The bad news on the 27th related to the Police. They keep a large catamaran at the marina, and its berth lay close to Miss Liz II. They returned from their duties during the afternoon and as they approached I called out in a little alarm "you are a bit close!!!!", to which the reply came "no we have plenty of room!!", followed by a crunch as they hit the transom. Luckily not too much damage done and the guys at Inspiration were insistent they could polish it out…I am not so sure - so we will see…Not a great start!
By the end of the 27th the TV and stereo systems were up and running just in time to welcome the crew that evening.
the Shake down crew war Chris Horton, Jon Rees, Rob Robotham and of course Lucas.
Jon assuming his usual position….
Lucas with his bucket at the ready! Unused throughout the whole trip I can add…
Leaving the berth on the full tide the team looked professional as we left the dock, tidying the warps and springs like professionals. The bow thruster making light work of the tight berth.
First call was for fuel and we ferry glided in like a professional crew, no incidences….this was starting to become worrying…when would we go wrong! Not yet though as we filled her up and were given chic ices to see us on our way by a very nice harbor lady! We then departed…..again without incident.
Jon working the sheets as the Captain focusses on direction…
Making good headway. And almost a good Jib Shape…until we noticed that when it was refitted that they had not hauled it up as far as it should be….Soon fixed though. The initial trip was planned to Alderney in the Channel Islands, but a planned south westerly on the Saturday and a North Easterly on the Sunday put paid to that. So alternative port of Weymouth was selected.
Captain looking happy….no more accidents, and sailing well!
Initial wind was a northerly which then throughout the afternoon moved to a South Westerly. As we passed the needles we headed out on a South Westerly Course before making the course change to take us all the way to Weymouth. Wind was averaging 15 knots - 20 Knots and speed of the ground a healthy 9 - 10 Knots, again showing the speed capability of Miss Liz II. Giving the crew some practice at reefing we started off with a reef in which we soon shook out. Even better, the forecast rain never appeared!
Note this time we had a decent ensign, taken from the original Miss Liz, still looks like we need bigger one! At least the Germans couldn't laugh at us this time!
Arriving at Weymouth, we managed to get a berth on the quayside….Next to a training ship for 14 ear old girls…If that wasn't bad enough they said they needed to leave at 5.30am to catch the tide, and would we mind? Not much we could say :-), so we went for a curry before we watched the World Cup on the new TV, LUXURY! Good sail and we averaged almost 7 knots for the entire journey…quay to quay.
Next morning we were up at 5am, well, some of us were….Jon and Chris and Lucas managed to unheard the work going on topsides….Easy enough to cast off though and by 5.30 am we were on our way.
Day 2 and the Cap at the helm. Who needs an auto pilot! Great sailing day again with wind initially at 15 Knots but dropping off to <10 through the course of the day. Engine only used to leave and enter the harbors though. Beautiful blue skies!
Rob enjoying the view.
Good sail shape… we are moving!
Chris showing off with some one handed sailing…where is the life jacket?
Rob looking out for pirates…
Ahh, there's the life jacket!
What do you mean it's my shift again?
Speeding past the needles!
Looking good.
Well past the needles, heading through Hurst Passage with the tide.
Don't jump! OK, Lucas, Jump!!
One training point, will we hit another object or not…I think everyone now has the hang of transits after much will we hit it? Who has right of way? questions…questions...
Made berth at Hamble point after 7 hours dead, Just over 7 knot average door to door, average over 8 Knots actual sailing. Again, the crew handled docking like professionals…and given the space we had to get into that is saying a lot!
And then we decided to take some pictures from up the mast. Chris first and looking suitably nervous….
Chris's picture from the second spreaders…Bow first…..
and then stern. About 60 ft up.
Capt. not to be outdone….from 75 ft….
Great view of Fawley power station from up here.
and the Marine training college.
Stern now, where is everyone? Oh … running across the yacht to make the mast swing…Thank you!
Here they are..
Nice view of the Hamble river..
Finally some peace, everyone disembarked and headed home…except for the Skipper. Time to reminisce on the journey and watch the football!
So, summary, shake out went well, very few issues and none that can't be quickly resolved. Crew shade up well and with a little more training will be read to go. Well done Jon, Chris and Rob…..and not forgetting Lucas…!
Finally, as I write this on July 2nd, just found out that Miss Liz II should be fully ready on July 8th..although we can't get back to then UK for the takeover until the 18th.
Watch this space.
No comments:
Post a Comment