A Silhouette called Misty

In no particular order

2011-07-06T11:18:00.014+01:00

A few photos from recent excursions to the Eastern Solent. Passing the Lee On Solent hovercraft slipway, the "Princess Margaret" is still there in its deflated state.

Another waypoint on any sail east, Gilkicker point.

Some contented fisherfolk out near Nomansland Fort. How do they avoid getting their lines tangled?

The grim fort itself, still unoccupied after a stand-off between the bayliffs and its owner a couple of years ago.

A strange craft entering the Hamble. Actually it's one of the lifeboats come excursion boats from the cruise ship "Grand Princess" which was in Southampton at the time.

Yes, it's another Silhouette Mk3, the first I've ever encountered in my 5 years of sailing Misty on the Solent. This one belongs to Kevin Agnew and is normally kept in Dell Quay, Chichester Harbour. Kevin spent a few days visiting Cowes and Bembridge. As you can see we had a mutual picture-taking session and the two of Misty and me are the first ever taken by anyone out on the water! There wasn't much wind and we both continued on our respective ways under outboard power.

When I returned to the Hamble I met four of these on their way out. What was the Irish Coastguard doing over here?

On my last trip I managed to get round Gilkicker and just into Portsmouth Harbour. Here's what lies round the corner.

This is the old Fort Monckton with HM prison behind.

As close as I want to get to this establishment.

Passing the old Naval Hospital at Haslar.

A pretty Yarmouth 23 modern gaffer going the other way.

Haslar again.

Approaching HMS Dolphin with the Submarine Escape Training Tower (SETT) visible. Dolphin was decommissioned as the RN's submarine training school in 1998 but still houses the Submarine Museum. There's more about the history of this area at: http://www.seayourhistory.org.uk/content/view/608/776/1/7/

A Drascombe Lugger in full sail on it's way out of the harbour.

And here's a closer look at the SETT. The building houses a tall tank with airlocks at various depths. Although not a submariner I had to learn aircraft underwater escape techniques in the tower including the free ascent where you just take a lungful of air and climb out. The secret is to breath out on your way up as the pressure decreases and your lungs expand. If you were not doing it right the divers would hold you down until you were blowing bubbles at the correct rate.

This is Southsea with Clarence Pier and the Hoverport.

Inside the harbour entrance with the Spinnaker Tower, the quay with the Wightlink ferry, the masts of HMS Warrior and HMS Victory behind.

A closer look at the spinnaker tower.

On my way back, a cable or pipe-laying vessel which had been up and down the Solent for most of the day.

Finally, a powerboat blatantly breaking the 6 knot Hamble speed limit whilst entering the river. You can see it passing the No2 and No4 poles and continuing at high speed.

This limit applies up-river of the No1 and No2 channel marker poles which have '6 knots' painted on them. Sadly this is very common particularly when large power boats open up and rise onto the plane well before the poles when leaving the river.

The Hamble Habourmaster has admitted that there is very little he can do in practical terms to prosecute the offenders.

Warships

2011-06-12T15:09:00.008+01:00

Followers of this blog will be aware that I try to photograph any warships visiting the Solent. Usually they are fairly average-looking modern destroyers or frigates like the ones below:

This is HNMLS Van Amstel (thought that was beer), a Dutch frigate of the Karel Doorman Class. And here's the Belgian Frigate Leopold.

Looks familiar? Yes it's the same class, built in Holland, in fact the Leopold was the original Karel Doorman, first of the class before being transferred to the Belgian navy in 2005. Look at the yardarm and you'll see the ensign of the Belgian Navy: Talking of beer, this can of 6X is to be found floating off the I.O.W. coast near Yarmouth. Can't work out how to get at the contents, though.

Another naval vessel, this time the UK - the RFA Cardigan Bay, a Bay class Landing Ship, Dock (LSD)

How did this get here? Spotted on the way to Yarmouth the tug Wyetow hauling a load of - what? I reckon they were marina pontoons bound for Yarmouth or Lymington.

Sometimes something unusual turns up. I made a special trip to sail round this one and take a few photos:

There it is, anchored in the East Solent between Stokes Bay and Ryde. Looks like an aircraft carrier and very large.

It certainly was, although so was the APL container ship just passing.

Here she is, the 100,000 ton USN George H W Bush, latest of the USN's Nimitz class nuclear-powered carriers. She was just about to up-anchor after a visit to Portsmouth. The small launch alongside is one of the local Police launches mentioned in an earlier blog. There to protect the carrier from terrorist attack or from determined yachtsmen with cameras.

I didn't get arrested and here are two more views. The drive-thru effect above is because both port and starboard aircraft side lifts were lowered to hangar level at the same time.

I won't attempt to describe the ship here but all the details are at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_George_H.W._Bush_(CVN-77) and the ships official web-site is at: http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/cvn77/Pages/USS%20GEORGE%20H.W.%20BUSH%20(CVN%2077).aspx The USN has 10 of these; if we ever get our new carrier it will be half the size of the Nimitz class and without nuclear propulsion will need to refuel every few days to maintain intensive operations. Although they do need to regularly replenish their aviation fuel the Nimitz class ships nuclear fuel lasts for 50 years.

One of our restaurants is missing

2011-06-12T14:02:00.004+01:00

Went down to the pontoon the other day and after about 15 minutes of pottering about realised that there was something missing. The Ferry Restaurant was no longer moored in the mud close to the pontoon leaving this empty space behind.

This what the above spot looked like with the Ferry in place.

And this was the view of the pontoon (spot Misty?) from the outside verandah of the restaurant.

It seems that the lease on the mooring expired and the old chain ferry cum restaurant has been moved to another berth inside the adjacent Elephant Boatyard. The Ferry is still open but there isn't much of a view from her new location. Still on the subject of views this beauty is currently alongside at an Elephant pontoon. Named "Minstrel" I believe she has crossed the Atlantic but know little of her history.

Here's a yacht whose history I do know all about, although I was surprised to see her laid up at the Elephant. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's Suhaili, the very boat in which he won the single-handed Golden Globe race in 1968-69. It seem that after many more voyages: "In 1997 Suhaili went to the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich as an exhibit, but the controlled atmosphere began to shrink her planking, and, unwilling to see her die this way, RKJ removed her in 2002 and re-fitted her again. She still belongs to RKJ and is currently being slowly re-fastened by RKJ at the Elephant Boatyard at Burseldon, Near Southampton, UK with the objective of getting her back into commission."

Intrigued, I went round into the Elephant and yes, there was the great man busy with a paintbrush and pot of red lead at work on the re-fastening job.

Sir Robin's website is at: http://www.robinknox-johnston.co.uk/

Still sailing - new mainsail

2011-06-12T11:06:00.007+01:00

Yes, I'm still sailing, although from the date of the last post you could be forgiven for assuming that the hailstorm experience had put me off sailing for good. There's more to come but one of the things that happened in the past few months was the need for a new mainsail. I had never been entirely happy with the shape of the old sail which came with the boat, particularly with the way the battens distorted the curve of the sail when filled. The luff sliders were also prone to jamming. See below:

So when it started to rip along the line of the leech seam stitching which was rotten I wasn't too sad, except for the expense aspect, to look for a replacement. I also took the opportunity to make some changes to the design based on my experience with the original. The photo below shows the new sail, made to my own dimensions by Quay Sails of Poole. The reefing ties have not yet been added but the main changes were: shorter, loose, foot; longer luff with better sliders; more roach and better battens, particularly the upper one which is longer. The area is not much different from the original but the shape looks much better, even at the first fitting at the pontoon, above. In practice the new design has made an amazing difference to Misty's close-windedness and ability to sail both in light airs and also in stronger winds without reefing. Below is very short movie of the sail in action; I've since loosened off the clew to allow the loose foot to curve slightly. The clew is on a slider in the original boom track and I intend to rig an outhaul to make the foot tension variable.

So far then, I very pleased with the new sail and can recommend Quay Sails who produced the sail from a new design to my basic requirements in three weeks. http://www.quaysails.com/

Mixed bag

2011-03-13T10:39:00.006Z

Here's the faithful Larus Minimus (Little Gull) back again jealously guarding its territory despite a thick layer of frost on the pontoon and on Misty.

Already sporting its Summer black head plumage and ready to fly off to wherever they go to breed in the Summer. (A ringed Scandinavian resident has been identified as far away as Canada).

It's cold underfoot, at least I can tuck one away in the warm.

Another contestant in the tatty ensign competition. Again left flying day and night on an unoccupied boat for the whole winter.

This Oceanis 33 must be worth at least £100K even without the contents of the drinks cabinet. You would think the owner would take the trouble to learn a little about the finer points of seamanship before lashing out on this expensive toy.

I've often passed this vessel permanently moored on my way down river. Although in RNLI livery "Lyonesse" is not in current service, so what is her story? It's all here at: http://www.ournewhaven.org.uk/page_id__1403_path__0p71p87p69p87p41p.aspx It doesn't explain what she is now doing seemingly neglected in the Hamble.

Further downriver, tucked onto the end of a pontoon, facing up to a huge motoryacht, is one of the Hampshire Constabulary Marine Support Unit launches in its new home. All about the unit here: http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/Specialist+Units/operations/marine/

Heading out again into a foggy Solent in a flat calm. I had to wait about 3 hours for the wind to appear, then had an excellent sail down to Ryde and back.

Here is the "Sir James Scott" heading back into the river.

Just tagged on the photos below from yesterday's trip:

This is HMS Daring making its way up Southampton Water. First of the latest class of destroyers, with 'stealth' technology driving the angular and uncluttered design. Problem is, where do they now hoist all the signal flags which are as important to the RN today as they were in Nelson's time? Where is the essential 'yardarm' below which the sun has to be before the bar can be opened? Look closely at the forward tower, just aft of the bridge and below the radar 'mushroom':

England expects? No, this is the signal for "I have a pilot on board". Uppermost is the red and white Answering Pennant which in this case means that the flag Hotel, also red and white, below has the International meaning as above. I presume they have to hoist a similar signal on the port side since this can only be seen from one direction.

Still can't find a yardarm.

On her beam ends

2011-03-02T14:18:00.007Z

No photos just a cautionary tale of what can happen in this season of rapidly-changing weather. Last Sunday I went out in almost ideal conditions with F3-4 westerly and made Yarmouth just in time to turn around with the tide, have my sandwiches and enjoy a relaxing run back to Calshot. It did start to rain a little but like the wind, it was from astern and didn't spoil that part of the sail. As I turned up Southampton Water the wind was about 15 kts and the rain became heavier but I was looking forward to a wind-assisted trip back up the Hamble. As I neared the river I dropped the main, started the outboard as a standby, and was making a good 4kts under the genoa alone when all hell broke loose. The wind suddenly veered by about 90 degrees and increased. By the time I had rolled up the genoa and knocked the outboard into gear I was being battered by hailstones with such ferocity that I could not see a thing, even if I could have kept my eyes open. Suddenly Misty was heeled at 30 degrees to starboard just by the windage of the mast and furled sails, and being driven sideways towards the shore at high speed. All I could do was to force the boat into wind with the tiller hard over to starboard and the outboard at full throttle, also turned as far as it would go in the same direction. Out at sea it would have been better to have turned downwind but in this case that would have driven Misty onto a lee shore in no time at all. It worked but the first time the shifting wind caught the bow and we were heeled to port and off in the opposite direction. Eventually I managed to hold Misty more or less into wind through almost closed eyes and with my head down, making no progress for about 10 minutes until the squall passed. I could then resume my course, very shaken, towards and up the Hamble. When I got back to the boatyard and looked in the mirror I had two beautiful black eyes from the force of the driven hailstones. Safely back home I checked the Bramblemet record and wasn't surprised to see that for that 10 minutes the wind suddenly increased from 15 to over 30kts whilst veering from 250 to 355 degrees. Why do we do it? Perhaps those sailors who spent the afternoon patiently scrubbing their hulls back at the yard had the right idea. I've bought a pair of industrial safety glasses for next time - heaven forbid.

Misty in the fog

2011-02-25T13:39:00.021Z

The last couple of sails were exercises in 'blind pilotage' with a touch of navigation thrown in. Reason - thick fog and a determination to get out on the water. Below is a chart of the East Solent with the blue line representing a track (course over ground for the nautical) of about 150/330 degrees between the mouth of the Hamble and Wooton Creek on the I.O.W. I have sailed up and down this groove many times because with a prevailing SW wind it is where you go with a minimum of effort, give or take the tidal stream at the time. So last Friday I decided to try it in the fog.

As the chart and the one below show you cannot go very far without bumping into a buoy of one type or another so with an acute awareness of the hazards, shipping channels and Bramble Bank, eyes and ears open, guard VHF Channel 12, no problem! First a look at the other considerations. Aside from the fog the wind was forecast F3-4 from the east with an east-going tide initially turning to west-going around mid-day. Below is the tide situation at Bursledon Bridge for the day.

To get Misty away from the pontoon she needs about 1 metre which means 2 metres at the bridge. This occurred at about 0600 and was followed shortly after by the first "high" when the water in the Hamble goes slack for about 1 hour. Other than at or after the main high this is a good time to motor out of the river. So departure was at 0700. Visibility on the river was no problem but out into Southampton Water came two reminders of what else might be out and about. As it happened there was very little on the water and it was surprisingly easy on the ears. On a busy Solent yotting day the slightest hint of fog initiates a cacophony of horn blowing which makes any sound direction-finding impossible. Out into the murk, making about 160 degrees over the ground in a nice F3, should be going well to the east of Bramble Bank and probably end up in Osborne Bay. The depth sounder is a good aid in the Solent and gives a solid indication when you get into the deeper water of the main channel close to the I.O.W. coast. Passing the Calshot Bell, reassuring because I can't see anything else! Hopefully that's Old Castle Point, the headland to the east of Cowes. No traffic in the main channel, can't see West Ryde Middle but press on. Out of the fog, Osborne? No doubt about it. Along the coast a short distance, go about and head for home. The wind has increased to F5 but doesn't seem to be clearing the fog. Can see even less looking in that direction. Relief, here's Calshot Bell again with Calshot Spit just visible to it's starboard. Calshot Tower just under the boom. The entrance to the Hamble? Coronation buoy? Definitely Calshot. Definitely Coronation. Good to see the fog doesn't affect the Border Patrol. Where's the Hamble gone? I can just make out the channel marker posts. There's the buoy. Definitely Hamble Point so right turn for home. Back at Bursledon the fog had completely cleared. This is a modern pilot cutter interpretation named "Westerman" alongside at The Elephant Boatyard. More at: http://bursledonblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/westerman-sold.html Below is the wind recorded at Bramble Bank for the day: Finally, glutton for punishment, went out in similar conditions a few days later. Different tide and wind, took a look at Bramble Bank. Somewhere down in the main channel was a large tanker with its attendant tug astern. Can't see it? Here's a similar vessel (Navion Akarita) on a clear day last year. These are regular visitors to the Fawley terminal and have to be turned around by two tugs before going alongside to unload. AIS records show the one in the fog to have been the Navion Anglia.

