After an uneventful and slightly tedious night motoring along the south coast and passing the Isle of Wight, I got up at 0830 from my second spell off-watch and noticed we at last had some wind and what's more from the south east which is a good sailing angle. So, after muslie and coffee Basty and I spent an hour or so faffing around with cruising chute. As usual, after a long period of hibernation (the cruising chute that is) I couldn't remember where the various bits of string were supposed to go.
Eventually we had it up and working without the bits of string chafing on bits of the boat. Before sitting down to enjoy the experience of sailing rather than motoring I glanced at the chart plotter - we seemed to have veered sharply off course. Back at the wheel however the compass told a different story - we were pointing in the right direction!
This has happened before of course and the explanation is simple if a bit of a let down. The first time I remember experiencing it was back in the 1970s on my Dad's old standing gaff cutter, 'Chlamys'. We were creaming along north eastwards just off the Isle of Wight's south east coast, when we were overtaken by a very fast moving oblect. A fishing pot float that was anchored to the sea bed!
Sure enough this time, like then, we were pointing in the right direction, but just not moving in it. Indeed by now we were moving in almost the opposite direction to where we were headed. The foul tide against us was running faster than we were sailing. So, given our desire to reach a snug port, preferably Plymouth before strongish headwinds arrive on Saturday, the pesky engine had to be pressed into service once again.
Currently, a well drawing cruising chute and 2000 rpm on the engine is only driving us across the bottom at a galloping pace of around 1.5 knots.The stream is due to peak at about 1230 and then turn in our favour at about 1530 which hopefully, will get us past Portland Bill this evening!
The only other incident of note thus far today was the mate getting locked in his sleeping quarters. His spacious luxury accommodation is situated forward of the heads (loo) and when using the facilities one needs to bolt the door to the fo'castle shut in order to gain access the toilet without it swinging open and slapping one in the face!
I forgot to unbolt it after using the heads.😂 Basty found out when he went below and heard banging and shouting coming from the front of the boat! With the engine on its impossible to hear anything from there when in the cockpit.
Its a tale to be told Skipper and mate. i am now certain there must be a long non recorded phenomena of the the navigation team or maybe skatalites. A team dedicated to recording direction and drift. It would be a team without satnav. There should be a link to longitude and teams using a watch. Mais explora.
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