BRISTOL SAILING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter April 2009

Contacts:Gordon Ogden (Commodore)01275 462473

Jock Playle (Secretary)0117 973 8855

Jane Jenkyn (Treasurer) 01275 880318

At the meeting on April 6th we welcomed Kath Liddiard and Rhian Phillips as prospective new members, introduced by Michael Quick.

Future Trips

1.1The long weekend cross-Channel trip proposed by Alan Howells from Plymouth to Brittany is now scheduled for the weekend of June 19th – 22nd (with departure on the evening of Thursday 18th if this is convenient for the crew). This weekend has been chosen to get the most suitable tides. There are two places still available Will anyone interested in this please let us know, either by phone or email, or at the next meeting. We need to confirm this at the meeting on May 11th.

1.2Some members have asked for a weekend trip from Plymouth on the last weekend in June, the 26 – 28th. Phil Steele will skipper if we can get another three who would like to go. Will anyone else interested please either contact Jock or let us know at the meeting on May 11th.

1.3PASAB (Penzance – Scilly races). We now have two full crews for this event. As well as the race weekend from Friday July 24th – Monday 27th, we will probably need two crews of about three people to deliver boats from Falmouth to Penzance on Thursday 23rd, and return on Tuesday 28th. All those going should let us know what periods they will be available.

1.4Phil Steele’s proposal for a week’s Med charter is confirmed as a charter in Sicily on September 5th – 12th. Peter Wakeling has arranged flights and, with Phil, booked a Beneteau Oceanis 423. All deposits have been paid. The balance of £264 will be due by June 21st.

2.Recent Trips

A summary of all trips reported at meetings is given here, or a full report, if available. Members reporting at a meeting are reminded that a full version of the report should be provided, either written or emailed. If this isn’t available, then only a short summary will be given in the newsletter. Full reports will be included in the next newsletter following receipt.

At the April meeting Jeff Birkin reported on the cross-Channel charter he skippered on April 2 – 5, Alan Howells on his charter from Plymouth the same weekend, and Bob Buchanan on a trip skippered by Becca Hayward on her yacht, the Barberis Cantieri 42 “Lady Emma”. All these reports follow.

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Trip on Shropshire Lady, skippered by Jeff Birkin

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Trip on “Aludra”, skippered by Alan Howells

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Sailing in Solent on “Lady Emma” 28/3/09 to 29/3/09 – report by Bob Buchanan

Skipper. Becca Hayward.

Crew. Becky Goddard, Claire turner, Dave Fogden, Bob Buchanan, Kevin Lay.

Friday. We all meet on board “Lady Emma” a Barberis 42. And have the usual beer, wine and meal (pie created by Becky) and debate a passage plan for the next day.

The plan was to get up early, sail down Southampton water, turn left and head for Bembridge. It was spring tides so we knew we could get in at about midday. From there, come out, turn right and go around the I.o.Wight and get to the Needles as the tide was turning to bring us into Yarmouth or Lymington. That was the plan.

Saturday. So much for the early start. We slipped our moorings at ocean quay at 0915, not 0800 as planned. We pulled the sails up when we reached the top of Southampton water, three reefs in the main and No.3 genoa. The weather forecast was wet and very windy. We had plenty of wind but no rain.

Breakfast was served at 1100, bubble and squeak beans, sausage and bacon. (Thanks Becca)

We were having an excellent sail but we knew we were not going to get into Bembridge; we got to the entrance and decided to turn back and head for Cowes. With the three reefs in and smaller genoa the boat was handling extremely well, over 8 knots at times. At 1430 we went through a very bad hail storm, it only lasted for about a quarter of an hour but it really stung you, especially Becky as she was on the wheel. At 1530 we moored up in Shepard’s Wharf marina after a very exciting days sail.

That night we had a meal in an Indian restaurant.

Sunday. After a bit of a lie in we had a late breakfast, bubble & squeak, beans etc. some of us had a lazy morning on the boat, while the rest had a walk into Cowes.

At 1315 we slipped our moorings and headed out into the Solent. The winds were a lot lighter than the day before, so we had full main up and number one genoa, (or so we thought) it appeared we had number two up, although it was in the sail bag marked number one. We left it up as it was too much of a problem to change it.

At 1530 we dropped anchor in Osborne bay. It was a lovely warm day and we just stayed there, in the sunshine and had lunch.

We upped anchor at 1715 and headed for Southampton water.

Again we had quite a lively sail, with a close hauled sail all the way up to the Itchen River.

We had to go up the Itchen about an hour after low water; even then our depth was only reading 0.2mts in places.

We berthed at 2000 hrs in Ocean Quay.

Another excellent weekend on “Lady Emma”

Nautical miles logged 51

Night hours logged 1

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