Into Cowes

2011-02-24T10:36:00.006Z

Down to Cowes. Don't normally venture into the harbour but as it was quiet I had a quick sail inside before leaving to the east. These photos are all of the west side as the sun was very low and bright in the east.

Out in the Solent this yacht overtook, running free with a reefed main. Turned out to be the "Cape Breton Island" which participated in the 2009-10 Clipper Round the World Challenge. The patched mainsail looks like it was the one used during the race. The name and Canadian flag denotes that the yacht was sponsored by Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.

A closer look.

Red Funnel's Red Jets 4 and 5 passing at high speed.

And the large vehicle carrier "Maersk Wind" moving slowly up towards Southampton

Up the Yangtze

2011-02-11T08:50:00.012Z

Before I explain the title, on my way out of the Hamble a couple of days ago this waterborne projectile came hurtling down Southampton Water at a great rate of knots. (Not my photo, no time to grab the camera, but completely representative). After a wide high speed sweep ahead of me it came to rest to shoreward and revealed itself to be "XSR".

I won't attempt to explain its purpose - it's all here, and no, I'm not the sailboat in the introductory movie! http://www.xsmgworld.com/defence/index.html

On to something more eco-friendly and profoundly more interesting to a sailor.

Back in November last year I posted a photo of "Dragonfly", an attractive junk-rigged ketch making its way along the coast toward Calshot.

I've spotted her a few times since and on one occasion her owner hailed me for a chat. In a light breeze he was able to run rings around "Misty" and explained that he had been inspired by the highly manoeuvrable junk-rigged craft in Hong Kong whilst working out there. Can't argue with that, what's more she is based in Ashlett and regularly sails in and out! Above he is sailing her into the Hamble. So was I but I had to start the outboard to keep pace!

Shallow draft inshore of the starboard channel marker posts.

Reaching majestically up the river. Figured out the Yangtze bit? Now enjoy a couple of short movie clips. If her owner wants to download any of these he's more than welcome.

Up the Creek

2011-02-10T15:07:00.014Z

When leaving the Hamble if you look across to the other side of Southampton Water you can see the masts of yachts moored up a mysterious creek beyond the shallows behind the Fawley Oil Terminal.

This is Ashlett creek and apart from featuring on the New Forest website at: http://www.newforest.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=2141 is also home to the Ashlett Sailing Club: http://www.ashlettsc.com/

Accurate information on the drying channel is pretty scarce and at the time the Sailing Club site was being updated but on a completely windless day between gales I decided to motor across and have a look.

Approaching the shallower part of the channel...

This is obviously the Sailing Club but how to get to it? Looks quite interesting zooming in, that must be the Ashlett Club. Try a bit further on but it's only 1 meter on the depth sounder...

The channel must bear round to port somehow... Sorry, I give up, I've just grounded on something soft and the tide is falling.

Beat a hasty retreat - some other time perhaps.

On the way out a few views of the reverse side of the oil terminal, where the smaller tankers and tugs are based.

Meanwhile, back in the Hamble, a Maritime Academy training course was in full swing.

It looks bitterly cold, and it was.

OK, now who did I tell to bring the oars?

December Jottings

2010-12-31T09:49:00.007Z

Despite the arctic conditions I did manage a few days sailing during December. For most of the month Misty was frozen and completely snowed in at the pontoon and the roads were too treacherous to even consider driving to the boatyard to check. Yesterday I ventured down for a look and when I found that Misty was completely unscathed, battery still fully charged and outboard ready to go I decided to go for a short sail.

First a couple of photos from a trip before the freeze:

Yes, it's "Victoria" again, now underway heading out of the Hamble still with the knotted ensign! What more can I say?

Much more pleasing on the eye, a beautifully restored gaff cutter.

Keeping our borders safe, the "Valiant" operated by the re-named Customs service. I can't help wondering why the Royal Navy doesn't do this job. Yesterday's short sail turned out be a very rewarding 8-hour voyage down to Wooton Creek with a good force 4 and very little else out on the water. Except this 60 metre superyacht. Couldn't make out her name or nationality at the time but a check of the Southampton AIS plot records identified her as the "Jamaica Bay".

Further internet searching revealed that she is a luxury charter vessel registered in the Marshall Islands! Where's that? A long way away from the Solent in Micronesia. Here's the ensign:

My destination was less romantic and very gloomy, the entrance to Wooton with the race starting platform:

Finally, a short movie from before the freeze of Misty reefed down plodding into a F5 and a typical Solent 'wind against tide' chop.

Odds and ends

2010-11-07T10:06:00.009Z

A short post script to the last item about the thick cloud of smoke over Warsash in the early morning of 22 October. I contacted the Hamble Harbourmaster, Warsash Sailing Club and Maritime Academy to see if anyone had been aware of the incident, or knew what caused it but no-one in any of those organisations was around at 0717. Despite the enormity and extent of the smoke the Fareham Borough Council, on whose patch the incident occurred, was completely uninterested! Quote from their reply to my report: "I understand your frustrations however we have no reason to investigate as we would not be able to take any legal action. If we do receive complaints that come within the remit of the legislation we shall look to investigate." I know where I would start with local government cost-saving measures. Talking of cost-saving, in the aftermath of the recent "defence review" here at least is one frigate that is still afloat:

Warship on the starboard bow.

It's one of ours.......

F87, the Type 22 Frigate HMS Chatham politely giving way to port so I didn't have to luff up in the light wind.

Chatham is actually based in Devonport and returned there in July after a pirate-bashing deployment off the coast of East Africa. The ships motto, Surge et vince is a polite Latin translation of the original "Up and at 'em". An appropriate way of dealing with Somali pirates.

With a swinging boom you too can have time to snooze or read a book.

What the...? A ferry of some sort on its way up Southampton Water, for breaking? I wonder where it came from.

I've seen this before, almost in the same spot. The junk-rigged "Dragonfly" making graceful progress East towards Calshot.

Smokescreen & Flag Etiquette

2010-10-22T15:23:00.004+01:00

This was the entrance to the Hamble River at 0730 this morning. It came from a garden bonfire which got out of control! Added realism for the Sea Safety Training rig perhaps but utterly inconsiderate.

I mentioned flag etiquette in the last couple of posts. The owner of this expensive motor yacht "Victoria" moored in the upper Hamble should be keelhauled then flogged around the fleet.

The ensign is tied in a knot ; I assume the owner is not on board.

After the re-launch

2010-10-16T15:35:00.016+01:00

I was quite keen to get Misty back in the water after the bottom job because it looked as though the weather was going to be good for sailing this week. So a couple of days later I was at the pontoon at 0630 ready to cast off and catch the ebb tide which in theory would ease my way at least as far as Ryde. Just starting the motor when who should turn up but the owner of the motorboat on the next berth, carrying fishing rods and box of bait (See last post). He filled me in on the history of his boat which is called "Tumblehome" and which he uses for fishing. David runs a company called Gas Check Marine and refurbished the boat himself, see

http://www.gascheckmarine.co.uk/gcm_gallery_2.html

for the full story.I hadn't the heart to mention flag etiquette and the offending 'ensign' is a corporate Gas Check banner anyway. He said he was heading for the Browndown buoy to catch some cod and promised to wave if I passed by on my way to Ryde.

It was a fiery dawn to the East, see above, and I did take the following photos on my way past:

He hadn't caught anything at that point so I wished him luck and sailed on. After passing Browndown in relative calm a good force 4 from the North blew up and Misty sped along so well that I ignored Ryde and made for Nomans Land Fort, then in towards Bembridge and Seaview.

This is the new lifeboat station near Bembridge, see:

http://www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you/east/stations/bembridgeisleofwight?gclid=CIqv1_PX16QCFWf-2AodBhi3MA All in all a very good day's sailing with very little on the water, except lonely fishermen. David was still off Browndown when I passed on the way back, too far off to ask about his catch - perhaps just as well. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yesterday the wind was still from the North and he tide was good for a trip in the opposite direction, towards Lymington.

It was very foggy but I made the West end of the Solent in good time and could just make out this vessel anchored close to Yarmouth. Survey or Buoy Maintenance vessel? I had no idea until I checked the AIS plot on my PC at home. Apparently it was "Le Grand Bleu". So what? Well it is one of the biggest motor yachts in the world at 370 feet long and comes complete with two more lesser yachts and a helicopter onboard.

Previously owned by Roman Abramovich, Russian millionnaire and owner of Chelsea Football Club, it was given as a gift to his mate Eugene Shvindler. The whole story is at: http://www.yacht-sea.net/mega-yacht-profiles/le-grand-bleu.html What are friends for? Not the most attractive yacht though. Anyway, I continued on to Lymington as planned. Here is the entrance with one of the latest, bigger, Wight Link ferries about to enter the harbour.

Spotted this little yacht from the Silhouette era beating in the opposite direction.

Then the "Tenacious" hoisting her sails heading West

Back at the pontoon the covers were off "Tumblehome" so I took a quick snap of the beautiful woodwork in her cockpit.

Nearly forgot! Coming back up Southampton Water I saw another yacht astern doing the same thing. Normally I would keep an eye on it expecting to be overtaken but this time Misty seemed to be making a better job of beating up towards the Hamble. Could it be her clean bottom? Anyway I thought this rare moment was worth recording:

Still scrubs up well

2010-10-12T08:56:00.011+01:00

As promised here are some photos of Misty's annual lift-out and clean-up which took place over the last couple of weeks. I get 4 weeks on the hardstanding as part of the deal with Deacons Boatyard but since the big paint job back in 2007 I've managed to do what's been required in 2 weeks.

First a couple of photos of Misty on the monster 20-ton transporter used by the yard.

After a pressure-wash in the lift-out slings she was lowered onto the transporter then trundled round to where she was 'blocked off' and the transporter slid from under. The operator does all this remotely from a hand-held controller whilst walking beside the machine.

Blocked off, rudder dropped out and showing where she sits in the mud at low tides. This is where the barnacles make their home.

The next two show all this scraped off and two coats of antifouling applied. I used the eroding kind as it is easy to rub down to a smooth surface. Any blistering is sanded out and filled with a paste of antifouling thickened with colloidal silica.

After two more coats the boot top was re-done and the hull polished. My paint job is standing up well and still shines up.

A closer look underneath, not bad for over 30 years old.

Back in slings again with rudder attached for re-launch. The re-built rudder is showing no signs of deterioration and the stock is still in good shape.

Back on the pontoon.....

with a new neighbour under the covers, but hold on, that bird looks familiar!

Yes, it's the faithful Little Gull looking rather despondent. Never mind, a couple of crusts ensured its loyalty for another season.

I can't tell what type of boat lies under the cover but it looks like a traditional "gentleman's motor launch". Must have a word with owner about flag etiquette though. Don't know what I mean?

What happened to the Summer?

2010-10-03T14:11:00.017+01:00

I'm sitting in my "office" on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon asking myself that question. Misty was lifted out last week for her annual scrub and re-antifoul (see next post) and I'm waiting for a few dry days to get on with the work. I am conscious of the fact that I haven't posted anything since July and more than one concerned reader has asked about my well-being, so what did happen to the Summer? Well, a debilitating muscular problem slowed me down for a few weeks but thanks to the magic of steroids I'm back in the cockpit and although the extended cruise didn't happen I did manage a few days revisiting the old haunts on the Solent. So here are a few photos in more or less chronological order.

Close hauled beating up towards Portsmouth in a Force 4. Misty now seems to be set up right and really sails very well.

An attractive but unknown traditional ketch from the USA.

Poking my nose into Wooton Creek at low tide

This is the Fishbourne ferry dock with a WightLink vessel unloading.

What it says on the side!

D34 HMS Daring, first of the RN's new Daring Class destroyers.

Yet another commercial vessel heading up to Southampton. But what's that on the after deck?

Look more closely...

SAL is heavy lift shipping company based near Hamburg and this is either a motorised Chinese Junk or Arab Dhow. I e-mailed SAL for more information but no answer. Maybe it was full of illegal immigrants.

This time it's a quick look into Newtown River, owned by the National Trust, again at low tide.

This is the view to port on entering. The river here opens into a lake with a number of visitors' moorings.

Looking upstream into the main river. The narrow channel lies to startboard of the anchored yachts.

An old friend still going strong in commercial use. The paddle steamer Waverley.

Less attractive but equally functional. Yet more containers bound for Southampton.

Starboard tack again but reefed down in a Force 5.

Quick look into Osborne Bay.

Looking back towards the East Cowes headland

And all the way back towards Calshot. Looks a long way.

Another Tall Ships Challenger reefed down in the same Force 5. Note the red high visibility storm jib in use.

Calshot Tower again, so what's changed?

After many years of just carrying the Southampton VTS radar antennae the tower is now manned again as a lookout by the volunteers of the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI), see http://www.nci.org.uk/ They are all dedicated enough to climb the 82 steps up to the observation platform every time they go on watch.

Southampton Harbourmaster at speed.

Proceeding more slowly, a local trawler hauling in her nets.

The buoy at Lepe Spit, just before the entrance to Beaulieu River.

Lepe Country Park

Old Coastguard Cottages at the river entrance.

Posts marking the starboatd side of the river entrance and small but prominent lighthouse

Platform marking the port side of the eriver entrance.

Slow down Misty.

A short dash across to the opposite side of the Solent is Thorness Bay.

All very quite now that the season is over.

Running back acros the bay towards Gurnard Point and West Cowes.

Another commercial vessel about to round the West Bramble marker. The 'sharp' end is on the right!

