TORPOINT MOSQUITO SAILING CLUB

Cruising Section

Cloudberry trip to IOS

3^rd – 10^th July 2011

Cloudberry (centre) in St Mary's

DAY 1 Sunday

Having spent the night at a berth in the ballast pound in order to load kit, food (and cook a chilli to replace the one I left at home in the freezer) the skipper, Roger, joined us (Bob & myself, Brian) early and we slipped at 0620 on Sunday 3^rd July.

About a mile SW of Rame Head (0815) up went the spinnaker and we could now enjoy just the sound of wind and water. This state remained until about 8 miles east of the Manacles (1335) when wind started to drop and the engine was restarted to maintain a speed of at least 4 knots. We had some concern about the VHF as it seemed very quiet but as the day wore on we heard more traffic and felt confident that there was not a problem. South of the Lizard (1634) the wind died totally so we dropped main and spinnaker and (didn’t) looked forward to a noisy night.

Just after 1800 Brian was making tea and noticed oil on cabin sole next to the engine cover. Investigation revealed engine and compartment covered in oil with low oil level in sump. Engine was also very hot but cooling water not a problem. However after a clean-up and top up when the engine was run up there was no sign of a leak. After discussion we decided to proceed whilst monitoring the engine. We kept the revs a little lower and had no further problems throughout the whole trip. We had been pushing it a bit and suspect the engine was at its max for too long and ‘rebelled’.

Having enjoyed the chilli we agreed we should get some sleep - Roger was first ‘off watch’. Sometime after 2200 we passed Wolf Rock and began watching for ships transiting the Traffic Separation Scheme – it is surprising how fast they can bear down on you – but tonight was fairly quiet.

Brian was next to go below managing a couple of hours before we were approaching Spanish Ledge cardinal at the entrance to St Mary’s Sound. The night entrance was uneventful through to St Mary’s Pool but I think Roger and Bob found it interesting (Bob later admitted his mental image was totally different to the real picture). Unfortunately we found all the visitors buoys were full so, new challenge, we had to find an anchorage in the dark. Eventually found a spot between Newford and Taylors Islands after careful monitoring of depth, two other boats anchors and difficulty in picking out Taylors Island. (In daylight noticed a small buoy - lobster pot?-luckily missed). After tea and a nightcap turned in about 0500 with 87 miles on log.

DAY 2 Monday

The weather forecast was not good for remaining on the anchor where we were but there were still no V moorings free and we believed that was probably true for the buoys on both sides of Tresco and at Tean Sound. We thought about Watermill Cove but, with gusts up to 27 knots forecast, we really wanted a buoy. We gained permission from the skipper of a similar sized yacht to ‘raft up’. Secure for the day we explored Hugh Town with the very good local bakery pasties for lunch.

The wind did rise and the sea became quite choppy. It was an uncomfortable and noisy (albeit safe) night (two yachts dragged anchors at New Grimsby requiring lifeboat assistance at 0400) for us. Our neighbours were glad we were able to move to a free buoy on Tuesday morning.

The outlook for the week did not bode well for getting back to Torpoint by Saturday lunch time (Bob had a prior engagement) but as we all know forecasts can change so in the meantime we would enjoy ourselves. We would, however, remain at St Mary’s instead of moving around the islands.

The harbour master arrived and we discovered the cost was £18 per night, fourth night free if three paid for. We said we thought it was £16, told it hadn’t been that for three years. Said Reeds Almanac stated £16, he said must be old one. Told 2011 copy said it hadn’t been updated. Showers on the quay are still £1 with ample time.

Anyone not knowing that we had an oil leak might have wondered why, on a boat with three men, the skipper was wearing a pair of ‘Marigolds’ whilst holding a pack of ‘Pampers’!

We walked around the fortifications on Garrison Hill. I have done it a number of times but always enjoy it. Each time I go improvements have been made to visitor information. Many flowers were in bloom and there were some stunning displays. Lunch in the Atlantic Hotel.

Days 4/5/6

The daily routine was breakfast, ashore for shave and shower, check forecast at Harbourmasters office, lunch of pasty or sandwich, shopping as necessary and sightseeing. One further meal was cooked on board, the other evenings giving us the chance to sample local pubs/ restaurants. All the meals were good.

On Wednesday we took the tourist boat for a choppy crossing to Tresco and got wet both ways! For Bob this was a first but the gardens are always worth a return visit even though we had to dodge the occasional showers. After the gardens we walked along the east coast as far as Old Grimsby before crossing to New Grimsby, via the New Inn, and the return trip.

On Thursday we walked to Old Town, passing the construction site of the new Five Islands school which looks quite impressive. We then followed the coast path, crossing the end of the airport runway, which has lights to warn of aircraft, to Porth Hellick to see the memorial where the body of Admiral Sir Cloudesly Shovel was washed up, one of nearly 2000 men lost and four ships wrecked on October 22^nd 1707. We returned via a nature reserve, apart from some birds seen from a hide we were the only wildlife around. Treated ourselves to a meal in the Pilot Gig Restaurant.

 Bob, Brian and Roger at Porth Cressa

Friday still not give us a favourable weather forecast for a crossing so Bob decided he had to book a place on the Scillonian leaving at 1600. Having deposited his bag in the chacon we had lunch on the front at Porth Cressa then followed, in between showers, the coastal path to Old Town. Returning to Hugh Town we had time for a beer before seeing Bob of on the ferry. Collecting a fish & chip supper on the way Roger and I returned on board Cloudberry hoping that we would be able to start the return journey in the morning. Coastguard forecasts seemed favourable so we retired with alarms set for 0400.

Day 7 Saturday

We slipped the buoy just before 0500 clearing St Mary’s Sound half an hour later. We had been concerned about the sea state but despite the winds of previous days it was slight to moderate with a F4 wind. Up went the main and spinnaker and we settled into a very enjoyable sail. Apart from a couple of planned spinnaker gybes the sail plan remained like this until the Manacles cardinal. Shortly after rounding the Lizard, about 1500, the wind did increase a little and with it now just aft of the beam we picked up speed. Log registered 7 knots at least once and we covered 4 miles in 40 mins, Cloudberry was loving it. However the wind slowly decreased and we settled back to a steady 3 – 4 knots. As we passed Manacles buoy we swapped the kite for the large jib for the last few miles to Black Rock. Engine on, sails down and we found a berth alongside another yacht at Falmouth Visitors Yacht Haven. Another nice meal in a restaurant next to the Chain Locker (sorry cannot remember the name but would recommend).
 

Day 8 Sunday

We slipped at 08.00. Even when we were clear of Falmouth there was no wind so it was motor sail until just past Dodman Point when we tried the jib. Without the engine our speed was too slow – with main, jib and low revs on the engine we made acceptable progress passing Rame Head about 15.30. An hour later down came main and jib and we secured at Torpoint.

Overall an excellent weeks sailing. According to the log total distance was 176 miles. From my previous trips to the islands this should be in excess of 200 miles (according to REEDS it is 92 miles from Plymouth Breakwater to Crow Sound)

Disappointing - that the weather preventing us from sailing around the islands - Bob missing the return trip.

Highlights - walking the coast of St Mary’s and of Tresco and the Abbey Gardens. Good sailing with long spinnaker legs.