Phil Steele

Solent Sailing Trip Report 30th June to 4th July 2024 

GSA Yacht Ocean Flame IV   a Bavaria 36, Skipper Phil Steele  , Crew Jane Coombes  , Sonia Rousse  , Jim Prescott  and Mick Hewett 

On arrival we carried out the usual boat condition checks and sought out essential inventory before late afternoon tea and cake, the cake was homemade lemon drizzle kindly provided by Mick’s wife. The boat was in fine condition except the heads had backed up causing the cabins to smell, this was alleviated by lots of pumping out but was a bane of the trip especially when heeled causing the foul water to overtop into the heads floor. A new Joker valve would probably fix this during the yacht’s down time.

The passage plan due to tides was to sail to Northney, back around the island to Yarmouth, to the Hamble, returning to Shamrock quay, this being dependant on weather. Shamrock quay being a bit isolated we dined on board that evening knowing the was no rush to be off the next day.

Monday’s forecast NW3-4 going W4-5 moderate seas, a berth was pre booked at Northney marina. We cast off at 9:40 had an enjoyable sail to Chichester entrance by 15:00. At this point we found that the Genoa furler was jammed and could not be released. We had to drop the genoa before entering the harbour, well done Mick on the foredeck. Jim the navigator of the day handed the pilotage to Mick, berthing in Northney by 17:30. Again we dined on board after dismantling the furlerreleasing the tangled line, hoisted the Genoa and tested its operation.

Tuesday’s forecast NW4-5 becoming variable 2-4 moderate seas unfortunately, meant that we would be heading tide and wind on the last leg to the Needles so we chose to head down the Solent and the committee opted for Bucklers Hard as was pre booked accordingly. On leaving the bar at Chichester harbour we deployed a reefed Genoa and raised the main attempting to put in 2 reefs. The single line reefing was effective at the tack end of the sail but the clew end did not operate. The spray hood does not fold away therefore it is difficult to get to the end of the boom to try to sort it. Instead,we (mainly Jim) tied the clew down and back to act as the reef line. We sailed on close hauled releasing the genoa reef as the wind eased. Navigator of the day Mick handed the pilotage over to Jim to take us up the Beaulieu River berthing at 16:00.

Again G&T time was compromised as we developed muscles like Popeye raising, reefing, and lowering the main after freeing the tightness in the reef lines with no obvious cause. It was another dry pleasant evening so sorting these issues was not much of a chore. Whilst sorting the main sail it noticed that the cotter pin which secures the boom to the gooseneck was about to fall out. By manipulating the vang/kicker the holes were aligned and the cotter pin tapped in gently with a hammer, it seems it is an impedance fit because we could not see any other means of retaining the pin. Lesson learntremove sail cover to inspect goose neck when checking the boat over. Sonia had sensibly booked a table in the Master Builder’s pub squeezed in for 18:30. We arrived soon after and Sonia kindly treated us all to G&T and wine which compensated for the loss of après sail drinks and snacks. The food was good and reasonably priced.

Wednesday’s forecast W/SW veering NW 4-6 moderate. After exiting the river, we sailed on the Genoa only across a troubled western Solent towards Cowes, heaving-to to prepare for lunch before continuing to the North Channel entrance then sailing close hauled to Southampton water to the hamble arriving in our pre booked berth at Mercury marina after refuelling at Port Hamble marina. A gin palace was also refuelling costing £250 where as we paid an MDL discounted price of £12.55 and I think had more fun. So again, Northney and Mercury being MDL marinas berthing is free of charge thanks to Brian Hawksworth. Mick cooked his speciality risotto that evening and had enough bacon joint leftover for the next morning brunch of bacon with a potato, mushroom,and egg hash.

Thursday’s forecast W/SW 4-6 moderate leaving the hamble we had the upper F5 gusting 6 and tried sailing on genoa but the gusts and flukiness of the area and strong head tide made progress slow so we eventually resorted to engine returning to Shamrock Quay for the clean down.

So, the 5 older sailors all took part on the trip steering, rope work and navigation, enjoying themselves in the non-summery weather but had nice scenery sailing 85.5nM.Thanks to Jane for the extra effort of catering.