I have an overall height of 54' that can easily be forgotten . It was just before 'The Crooked Spaniard's at Cargreen that I observed on my starboard side the picture as above which I believe is another Hillyard - if so my custodian would very much like to make contact on 0750 686 5525 as she will know the river better than myself .

That's all from my winter mooring for the moment - I will now allow my custodian to slip ashore for a 'wet' in the 'Saltash Sailing Club' whilst I enjoy the free energy that has made life aboard that much better rather than the recharging curtsey of Mr Ford .

SANCHIA Sailing: Bulletin for 18th to 21st September 2008.

After an appalling length of time spent on repairs this year, I set out with two other Hillyard owners at midnight for France: taking advantage of a rare spell of fine weather and moderate Easterly winds. Sanchia soon showed how well she can handle sea crossings and 16 hours later we berthed in the visitors berths of the Port Avant at Fécamp. The 72 Nautical miles had been achieved at a respectable average of 4.5 knots on a beam wind. A very pleasant 24 hours stay included dinner and sleep, a visit to the Benedictine Abbey where the liqueur is made, and a first class Saturday lunch and walk before preparing the return leg.The wind was freshening and, following a trip to the masthead to recover a wayward genoa halyard and to get the tricolour navigation light lit, we set out again at 1845hrs. We hove to before nightfall and took in two reefs: the slab reefing working perfectly. Sanchia reacted well to this reduced sail plan and accelerated through the night hours. We docked in Brighton at 0600hrs having sailed the 63 Nautical miles in 11.25 hours: logging an impressive average speed of 5.6 Knots.

After sleep and breakfast we set out once more at midday with a soft following breeze and warm sunshine to run back to Littlehampton. We entered harbour under sail at 6 Knots just before High Tide: having clocked the final 19 Nautical miles at an average of 4.5 knots

What a great 165 miles sail over the two days! Who says Hillyards are slow boats? I am hoping for further outings to Chichester Harbour and the Solent over the next couple of months.

SANCHIA Sailing: Bulletin for 10th to 12th October 2008.

This last Saturday morning we set out at 0800hrs with a full crew for the Solent. Judith and I were joined by 9-Ton Hillyard ‘HAYSEED’s’ new owners Rupert and Susie Bacon and Adrian Chorley of ‘FJORD’. The forecast was for fine weather with light South Westerly winds, so we decided to use the motor whenever necessary to maintain our target route and speed over the ground. From the Looe Channel to Cowes we had a good 20 mile sail with favourable tides helping us through and then motored into Newtown roads to anchor in the last of the evening light.

Sunday morning dawned in heavy mist, but we used the Chart Plotter to thread the access channel and set out to visit Yarmouth. When we arrived there the sunshine was brilliant and we decided, in spite of a ‘Moorings Full’ sign, we could trickle in to check out the harbour layout and facilities. Not surprisingly several boats were leaving moorings under the watchful guidance of the harbour masters in their RIBs so we turned in the busy and space limited access and headed out for The Needles.

No sooner clear away from Yarmouth than the mist came down again. For the second time the Chart Plotter sprang into action and, together with Radar and Depth Finder gave us such brilliant guidance that we are able to buoy hop impressively down the Northern limits of the channel. Each time we called attention for the next mark it loomed comfortingly ten to twenty meters away out of the murk.

Off the Needles the mist finally cleared for the day and we set course outside the Isle of Wight for Saint Catherine’s Head. From there we had an excellent sail to the Outer Owers cardinal mark and back into Littlehampton, arriving on our moorings at 2130hrs. Distance travelled in 25 hours over the two days was 106 Nautical Miles in pleasant sunny weather: confirming that the sailing conditions at this time are often the best of the year. We got acquainted with two new harbours and with the anchor winch and blind sailing instrumentation: altogether it was a great trip.

SANCHIA Sailing: Bulletin for 17th to 19th October 2008.

We dined aboard and got four hours sleep before leaving with the 0200hrs Saturday tide for Brighton and beyond. A Westerly Force 3 breeze and a couple of light showers were as forecast and we were off Shoreham by 0430hrs and in our visitor’s bay by 0600hrs. After breakfast we refuelled and were surprised to find the Thornycroft 150 diesel had used just 4 litres per hour of diesel on 18 hours under power since our departure for Fécamp (mostly in motoring round the Isle of Wight last weekend).

In good heart we sailed on in bright sunshine over the short 8 Nm run to Newhaven. In spite of the Dieppe ferry and other commercial traffic we thought it a pleasant place to visit, with reasonable marina facilities. After a pint at the local pub and a good lunch and siesta we took in a reef and tacked back to Brighton; berthing at supper time just after last light.

After a good night’s sleep we were hailed by Jan Ridgway whose 14 ton WINFRITH lives just along west pontoon 12 and who shared with us some of the adventures they have had in the West Country and France over the past four months.

