ENDURANCE 40 VOYAGER 38
CLASSIC WAVE TRINCULO
Yachts with Power Style & Grace
Voyages of Trinculo 15
The Saga of 2011
The Voyage south to Plymouth from Glasson marina, after a delayed start
Winter Lay-up
The winter of 2010/11 was fairly uneventful apart from having to replace the electric bilge pump, which failed. Convenient of it to last till the end of the season! We up-rated its capacity and replaced both float switches in the process. This had been vital, as we had a leak, which we thought was left over from the damage sustained when we ‘touched a rock’ last year. See story.
The leak was ‘lived with’ over the winter, with a view that we would go to Glasson marina to lift out and repair it. Before leaving Wardley’s we completed a number of small tasks in preparation for sailing south. None were onerous. Probably the most important was a mod to the VHF for ATIS. An AIS transceiver was also fitted. This appears to work very well and hopefully would have kept us clear of the Med. Ferries, and ours!
On Sunday 17th. April we departed from Wardley’s with the tide.
Since this is being written by myself (no Kev!) it will be more of a summary.
There was little wind so we motor sailed, passing Fleetwood and across to Piel Is., monitoring the leak during the passage. While it was present it was not enough to cause concern.
Barrie was ill and stayed at home. So it was me, with Kev and a friend of his, Stan, new to sailing and coming for the experience. When we arrived we found the Pub at Piel fully up and running. They have done a good job on the refurbishing, and gave us a friendly welcome. We anchored well out, thinking we might just touch bottom, but as the tide departed we found we were well aground, so when it came in again we moved to the edge of the Barrow channel to give us a safe amount of water for an early departure next morning.
We left just after six the next morning for Glasson Basin. Again we were motoring and motor sailing until we decided there was enough wind to let Stan have some practice tacking up the Lune Deep, helped by the incoming tide. We eventually had to motor again to arrive at the Glasson Basin entrance just before high water. From there we soon locked into the marina.
Next morning we were lifted out on their boat hoist. There was no sign of the leak until, while washing the mud off the hull in preparation for anti-fouling, Barrie, who had driven up that morning, noticed a crack in the gel coat at the top, forward edge of the keel. This area was ground away, dried out and repaired
Eventually we also noticed water coming from the very base of the keel, just aft of the metal shoe we had fitted some time ago.
The repair of last year, at the back end of the keel, was thickened with more fiber glass and the hull was given two/three coats of antifouling.
TRINCULO went back into the water on Monday,9th. May. We had not thought of a way to repair the leak at the base of the keel.
Surprise, surprise!!!! We still had a leak!!!!!!!!
Barrie ‘minded’ the leak while waiting to do his ICC exam. The leak was very erratic in the rate of water entry, but by the time of his exam was fairly rapid. So he did part of the exam and Trinculo was lifted out of the water immediately afterwards, on Monday 16th.May.
We then thought we clearly identified were the leak was from. On removing the shoe on the front of the keel, water poured out! This major repair was completed by the ‘professionals’ at Glasson marina. We were about to lift back into the water when another small area of damage was spotted. This was fixed and we lifted back in on Tuesday, 28th. To our dismay water was still coming in. It was finally identified to be from under the stern tube. That was fixed which also required the engine to be realigned but we were in the water. Leak free!
Barrie checked out a further small leak from the engine raw water pump but, yet again, it turned out to be a bigger problem than we first thought. We needed a new pump! Searching the internet I found a supplier and it was with us Monday morning. Barrie fitted it, tided up the boat and we planned to be away Thursday afternoon, 7th. July.
The Voyage South
Bob
Barrie
Our intentions remained the same. To head down the west coast, to the Scilly Is. Then along the south coast to Plymouth, where we would hold for awhile and pick up some crew before crossing to the Channel Is., then to French coast, to enter France at the Seine, continue upstream to Paris before going into the cannel system. Somewhere we would have lower the mast and fix up a suitable arrangement for carrying it on deck. We were contemplating Honfleur or Rouen, for this.
Douglass Basin to Piel Is,
It being afternoon before we could depart, the first stage was a very short voyage to Piel Is. After my previous experience, see above, on the voyage from Wardley’s, we anchored in the Barrow channel. This was a mistake, as we had chosen a very busy night of coming & goings from and to the wind farms being built in Morcombe Bay. In the end we were woken by a pilot boat at 3 o’clock in the morning. It was escorting a very large platform going out to the bay area. It needed all the channel and, while we were at the very edge, we were in the way. We were planning to leave early, but not this early, Since we had to move, we decided to get under way and followed the platform and its entourage out.
Piel Is. to Menie Bridge/Caernarfon
By getting underway early we got a reasonable breeze which we used to make a good passage to Anglesey and enter the Menie Straights. We finally picked up a mooring just west of the Menie bridge in the early afternoon.
