10 nautical miles
We decided to go out for a day sail. Had to be back earlier as the clocks went back last night so dusk comes even earlier now. The forecast for was a constant Bft 3 gusting Bft 4 throughout the day. Tim said yesterday 'If it's dead calm we'll motor round to the other side of the harbour, drop a dinghy anchor attached to a buoy and do some reversing practice'. Absolutely no chance of that today!
Reversing out the yacht again turned the wrong way, but we managed a neat three point turn and motored out of the marina. I was really confused. Last time the boat turned the wrong way it was because we were trailing a warp by accident (a crew member didn't realise there are springs on both sides of the boat). But this time there were no warps. We think it is because the outboard we have is not directly in line with the yacht and may be pulling to one side very slightly.
Anyway we thought with a bit more wind we would try other sail plans, so to start with we tried sailing with just the genoa. She did a respectable 3.5 to 4 knots in 11-18 knots wind (gusting 18) and was sailing quite flat. As Tim remarked, sailing flat will be good for non-sailors as guests on board or anyone feeling slightly seasick.The cloud formations were really beautiful today. There were a couple of other yachts out from our marina. One sailing with just main and no genoa - also sailing pretty flat - and one with three-quarters genoa and main, which was heeling over somewhat.
Next we tried the mizzen with the genoa. Tim thought that it might give us a weather helm, but I was hopeful since I had seen this recommended online somewhere. In fact she sailed with less helm with the mizzen than without. Watching the movement on the autopilot is a good way to gauge the weather or lee helm on the trim of the boat.
Looking up at the genoa to check the set of the sail we noticed a problem. The seem along the leech of the sail was ripping with the strong gusts of wind. By the time we got back to the marina, three sections of the sail would need repair. A job for our new found sewing skills.
Two days ago on Facebook I did the 'Which Lord of the Rings character are you?' I came up as Elrond, which started off 'You are supremely confident about yourself...' No, not me, I worry I might be wrong a lot of the time and it goes on '...rightfully so, for you are rarely wrong'. Well in docking I wish I had trusted my judgement.
With the wind blowing 18 knots we came in to berth in the marina. We had planned what would happen, since the wind was north easterly I would come in and then hold the bow off the dock while time secured the stern line. We were both concerned about blowing into other boats as the berths are very narrow and can close up.
We kept the genoa up till the very last minute, since with the outboard, with a following sea it can cavitate quite badly.
Coming in Tim was for'ard watching and shouted 'More starboard helm'. I was sure I didn't need it, but trusted he was seeing something I could not. This meant that I came round more than I wanted and just as we are going into the gap come to a grinding halt. We're caught. Because of the extra turn a neighbour's mooring line has caught under the rudder. Peter from one of the other boats comes to help and we secure ourselves with extra lines to our two neighbours. We're just discussing what to do when Tim takes off his top and jumps in the water. He stands on the mooring line, which frees us from it and we can be pulled into the dock. Peter said he does everything he can to avoid going in the water - especially in the marina.
Later Tim remarks how we are complementary to each other - I am comfortable going up masts and he is comfortable jumping in the water. True, I would rather go up masts than sort out stuff under the water... unless it was the only solution of course.
Quick photo to show where we have been and off home. The southerly track was from Thursday, today's was south easterly. It was very clear today. from the furthest out we got you could easily see Cape Greco as well as Cape Pila. Normally the haze is such that you cannot see Cape Greco till you are past Cape Pila.
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