Yesterday was quite a day.
Previously I had decided to see how far I could get up the Tamar from Mountbatten.
Yesterday seemed to be ideal, wind from the Northwest and the tide would take me up as well.
By three I was ready to go and set off from the pontoon under sail. The echo sounder seemed to be working in it's new position.
The wind stayed reasonably constant all the way up to the Tamar bridge. I found out that my rough charts don't go up the river past the bridges! Oh well, at least I shouldn't get lost.
The echo sounder was very useful in working out where to tack. I did work out that the position is a little too far to port. When on hard port tack heeling to starboard the return gets a little flacky. Have to move it to a more central position at some point.
I got past Holten Quay at 1815hrs before deciding to turn around and head back.
Unfortunately the wind took that moment to die completely. Most of my speed down river came from the dropping tide. As I passed the old Spaniard's Inn I started the engine to head back. Just shy of the Tamar bridges it started to get cold and I hove to, to add some more clothes.
While dressing, the engine died on me. It was now about 2030hrs. Sunset was about 2100. Got a little concerned as there was no wind and the one paddle wasn't going to be of much use. I called Mr. Lerigo, thinking at the very worst he could bring a boat up and tow me back. Thankfully after describing the symptoms he managed to talk me through draining the carb on the engine and get it running again.
The dinghy wasn't really set up for night sailing so I had to bodge using light sticks and torches to at least have something. I was quite nervous about the trip across The Hoe in particular, due to all the background lights from the fair etc. I eventually arrived at the MBC pontoon again at about 2215hrs. Took about 30mins to get the boat tidied and ready for a night on the water.
All in all quite a good day as it showed up a few points which needed to be sorted.
I fully expect some piss taking to come my way but what the hell at least I'm doing something.