An hour and a half later the tide was favourable for us to resume our passage, under the bridge, we passed he Swellies and to Caernarfon, Victoria Dock marina.
Caernarfon to Porth Dinllaen
Victor Dock has a sill and gate to keep the water in, therefore due to the tide we had to set off early or late. We opted for late, leaving that afternoon for a short trip to the anchorage of Porth Dinllaen on the Welsh coast. We again managed to sail most of the way, with a few tacks, arriving at around 19.00hrs., to find a very pleasant anchorage with a pub on the beech.
Porth Dinllaen to Fishguard
To have a favourable tide through Bardsey Sound we had to leave fairly early that morning. We were away at 08.15. It was calm with little wind. At 18.50 we arrived at Fishguard anchoring in the approach to the old harbour. A meal and a visit to the excellent harbour side pub, then to bed.
Fishguard to Milford Haven
Leaving Fishguard was another early start. For us that is! We were away at ten to eight to get the southerly tide, especially through Ramsey and Jack sounds. Another calm day and progress was made motor-sailing. However, on leaving Ramsey Sound we heard a Coastguard message about a temporary exclusion zone due to an unexploded ordnance being blown up around 11.30. The position sounded close to Jack Sound, where we estimated we would be at around 11.30. A call to the Coastguard confirmed our
Helford River to Mevagissy
Waking to brilliant sunshine, the anchor was lifted around midday for a sort sail along the coast to Mevagissy. Here, the inner harbour dries and we were directed to pick up a fore & aft mooring very close to the harbour entrance. This was ok in the good conditions but in rough weather or with swell it would be untenable. However, it gave us a view of ‘pirates’ operating in the bay!
Mevagissy to Fowey
Another late start and short sail to Fowey, where we arrived early afternoon. We made an exploration up river to look for an anchorage, passing on the way some very large ships destined to pick up the china clay for export. As there continued to be many local moorings up the river it was virtually impossible to find an acceptable place to anchor, so we returned to the reach in front of the town, picking up a mooring. Later we were joined by the ‘pirates’. This turned out to be the ‘Earl of Pembroke’, a square rig barque which has been used in a number of feature films.
Fowey to Polperro
The almanac suggest that the small harbour of Looe might have been ok for us to pick up the single mooring at the entrance. So, after topping up the tanks with fresh water at the town pontoon we made the short sail there. As it turned out there was work being carried out involving a large barge and it was soon apparent that we would effectively block the entrance if we also moored. Polperro, a short way further but which unfortunately dries, on investigation, turned out to have a reasonable anchorage for the conditions, off the beach on the way into the harbour. So we dropped the hook joining a few other boats.
Polperro to Cawsands Bay (Plymouth)
The plan had always been to stay some time in Plymouth. To take stock and wait for crew to join us to cross the Channel when we would also visit the Channel Islands. Barbara was also going to come down for a visit.
As we would be here for a while we decided we would explore the Sound and mix our overnights between anchorages and marinas.
Our first night was Cawsands Bay. An anchorage at the entrance to Plymouth Sound, off a very pleasant small village.
The taking stock had already started. During the last days we had decided to discontinue the voyage south. I would sell my half share of Trinculo to Barrie. We would continue our visit to Plymouth, as Barbara was to join me and crew were coming to visit the Channel Is. But then I would then depart back home with Barbara.
Cawsands Bay to Plymouth Yacht Haven.
Plymouth Yacht Haven is a marina with excellent facilities close to the city, but slightly cheaper than some. We stopped for two nights to catch up on the washing and re-provision.
Plymouth YH to Cargreen.
This was to explore the main artery into the sound, the Tamar river. We went up with the tide to almost the upper navigable reaches, the village of Cargreen. According to the chart and almanac there was a Pub. However on going ashore, while it was an excellent building, we found it had been closed for ten years. However, the small local Yacht Club about a cable further up river was open, and they made us welcome.
Cargreen to Cawsand Bay.
The following morning my Brother-in-law, Gordon, joined us for the sail down with the tide.
Cawsand Bay to Plymouth YH
Another very enjoyable sail across the sound back to the marina. Here I cleared the boat of my belongings to return home with Barbara and Barrie prepared the boat for the crew joining him.
The Channel Islands
TRINCULO visited the Channel Islands with Barrie, Jean, Mike and Kev. As Kev was part of the crew more of the saga follows.