Southampton Container Terminal

2010-07-16T14:08:00.014+01:00

This is a plan of Southampton Port's Container Terminal. It is situated right at the top of the navigable River Test and is a tortuous place to take a Large Container Vessel (LCV) up Southampton Water to. This has to be done using at least two tugs which take charge of the vessel way back down Southampton Water.

Below is the aerial view with LCVs in berths 204, 206 and 207. Note that the vessels in 206 and 207 are pointing upstream which means that they will have to be turned around before departure by tugs in the Bury Swinging Ground shown in the plan. The vessel pointing downstream was turned prior to docking, probably in the Upper Swinging Ground just visible on the right hand side of the plan.

Note the extremely narrow dredged channel available for these manoeuvres.

I've described a previous sail up Southampton Water, then take the left fork up the River Test, in an earlier post but this time my presence in the Container Terminal coincided with the arrival of an LCV

This is Marchwood's wind turbine unit on a raft just off the installation.

On this day there were LCVs on 204/5 and 206 berths with a space available on 207 beyond. Note the red port-hand buoy in the above photo. Any vessel bound for 207 will have to squeeze between this buoy and the two already alongside.

Looking back above you can now just see the third vessel being turned around the end of the docks.

And here it is being towed astern past the other vessels in the narrow channel. Note the close proximity of the red Port-hand buoy above and the red channel marker post below.

Safely past and ready to be pushed sideways into the berth.

Meanwhile on the opposite bank there are peaceful yacht moorings. You can understand why the port authority want to develop the land on that side.

Catch-up time

2010-07-16T10:43:00.007+01:00

I have managed to get some sailing in recently but nothing worthy of a single post so here is a collection of miscellaneous photos taken over the past few months.

I've also added a Solent weather widget on the right. If you click on the its link you can obtain longer-term and overnight information.

A few pics from the Eastern Solent again around Spithead

Nomans Land fort to Starboard.

Portsmouth to Port.

Past Horse Sand fort

The Horse Sand starboard hand buoy (wrong side as it's starboard hand coming the other way into the Solent)

and the Outer Spit buoy which is solar-powered.

Marine & Towage Services (MTS) vessel Vortex.

Dauntsey's Jolie Brise beating under main, jib and staysail.

Calshot lifeboat at its mooring. This is the Sarah Emily Harrop, a Tyne class vessel. Calshot was downgraded a while ago from the larger Arun class.

On 20 June about 20 barrels of gas-oil were spilled from a tanker unloading alongside the Fawley Terminal. This found its way onto the beaches to the West of Hillhead, closing them for 4 days whilst the oil was cleared. Most of this work was done by these two vessels from the Southampton-based Oilspill Response Unit.

Peter David, above and the larger Earl 2, below.

Here they are in action running out the containment boom (had to heave-to in order to take the film, not a very steady condition!):

Rich variety

2010-06-01T11:23:00.015+01:00

I never fail to be amazed by the rich variety of 'vessels' to be found earning their keep out on the Solent.

This is one of many fishing and shellfish dredging boats to be found out on the Solent in all weathers. It's a bit murky but they have just finished hauling in the nets.

Always useful to have around but this is not the local lifeboat. It is the 'Donald and Barbara Broadhead' which hails all the way from Rosslare Harbour in Ireland. What it was doing up the Hamble is a mystery, as is why the Royal National Lifeboat Institution operates in the Irish Republic.

One of the Royal Logistics Corps' floating platforms for moving heavy equipment on the waters. Must be hell in a chop.

How many of these to an aircraft carrier? Anchored in Stokes Bay enjoying a leisurely lunch is HMS Puncher, another of the RN's P2000 patrol craft based in Portsmouth. Like HMS Ranger of the previous post Puncher is attached to a University Royal Naval Unit, in this case Bristol. Great fun but how does the MOD justify running 12 of these unarmed vessels?

Looking more suited to its purpose, whatever that may be, is this strange-looking vessel. 'Shore Wave' looks like some sort of dredger/barge and is registered in Limassol Cyprus!

Finally, not out on the Solent but a couple of uncommon and attractive yachts which I admire as I pass them on my regular trips up and down the Hamble. Sadly I have never seen either of them out on the water.

This is the quarter ton Waarschip 725 "Love In A Mist". Designed by the Dutch company Waarship Werft in the late 1960s for home build in marine ply this example was buit in 1978. More information at:

http://sailboatdata.com/VIEWRECORD.ASP?CLASS_ID=5285

and here are the plans:

Having said that I have never seen her out on the water, she appears in two sailing video clips on 'youtube' dated 2008. What a lovely yacht just longing to be sailed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Ix630Yzzo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8kE1_fRxqs

Next is "Ivory Gull" a junk-rigged Maurice Griffiths Lone Gull Design.

I'll let MG himself tell you all about the design at:

http://www.eventideowners.org.uk/study-plans/mg_lone_gull_ii.pdf

Once again she must have been out because here is a painting of her courtesy of the Eventide Owners' Website.

Defences new and old

2010-05-08T15:27:00.004+01:00

On a recent trip, the only company I had was the Royal Navy. This is HMS Ranger, a P2000 patrol vessel of the Portsmouth Flotilla. Most of this type are attached to the University Royal Naval Units (URNUs) and manned by a small crew of RN regulars, provide training for University students with University Cadetships. They look very fast and capable, but seen to lack any form of armament. Maybe gunnery training isn't part of the University course. Ranger is attached to Sussex University.

Further East and heading back to Portsmouth, the type 42 Destroyer HMS Liverpool with the local Police launch just ahead looking rather like a pilot fish with a shark in tow.

Looking rather grim in the overcast conditions, this was the objective for the day, Nomansland Fort at the East end of the Solent. It is now seemingly deserted but has had a chequered recent history. See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Man's_Land_Fort

0730 to Portsmouth

2010-04-14T09:06:00.003+01:00

After last week's dash in the direction of Lymington, yesterday's wind forecast was similar in strength but the direction had settled down to a week of North-easterlies which were ideal for a sail in the opposite direction towards Portsmouth. The tide was also in that direction until about 10:00 so another early start and turn left out of Southampton Water.

The wind direction allowed a me to sail down the Hamble under Genoa alone and on exiting the river the wind strength seemed to be gusting to Force 6 rather than the forecast 5. Feeling a bit fragile at that time of the morning I decided not to raise the main and to see how Misty would progress under the genoa, reefed down to working jib size, or adjusted to suit whatever the wind decided to do. I've tried this before but usually to end a trip in a leisurely way with main safely dowsed before eventually starting the outboard. In yesterday's conditions the configuration worked a treat. The wind strength varied considerably between Force 3 and 5 with gusts up to 6 but Misty ploughed on at 3-4 knots with no drama. The helm was virtually neutral and I was concerned that under jib alone she would broach in the gusts but instead she heeled 'normally' to 15-20 degrees, accelerated and gently rounded up. The S3 will also go about happily under jib alone.

So I never did raise the mainsail and turned about off Portsmouth with the tide, returning to the Hamble by mid-day.

A couple of hastily-snapped photos off Portsmouth. A Silhouette is not an ideal platform for photography in a Force 5.

Back at the entrance to Southampton Water again, this is the Jubilee Sailing Trust's "Lord Nelson" out on a day trip. Missing out on a good wind!

0730 to Lymington

2010-04-12T10:07:00.005+01:00

Last Wednesday got up at the crack of dawn and cast off from the pontoon at 0730 heading for anywhere that I could make in the fairly slack tide and forecast wind from the North-west at force 4-5.

Half an hour later this beauty came out of the mist rounding Calshot and heading up the Water to Southampton. Just another cruise ship returning for another load of passengers? She was dressed overall and sounding her fog-horn joyously so I checked her out on my return. Azura is P&O's latest acquisition, built in Italy and was entering her new home port for her naming ceremony. Apparently ships are now launched and named in separate ceremonies, the latter duty being carried out by the vessel's "Godmother". In the case of Azura this role has been adopted by the lovely ballerina Darcey Bussell, wouldn't complain about that!

Check it all aout at http://www.pocruises.com/azura/#/home and http://www.southampton.gov.uk/news-events/events/allevents/azura-naming-voyage-into-the-blue.asp

Odd how the terms "Godmother" and "Godfather" conjure up completely different images. Not sure I approve of the stern aspect - at almost 60 metres high above the waterline she towers over the oil terminal and I.O.W. ferry just visible heading down Southampton Water.

Once clear of Calshot South-west seemed to be where Misty wanted to go and we sped off at a good 5 knots making Lymington just over 2 hours later.

One day I must divert and spend some time exploring the harbour and up the river, you can see the newer, larger, Wight Link ferry which plies between Lymington and Yarmouth just the other side of the low spit partly hiding the harbour. Not today though, on past the entrance to the river, round the Sailing Club committee boat and back on the opposite tack all the way to Calshot.

Still sailing!

2010-03-28T09:56:00.007+01:00

With the continued appalling weather since the last post there haven't been many opportunities for sailing a small boat but I have managed at least one per week. The main problem has been my lack of confidence, not in Misty but in the reliability of the weather forecasts which are available for the Solent. I am happy to venture out with a forecast wind of Force 4 gusting 5 and in these circumstances put a reef in the main before setting out from the pontoon. Frequently, however, by the time I get to the Solent there is a flat calm, so out comes the reef and within 15 minutes the wind has increased, usually in excess of that forecast. I find that "Sodde's Law" applies particularly well to sailing and the best way to summon up some wind is to shake out a reef, or pour out a mug of coffee, or attend to one or other bodily function. It seldom fails. Anyway, my last sail was a real treat; non-stop across to Ryde and return at around 5kts in a steady Force 5. Above is the pier and below the town, not looking any more inviting than they did during a similar trip last year.

On the way back I headed up towards Lee-on-Solent and snapped the next photo, of what? Actually it is now an amusement arcade but Queen Victoria would not be amused because the older-looking building used to be her private railway station. She would arrive here to embark for Osborne House on the Isle Of Wight via the Royal Barge from a long-gone local pier.

Back in the Hamble, a rare sighting of one of the Hampshire Police patrol vessels. I wonder what they actually do?

Meanwhile this was coming in the opposite direction.

Other than its purposeful looking design it's name "Colwyn Bay" set me wondering as Colwyn Bay is a small town on the North Wales coast close to where I was raised, so I decided to investigate.

It seems that this is a brand-new coastal wind turbine farm support vessel built by Southboats in the I.O.W. and is currently undergoing trials locally. The North Wales connection? The new owners, Turbine Transfers are based in Holyhead on the isle of Anglesey. http://www.turbinetransfers.co.uk/ Back at the pontoon, remember this little gull?

Well it now looks like this, sporting the black head plumage of an adult bird ready for its annual migration.

What's been happening?

2010-02-17T09:10:00.021Z

Not a lot since Misty was put back in the water in early December. I have managed a few days out on the water but not as many as in previous Winters on account of the unfriendly weather systems constantly being hurled at our offshore island from all directions. See above for the situation at 0600 on 02 February. It hasn't just been strong winds and sub-zero temperatures but a fair amount of snow as well.

This was Deacons Boatyard in early January with Misty snowbound at the pontoon. At least the river wasn't frozen.

When I did venture out I managed some really good sailing in force 3-4 winds with very little else other than commercial traffic out on the water. Not surprising I suppose since the temperature was not much above +3 degrees most of the time.

Neither meteorological nor economic depressions seem to stem the daily flow of containerised imports to the UK via Southampton. This monster is only one of at least 3 daily visitors to the port.

Much more interesting was this contented sailor enjoying a quiet sail, close inshore and heading East as I was heading West towards Lepe. Dragonfly I think could be described as a 'junk-rigged cat ketch'? I wonder what Misty would be like with a junk rig?

Back in an earlier blog I mentioned Dylan Winter who is sailing counter-clockwise (in very slow time!) around the UK in his 19 foot Mirror Offshore, poking her nose into every estuary he comes to and recording some fascinating film footage en-route. The original link was to you-tube but he now has a website at: http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/index.php Well worth a visit.

NEW MISTY WEBSITE

Yes, I've decided that the Silhouette Mk3 deserves its own website. It's not completed yet but what I've done is to collect all the static stuff from this blog like vital statistics and specifications, and add some historic data and pictures, together with .pdfs of old manuals etc.

It is at: http://silhouettemisty.yolasite.com/ Hope you like it.

Finally, a couple of photos taken on the Hamble last year when all I could manage was to walk along the Eastern bank.

Where have I seen that yacht before?

2009-12-05T10:38:00.010Z

Recent media coverage of the 25 November Gulf incident when the Iranians seized a racing yacht complete with crew for straying into their waters, see above for BBC photo, rang a bell. Where have I seen that yacht before?

Answer, right here in the Hamble, in fact on my blog "Disconnected Jottings" dated 24 Feb this year when the yacht had just returned from racing round the World - "Alongside in Hamble, this is "Bahrein Team Pindar - King Hamad" which recently came 5th in the Vendee Globe solo round-the world race sailed by Brian Thompson"

It's latest skipper was Oliver Smith who admitted that the line between international and Iranian waters "was not clearly marked on his chart". What can you say? Innocents at sea with boatload of electronics.

Bravo Zulu International Paints

2009-10-04T11:06:00.009+01:00

You'll know about International Paints but what the heck is Bravo Zulu? Answer - Navy flag-speak for 'well done!' and my way of saying thank you to Richard Jerram of International Paints for getting me out of a hole regarding paint to touch-up Misty's hull when she comes out of the water in a couple of weeks. What was the problem? Last week I was browsing around Force 4 (used to be Aladdin's Cave) chandlers at Deacons Boatyard with a view to getting some paint in good time for any remedial work needed. I used International's 'Brightside' when I painted Misty a couple of years ago and was more than pleased with the result but the Force 4 shelves were very much depleted in this product. They had no Largo Blue for the hull but I bought their last tin of Seattle Grey which is the colour I used for the deck and cabin coachroof . Force 4 said that International were discontinuing 'Brightside' so e-mailed them to check its availability. International's Richard Jerram responded very quickly confirming that for commercial reasons, i.e. not enough being sold, 'Brightside' was indeed being discontinued but gave me a number of retailers where stocks were still available. Since I only needed a small amount of Largo Blue he even located some small tins of that colour at International and offered to post them on to me. When he saw my address he came back immediately offering to drop them off on his way home since he lives a few miles away in Hampshire. This he did last Friday. What can I say? I am extreemly grateful and I confess not a little surprised to receive such excellent service from what I thought would have been a large company with little interest in my minor need for a small tin of paint to touch up my boat. How wrong can you be? Very many thanks again and BZ to Richard and International Paints.

