This has been a particularly bad few weeks for weather with the wind limiting the enjoyment of the water. However, by watching the forecasts closely we saw a weather window open up on the Solent for Thursday evening.
This report from BrambleMet (post-event record) shows that window
. For most of the week it has been 10knots or above. Whilst we can do trips in winds of over 10knots you end up just fighting the weather and boat rather than enjoying the trip. So the forecast showed a drop from 3pm onwards so we booked the lift and had the boat put in the water.
It is still a gamble as, with it being windy all week, it is hit and miss as to whether the seas have moderated even with the wind dropping.
Still, when we got there it was looking hopeful
However it was a little concerning that yachts were sailing within the Hamble river....
Then there is that moment when you exit the river mouth and realise you had chosen the weather correctly!
So we took a beautiful sunset trip to the Needles and back. The empty Solent meant continuous running at between 30 and 40 knots peaking at 43 knots. Its a delightful place to be when the sea is completely flat and there are no boats around.
I will let the rest of the pictures set the scene.
A smooth run through Calshot.
30 minutes later we were at the Needles
Alum bay cliffs were glowing red (picture not quite showing real life)
As the sun set it was Boys Toys lights on and home for a beer
So a great 20th trip this year, the dry-stack is working well when we pay careful attention to the weather and grab our chances.
