We've had our problems.... a broken keel put pay to a few weeks sailing. Two lifts out at Kemps Quay to remove the lifting centre plate, then again to refit the new stainless one that I designed and had waterjet cut from 316 stainless steel saw us back on the water - that was until the injection pump from the unheard of (and therefore almost impossible to get spare parts for) BMW D7 engine decided to disintegrate into a thousand pieces on the first proper outing since the keel was repaired! A rather expensive call to Sea Start (who were fantastic) got us back to our berth, and we spent the next fortnight sorting out the dammed engine! Nevertheless, we've managed to rack up over 300 miles of sailing, and it's been fantastic!
This weekend, we've been out everyday. Friday evening saw us heading out the Beaulieu river for the night. Saturday was spent running on the tide across to Portsmouth before heading back down to Southampon. Finally, today, we thought we'd take a drift down Southampotn Water in the light winds, only to find a decent bit of wind just past the Hamble that allowed us to fight the tide back to Town Quay with relative ease.
Despite being novices to sailing, our Competent Crew sail training and 300 odd miles of experience has lead to a sense of adventure (or a sense of complacency, at least) meaning that despite the F6 gusting F7 that we saw on both Friday and Saturday, we were eager to get out and see how Hantu Biru, the Snapdragon 23 would cope! With two reefs in the main sail, and a half-furled Genoa, we managed 7kts of boat speed when close hauled, with a decent 30 degrees of heel. It's fair to say we were pushing Hantu Biru to her limits! It's definitely the most scared I've ever been aboard any boat, but for me, it's also the most fun I've ever had on the water too. Exhilarating does not even begin to describe! Having kept up with 40ft cruiser-racers by clinging to the main sheet to trim the main within what seemed like being inches by broaching, I feel like we've both learned to sail, and I can't get enough of it!
I was worried that the 'low' speeds of sail boats would make me feel underwhelmed. However, although I'm used to thrashing through the Solent chop at 30kts in the Fletcher, I'd dare say sailing is definitely more exciting! Sacrilegious though it may be to say around here, but just look!
And various photos from the last couple of weekends
- Calm HB.jpeg (93.83 KiB) Viewed 9820 times
- Calm morning.jpeg (83.85 KiB) Viewed 9820 times
- Goosewinged.jpeg (160.71 KiB) Viewed 9820 times
- HB heel.jpeg (102.88 KiB) Viewed 9820 times
- HM_Moody.jpeg (94.4 KiB) Viewed 9820 times