More about BZ at : http://www.answers.com/topic/bravo-zulu

It's that time again

2009-09-27T09:54:00.007+01:00

Time for all good boat-owners to reach for their cheque-books or credit cards and shell out more money to pay for their boats to be lifted out, scrubbed, blocked off and winterised ready for next year's Spring antifouling and re-launching ritual. Misty will probably come out for a couple of weeks in November but I'm already starting to enjoy a less crowded Solent and hopefully will continue to do so throught the coming Autumn and Winter months.

There are some potential hazards to what the Americans call 'frostbite sailing'. Apart from sometimes having to chip the ice off the deck there is the fog. I took the next 4 photos a couple of days ago on my way out of the Hamble in the early morning. This sort of stuff forms overnight as clear skies allow the earth and moist air next to it to cool down. The fog usually thickens around dawn as gentle winds stir and mix up the layers of air close to the ground before the sun burns it off mid-morning. By the time I reached the mouth of the river the fog had started to drift away leaving the upper half of Fawley power station's chimney exposed above the fog bank. Reminds me of a photo I once saw of the tower of Lincoln Cathedral sticking out of the Lincolnshire fog. Apparently it used to guide the WW2 bombers home to their local airfield bases near the city. Out towards Calshot this ship was entering Southampton Water, Page & Moy's cruise ship "Ocean Majesty".

Further down off Cowes was another cruise ship, Hapag-Lloyd's "Europa". At first I couldn't understand what she was doing, moving very slowly with a couple of her boats in the water. Engine trouble? Lifeboat drill? Actually she was not inbound to Southampton but anchoring off Cowes to allow her mainly German passengers to visit the town, hence the boats.

She departed in the afternoon via the West Solent and the Hurst Narrows.

More at http://www.cybercruises.com/europa.htm Finally, someone I hadn't expected to see again after it departed for a summer of sun, sea and the rest in Northern climes, but there it was waiting expectantly when I returned to the pontoon one day last week:

It has to be same, tame, Little Gull looking demure as ever.

Hilary Lister - success at her second attempt

2009-09-11T09:05:00.003+01:00

Last year Hilary Lister, a quadraplegic sailor who controls her boat via a system of 'sip and puff' commands through straws, had to give up her attempt to 'sail round Britain' because of the dreadful weather around the coast. In August his year brave Hilary had another go and succeeded, despite weather which was not much better than last year.

All about Hilary can be found at: http://www.hilarylister.com/

In 2007 as a prelude to her first attempt Hilary sailed her boat round the Isle Of Wight course in just over 11 hours.

Round The Island - without the other 1,778 yachts

2009-08-20T09:40:00.027+01:00

The annual "Round The Island" race, Isle of Wight that is, was held on 20 June this year, see link: http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk/web/code/php/main_c.php?map=rir09&ui=rir2&style=std&override=&section=home&page=home

I have had an ambition since I acquired Misty to sail her round the course non-stop solo which in straight lines in just over 50nm. Having previously sailed round in a smaller boat but overnighting in Keyhaven and Bembridge which split the route into 3 more manageable legs, I hoped that Misty could do it in one. The route is shown below:

To sail round the island in one go you need at least 12 hours daylight, reasonable weather, fairly strong winds and favourable tides. The tides are more vital than the wind in a small sailboat - West-going down the Solent and through Hurst Narrows turning to East-going round the South of the Island then back to West-going as you re-enter the Solent from the East. Not much to ask really.

I have had the boat ready for some time and earlier this week a "window of opportunity" presented itself so at 0700 on Monday I left the pontoon and motored out of the Hamble against the flood tide which was on the nose until Calshot Spit. I didn't keep a log so the times are taken from the photograph time stamps. 0745 - Hamble Point buoy and up with the sails with a good wind from the West for a beat down towards Cowes. The first hazard can just be seen coming up the Solent: A supertanker turning round the red buoy and up into Southampton Water forced me further East than I really wanted to go. I'll take the bow and pull - whilst you take the stern and hang on. The next leg was particularly tedious. Although the tidal stream was favourable the strong flow into a Westerly Force 4 created an uncomfortable chop across which I had to tack too many times to relate and for about 3 hours in order to reach the Hurst Narrows.

1047 - Met this Severn Class Lifeboat entering the Solent: When I looked it up I expected it to be the Yarmouth boat but no, 17-02 is "The Will", a relief lifeboat whatever that means, presumably some sort of reserve vessel. 1048 - Meanwhile on the port side I was passing Fort Albert, still tacking close inshore but now free of the Solent. 1128 - Closing on Alum Bay which is a short distance from the Needles. Look closely and you can see the chair lift which takes holidaymakers down the cliff to the beach and back up. The geology of the Island is fascinating, just look at the different colours in the rock strata. 1141 - On the final starboard tack to round the Needles still with a Westerly Force 3-4, ideal. 1145 - Needles rounded, although the tide hasn't changed yet I'm now making good progress at about 4kts on a broad reach towards St Catherine's Point, a run of about 13nm. 1226 - Looking back, no turning round now; enjoy the ride, look at the wake! 1436 - St Catherine's Point Lighthouse, Southernmost tip of the Island. The tide had now turned to help all the way up the East coast back to the Solent and I saw 5.5kts over the ground on the GPS. At the end of this post there is short movie clip of the approach to St Catherine's. Although you can pass very close to the point there is huge amount of turbulence as the tide rushes past the headland so I kept about a mile offshore. Since the tide was now with the wind (force 5) and had not yet gathered full speed the chop was not too bad. Actually the wind had now backed to a good old Southwesterly so it was a case of easing the sheets for a 5nm run up towards Ventnor.

1518 - Ventnor. There is new small harbour called Ventnor Haven which would have been a possible bolt-hole should conditions have turned nasty. They didn't so left hand down a bit and onwards past Sandown Bay towards Foreland and Bembridge.

1546 - This is the small town of Shanklin at the Southern end of the bay.

1635 - Whitecliff Bay just North of Sandown Bay. I saw this from the opposite direction in a recent sail.

1701 - The Bembridge lifeboat station again, still Work In Progress. It looks as though they are constructing a deepwater pontoon at the end of the jetty to replace the slipway.

1708 - Approaching Bembridge with St Helens Fort on the right.

1808 - Back in the Solent off Ryde but didn't expect a royal reception - this is the "Queen Mary 2" outbound.

1842 - Here's another! This is the Cunard's latest, "Queen Victoria" also on her way out of the Solent.

The last leg was against a force 4-5 with the tide also from the West until 1935 and so it took what seemed like ages after the previous down and cross-wind legs of the journey. I resisted the temptation to start the outboard until back in Southampton Water when I gave in to sheer boredom and falling darkness at about 2030. Returning up the Hamble River in the dark was and interesting experience. The channel is very well marked and lit but there is so much superfluous light from the shore, marinas and other moored yachts that I would not have liked to try it in the dark for the first time.

Slept well at the pontoon that night then spent the next couple of days gently day-sailing from an anchorage at Priory Bay near Bembridge. Here is the promised move clip from St Catherine's Point:

Reviewing the trip, the plan more or less worked out, the wind at force 4-5, occasionally 6 was a bit more than forecast but I never felt threatened and Misty behaved impeccably. She doesn't self-steer very well and so it was a bit of an endurance test but well worth the feeling of freedom once out into the Channel South of the Island. I did not meet a single other yacht en-route.

Looking at this year's Round The Island race results the cruising yachts returned times of 10 to 12 hours between the start and finish off Cowes. The Contessas always do well in their class but second was a 22'7" Hunter Sonata completing the course in 10hrs 30mins. Although Misty didn't strictly cross the line her time would have been well under 12 hours so she did pretty well considering she is only 17'3", has no spinnaker and has bilge keels. She could probably give a good account of herself in the right conditions with a crew of 2 and full outfit of sails but the race times vary considerably from year to year as the weather dictates. This year's times were fairly poor so not a very good benchmark. One of the big problems, and which I experienced, is that if you make good times on the legs round to Bembridge the tide will not have turned and will be from dead ahead on the final leg up the Solent back to Cowes.

The White Cliffs of Wight

2009-08-13T09:54:00.010+01:00

Still frustrated by lack of a few forecast consecutive good sailing days I took the 150degree groove down towards Bembridge yet again but in the hope that I might just get around the corner at Foreland on the East tip of the I.O.W. Leaving Bursledon at 0700 I had a Westerly force 3 and with the tide in the right direction Misty was off Bembridge by 1030. This is the shore outside Bembridge Harbour. If you expand this to full size you can just pick out the red and green marker buoys of the winding channel into the harbour.

Just off the harbour entrance is the fourth of the Solent forts - Fort St Helens.

This is marked as a Lifeboat Station but it looks different to when I last passed it and just to the right of it there seems to be a settlement of numbered beach huts!

This what it used to look like: http://www.allwightonline.com/id407.htm Moving on towards Foreland itself, you can just see the long rocky outcrop of Bembridge Ledge which continues all the way round the headland - before the coast becomes Whitecliff Bay. Culver cliff with the sun shining on it.

I had intended to ease gently into the bay but the weather looked distinctly threatening so I reluctantly went about and set course up the coast. The westerly wind was still there but now at force 4 so although the tide had not yet turned I made good time back up towards No Mans Land Fort.

Looking North towards Horse Sand Fort and the ferry "Norman Voyager" outbound from Portsmouth to Le Havre.

http://www.ldlines.co.uk/norman-voyager.html

This was the last opportunity for photography because the wind increased to force 5-6 so I had a long hard slog back to the Hamble helped by the outboard until the tide turned and I passed Browndown. Naturally the tide turning to a helpful West-going direction against a strong Westerly wind made for a very unpleasant chop!

Maybe the next improvement will be a couple of dodgers and a sprayhood.

Up the Test

2009-08-08T10:30:00.019+01:00

To avoid the frenzy of CowesWeek in the Solent I took a gentle flood tide up Southampton Water and this time turned left up the River Test (see earlier Blog when I turned right up the River Itchen). Most yachts emerging from the proliferation of Marinas around Southampton can't wait to get to the Solent, not bothering to sail even though the wind is often from astern. If you are not in a hurry and prepared to tack close inshore with one eye on the depth and the other on the commercial traffic there is much to be seen up the river past the docks. You also need to be ready for sudden windshifts as the breeze whistles around the many buildings and other obstructions ashore. I promised Misty a bearing out pole for the genoa - here it is being put to good use in a light wind from astern on the way up the Water. If I ever go camping again I'll need to re-claim one of the tent poles. This lowly and hard working Hythe Ferry runs between Southampton and Hythe. This futuristic dome lies on the West bank a little further up-river. I have no idea what goes on inside but I could hear diesel-engined vehicles moving about. The lock gates which give access to Hythe Marina. The far from lowly "Queen Mary 2" wedged into the Ocean Dock. Twin vehicle carriers, "Tokyo Car" and "Triumph" further up the dockside. Looking back at the dockhead. The blue building is the port "Control Tower" housing the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) organisation. This is Dibden, currently a conservation area on the West bank but Associated British Ports (ABP) are making another attempt to expand their container terminal to this side of the river. It could eventually look like this which is the present terminal on the East bank.

Meanwhile further up on the West bank is the military terminal at Marchwood. This is possibly the final resting place of the Landing Ship Logistics "Sir Percivale" which is awaiting disposal. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFA_Sir_Percivale_(L3036)

Last of the gallant Knights and survivor of the Falklands conflict.

Another resting place, this one for 4 of Wight Link's retired ferries. The 3 car ferries were replaced on the Lymington to yarmouth run by larger versions and the Fast Cat by a larger catamaran on the Portsmouth to Ryde run (see earlier post).

A mysterious sluice on the West bank.

At the top end of the container post was this vessel, a huge gas container named "Margaret Hill". Not sure I would want to be remembered as a slab-sided gasbag!

PS to this: According to the local news this vessel has been prevented from leaving by the Environment Agency. It is going to be broken up and its owners cannot guarantee that this will take place under safe conditions, i.e. not in a breakers yard in India or Pakistan.

Whilst this was being turned round by two tugs and pointed back downriver and back to whence it came. Not much room to get past whilst this operation is underway. At least we seem to exporting something to somewhere.

I didn't quite make my objective which was to get as far as the Tidal Mill at Eling, here is the entrance to it at the very limit of Silhouette navigation up the Test. I did try to follow the channel but the depth sounder lost its lock on the muddy bottom in what must ahave been less than a metre of water. I would be happy to do it at high tide, perhaps next time.

On the way back this came past - the Jubilee sailing Trust's "Tenacious" en-route to view the Cowes Week sailing.

Also this which I presume was off to do the same thing. Being a traditionalist I reluctantly award this design 9/10 and full marks for proceeding at a stately pace down Southampton water.

Fame at last

2009-08-01T11:12:00.002+01:00

I was surprised to be contacted by "Schmap" to say that one of my Flickr photos has been chosen for the latest edition of their Southampton Guide. This is the photo of Calshot Castle and Tower taken from Misty a couple of years ago. What is "Schmap" ? Check it out at http://www.schmap.com/?m=iphone#uid=southampton&sid=sights_historic&p=166032&i=166032_5

Here are a couple more, this time taken yesterday at the Western end of the Solent during a leisurely sail to the Needles and back. I took the reef out of the mainsail!

Lynington Town Sailing Club's interesting little Committee Boat. Hurst Lighthouse which is alongside the castle. It all kooks very peaceful but the yotties were already gathering for Cowes Week which starts tomorrow. Next week you will be able to cross the Solent stepping from yacht to yacht.

Force 5 gusting 6

2009-07-30T09:07:00.007+01:00

With the current weather patterns anything could turn up. Last weekend I had stocked up Misty to be ready for a few days away if the forecast allowed. It didn't, I put off departure until Tuesday but then decided just to do an extended daysail round towards Bembridge again.

The tidal stream situation in the Solent tends to force a small sailboat down regular grooves unless the wind is particularly obliging in its direction and strong enough to provide sufficient speed to make headway towards your preferred destination.