The shipping forecast for Sunday had changed again and now reported ‘Winds South West Force 5 or 6, increasing to Force 7 later’. We tied down a third reef and cancelled cooked breakfast. Some of the local fleet were practicing a form of Le Mans racing start: half a dozen yachts (plus ourselves) hit the harbour mouth hoisting mainsails as the 10 minute gun sounded.

Wind, wave and adverse tide strengths peaked over the next three hours but SANCHIA was very comfortable with all of this and we were on our home moorings and tidying up by 1700hrs: another enjoyable week end’s sailing.

CORSARO

I thought you would all like to know that after some 8 years laid up at QAB Plymouth and then a brief stopover with another well being soul I have now settled on The Tamar with my new 'custodian' Tim Wallis who is a 'liveaboard' - he has given the undertaking to restore me to former glory in the fullness of time .

Some 6-7 years ago another good friend saw my sorry state but I was not available - however - a chance encounter at the Saltash Sailing Club at the beginning of August and a deal was struck - at this point I must mention that my benefactor happened to be looking at the Ass' website and yes all my past was revealed to him ! It also happens that my new custodian started his life in 1967 and in Ramsgate - if you recall CORSARO was launched in '67 not to mention the photo in Ramsgate harbour so these coincidences seemed a good start to a new beginning for us both .

There is a lot to be done but really it's more a question of labour than finance at the moment - I have plans to rejoin the fleet at one of your meetings but no date as yet so if any of you are passing The Tamar please look me up.

Corsaro - Buying and selling a Hillyard

Part 1

I used to live in London, born there way back. When I bought Corsaro she was laid up at Hillyards having previously been comprehensively outfitted for a long voyage. But, as it happens more often than not, the then owners departed the yard to sail the first leg out to Spain with a pro' skipper / crew helping them out only to return within a couple of days and abandoning the whole idea of cruising off into the sun-set. I bought her with everything on board, even a brand new sextant and other navigation toys that had not been unwrapped. They had just run away from the boat!

I took her round to Ramsgate where I had a berth in the inner harbour and worked on her for six months before pointing her South again, round Spain and into the Med' where I had her based for a year or so. My life took a turn, ( ran out of money!), so I sold her in the South of France to an American Colonel retiring from military service in Germany who too wanted to sail "off into the sun-set" with his family. I returned to London to get back to my business at that time to replenish the coffers. Three months later I got a message from the Colonel saying that he and the family had to return to the USA for a while, but could I pick Hishi up and take her to Corsica where he'd re- join the boat later. The boat hadn't moved from the yard where I had sold it to him earlier that summer, and when I got to the boat to take her to Corsica I could tell that she'd never left the slip since I sold her either. To cut a long story short I ended up sailing Hishi all the way to Turkey and back to Gib' over the next year or so, paid for by the Colonel who never once came back to the boat despite asking me to move her to various ports all over the Med' so he could re-join her. Proved to be a perfect way to "own" a boat!

Corsaro last seen in Queen Anne's Battery, Plymouth last year by HOA member Allen Clarke
Who's up for the challenge

Part II

Hello Guy, I have already heard from an Allen Clarke who told me that he saw "Corsaro" in a yard in Plymouth last year, QAB Marina. In sad shape by all accounts. I am trying to find out some more information, emailed the yard but haven't heard anything back as of yet. But an interesting and very swift response to you posting my "request".......I appreciate that.

And of course you can put the story on your website, I would consider it an honour, thank you.

But I will share one other story of Hishi with you if I may, and this concerned the last time I sailed on her.

Eventually she landed up in Piraeus, Greece and I was asked by the American owner to deliver her to Malta. We left Piraeus sailed East then went through the Corinth canal into to Adriatic to make course around the heel of Italy to the port of Valletta in Malta. There were just two of us on board, myself and a close friend Ricky Turner who though he loved the idea sailing he was in fact a terrible sailor, but a great cook who strapped into the galley with a safety harness could produce an amazing meal in any kind of adverse weather conditions. So of course he had to come on the voyage.

One night about 50 N. miles East of Malta I left Ricky at the helm having set course dead on the nose for the Valletta RDF radio beacon, at that time one of the strongest beacons in the Med, you couldn't miss it. Ricky woke me woke about four hours later to say that he had changed course earlier when he spotted the lights of Valletta about 15º off of the starboard bow. I checked the RDF but that said that Valletta was now 20º + off to port, but there on our present course right ahead were what looked like lights of a city on a hill, like Valletta. It was quite a dark overcast night, no moon and a heavy swell running from our stern, an hour or so later we sailed right into the middle of the US 6th Fleet with the carrier JFK all lit up just like a city, this was our "Valletta"

Well, their patrol boats and a destroyer chased us off politely and we set course on the RDF for Valletta for real this time.

