The Dinghy has Wanderlust

Today was the day I picked to go sailing this half-term week. On the plus side, it was warmish (10°C) and blowing a nice Force 4 from the south-west. On the minus side, it was drizzly and misty and the tides only permitted a couple of hours out of the harbour.

Because the wooden dinghy (see earlier posts) was at home for a bit of TLC I took the inflatable. I think it has been in the shed too long.....

I left the harbour and  approached my outer mooring buoy where I intended to leave said inflatable, but missed it. Three times (I'm out of practice). On the forth successful attempt, I reached for the dinghy painter to tie it on to the buoy. No dinghy. I looked back to see the dinghy floating free 100m away, between me and the harbour entrance. I recovered it and tied it (securely this time) to the mooring buoy.

The ensuing sail was the closest I have come to being out of sight of land, visibility being down to about 1000m. Just a simple 'round the castle' jaunt, anti-clockwise. The highlight was getting Kamala to sail herself for a little while as I took a break below, out of the rain. Not quick, (2.5kts in 15kn of wind!) but straight.

The dinghy episode then continues...

Approaching St Aubin's fort, I couldn't quite make out the shape of the dinghy on the mooring where I'd left it. Perhaps the mist, or the swell hiding it? Astute readers will not be surprised to learn that the small grey object drifting off towards the gunsite in the freshening breeze was the same wayward inflatable making a second bid for freedom. It was recovered and given a severe talking to.

Some may question my seamanship at this point. All I can say in my defence is that in the first case the painter was securely(!) 'o-x-o'ed around a cleat, and in the second a round turn and two half-hitches should have made it quite secure around the mooring buoy. I will be MUCH more careful next time!

Sailing in the rain isn't so bad with the right clothes on and as ever I learnt a few things today.

Engine: About 1hr