One of my regular grooves is down 150 degrees on a starboard tack returning up 330 degrees on a port tack and that's what we did on Tuesday. Boring? Can be unless the wind turns out to be stronger than the forecast Force 4.

Emerging from the Hamble the wind seemed to be a bit more than that so I just unrolled enough of the genoa to get moving and settled down, intending to raise the reefed main (it's been reefed since June) when the wind speed dropped a bit. It never did and I spent all of a 6-hour trip under the foresail in various sizes as the wind strength varied between Force 4 and 6.

I have never done this before and once again Misty revelled in it, ploughing through the chop at over 5 knots with the tide. The Mk3 Silhouette is reluctant to tack under the main alone although it can be done in moderate winds with both reefs in but Misty sails and tacks happily under a foresail alone.

Problems?

1. The genoa sheets sometimes snag on the halyard cleats situated each side of the mast near the gooseneck when going about. This can be embarrassing if you are being watched and hoping to impress with an immaculate tack.

2. The rain causes the sun-block cream to run into my eyes, and it stings!

The picture? That was WightLink's new fast catamaran ferry spotted carrying out trials off Portsmouth. It is one of 2 built in the Phillipines and scheduled to replace the 2 Fast Cats on the run between Portsmouth and Ryde.

http://www.wightlink.co.uk/portsmouth---ryde.aspx

I managed to shoot a short clip on the return leg, the wind was about Force 5 at that point.

Thinking about it, I guess this kind of situation is why I usually sail alone. I'd be hard pushed to find someone willing to join me on such days.

Round The Forts

2009-07-14T08:58:00.007+01:00

Yesterday was an ideal sailing day but not for the faint-hearted. With a steady force 4-5 from about SSW forecast and an East-going tide I set off with a single reef in the main. My intention was to go a bit further East than usual and make Bembridge before turning back with the tide.

Setting off at 0730 Misty really sped along with very little chop and I was off Bembridge by 1000. By that time a really heavy swell had developed and Misty was thrashing through the waves on a broad reach. What to do next? Looking North towards Portsmouth there are three forts, (there is also another just off Bembridge, Fort St Helens but that is close inshore), so why not sail back via each of the others?

1024 - No Mans Land Fort

1042 - Horse Sand Fort (similar design to the previous)

1110 - Spitbank Fort (slightly different design)

Looking towards Southsea pier from Spitbank.

The history bit:

"The four Solent forts were built for the protection of Portsmouth and it's harbour from sea attack and bombardment. The most likely "enemy" was the French. At the same time, land forts in Gosport and Portsdown were also built to counteract any other land or sea attack. They were never used in anger and have become known locally as "Palmerston's Follies" after the Prime Minister of the time. Horse-Sands, No Mans Land and St Helen's were constructed between 1865-80. Spitbank was started two years later in 1867. Another fort, on Ryde Sand, was abandoned after construction had started due to unstable foundations."

More at:

http://www.royalnavalmuseum.org/info_sheets_solentforts.htm

After rounding Spitbank the tide had turned making for a choppy but exhilarating trip back West on a single tack. Silhouettes are in their element with a reefed main and steady Force 4.

No Mans Land Fort was converted into a hotel but has had a troubled recent history owing to its owner's bancruptcy and a stand-off occupancy against the bailiffs. BBCs TVs 'South Today' recently took their cameras inside for an interesting look around:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8132731.stm

Down Lymington

2009-07-02T16:32:00.004+01:00

Yesterday I broke my golden rule of never to go downwind for the first half of a return trip but I could not resist a leisurely run with the tide all the way to Lymington. Lymington in sight on the starboard bow. The entrance to Lymington harbour. I turned about just off the entrance and for the next hour was treated to one of the best sails ever. With no chop, a slack tide and a force 3-4 Misty steamed along as never before heeled to 15degrees and tacking energetically between the I.O.W. and mainland coasts. We soon made Lepe but then the wind died suddenly and I started the outboard. After about 30 minutes the wind picked up again from the East, now against the tide, which made for an uncomfortable motor back to the Hamble. Serve me right. Monday Portsmouth, Wednesday Lymington, where tomorrow? Actually to Winchester, back to Hospital for a recovery progress check.

Up Pompey - back on the water

2009-06-30T08:52:00.011+01:00

First time out yesterday after my enforced month on the beach. Although the forecast wind was not very promising what turned out was a good force 3-4 from between E and SE and we beat our way along past Hillhead, Lee On Solent, Browndown and Stokes Bay then round Gilkicker in towards Portsmouth. The Spinnaker Tower has now become a familiar landmark on the City skyline. See below: On the port side is the old Haslar Naval Hospital. I once spent some time there recovering from two damaged vertebrae following an ejection from a Sea Vixen aircraft. In those days nurses wore attractive uniforms, not shabby overalls, but that's another story - happy days?

Right now and after some time as a joint military/civilian then purely NHS establishment Haslar is to be closed and the fate of the historic buildings is uncertain. This link to the Army, yes Army not Navy, Nursing site gives some of its history;

http://www.qaranc.co.uk/haslarroyalnavalhospital.php

Here is a short clip of Misty passing the Haslar shore:

The sail back was almost a dead run all the way, including halfway back up the Hamble River. In short a very good day's sailing.

Postscript: On the local TV news this evening was an item on Portsmouth's new Hospital, including an iterview with a very young-looking Matron, wearing a frock and not a bit like Hattie Jaques! Probably a "fast stream nursing professional" More info at: http://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/new-hospital.html

Misty has a brand new hatch

2009-06-28T12:03:00.003+01:00

I've been forced to take a month off most energetic activities on account of a minor stroke which left me with double vision. I think I was watching more revelations about MPs expenses on TV at the time!

Although each eye was OK on its own together they produced confusion so no driving = no sailing, even with an eye patch and cut down on watching TV and using a PC. All is well now but to relieve my boredom I looked for some occupational therapy and decided to use some salvaged wood to knock up a smart new hatch for Misty. The existing one was original, made of G.R.P. and purely functional, see below, and normally I would not have bothered but is was something to do. I had a selection of mahogany, pine, oak and marine ply so the frame is basically ply with hardwood back, sides and front. Working one-eyed with a circular ripsaw (Health and Safety would have had a fit) I cut enough 1" wide pine strips for the top and stuck the whole thing together with epoxy resin. The finish is epoxied over-coated with 2-pot varnish for UV resistance.

The results are shown below:

Back on the water with a new rudder

2009-05-14T10:23:00.010+01:00

After a frustrating few days of gales I decided to take a chance yesterday and put to sea again. Actually very light winds were forecast but I thought that even a gentle drift with the tide would give me a chance to check out the new rudder.

I drove down to Bursledon early to miss the M27 traffic and arrived at the pontoon at about 0630 fully expecting to have to wait an hour or so for the flood tide to provide enough water to get away. Surprise, surprise, although the tide was ebbing fast it looked as though there was just enough depth to make my escape so I hurriedly threw all my kit into the cockpit, leapt on board, started the engine and shot out astern. I just made it and motored down river to a vacant mid-stream pontoon where I made fast and sorted out the boat.

With the fast ebb I was sailing out of the Hamble at 0700, albeit in a very light wind and fairly thick fog.

Luck held for the rest of the sail, the wind increased to a good force 3-4 from the South which blew the fog away and in a couple of hours I found myself off Ryde.

Where next, it's only 0915 and the wind has gone round to the South East?

I could just see the Spitsand Fort looking up towards Portsmouth so I decided to sail East for a while longer then head in that direction and round the fort before heading back to the West. The next movie clip shows Misty going really well past the fort:

On the way back I had the wind almost from astern which made for a relaxing, if a little boring, run back and I made Bursledon by 1430. Misty is still doing about 4Kts with the main and genoa goose-winged in the next clip:

I must devise a bearing-out pole for the genoa. And the new rudder? Seemed to work very well.

Just to be sure I beached Misty a few days later and it still looked good!

Clean bottom and a new rudder

2009-05-08T15:56:00.016+01:00

Nothing to do with the subject, more birds, this time a couple of crows on the 'Coronation' buoy off Hook shore in the Solent. I wonder how long it will take to completely obliterate the solar panels with guano.

Just had Misty out of the water again for a couple of weeks to clean the bottom and renew the anti-fouling. As the pictures show she looks almost as good as new after the effort. The topsides just needed a clean, touch up and polish. The 'Brightside' paint has lasted well with only a few scratches and abbrasions where she rubs against the pontoon fenders.

I don't subscribe to the 'lift out in September and relaunch in May' winterising programme that most boat owners seem to follow, even in our temperate climate and even for boats kept on fairly sheltered marina berths. My routine is to do this every 2 years but every 6 months dry out on the scrubbing piles and make good anything showing signs of wear and tear. Note that the rudder is missing, I had suspected that all was not well when I noticed large damp soft patches on it that did not dry out last time I checked.

This was how it looked 2 years ago And this is how it looked after removal. The Mk3 rudder is a sandwich of foam encased in two halves of grp on a metal frame. Mine had leaked and contained over a litre of water. The soggy mess inside when split open.

The metal stock and frames were in good shape so I decided to laminate up a new rudder on it using epoxy resin and marine ply. Then shape it to something more streamlined than the original and sheath it in glass cloth, finished off in epoxy primer.

Here it is finished in primer,

and in hard antifouling.

The rudder tube was also in good condition but whilst the boat was ashore I cleaned its bore, plugged the bottom end and squirted in some 'Waxoyl'. I also primed the stock and coated it in Waxoyl before inserting it back in the tube. I find this works better than grease.

She is now back in the water.

Note that the rudder and stock can only be removed downwards from the tube when the boat is raised in slings or similar. When I bought Misty I managed to do this by raising the back end of her trailer and digging a hole in the soft ground!

Little Gull Grows Up

2009-03-07T11:57:00.003Z

Still in attendance but now sporting the black head of a mature adult in its first Summer is my old friend Little Gull.

"The Little Gull is the world's smallest gull and this delightfully delicate bird is always a joy to see. Adults in winter plumage differ from Black-headed Gulls in their small size, smaller black bill and the smoky patch on the crown and dark grey underwing. Little Gulls have a buoyant flight and sometimes flutter to pick insects from the water like marsh terns. Second-year birds lose the black 'W' on the upperwing, and now show the same striking underwing pattern as an adult - smoky black except for a broad white line around the trailing edge. Adults in summer plumage have a complete black hood over the head."

To which I would add - Can be very agressive and territorial when the rest of its flock try to muscle in on its patch i.e. Misty and the pontoon.

Kraken in the Solent

2009-02-27T09:04:00.009Z

I have added a new link to the list at right about a recent security intiative on the Solent - Project Kraken.

What? You may well ask. To quote the Hampshire Police:

"Project Kraken delivers an enhanced counter terrorist ‘vigilance’ capability within the maritime environment of the Solent. It engages key stakeholders together with local communities to provide a hostile environment to terrorists and criminals looking to disrupt the everyday lives and safety of those who live, work, or travel through the Solent Portal. "Through enhanced counter terrorist awareness and a promotion in the exchange of information, the Solent Portal can continue to be a safe place to live, work and relax for all.""

To simple sailors, keep your weather eye open for suspicious goings on around the Solent and make a signal to the Hampshire Police if you have anything to report.

But what is, or was, Kraken?

Answer, legendary sea monsters said to have dwelt off the coasts of Norway and Iceland.

Below the thunders of the upper deep; Far far beneath in the abysmal sea, His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep The Kraken sleepeth:

Who said culture was dead? More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraken

Meanwhile, back on the surface this is the race starting platform just off Wooton Creek, near Ryde I.O.W. and was my objective for a sail yesterday. Spot the Cormorants, apparently they are not on speaking terms.

Going well

2009-02-25T11:44:00.006Z

A short video clip taken on the way out to the Needles a couple of days ago:

Nothing spectacular but it was one of those rare times when you feel that you have got everything right and the boat is enjoying it too. Beating into a Force 3 with very little chop, main and genoa taut and sheeted well in.

You may notice that a wire strop has raised the genoa tack by a short amount. This was mainly done in order to raise the head of the sail and give a bigger angle for the halyard to meet its block. This is critical with headsail furling systems which can wrap the halyard round the sail if the angle is too small. Other benefits are that I can now see under the sail when heeled and it allows the genoa foot to clear the pulpit. Also when used with the sliding genoa track the rather old and stretched sail can be coaxed into a better shape.

Disconnected jottings

2009-02-24T10:48:00.010Z

Spotted this happy couple on the rather dilapidated marker off Hillhead last week. I wonder what hit it and caused the damage.

Here's the Royal Navy's HMS Puncher again.

And another powerboat charging through the fleet at the entrance to the Hamble River. Challenger? Maybe he thinks he's a patrol boat. Evidence of a real challenge. Alongside in Hamble, this is "Bahrein Team Pindar - King Hamad" which recently came 5th in the Vendee Globe solo round-the world race sailed by Brian Thompson: http://www.teampindar.com/brian/en/home/ She looks in remarkable condition after 99 days at sea averaging over 10 kts.

Why has she got "Arctic Tern Jersey" on the port side of her transom - Offshore tax purposes? Superstition, never change a boat's original name?

Not just better looking but truly inspirational was Sam Davies in "Roxy" who was eventually in 4th position although she crossed the line 3rd: http://www.samdavies.com/

Back to reality managed to get as far as the Needles again yesterday.

Between the piles again

2009-02-18T09:47:00.004Z

With the weather unfit for sailing I decided to have another bottom inspection to give it a quick clean and help decide when to haul Misty out for a proper go at the anti-fouling. How do they get still get away with calling the paint that because it clearly does not prevent fouling? I sometimes wonder if it would be easier to clean the slime off the unpainted gelcoat.

Making fast to the piles without a crew is a bit of an art which I have learned the hard way. There is usually a strong ebb current across the line between the two piles so my technique is to motor the starboard quarter alongside the outer pile. Then turn to starboard into the current and with the engine still in forward gear holding the stern into the pile reach around the pile with a mooring rope and make fast to the stern.

Unfortunately there are no rings to make fast to so you have to somehow lasso the pile.

Next ease out on the stern rope to allow you to motor up to the forward pile so that the port bow is held against it by the current and engine. When a balance has been achieved go forward and make fast to the forward pile.