Just before we made a landfall some instinct made me look through the storage under the floorboards by the fuel and water tanks on board the boat because I knew that the Maltese customs could be very difficult in those days, especially for anyone who could pass as hippies, and we that we certainly could. I found a whole lot of parcels and packages with US Army medical corps markings, medic battlefield packs in fact. Breaking them open I found boxes and boxes of morphine syringes, field dressings, inflatable splints and God knows what other drugs. What the good Colonel expected to encounter on his voyages I can only imagine, he had almost a complete field hospital tucked away on board. We dumped everything overboard, especially the morphine. We were boarded by Maltese Customs when we arrived in the harbour, they made us anchor out for 12 hours while they went through the boat. Thank God we had found and dumped that morphine otherwise I think we'd still be there!

1927 9-ton Hillyard

I thought you might like to add a pic of my 1927 9-ton Hillyard to your web site.

Barbara Mary is a 1927 Hillyard. In our family for some 25 years now - lying on Vancouver Island, west coast of British Columbia Canada. She was sailed over via Panama then Hawaii by the previous owners, David and Marde Sharpe. Pics also on the Albert Strange Web site:

The boat is quite original with Davey and Co. fittings etc. No major modifications have ever been made. Planking is pitch pine, 100% original, on bent oak frames, copper riveted, iron ballast keel. Canvas covered decks. Yanmar 35hp engine. Over the years I've replaced keel bolts, recanvased the decks, rewired the boat, repowered, recaulked above water line, refastened hood ends, rebuilt cockpit, plus usual refinishing.

I'll send along some additional info shortly. Currently I have the masts out and am refinishing them. They should go back in in about 10 days time - ready for our summer sailing!
Regards,
Jeremy Webb

Poole to Littlehampton (nearly) – Dawn Lady (1960) and Mavrodaphne (1955)

Dawn Lady had been back in the water for about 6 weeks following extensive overhaul in the winter when the Poole HOA meeting loomed large in our minds.

For Bec and I it was the opportunity to repay my parents kindness in putting us up for the Fowey meet and an opportunity to try Dawn Lady out over a longer distance than Brighton.

Over the winter Guy Smith (Mavrodaphne) had provided much sage and useful advice on boat maintenance, the importance of good varnish and the correct use of brasso. Over the course of his instruction he, and his dog Bear, had become good friends.

Following much discussion the decision was made to sail, in company to the Poole meeting. So, at 4.30am on the Friday before, we set off in good weather, with almost no wind, for Poole. A glassy, turning slight sea with the occasional zephyr of wind made our trip to Poole calm but very engine reliant. On Dawn Lady we had myself, Bec, and my parents Keith and Lynne Tullett, on Mavrodaphne, Guy was sailing solo and kept himself busy fishing and taking photos.

The weekend itself was a good success, a lot of shopping, a trip to the top of Dawn Lady’s mast and good company made the weekend at the yacht haven pleasant.

On Sunday however the weather deteriorated with a lot of rain and a blustery wind. However on checking, the prognosis was good, clearing up on Monday with a Northerly Force 4 forecast for the afternoon following a Force 4, gusting 5 in the morning.

We did try, and fail, to negotiate a reduced rate for the week for Dawn Lady and Mavrodaphne in the yacht haven if the weather turned against us. Our failure to negotiate a reduced rate left us with the prospect of a £125 bill for Dawn Lady and £90 for Mavrodaphne, with this in mind our thoughts turned to finding an appropriate weather window to get home. There was a lot of discussion in the bar and on the boats as to a good time to leave. With the weather showing some signs of calming, Dorenda Ellen moved off to anchor overnight closer to the harbour entrance. At this, and following a meeting on Dawn Lady – it was decided that Dawn Lady and Mavrodaphne would set sail the following morning to the entrance where a further decision could be made on continuing.

The weather forecast at this point showed that, following a gusty Force 5-6 overnight at about 7am the weather would start falling away to a Force 4, gusting 5) by mid morning with a moderate sea.

So Monday morning, 7 am came along, 2 reefs in the main on Dawn Lady and we motored out of the haven. The wind was blowing consistently but not too strongly, Poole harbour was calm and we approached the entrance.

On initial view the Swash channel was very calm and Poole Bay was moderate with no more than 2 feet of swell. With this in mind a straw poll was taken amongst those on Dawn Lady and a unanimous decision to go was made. Guy on Mavrodaphne concurred and, putting up a small amount of headsail we set course for Hurst point.

We had a cracking, if slightly wet, sail across the bay. Making up to 7 knots under sail and keeping Mavrodaphne close by we made it across Poole and Christchurch bay in less than 3 hours.

Rounding Hurst however we got an enormous shock. Mavrodaphne was approximately 1/2 mile ahead and, on rounding the headland, seemed to almost take a knockdown under full sail. Rounding the headland ourselves we met standing water of 6-8 feet accompanied by a very consistent Force 6, pretty much from the North East.

