First Post Lockdown Sail

What a fabulous day, steady F4 easterly and warm dry weather. The weather has been the best sailing conditions I can remember for April and May and this was the first time I made it out for a sail. Only made it to Stangate Creek and back, it was wonderful. I ache all over but it feels OK.

Lock down visit

My first visit for months since the virus started to get a grip and no real problems. Someone had kindly checked the moorings and added a bow line and someone else had secured the sprayhood. Inside there was a bit of mildew but nothing significant. The engine started first do, oil was good, batteries fine, no water in the bilge so all good. I spent the day checking things over - 50m of 8mm anchor chain quite rusty, electrical distribution moves forward, slowly. I need to find a better way of holding tools in place while I work on the other side of a bulkhead. Anchor windlass needs servicing, I might be able to take it off and do this at home. Hopefully I'll get to visit again next weekend and go for a sail. Everyone at the club was doing their bit to respect the social distancing guidelines and personal hygiene measures.

Well that's torn it

Plans for 2020 are obviously on hold with the COVID-19 virus pandemic. The club is closed and with travel restrictions and social distancing there is no opportunity to visit Louisa. When I was last at the boat about three weeks ago I made a start on the primary electrical system. The boat is in a mess and wasn't left in a state suitable for a long absence. The mooring lines weren't properly doubled up and not everything was stowed properly. Apparently the river is very quiet and so hopefully the boat will be safe.

How long this goes on for no one knows; three months, six months or longer. Unless I post about some of the boat projects I am doing at home this blog will be sparse..

Something to look forward to.  The Jester Challenge next year is planned to be a dual Baltimore and Azores event in 2021. I wonder if I'll have enough money left to take part?

2020 Plans

Unless things change dramatically I won't have enough time for anything too adventurous this year. I had hoped to do the Jester Challenge which goes to the Azores in June. I'd need about 3 months to do this but work is busier than ever and I haven't made sufficient progress getting Louisa ready. So I intend to head north and meet a mate in Newcastle for a gentle sail along the Northumbrian coast.

First proper sail

First sail of the season and first sail for me on Louisa. It was excellent. On Saturday I took her out for a short sail to find out what didn't work; a winch and a possible problem with the electrical distribution. On Sunday it was the annual winter rally to Queenborough. 8 boats and around 24 club members which was an excellent run out. Two friends joined me on Louisa and we had an excellent sail. Down river was with the tide and wind and we managed over half the passage with the cruising chute up. It pulled nicely and was a probably more than I could have managed on my own. We then sailed up the Swale to Queenborough against the tide and, first and probably a last for me and Louisa, with an onshore breeze one of my friends took Louisa alongside under sail. He then serviced the dodgy winch and removed excess grease which fixed the problem. It was great to be taking the sails down from the quay side. Lunch at the Flying Dutchman and then a sail against the wind back. Really pleased with the boat and her performance. All three of us enjoyed the trip. However, I do remember feeling the same last year when I did the trip in Mischief!

Still waiting to sail Louisa

Almost 2 months on and a mixture of work and weather have gotten in the way of sailing Louisa. I did take her out for a drift around on the tide.

In the meantime Mischief has found a new owner, it took three days to transfer all of my gear off her.

Loading and checking

After moving Louisa from MYC to HNYC, a trip of approx 1/2 nm it was clear that the hull and prop need a good clean. I have started moving kit from Mischief to Louisa, it is amazing how much stuff I have accumalated in a year!

Whilst checking Lousia over I found this!

and a selection of tubes, lines, clips etc. It looks like a complete Sea Feather self steering system! That alone justifies the choice of the boat. Other positives include the engine which seems to be in excellent condition and many items set up for single-handed off-shore sailing.

I won't sail her until the hull is clean and I plan to do that next weekend :-).