When secure you can sort out the forward and stern ropes to lie evenly between the two piles.

This is a lot easier if done at high tide when there is no current and you can simply slip a loop over the top of each pile. Only problem is you then have to wait about 4 hours for the tide to go out.

Anyway, here is Misty waiting for the last couple of feet to ebb away. The scrub was a smelly, messy operation but worthwhile in that apart from general slime a whole eco-system of barnacles was removed from the areas inside the bilge keels themselves and the hull between. The paint will do for another couple of months when Misty will have to be lifted out. This will make two years between lifts but with two inspections between. This interesting craft has appeared alongside a private pontoon close to the scrubbing piles. Sadly she never seems to go sailing. She looks like a modern interpretation of a traditional scandinavian wide-plank lapstrake yawl. Possibly Selway-Fisher or Iain Oughtred design?

Larinka

2009-02-16T11:57:00.003Z

Is it a yacht, is it a plane? No it's the multi-hulled, wing-sail driven "Larinka" out on the Solent yesterday.

What's "Larinka"? Find out here:http://www.cookeassociates.com/larinka.html

More photos

2009-02-13T10:35:00.002Z

Just a quick post with a couple of photos taken during a frostbite sail yesterday: Red Funnel's answer to declining passenger numbers. Sell your topsides to the Swedes. IKEA has just opened a new store in Southampton. This is the "Red Osprey", or should it be "Yellowhammer"? In contrast the Royal Netherlands Navy on a visit to Southampton with only a discrete badge. The "HNLMS Evertsen" (F805) gliding up Southampton Water. She is a De Zeven Provincien class frigate with a modern angular "stealth" profile. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Zeven_Provinci%C3%ABn_class_frigate

New Tiller, Same Old Hand

2009-01-21T12:00:00.003Z

The original tiller was functional but uninspiring and a fraction too short when used from my preferred position sitting close to the bridge deck. I decided therefore to have ago at making a new one from a length of douglas fir left over from a previous project on another boat. (Actually making a complete set of spars for a small gaffer).

I transferred a flat side profile pattern of the old tiller onto the new wood then cut out the side outline using a jig saw. Using a surform, various files, a drawknife and much sandpaper I then shaped the piece to the required final profiles including a curved grip at the end as shown below. It was treated with presevative oil then finished in 5 coats of external varnish. Also shown are the old tiller cleaned up to use as a spare and the restored bronze end fitting screwed in place on the new tiller. Here it is in place. In practice it works well and is better for steering with my knees which I often do from the standing position. As you cannot sit out or use a tiller extension on the Silhouette the extra length also gives more leverage against strong weather helm when required. I wonder if Little Gull will approve - see earlier post.

Green Lightship

2009-01-19T09:52:00.003Z

On a rare sailing opportunity in the New Year I came across this combination en-route from Portsmouth to Southampton. A green Light Vessel with the unlikely name of "Mary Mouse 2"? Has it got an energy-saving light bulb? What I could not see was what was painted on the port side. On investigation "Mary Mouse 2" is an ex-Trinity House Light Vessel which after distiguished service from 1946 to 1991 is now being used as floating club house at Haslar Marina in Portsmouth Harbour. More information on the vessel which retired from her last station, Dowsing in 1991 is at: http://www.feuerschiffseite.de/SCHIFFE/ENGLAND/LV01/lv01gb.htm Was she being towed to a Southampton yard for a re-fit?

New Silhouette Blogspot

2008-10-28T10:26:00.005Z

Quick post to draw your attention to a new and interesting blogspot. This one is about a Mk2 Silhouette called Helen B and owned by Mel Bullock: http://www.helenbsilhouette.blogspot.com/ As you will see he has made a fantastic job of a complete rebuild. Like the Mk3, the Mk2 was built in grp by Hurley Marine but retained the hard chine form of the original wooden versions. The upper moulding, deck, cabin and cockpit, is similar to that of the Mk3.

Needles revisited

2008-10-25T09:24:00.010+01:00

Yesterday presented a rare break in the latest spell of high winds with a forecast NW Force 4 and a favourable tide situation in the Solent. Ideal to attempt a sail as far as the Needles. Out with the ebb, back with the flood.

Overtaken by this interesting vessel between Yarmouth and Lymington. She is the 'Thalassa', a Dutch registered tall ship actually converted from a motor trawler. See link for details: http://www.openship-cuxhaven.de/en/thalassa.php - spot the climbing dutchman.

Buoy Zone, Where the Buoys Are, Buoys 'R Us - pick your own tabloid headline:

Out past Hurst Castle this is the 'Galatea' a vessel used to maintain the complex navigational buoyage system in the West Solent and Southampton Water. Spot the N and E Cardinal Markers, Port and Starboard hand buoys, Safe Water and Special Markers. In fact, a sample of almost every buoy type to be found in the Solent. There are over 150 navigation and racing buoys and markers in the Solent. 'Galatea' is owned and operated by Trinity House : http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/commercial_activities/commercial_services/thv.galatea.html

Don't know your cardinals from your safe water marks? Check out: http://www.iala-aism.org/web/pages/publications/cadrepubli.html What have 'Thalassa' and 'Galatea' in common, apart from the Greek mythology link? Answer, they are both moons of the planet Neptune.

Destination Needles About to go about after a brief taste of freedom from the Solent. Just after this a huge swell developed from the South which must have been about 10 feet from peak to trough, at least the horizon disappeared periodically as the waves raced under Misty's stern. Unusually the trip worked out exactly as planned - all the way from Hamble on a Starboard tack and return on a Port tack, 5 hours each way. The wind was almost as forecast but did die off to Force 2 for a while on the return leg.

Bad manners, bad seamanship?

2008-10-06T10:35:00.008+01:00

The following movie clip is from last year, but sadly this sort of encounter is a regular occurrance during a typical day's sailing in the Solent or Southampton Water. Last week I had a similar monster pass even closer across my bow whilst off Cowes.

The final rule of seamanship is consideration for other users of the water but I don't expect the owner of this vessel got the money to buy it by being considerate, so what can I expect. To me it is just bad manners and it saddens me that a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron (yes, it was wearing a white ensign!) can behave in such a way.

Some years ago when I sailed an even smaller boat on the Solent I had a few exchanges with a powerboat owner on a sailing magazine forum which gave me an interesting insight into the mentality of such drivers. His contention was that because charging about regardless of other boaters is not against the law he could and would do it. He equated my small boat sailing to driving a Sinclair electric C5 around the M25. The only good news to me is that the red diesel they buy at about 80p a litre will soon rise to the price I have to pay for fuel to drive to work.

Large modern powerboats seem an expensive and futile method of converting valuable fossil fuel into waves with stern hull forms equivalent to dragging the edge of a dinner plate through the water. What happened to powerboat design? Look at this 1930's beauty running straight and true at 30 Kts. Where is the progress?

Identity crisis - Misty has a past!

2008-09-30T09:00:00.008+01:00

For some time I have been wondering about the significance of the above information which is carved into the wooden bulkhead inside the locker under Misty's bridge deck. It is nothing to do with her sail number (SIII 290) or the Hurley job number (1286) which appears on her Lloyds plate and various other wooden parts. What it says is:

OFF NO 340397

REG TONS 1, 71/100

From information on the S.O.I.A. website I had assumed that Misty's previous, and probably original, owner was the late Alf Baldwin and on the site there is a log of a trailer sailing trip to Holland in 2002 by Alf , accompanied by Adrian Piggeford in 'Misty' and Roger Titshall & Bob Legg in 'Omebac':

"Omebac is SSR registered and we even have a VAT certificate. A & A had left their passports in Misty so Adrian climbed aboard to get them and passed them down to Alf. Before he could climb down Alf drove through the barriers with Adrian clinging on in the cockpit looking like an illegal emigrant. Thought they were bound to get stopped and Alf doesn’t bother with papers or bureaucracy but they sailed through"

If the last statement was true, what might the registration number be? Could it be a Small Ships Register (SSR) number?

The SSR is run by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and in respose to an e-mail query about the number I received a very prompt and useful reply which in summary stated that the number 340397 was a Part 1 registration belonging to 'Misty' in an earlier existence as 'FAUSTINA'. My boat had not been registered since 2000 and Alf was not her owner at the time of original registration. So someone else had carefully carved out the details on the bulkhead.

Who then was the Faustina after whom my boat was originally named? A Google search came up with some interesting options:

A mature lady offering services of a personal nature at a price more than I paid for Misty! Mature, certainly, but I would like to think that I bought pleasures of a more enduring kind for my money. Moving quickly on:
Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, an early 20th century Polish nun. Probably not, Misty is forgiving but not entirely without vices.
A pair of Roman Empresses: The elder (major) (c.104–141) was the wife of Antoninus Pius, who founded a school for orphan girls in her honor. Faustina as an empress was well respected and this beautiful woman was renowned for her wisdom. Throughout her life, Faustina – as a private citizen and an empress – was involved in assisting with charities, assisting the poor, and sponsoring and assisting in the education of Roman children, particularly of Roman girls. The younger (minor) (c.125–176), daughter of Antoninus Pius and the elder Faustina, was the wife of Marcus Aurelius. She accompanied her husband on most of his campaigns, and she was called Mater Castrorum [mother of the camps] on the coinage. Roman sources don’t give a good perception of her. have accused Faustina of ordering deaths of people by poison and by execution and also has been reputed to instigate a revolt against her husband. Augustan history mentions stories of adultery with sailors, gladiators and also men of rank. A camp follower, indeed.

I wonder who Misty's original owner had in mind when naming her 'Faustina', the roman Faustina Major would be my choice, or maybe the name just sounded appropriate.

By way of contrast here is another picture of the paddle steamer 'Waverley' on the Solent a couple of days ago.

Up the Itchen

2008-09-19T11:38:00.010+01:00

Nestling in the mud waiting for the tide but still looking pretty, at least I think so.A couple of days ago I decided to head up Southampton Water and with an Easterly wind and flood tide see how far I could get up the River Itchen. Turn right at the docks. This is the Itchen Bridge (air draft 24.4 metres), no problem getting underneath but to sail it you have to get up speed and shoot through, hoping the wind is OK on the other side. Looking back towards Ocean Village Marina. On the East side is Woolston, earmarked for development. Further up on the West bank is Northam. What is this sinister and anonymous vessel? Lonely and obviously neglected is this little boat. I don't know quite what it is, too small for a Hunter 707, but it deserves better than this. Has its owner died or just lost interest. Someone must regularly pay the mooring fees. Why doesn't he or she give it away to a group who will do it up and get a great deal of pleasure from sailing it? Penthouse suite in select waterside development overlooking the Itchen. Don't look too closely at what is on the opposite bank: A select waterside scrap metal yard! Apparently the UK exports this to Spain, perhaps they turn it into SEAT cars. Ah, that must be the marina further up the river. Hang on, they're stacking them four high! As they all seem to be power boats I hope they stay that way.

The oil spill response unit.Northam Bridge (air draft 4.7 metres), as far as sailboats can get without lowering the mast. Heading back down river towards the Itchen Bridge again. What's this alongside Merlin Quay? Actually it's 'Blade Runner One' (nothing to do with the movie) with a couple of the Isle Of Wight's exports being delivered to the mainland. Wind turbine blades manufactured in the I.O.W by Vestas and shipped across from Cowes by the motor barges Blade Runners One and Two. http://www.vestas.com/

Old smokey and Boudicca

2008-09-16T09:51:00.009+01:00

Fawley Power Station's contribution to global warming yesterday morning. Apparently by promising to operate a limited number of hours and to decommission by 2015 they are permitted to 'opt out' of the Large Combustion Plant Directive. How convenient. No time to admire the view, here comes a Red Jet:

Gliding past the now gently smouldering chimney is Fred Olsen's cruise ship 'Boudicca' inbound to Southampton.

Boudicca was queen of the Iceni people of Eastern England and led a major uprising against occupying Roman forces. Given the gal's bloodthirsty background, an odd name for a cruise ship.

More ships

2008-09-13T09:34:00.004+01:00

Met this tall ship rounding Calshot yesterday, just another sail training vessel, probably visiting Southampton for the Boat Show?Wrong! She is the 'Jeanie Johnston', a replica of an 19th century Irish trading vessel used to take hundreds of Irish emigrants to the USA during the famines of the 1840s and 1850s. Her website at http://www.jeaniejohnston.ie/history.html is worth a visit. In contrast: How many emigrants per container? Say no more but would you design an HGV with the driver's cab at the back? More nostalgia. Paddling steadily out of Southampton Water was the 'Waverley', an original L.N.E.R. paddle steamer surviving from 1948 and officially the last seagoing example of this type. Again more at http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/tramways/waverley.htm

Nostalgia

2008-09-11T11:12:00.004+01:00

Still in black and white, but real this time. A mixed reaction to my turn as cook. Royal Navy yacht 'Gryffis' somewhere off Eddystone in 1962! They all survived breakfast but where are they now ?

A monchrome day

2008-09-11T09:57:00.002+01:00

These are not black and white photos, Ryde pier and town really did look like this yesterday. The forecast was for a sunny day so I set out again. Not surprisingly I had the Solent to myself until about mid-day when a gaggle of racers started to gather off Hillhead. With a force 4-5 later becoming 6 I had a great, if damp, sail and I expect the racing was good later.

It has stopped raining

2008-09-09T09:20:00.009+01:00

With a rain-free weather forecast which included SW winds of force 3-4, plus a favourable tide I ventured out yesterday on the best sailing day for weeks.

About 90 minutes after leaving the Hamble Cowes was in the offing: Not being a member of any 'prestigeous' yacht club I turned left past Old Castle Point for a leisurely downwind sail along the coast as far as Wooton with main and genoa Goose-winged out about 100 metres out from the shore. At Wooton I turned left again for a fast tack back to the Hamble. Coffee and sandwiches on the bridge deck, not another boat anywhere near, this is what I envisaged retirement with a Silhouette would be like.

A rare moment, it's raining again today, but perhaps tomorrow?

Who is pulling who? This large tanker off Cowes has a tug attached to its stern for better control and assistance in turning around the West Bramble buoy from the Solent into Southampton Water. The poor tug is towed astern all the way up the deep shipping channel and then helps to dock the tanker alongside the Fawley oil terminal.

