Trip on Bertie starting 2022-09-24
PLYMOUTH SAILING 24-25 SEPTEMBER 2022 – report by Bob Buchanan
YACHT BERTIE , BAVARIA 44
R. BUCHANAN, Becky Goddard , Rebecca Paulino , Hugh Hayward , Colin Evans and Dave Winks
We arrived at Q.A.B at 1600hrs and had a very quick hand over, Simon said that we knew the boat very well and everything was still in the same place. After getting everything on board, we had a beer in the Wayfarer (under Simon’s office) then back on board for an evening meal, (one of Becky’s pies).
The next morning, after egg and bacon sarnies, we slipped our moorings at 1100hrs and motored out into the sound. It was a north F2 and a bright sunny day. We hoisted full main and genoa, sailed out of the sound, turned right and headed for Fowey. After an hour or so, the wind had picked up to a F4 and our speed was up to 7/8 knts, the maximum we hit was 8.9 knts.
About 5 miles from Fowey, the wind was up to F5, so we put a couple of reefs in the genny, and dumped a bit of main. We dropped the sails just outside of Fowey and motored in. There was a dinghy race going on, so we had to go carefully going up the river. There were quite a few yachts in, but one place on the town quay was empty, right next to the lifeboat, so we moored there.
On the way in, we had booked a table in the Lugger for 1930hrs. On our way to the pub, at the top of the gangplank, is an old building with big garage type doors. These were opened and a wedding party was in full swing, the married couple were David and Paul. I picked out one of them straight away, don’t know if it was Paul or David, but he looked quite nice in his frilly shirt and higher than average heels.
Anyway, back to the report. We got to the Lugger and it was packed, but our table had just become available, we had a beer then on to the wine. There was a very good menu (as always) Becky and I had the scallops, they were excellent. As always in the Lugger, all the meals were excellent. Then it was back to the boat where we sat in the cockpit and had a glass of wine. It was quite a warm evening.
Sunday.
There was not a lot of wind about, and after egg and bacon sarnies, we left at 11.30 hrs. We put the main and genny up, but used the engine as well all the way back. We got back to Q.A.B at 16.00hrs had a meal, tidied up the boat and did the hand over.
It was a very good weekend, nice to meet up with friends again. The only downside is the cost of Bertie, it’s a nine berth yacht, but there were only six of us, so it worked out a little bit more expensive than chartering, say a Bavaria 36.
Charter £1593.00, Gas, £25.00, Deep clean, £50.00.Total £1668.00
Between six of us, that works out to £278.00 each
Also, the charge for fuel was £36.00.