Windy Evening Sail

I left school as soon as I could and cycled to St Aubin. I got to the boat around 4:30pm. I was surprised by how windy it was and the chop around the harbour entrance was hard to row through. Wind was NNE. Put two reefs in the main and tried to sail off the mooring but made a bodge of it without the genoa up. The bow wouldn't turn away from the wind to run out to sea.


With the genoa partially let out control was restored and we rocketed out towards belcroute. Wind was gusting to 25 knots, sometimes for long stretches at a time. Decided to scoot accross the Elizabeth Castle / St Helier and this took a while against the wind. Averaged around 2.5 kts on the GPS. Off the wind a little, saw 4.8 for some stretches. Even with the small sail plan boat was well heeled over.

Once I got near the castle it was clear that there was no point in running into the harbour just to beat out again. Decided that the offshore breeze would create a nice bit of flat water in front of the Gunsite Cafe so headed back accross there. Better wind angle and saw just over 5 kts for a time.
 
Anchored off Gunsite. Very flat water and wind lessened in lee of land. Note kettle and hot chocolate! (And a grumpy looking skipper - just wind-shocked I think) Sailed back onto mooring with genoa only. Practiced sailing onto a mooring upwind of mine. Didn't go too well but managed to round up to mine upwind and upstream and drifted down on to it with very little fuss. Quite pleased manage the whole sail with no engine. (Had it ready just in case!)


My home made dinghy on its pontoon home.

Wind: NNE, 13-25kts
Motor: 0
Distance: 4.8 nm
HW 1740 BST