It was essential that we left by 1030hrs as that was the last window for a favorable tide.

Mounts Bay did their final check and I paid the bill.  Just short of £2K including the vat but the insurance is paying out for the whole lot as getting tied up in a net was in their view totally unavoidable.  On that note it is amazing of how much crap their is in the sea – logs, nets, bits of rope but for the most part we see the  red labeled plastic Coke Cola bottles.  Pisses me off.  Next time I see someone drop one they will be given a choice, pick it up and put it in the bin or get dropped themselves.  Regardless of the legalities of such action I think this is a morally right approach to take.

We knew this was going to be a long one, there was the choice of splitting the passage up by an overnight in Padstow and perhaps a more cautious approach after having repairs would be to take it easy but in my view that would be avoiding the inevitable as we have several long passages ahead anyway so to hell with caution in this case.

Quite an uneventful crossing overall. The wind was fickle and it was engine then sails then engine etc, etc. Sea state was smooth and for about 3hrs in the latter part of the night we were joined by about 4 porpoises.  Hard to tell them apart as they all look the same.

About 10 miles of Milford we noticed low lying fog in the estuary.  Not ideal as its an oil refinery port and therefore massive ships that would squat us like flies.  On with radar, with a continual watch on the AIS plus listening to port traffic, it blind navigating from buoy to buoy with having to put a rather hope more than trust in my calculations of heading and speed plus the electronics.  About 100yrds, or half a cable in nautical terms, from the marina lock the fog lifted.

Stayed overnight, Scott left to go to Madrid to play rugby and I got shedded on Rev James Bitter and devoured and Indian.

Finally after nearly 4 weeks since the incident, the work was completed and we returned to Newlyn on Tuesday 10th June to get ready to leave the following morning.

Many thanks go to both Newlyn Harbour Authority and the exceptional repairs carried out by Mounts Bay Engineering.  Particular thanks go to Dave, Dan and Cameron who would not let me have the boat back until they were of the opinion that they would sail around the UK.  Dan and the Harbour master are ex-Navy and gave us an impeccable service

Woke up next to a trawler, booked in with Harbour master, engaged Mounts Bay Marine Engineering to look at the problem.  The Harbour master moved us to a free finger pontoon much to the interest of the 4 other yachts stopped there.

The damage:

1. We had run over a floating discarded fishing net
2. Cutter on prop had tried to do its job but some of the net had wound around the prop and worked its way up the stern tube.
3. Prop shaft locked up and broke sacrificial coupling with gearbox take off.
4. Prop shaft bent.

Bugger

The solution

1. Move vessel to area of Harbour where it can be worked on either side of low water
2. Remove rudder
3. Remove damage prop shaft and anything else
4. Replace prop shaft and stern gland for new
5. Reassemble
6. Sea trial
7. Continue with trip.

Basically this will take about 7-10 days to do.  I’m not to bothered about this as Newlyn is a working port and therefore it is only right that those whose rely on a living from the sea take priority.  Also the fact that its a working port gives me great confidence in the standard of engineering.

There are many pubs in Newlyn and Penzance that require our attention during this period.

Up at 0630hrs to get an early start and guess what, just about to leave and a massive ship came into port denying access or egress in our case.  Anyway once out of the way and up before the Harbour master (no fees) we set off.

We made really good time averaging 6 knots across St Austell Bay.  The sea was smooth and winds were just right.  

We rounded the Lizard around 1300hrs at the time the tide was turning.  Scott suggested we stick out the trawling fishing line with the hope of catching some tea.  I agreed and he set to work.  About 1420hrs, I went down below to carry out a Nav check.  We could see Newlyn some 15miles away but drills are drills and it need to be done.  Just finishing off plotting our position and checking our course to steer, there was an almighty bang from the engine compartment.  We had started the engine earlier as the wind had droped to nothing and the tide was about to turn against us.

I restarted the engine, it sounded fine but the prop shaft was not turning.  Immediately we let the coastguard know and hoisted all sails including the mizzen stay sail.  There was no wind 5-8knots which is nothing.  Slowly but surely we were making 2 knots through thewater but against the tide this was a net 1-1.5 speed over ground.  The good thing was were were heading west away from the hazards of the rocky Lizard that the tide was intent on pushing us towards.

During the next 7 hours, the coastguard regularly kept in touch asking our current state, intentions and whether we wanted any assistance.  Our reply was basically we are both ok and if some one is passing offering a tow then we will take up the offer.  At 2130hrs dave the fisherman, skipper of Seabreeze pulled along side and gave us a tow the final 8miles into Newlyn.  Got in about 2330hrs gave him a bottle of malts and made a donation to the fisherman’s mission.

No beer, went to bed.

What a day.

Left Salcombe @ 0830hrs and headed around Bolt Head.  Again a lot of this passage was into the wind so long tacks were the order of the day with the occasional push from the engine.

All went well across Bigbury bay, then past Plymouth Looe and on route to Fowey.  Should have pushed on to Falmouth really.  No excuse.

However Fowey is a great place to stay the night.  Plenty of room on the pontoon.  1 x beer and a great lamb shank

Monday 12th May

Me, Scott Alan Foot and Ed Waycott left Dartmouth at 0800hrs sharp and headed west. The aim was to get a good start west.  Weather 25knot winds Sea state Moderate/rough.

Going was good in the shelter of Start Bay.  I had my normal daily bout of wretching due to sea sickness (happens every time).  Sail plan of full genoa and mizzen worked very well giving us a good 5-6 knots

We gave Start Point a good 2 mile offing to avoid the overfalls and very glad we did.  Heading due wets we were going straight into the wind so most of the work was being done by the engine with just the mainsail up.  The sea state now reared up a pace with wave height being 2.5m on average and up to 4m occasionally.  Rain/hail/wind/ spray and the occaisional large breaking wave. Exciting to say the least.

The decision was made to pull into Salcombe as once we rounded Bolt head and headed NW we would be in danger of a cross breaking sea at the limits of what would be safe in the boat.  Also there was no pint in making the first day a miserable one.

Once in the lee of Bolt Head the conditions died down and we calmly motored into Salcombe.  Moored up and went for a Pint.

Nice blustery weather prior to rounding Start Point

Vessel all in order

Remaining tasks are to load stores and untie.

Departure date is 12th May 2014, Time TBC

Ship’s compliment Chris Craven, Scott Wedderburn to be joined by Ed Waycott for Leg 1 Dartmouth to Falmouth

Fortunately the mooring on Old Mill Creek is sheltered from both the wind a waves battering the South West.  I was able to get out for a bit during the weather window this morning.  All working fine and no damage from storms (touch wood).

Estimated earliest departure is Monday 12th May 2014 – weather dependant.

Fortunately getting the boat out of the water in early October meant that I have managed to get most of the winter chores out of the way prior to this grim weather.

She’s back in, looking smart and ready to go so this weekend will hopefully be the first sail of the new year.  Just a short trip around Start bay.

Other important jobs include loading the Christmas booze on board.  I have plenty and may need to make some room in the drinks cabinet.

Chris