Look who is back, see earlier blog. Little Gull has returned after its summer holidays to demand a full english at the pontoon. I cannot imagine why even a seabird would come back to the UK at the moment.

On such days it is easy to forget that the Solent and Southampton Water are the waterway equivalent of the M25, sometimes with a few Formula 1 races in progress at the same time. In the deep channel large vessels can loom up from astern with surprising speed. Movement of all such vessels are controlled by Southampton Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) on VHF channel 12. This is similar to Air Traffic Control and on #12 ships call at mandatory reporting points and are given various clearances to dock etc.

Having been thoroughly indoctrinated in procedural stuff in the aviation world it makes eminent sense to me to monitor #12 when out on the Solent and to maintain a mental picture of what is where and if it's likely to affect me. Without this it would be like flying a microlight through the London Air Traffic Zone without a radio. I would be surprised if may other sailors do this though.

If I had a big yacht, after the radio the first thing I would buy today is AIS. You can get a taste of what AIS is about on this site http://www.ais-live.co.uk/AIS%20Live/aissolent.html It also gives you an idea of what shipping is using the Solent at any particular time.

The other end of the spectrum

2008-08-21T08:43:00.008+01:00

Misty is a modest unpretentious little boat with a carbon footprint long since washed away by the tide from the sands of time. At the other end of the sailing spectrum are these impressive 'sailing craft' snapped on recent visits to the Hamble.

The first is the 'Misty Moonbeam' (no relation), a 90 foot schooner purpose-built for charter work and now based in North Devon. This Misty has all mod cons plus - check out http://www.mistymoonbeam.com/index.html

Even longer at 100 feet is this aptly-named beast which yesterday slipped quietely and mastless into the Hamble River, probably for a maintenance period after Cowes Week and before her next races off Sardinia next month.

This is 'Leopard', a 30metre long 'super maxi' designed by Farr and launched last year. Built in Australia she was shipped to Southampton in April 2007. Since then her racing career has been highly successful and earlier this year she finished the 2,925 nautical mile crossing from New York to the Lizard, Cornwall, UK, in seven days, 19 hours and 21 minutes shaving eight hours off the existing record, to claim her second world record in two years. She is normally based in Ocean Village, Southampton. Here her bow is being pushed round to allow her to enter the Hamble marina complex. Note the discrete sponsor's logo! Also the chine towards the stern (just like the Silhouette Mks 1 and 2) and one of her 2 forward dagger boards in the raised position, a feature copied from the Polynesian rafts of the Pacific. She also has 5.5 metre canting keel. Not just a stripped-out racer Leopard can be fitted out with guest accomodation modules for charter work. Bowsprits are also back in fashion for racers. Check out her web-site at http://www.leopard3.com/

Worthwhile petition, no not the one about red diesel

2008-07-30T09:20:00.005+01:00

Not much to report recently other than a couple of what have become almost routine trips across to Cowes, along to Wooton, back up to Stokes Bay and home. This is the shore at Osborne Bay which is usually a peaceful place to drop the hook and have lunch.

I have become used to sailing with at least one reef in the main as the winds have regularly got up to force 5. Unfortunately I'm now 'in dock' for a couple weeks after an operation on my left hand.

Actually this blog is just an excuse to draw your attention to the following link:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Wounded/

You may not be aware that despite our prolonged military commitment to Iraq and Afghanistan which continues to create casualties of our servicemen and women on a daily basis, military hospitals are now virtually non-existant. Establishments which have been regarded as essential since the Crimea have been closed one by one over the past 10 years.

2 Para alone have, on their current tour, sent back over 50 casualties for care by the NHS Trust local to 2 Paras' UK base. When all of the casualties from other battle groups are added to the figure, how is the NHS going to cope? The individual troops are sent home to recover, relying on NHS visiting services, which themselves are already over-committed.

Please consider signing the petition. Thank you.

Update on 24 August - petition now closed with 113,531 names but will they take any notice?

Challenging times

2008-07-09T09:47:00.009+01:00

The weather has been appalling for the past few weeks with only an occasional small boat sailing day as wave after wave of depressions and fronts created winds of gale force strength across most of the UK. The gallant Hilary Lister (see last post and link) has been holed up in Lymington since 2 July waiting for a break to dash on to Portland.

In desperation I have been scrutinising the forecasts looking for short periods when I might venture out, and hopefully return, with nothing stronger than force 5 expected. Should force 6 materialise then I know that if I'm somewhere up-wind I can run back into Southampton Water safely now that my confidence in Misty has grown.

In the Solent the tidal stream (see above which is what I use for planning) has to be a major consideration in any planned small boat sailing trip. Once out of Southampton Water and into the Solent proper the tide floods in from the West until about 2 hours before High Water at Portsmouth. By HW Portsmouth the direction has reversed and an ebb is established when the water rushes back from the East again until about 4-5 hours after HW Portsmouth when the whole process slowly reverses again. The strength of the stream varies with time, location and phase but through the Hurst Narrows at the western end of the Solent there can be over 4 knots between 1 and 3 hours after HW Portsmouth during Springs. Another consideration is wind direction and strength relative to tidal stream direction and strength. A strong wind blowing in opposition to a strong tide creates short choppy seas which can be uncomfortable in a small boat and really kill the boat speed if beating into the wind.

Yesterday a 'window of opportunity' arose and I made a trip across to the Isle of Wight and back. With a forecast W-SW Force 4-5 wind and an east-going tide I did not want to end up in the eastern Solent with a long slog back so I headed down for Gurnard, to the west of Cowes, then back across to Lepe and home. It all worked out fine but the beats down to Cowes and back up to Lepe proved quite a challenge against large waves driven into and up the Solent by gales in the channel. Enough words - see attached video taken off West Cowes.

Misty had the first reef taken in with the genoa rolled up to balance it. For the homeward downwind leg in these conditions my tactic is to get rid of the main and run under as much of the genoa as I dare. Yesterday this didn't quite work out as the wind veered round to the north just as I turned the corner into Southampton Water and I was lashed by a vicious rainstorm. Oh for some shelter as I quickly furled the genoa and started the engine for a slow, wet, slog home into the wind and rain.

Sailing Round Britain

2008-06-27T14:19:00.004+01:00

No not me, at least not yet! There are currently two gallant spirits sailing small boats on circumnavigations of the UK. Well, one is taking a short cut through the Caledonian Canal, but then so did Ellen MacArthur and last year Geoff Holt. The first is an almost unbelievably brave attempt by Hilary Lister, a 35 year old quadriplegic from Kent, only able to move her head, and who sailed solo across the English Channel in August 2005 by using a ‘sip and puff’ system of straws to control the sails and tiller. Hilary has recently started her trip and is sailing in a clockwise direction. Hilary's web-site is at http://www.hilarylister.com/

In complete contrast in almost every way is the able-bodied Dylan Winter who is sailing his 19ft Mirror Offshore in an anti-clockwise direction and posting a series of fascinating and very professional travelogue videos as he progresses from port to port. Both Hilary and Dylan mention that over-used word 'Freedom' in describing what sailing does for them. I can heartily endorse that and dread the day when the petty legislators turn their evil gaze offshore and realise what is going on controlled only by common sense, good will and the RYA.

Well worth a visit is Dylan's story to date at http://uk.youtube.com/user/KeepTurningLeft

Good luck to both, perhaps they will meet part way round.

Update on 24 August - sadly Hilary and her team have given up their attempt for this year. A combination of appalling weather and many problems with her high tech. boat forced them to call a halt at Newlyn and return to Dover on 13 August.

Low tech. Dylan Winter is still turning left and exploring the northern coast of the Thames Estuary.

Oniros

2008-06-21T10:09:00.002+01:00

This good-looking craft is currently moored between piles in the River Hamble: Research reveals she is the ex-RNLI "Samuel and Marie Parkhouse"/"Oniros" built in 1938 by J. Samuel White of Cowes, yard no. W1832.

Now privately owned Oniros was present at the lifeboat gathering in Gothenburg on 2 June 2007. She originally cost £8,451 and is a Watson (Designed by G L Watson) type with a wooden hull, length 46 feet (14.02 m), beam 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m) and a draught of 4 feet (1.22 m), displacing about 20 tons. Two 40 hp Ferry engines driving 2 propellers provided a speed of 8 knots. Carrying 764 litres of fuel she had a range of 200 nautical miles. With a crew of 8, she could carry up to 95 survivors. When in service she was stationed at RNLI Salcombe, Devon.

Don't know how or when she changed her name. Perhaps someone out there knows more about her history.

Scrubs up well - a black wellie day

2008-06-05T11:55:00.007+01:00

Just around a bend in the river from Misty's berth is a pair of scrubbing piles which boats can make fast to and dry out for a quick bottom scub over the low tide. The shadow of these can be made out just off the shore which is a small hard for launching dinghies etc. Approaching the beach Stern made fast Bow made fast View of desirable residences up-river Drying out

Nearly there, not a particularly low tide but the slope of the shore allows you to scrub as the water ebbs away

As can be seen only a light scrub was needed despite the fact that Misty had been in the water since last August. None of the usual barnacles this year

A couple of shots back from the beach whilst waiting for the tide to return and float her off

More Solent

2008-05-20T16:04:00.002+01:00

Fawley refinery burning off gas. Why do we bother worrying about our carbon footprints when this goes on every day? Jurassic Hover Park - Sad, deflated and awaiting her fate. 'The Princess Margaret' looks out wistfully over the Solent from behind the wire fence at the hovercraft slipway, Lee on the Solent. Maggie is an SRN4 and once plied between Dover and Calais.

What became of Kyle?

2008-05-16T09:24:00.004+01:00

Looking through some old books I came across this in a catalogue of plans produced by Tucker Designs. Amongst the many and varied designs by Robert Tucker is an updated version of the original ply Silhouette with an extra chine and revised interior layout. Hurleys took the Silhouette design along the grp route to the MkII and MkIII versions but I wonder whether any of the marine ply Kyle version were built or still survive? As anotated the full plans cost £57 at the time which I think was in the late 1980s

Bembridge & Return

2008-05-15T09:25:00.010+01:00

With forecast fine weather but somewhat uncertain winds I decided to sail down to Bembridge, spend a night there and sail out to the east before returning to Bursledon. Heading east off Hook this army logistics vessel chugged by, heavily camouflaged except for the man in a dayglo suit and JCB crew ready for action 'Watching me watching you' - Almost becalmed this anonymous Leisure 17SL drifted past. Very similar in size and concept to the Silhouette but a few years later. Not sure about the mainsail, though, it looks as though it has lost the area below the first reef. Dauntseys School's 'Jolie Brise', sails flapping in the contrary light airs Eventually made it down to Seaview and round Nettlestone Point Anchored in Priory Bay just to the north of the Bembridge harbour entrance It was peaceful for a while until the jetski/PWCs (Pestilential Water Craft) came out to play. Other than making a horrendous noise and creating wash their riders have no concept of 'quite anchorage' or consideration to other users of the water. Looking back towards No Mans land Fort, the Seaview Mermaid keelboats also out to play in a much more environmentally friendly way. With a freshening breeze and swell developing from the northeast Priory Bay was not a place to stay so I up-anchored, had a sail out to the east then motored into Bembridge for the nightPriory BayBembridge Harbour. Note the devious channel leading to the entrance. I dropped the hook just inside on the left where bilge keelers can dry out.

The following morning's BBC weather forecast at 0530 was for winds increasing to force 6-7 'later' so I made my exit after a quick breakfast. Motoring out via the channel was like a roller-coaster ride but once in deeper water and past Nettlestone there was a good force 4-5 from between N and NE to speed me back along the Solent and up into the Hamble against the ebb.

Back at the pontoon I just missed having enough water to go alongside so I gently grounded Misty on the mud close enough to step off the bow onto the end of the pontoon where I made fast and went off to to have a shower etc. in the boatyard. An hour later there was enough water to haul Misty alongside and have the rest of my breakfast, tidy up the boat and go home.

Fast cat

2008-05-09T10:19:00.003+01:00

I was just relaxing having dropped the mainsail for a quite run home under the genoa when this came hurling past at high speed, crew hanging on to the windward hull for grim death. It is an X40 catamaran carrying TEAMORIGIN colours and is currently training in the Solent in preparation for competing at the first iShares Cup event in Lugano, Switzerland over the weekend of 30th May - 1st June.

TEAMORIGIN was originally established to create a British challenge for the 2009 Americas cup, now aiming for 2011. Meanwhile its' members compete in various classes like the Extreme 40 and their biggest monohull racer GB75 was launched last year.

http://www.teamorigin.com/

No hiding place

2008-05-02T13:41:00.007+01:00

Misty now appears on the latest Google Earth, at 50deg 53'00.16"N 001deg 18' 14.25W precisely. Frightening isn't it? This is Big Brother's view of Deacons and The Elephant boatyards on the upper Hamble River. The large structure on the left is the Ferry Restaurant which was originally a chain link ferry that carried passengers between Southampton and Woolston across the Itchen up until 1977. It was towed up the Hamble and berthed at the Elephant Boatyard and is now run as a restaurant.This is the whole river below the bridge where the M27 crosses it. Check it out on Google earth and try counting the yachts. In my 5 years of using the river I would estimate that well over 50% have never moved. The bigger they are, the faster they're stuck. The Hamble is a very expensive waterborne caravan park.

Just a few photos from today's trip up to Southampton

2008-04-25T16:15:00.016+01:00

Present for Misty - a nice new 'colour-coordinated' mainsail coverWith the advent of Spring I've also fitted the genoa to the furler. This has a Hurley Marine label on it so it must be at least 40 years old and is probably original. In the Winter I tend to use only the working jib, which is about 5 years old and made by Hyde Sails, on the furler Stretched and wrinkly it may be but it still fills well and in the right conditions can carry me out of, or back up, the Hamble without using the outboard but usually the combination of wind and tide only allows one way per trip. Today I decided to turn right at Hamble Point up the water into Southampton and see the ships :Not the most attractive design, could be a prison ship but it actually carries imported vehicles. Grimaldi sounds like a circus act or a type of biscuit, or is that garibaldi? A last look at the QE2 before she departs for Dubai to become a floating hotel Couldn't see her name but a racer from a byegone age. Look for the man up the mast, I wonder how long he has been up there. Come down Brian, you can be skipper if you really want to. Most unfortunate name! Wonder who Rita was - obviously popular with the sailors in St Johns. On checking she belongs to the Sibum shipping company and all their vessels have girl's or boy's names http://www.sibum.de/schiffe/00000098b50c24502/index.html A Thames Barge a long way from home Two points for Southampton - these are MOD logistic support vessels Prince William in his Chinook on yet another day out. Perhaps Kate has moved to Marchwood Royal Caribbean's "Independence Of The Seas" being provisioned for her maiden voyage in May. The biggest cruise ship in the world. Book a cabin with a balcony now for a 10 night cruise to the Canaries - only £1,474. I'll stick with Misty.... on the other hand, if I sold her for ....

