Trip on Phoebe starting 2016-09-09 in BSASep16
Weekend from Plymouth, September 9 – 11 – report by Ian Collins
Ian Collins, Richard Trim, Brian Adams, Sharon Davies and Glyn Davies. Bavaria 36 ‘Phoebe’.
The forecast seemed fair for Dartmouth so arriving at the Yacht Quay mid-afternoon Richard and I took over Phoebe the Sailing School’s 36 foot Bavaria, moved it down river to the Marina where we topped up the fuel and water on the boat, then to the Bar to top up the crew. Around 1900 we were joined by Brian, Sharon and Glyn. So refreshed we headed to the Clovelly Arms to add more ballast to the Boat.
Saturday morning 0900hrs bereft of wind we motored away. By the time we made it to the east end of Wembury Bay the weather caught up with the forecast as promised and from there to Dartmouth we jollied along with winds in the mid to upper teens and a benign sea state allowing us a very pleasurable sail and delivering us into the Dart, and by dint of Brian’s persistence whilst on the wheel, a berth on the inside of the Town Quay! A case of "ye of little Faith". It's the first time I've ever managed a mooring on the inside of the pontoon; so much so that I don't even look to try.
A few drinks later in the "Cherub" followed by an Indian meal that some found disappointing, a nightcap and so to Bunk.
0900 on the Sunday saw us leaving Dartmouth with a posse of Naval Ratings in Ribs and Motor launches.
All very non -threatening as we raised the sail we were enthusiastically waved to from all of the Navy passing us. As Saturday the forecast and the clock were less than perfectly in sync so we sailed best to wind leaving
Devon in our wake, and continued to bear just east of south till around 1100 when the wind collided with the forecast and we set sail on a very long reach all the way to the Mew Stone. Great Sailing with a good consistent breeze on a slightly lumpy sea, but fun for all that, brought us back into Plymouth around 1800hrs.
A real sailing weekend after far more motoring than I either want or like throughout this summer.