With a rather hairy strong wind over tide combination the slog up the north coast of the Isle of White was long and painful. Almost zero visibility due to spray, new holes in the coach roof being discovered, the sea soaking our bedding and a constant pounding made the half an hour it took us to get to just off Yarmouth almost unbearable.

Then, terrifyingly, we heard on CH16 a mayday call from a yacht just outside the harbour wall at Yarmouth. She had broken free of a mooring (we think) and, with 4 on board, was being beaten against the harbour wall. With the lifeboat on the way and us much sobered it became evident just how badly this could go.

Following a hurried conversation with Guy we made the decision to head for the Hamble and call it a day – it was simply too dangerous to try anywhere on the IOW and, with the tide now starting to think about turning against us we made our way, motorsailing for the mouth of Southampton water.

The prospect of an end in sight gave us brief respite from the cold and the wet, at least mentally, but with it still too dangerous to try and go below, hunger and cold was taking its toll. As we approached Calshot Spit and the Chimney at Fawley Power Station we found the seas calming. With much trepidation we stowed the headsail and main and motored for the Hamble. On entry I gave my father the wheel and prepared mooring lines, unfamiliar with Dawn Lady’s throttle controls he gave it a little too much juice coming into the pontoon and brushed our fenders against the inflatable tube of the privately run Hamble lifeboat. Checking there was no damage and tying up, exhausted, we did not hear fast running feet coming down the pontoon. ‘Who is the master of this vessel?’ – ‘I am’ I replied – belatedly remembering that I was…

"I have just had a report that your vessel hit the lifeboat – have you reported it?” – “No, we have only just tied up – the lifeboat is there (about 2 feet away) and we have done no damage”. This individual, who had still not identified himself then started telling me off in no uncertain terms – I must admit that at this point, being absolutely knackered, I may have been slightly rude…anyway, he decided no damage had been done and left us, slightly bemused on the pontoon.

We called the harbourmaster and he could not have been more helpful, guiding us to a pontoon in the middle of the river. Bacon sanwhiches and tea all round.

An unbelievable act of kindness then got us home with Guy’s wife Sally driving from Worthing all the way down to the Hamble to pick us up – thanks again Sally!

We decided we were very lucky. To sooth the nerves and assuage the need to shop we spent the night in Cowes before heading to Littlehampton on the Sunday morning.

In hindsight we should have waited for the weather to die down but, with a northerly expected none of us thought the Solent would be the worst of it. The trip across the bay was supposed to be the nasty bit, in fact this was pleasant by comparison.

Travelling in company does have its advantages though. Without a consensus agreement there is a chance that either Mavrodaphne or Dawn Lady may have attempted the trip to Littlehampton – the eastern side of the Solent looking much calmer. However the Looe channel and the seas around it were extremely rough that day and more damage is sure to have been done.

Tales from Southampton Water - Douglas Coulson

I went to the boat this morning with all my varnish gear to do the last of this year's varnishing..

.. but the weather was so good, and there was no lock queue, so the varnish gear stayed in the car and off Hannah and I headed down Southampton Water. Not a breath of wind, but just so nice to be out today!

I only chugged as far as the top of the Hamble River and back, but I had a lovely day nonetheless.

I'd previously taken to avoiding the Hamble after I'd heard that they were going to start charging people like me who just amble up the Hamble without stopping! Not sure if this charging was ever implemented or not, but when I saw the Hamble Harbourmaster's launch coming past I got a fender out and pretended to be taking it in, hoping that it would look like I'd stopped at a marina and therefore would not be charged. It either worked, or Hannah's name has been typed into a database and a bill is winging its way to me!! Ripsie of Hamble (12ton), Snoqualmie (13ton), Ianthe (13ton), and Golden Corn (9ton) were sitting happily on their moorings. I believe Snoqualmie is up for sale? I met the owners last year in Cowes. Nice family I remember. Not sure if Ripsie puts to sea much at the moment. I believe Mary Kozlowski is not well. Ianthe has a sick engine, Steve Tiffin was telling me at the recent Cowes meet, and he reckoned they were unlikely to use the boat again this year. Golden Corn.. well its rare to see her on her moorings! They are always out on her, summer and winter! Being the only other 9 tonner on Southampton Water (I think) Golden Corn is often mistaken for my boat, and I regularly get phonecalls from friends telling me they've seen me afloat when I haven't been!

Anyway, the return trip was a very leisurely sail back up to Hythe in very light airs with just the jenny out, my radio at my side (once I eventually found a station that played music and not just sport on a Saturday) and a plentiful supply of drinks and snacks thanks to a recent stock-up for the Cowes meet.

My biceps are twice the size now, as I was having to hand start the engine each time, as the engine starting battery is on its way out!

Sailing Yarns