Bob
Sunday 17th. May Wardley’s YC to Piel Is. 16.3 sea mls 3 hrs 10 mins Monday 18th May Piel Is. to Glasson Basin 17.4 sea mls 4 hrs 15 mins
Total 23.7 sea mls 7hrs 25 mins
Thursday 7th. July Glasson Basin to Piel Is. 20.0 sea mls 3 hrs 40 mins
Friday 8th. July Piel Is. to Caernarfon 65.5 sea mls 10 hrs 10 mins
Saturday 9th. July Caernarfon to Porth Dinllaen 17.61 sea mls 4 hrs 00 mins
Sunday 10th July Porth Dinllaen to Fishguard 58.39 sea mls 12hrs 35 mins
Monday 11th July Fishguard to Milford marina 34.14 sea mls 6 hrs 10 mins
Milford marina to Hazel Beach 2.86 sea mls 35 mins
Tuesday 12th. July Pembroke to Dale 6.93 sea mls 1 hr. 50 mins
Wednesday 13th July Dale to Lundy Is. 36.9 sea mls 5 hrs 35 mins
Thursday 14th. July Lundy Is. to Padstow 26.87 sea mls 7 hrs 0 mins
Friday 15th to 20th. July Padstow
Wednesday 20th. July Padstow to Penzance 61.8 sea mls 12 hrs 5 mins
Friday 22nd July Penzance to Halford river 28.9 sea mls 4 hrs 45 mins
Saturday 23rd July Halford river to Mevagissy 18.7 sea mls 4 hrs 40 mins
Sunday 24th July Mevagissy to Fowey 8.3 sea mls 2 hrs 25 mins
Monday 25th July Fowey to Looe
Tuesday 26th July Looe to Cawsands Bay 6.8 sea mls 3 hrs 0 mins
Wednesday 27 July Cawsands Bay to Plymouth Y.H. 1.3 sea mls 1 hr 0 min
Friday 29th July Plymouth YH to Cargreen 4.24 sea mls 2 hrs 30 mins
Saturday 30th July Cargreen to Cawsands Bay 7.86 sea mls 2 hrs 45 mins
Sunday 31st July Cawsands Bay to Plymouth Y.H. 1.3 sea mls 1 hr 0 min
Total 408 4 sea mls 85 hrs 45 mins
suspicion, and they advised us to give Jack Sound a wide berth. We therefore elected to round Skomer Is. to the west. We arrived at the right time to see a large plume of water, followed by a big bang just to the south of Jack Sound.
Entering Milford Haven we decided to visit Milford marina to top up with fuel before continuing east, up the haven and anchoring off Hazelbeach for the night.
The next day we crossed to the pontoon at Pembroke to visit the supermarkets and restock our provisions. This took awhile before we then sailed back along the haven to Dale for the night.
Dale (Milford Haven) to Lundy Is.
A very calm day with no wind, so motored across the Bristol channel to Lundy Is, anchoring off the ferry slip. Since my last visit was around 50 yrs ago and Barrie had not been
there, we decided to land and make the climb up the cliff to the ‘village’. We had a few beers in the Pub and returned to the boat. It had not changed a lot!
Lundy to Padstow
The anchorage at Lundy is not the best, as it picks up the swell from both ends of the Island. Even in calm conditions! We had a reasonable night but the only other boat in the anchorage gave up and had left before we woke up.
On leaving we thought we would probably have another days motoring but as soon as we were out of the lea of the Island, a nice northerly breeze picked up. This took us to Padstow, arriving mid afternoon, slightly early to enter the harbour. Another with a sill and gate to keep the water in.
Padstow is a good harbour, very yacht friendly, although having some fishing boats. The inner basin retains water by the gate and and has some pontoons, as well as berthing alongside the wall. It also had excellent facilities. We berthed alongside and decided to stay for a day (or two!). The VHF weather forecast had been saying the calm weather was not to last. It was now forecasting strong winds possibly gales. It was six days before we left! We passed the time exploring Padstow, which we found very pleasant, and took the local bus to Wadbridge. It was a Sunday and very quiet. And to Newquay. A better experience. We also took the opportunity to do some washing.
We found Padstow very sheltered and would not have known a gale had gone through. We probably could not have been ‘stormbound’ in a better place. Finally conditions calmed down.
Padstow to Penzance
Our original intention had been to visit the Scilly Islands, but the weather forecast for there was not promising so we opted to miss them and go right around Lands End. The sea had moderated and we had a good sail in a northerly wind arriving at Penzance that evening. Another basin with a sill/gate and and a mix of yachts and fishing boats. It was also rather full of boats for its size. We were told to raft to a yacht that was already rafted to four other boats. However we elected to stay two nights. This was not a good idea. The harbour was expensive with no facilities and the following day we were told we had to move, as a cargo boat was coming in and we were in the way. We were put on another raft Only four boats out this time! On the plus side, the town was very pleasant with some nice pubs and friendly people.
Penzance to Helford River
We new the reputation of the Helford as a very nice place to visit and decided it would be a change from Falmouth. It was said to have a great anchorage once you had passed the many moorings, This turned out to be true. The anchorage is also close to the Helford Yacht Club. A small but excellently run Club House with very friendly members who gave us a pleasant evening. Fortunately it was a calm, but very dark, night when we navigated the tender back to TRINCULO
