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Report on first Day Sail of 2007
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Helming can be a cold affair! |
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Sunday 25 February dawned bright and breezy with a prediction of F8 to 9 in the Wight sea area! Seven intrepid members enjoyed an excellent sail to the Folly Inn on the Isle of Wight and back.
On the way out, the westerly breeze pushed Lady Emma along at a crisp 7 knots on a broad reach. Two hours later we moored on one of the visitor pontoons opposite the Folly Inn where the harbourmaster managed to locate us and relieved us of £5!
After an excellent lunch of hot soup, rolls, cheese and fruit, partaken on board, we slipped from the pontoon and proceeded under power out of the river. Once into the Solent, the wind increased until it was gusting up to 30 knots at the mast head.
Hoisting the number 2 genoa and the main (with one reef), we beat our way back to Ocean Quay, arriving at 1700. On the way we played tag with a large gas carrier making its way to the berths off Fawley - every time we tacked onto starboard, there it was, impeding our progress!
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 "Helming can be a cold affair! (Click to enlarge)")