Moving the mainsheet track - how is it working out?

2008-04-17T10:39:00.004+01:00

In an earlier post I described a major change to the way in which the mainsheet was sheeted involving relocating the track to the bridge deck and the boom attachment forward to suit. How has it worked out?

For me sailing alone, really well. It puts the fore and main sheets to hand and allows me to sit well forward in the cockpit which provides better shelter for me and trim for the boat.

The above movie shows the arrangement in action with Misty beating into a force 3 under full genoa and mainsail. Look at the sliding car position on the track, which is quite close to the boat centreline. This is necessary with the genoa sheeted in to prevent back-winding the front area of the main and to keep the slot between genoa and main working properly. With a reefed genoa or the working jib the car can be moved outwards, or when sailing more off the wind.

You may also notice a line rigged from the mast just above the gooseneck to the bow fitting. This keeps the foresheets from snagging on any of the mast fittings such as cleats when going about. Note that the genoa sheets are routed outside the lower shrouds and inside the uppers. This works well except for running downwind when they could be taken ouside the uppers to improve the the fill of the genoa. I don't normally bother except when a long run is anticipated, then I change the weather sheet when it is loose before going about.

From my experience so far I would say that the Silhouette Mk3 was designed to be sailed with genoa and main. In this configuration the genoa balances the quite large main very nicely giving very little weather helm and a good rate of knots, even at 15+degrees of heel if you have the confidence to press on. With the smaller working jib, weather helm increases considerably at force 3-4 and she sails much better with a reef in the main.

Something completely different

2008-04-15T15:56:00.009+01:00

Nothing whatsoever to do with Silhouettes but I would like to offer you this link to my past: http://www.seavixen.org/

It has recently been put together to describe what flying the Sea Vixen naval fighter aircraft was like. The only connections are that I was part of it and Misty was conceived and built during that age!

Bear in mind that this was in the dark days before mobile phones, political correctness, risk assessments, trauma counselling, blame culture and celebs. Enjoy. UPDATED 25 Feb 2010

This site has inexplicably disappeared from the face of the internet. Enjoy the photo anyway which is a Sea Vixen Mk2 of 893 Naval Air Squadron being launched from the port catapult of HMS Victorious sometime in 1966. The wire which appears to be falling off underneath the aircraft is a steel wire strop used to connect the aircraft to the catapult for launching. Even in the 1960s they cost around £1,000 each, were not re-useable and were lost in the sea during every launch. When the Phantom replaced the Sea Vixen the strops were manufactured for a longer life and a net was added under the bow of HMS Ark Royal (the only RN carrier to operate Phantoms) to recover them. Was this the start of re-cycling?

UPDATED 10 Oct 2010

The original site was hacked into and destroyed by a mindless moron but thanks to the dedication of Martyn Dean it has been reconstructed and is up and running again. Still at http://www.seavixen.org/

Force 7

2008-04-15T13:54:00.015+01:00

Yesterday everything looked right for a long trip out into the world beyond the Solent, the right wind and the right tides. So I departed the Hamble at 0800 to follow the route below, planning to make the Needles by lunchtime when the tide would turn in my favour for the return trip. Perhaps I should have heeded the omen, passing Lepe the new Coastguard helicopter appeared, dropped a marker and did a few practice pick-ups. After an encounter with the Yarmouth to Lymington ferry I was buzzed by a lifeboat at high speed: I assumed it was the Yarmouth boat but on checking its number later it turned out to be from the St Peter Port, Guernsey station. I have no idea what it was doing in the Solent. Perhaps the Government cut-backs have extended its area of responsibility. With a westerly-setting tide and a nice Force 3 I made my exit from the Solent at about 1100 passing between Hurst (above) and Fort Albert (below).

View of Totland Bay in passing (above) and the destination Needles (below). At 1200 I went about and eased off for a run back and all seemed set up for pleasant return trip. Had a brew and ate my sandwiches. Passing Fort Albert on the return.

At about 1330 I noticed a RIB towing a small sailboat coming up from astern. As it passed me I reached for my camera because the small sailboat looked very much like a Silhouette Mk 1 or 2 and I wondered what had happened to it. I had no further time to wonder or get my camera because Misty was immediately hit by a huge squall from astern. After letting go all sheets I hauled in on the Genoa roller reefing until something like a stormsail remained, then back in on its sheet until the flapping from that stopped.

The squall continued and I considered reefing the main but decided as a first step to try and tame the wildly flapping beast and see what happened. With the mainsheet traveller at its extremity I found I was able to maintain just enough pull on the mainsheet to get some drive with the sail almost parallel to the wind, and the tight stormsail balancing what would otherwise be terminal weather helm.

In this condition and assisted by the tide Misty hurtled along and I almost enjoyed it except for the accompanying heavy hail and rain. After about 45 minutes the wind died as quickly as it had appeared and I found myself almost becalmed and at West Bramble marker.

With little wind I started the engine and motored back up to Hamble and home at about 1600, just in time to catch another squall as I was carefully edging into my pontoon berth. Singlehanded this was the most difficult manoeuvre of the trip. On checking the Bramblemet transmitter once safely back at home the squall is clearly recorded between 1330 and 1430, at 25 gusting 30 Kts , force 6-7. Not something I would volunteer for but apart from the effort and concentration needed to keep the mainsail under control I was amazed that Misty could settle down and make progress in those conditions. Thinking about the alternatives, I could have reefed the main, probably taking in 2 reefs accompanied by starting the outboard. The danger here would have been the possibility of being blown onto a lee shore as I was fairly close to the I.O.W. when the squall struck . Also the danger of being knocked overboard whilst tying in the reefs.

Mk3 Rudder arrangement

2008-04-08T10:17:00.002+01:00

A quick post to explain how the Mk3 rudder is attached to the boat: Above is how it looks from outside The above diagram shows how it is all put together. Rudder and stock can only be removed together by taking off the tiller attachments, undoing the bottom bolt and forked bracket, then withdrawing the rudder and stock downwards out of the tube. You need a lot of room underneath to do this! Possibly tilt the trailer forwards and/or dig a hole as I did!

Weather Forecasts

2008-03-12T11:41:00.003Z

Sitting at home listening to the gales rattling the windows I was inspired to check what the various forecasting sites would offer the prospective sailor looking to see if conditions were suitable in the Solent on a day like yesterday. Above is the Met Office inshore forecast for the area which whilst not strictly for the Solent is close enough to be very relevant. Sailing? No way. This is the optimistic Metcheck version. Not for Silhouettes but if I had something bigger? Whilst the MRSC Lee-on-Solent is a bit more realistic. What actually happened was recorded by Bramblemet. A transmitting weather station on a post situated at Bramble Bank, off Cowes in the Solent. At least the direction was consistent.

Moral - don't rely on one version of the forecast.

Enjoying the weather

2008-02-13T09:34:00.010Z

A typical UK February day lured me down to the pontoon, unfortunately the tide was out! It did return and the forecast steady force 3 provided some surprisingly challenging sailing as the next movie clip shows. This is Misty beating a into a force 5 which persisted for about 30 minutes and forced me to reef down.

By the time I returned to the upper Hamble in the afternoon all was calm again.

The boat at the end of the sequence is the 'Kattegat' which looks as though she has been places, but not recently. She is a wooden Scandinavian Colin Archer style double-ender and if anyone knows more about her history please drop me an e-mail.

Raising and lowering the mast - getting it up

2008-01-17T10:10:00.001Z

WARNING - DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME

In the previous post I had to lower the mast whilst still alongside the pontoon in order to fit a VHF antenna. Getting it down was pretty traumatic and so I resolved to work out a better way of getting it back up again from its resting position on the wooden support (devised by a previous owner) which can be seen in the previous post.

Also devised by a previous owner was the mysterious iron object shown below which I guessed had something to do with lowering and raising the but there were no clues as to how it was used. As found it had a hole in each fork end which I opened out to slots as shown. This allowed it to slide over the outer ends of the mast pivot bolt and made for easier fitting and removal.

I then found a length of tubing into which the rod end of the device would fit. I used a 4ft 6ins length of alloy tube which I happened to have (from which I also made up new spreaders when I bought the boat) but a steel tube of the right size would do. Fork and tube are shown assembled below: A hole was cut in opposite the end of the tube suitable for a pin or shackle. Use of the arrangement is explained, I hope, in the next 2 diagrams:

1. Slide the mast aft on the wooden support until the pivot pin or bolt can be inserted through the upper holes in the mast and tabernacle. Do not push the bolt fully home but leave room to slide the slots in the fork arms over it as shown. Loosely secure it all with the nut just tight enough to hold the fork in place.

2. Insert the tube and attach the lower end of the forestay to it at A.

3. Now take the mainsheet tackle and attach the boom end of it also to the tube at A.

4. Attach the track end of the tackle to the normal forestay attachment point on the bow fitting at B. You may need to add more rope to the free end of the mainsheet to allow it to be pulled from the cockpit.

5. Now pull the mainsheet enough to take up the slack in the arrangement so that the forestay is tight with the pole vertical as shown.

As they say in the instruction sheets - the mast can now be raised.

Practically this is done in stages by hauling on the extended mainsheet from the cockpit, jamming it as necessary as you pause for breath and a prayer. Initially you will need to steady and support the mast whilst slowly moving forewards as the mast pivots up. I used a wooden prop between the mast and cockpit sole which I gradually moved forewards as the mast was raised. Once it was past the 30 degree position the prop was dispensed with and the mast went up easily the rest of the way.

Obviously as the mast nears the vertical the tackle will close up etc. preventing further raising but by this time it will be sufficiently stable for you to haul it through the last 10 degrees or so whilst standing on the foredeck and allow the bottom pin to be inserted. The fork, pole and mainsheet tackle is now removed, bolt tightened up in the tabernacle and the forestay attached at its normal point on the bow fitting.

Some comments. Mast lowering would use the process in reverse- not yet tried! A purpose-made tackle could be used in place of the mainsheet with a similar mechanical advantage. Perhaps the mainsheet could be routed to one of the sheet winches to help the hauling but I did not find this necessary. If employing this method on a trailer a way of using its winch could be devised. The 4ft 6ins length of pole worked out about right but the ideal length could be more scientifically arrived at. There is a lot of mast aft of its pivot and care must be taken to prevent lateral strain being put on the tabernacle during the intermediate stages of the raising process. With two people this method should be reasonably trauma-free but it worked for me single-handed. I shall now look to refining the procedure and remove the fear I have of dealing with a 22ft mast on the deck of a 17ft 3inch boat.

Fitting a VHF Antenna

2008-01-11T14:05:00.001Z

I fitted a fixed VHF radio over the Christmas period and this involved lowering the mast in order to fix the antenna to the top of it. More on mast lowering and raising in a later post but the following pictures show the mast down, mounting bracket in place and the antenna fixed. The VHF coax cable runs down from the antenna inside the mast to emerge just above the tabernacle then down through a gland into the cabin. To feed the coax through the mast I first removed the top assembly with all the blocks etc. by drilling out the rivets. This was something I needed to do anyway to give it a good clean up. Judging from the resident spiders it had been up there undisturbed since 1969.

To thread the coax cable through the mast I made up a long rod using 6 lengths of 4ft garden cane joined together with 1ft lengths of old garden hose. I then attached the end of the coax to the first cane with tape and pushed the rod carefully into the open top of the mast until it emerged from the base of the mast, detached the cable and pulled the rest of the rod out of the mast.

The top assembly was then rivetted back in place. With the mast lowered I noticed that the lower shrouds were chafed where they attach to the tangs. A had a pair of new ones made up from 3mm 1x19 ss wire and fitted these before raising the mast. 1x19 is fine for the lowers which do not have to bend. It would also be OK for the fore and backstays. For the upper cap shrouds which bend over the spreaders I would use the more flexible (and more expensive) 7x19 wire.

Winter's sail

2007-12-21T16:08:00.000Z

For 'Misty' read 'Frosty' - alongside the pontoon at 0730 yesterday. Still frozen heading southeast for a very good sail to Ryde, Lee on Solent, back up Southampton Water to Netley and home. Apart from the cold conditions were ideal with a steady force 4 from the northeast and nothing much else on the water.

The route

Misty's Electrics (latest version)

2007-12-02T16:49:00.003Z

I have updated this post on 22 December 2009 after making a number of changes to the original system.

At the heart of the system is an off-the-shelf control panel which has 4 fused switches with indicator lamps connected to +ve and -ve busbars fed by an 85 amp hour leisure battery.

I've connected each of the switch outputs to a terminal on a plastic 6-terminal block with the 3 and 4 terminals ganged to 5 and 6 as shown to allow these switches to control additional circuits if required

Internal cabin lights and anchor light are controlled by switch 1 but each also has its own switch.

When night sailing switch 2 controls the port, starboard and stern lights plus the compass illumination. When motoring an extra switch adds the forward sector masthead light.

Navigation equipment is controlled by switch3 and the VHF radio by switch 4.

All negative earth returns are fed back to a second terminal block connected to the -ve busbar in the control panel .

Because the 2 ends of the charging circuit are live i.e. connected directly to the battery terminals, there is a safety switch in this circuit which also allows me to charge the battery or not. There is reverse-current protection within the outboard's circuitry.

The battery had now been moved from the bow area to under the cabin step alongside the portapotti. This was done to reduce voltage drop in the long cable runs, particularly aft to the outboard charging socket.

Around the Solent

2007-11-23T19:45:00.000Z

The original Solent post has been deleted and replaced by a new web album slideshow which can be seen on the right-hand side of the page after the blog archive. Click on it to view full-size as a new tab.

Also the Silhouette Mk3 details are now at the bottom of the page.