The Day We Did a Day Sail

By Gerry Raby

To be honest I wasn't overly keen on a one day sail. I mean, if we're going to make the effort to go down to the boat it might as well be for the weekend, however I was easy and if people wanted a day sail that is what we could give them. I didn't mind as I could get some (never ending) boat maintenance done on the Sunday. It was therefore on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning that the ferry approached Blue Scherzo with John & Janny Taylor and Tony & Pauline Styles. Following the all important oven fresh rolls, marmalade and real coffee and a more important safety briefing we slipped our mooring at Spider Lake.

30 minutes later we were at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour and having turned to starboard were heading for Cowes. Unfortunately what wind there was couldn't make up its mind and the log reads as follows:

12:05 Engine off, start sailing

12:16 Engine on, stop sailing

12:33 Engine off, start sailing

12:50 Engine on, stop sailing

13:04 Engine off, start sailing When the wind died again at 13:16 we gave up, put the engine on and motored to our destination at the Folly arriving at 14:35.

Following a pleasant lunch topside we adjourned to the famous local hostelry for a swift half (or so) of fermented hop juice with everyone from Opalescence. I have never been able to walk into that pub and get to the bar without having to push and shove. I saw a side of the pub I had never seen and it really was pleasant. Suitably refreshed we decided that if we didn't want to get moored alongside for the night we better hotfoot it out of there.

Following a stop of at East Cowes for water, we were back at the entrance of the Medina at about 17:40. We were pleasantly surprised with a gentle force 2 west wind which, with goose winging and a following tide gave us over 5 knots. The Solent was nearly deserted but through the haze I could see this HUGE cruise liner coming out of Southampton water. I got all excited being quite convinced it was the QM2. As it passed us off Ryde East Middle I went all quiet because it wasn't the QM2. It was impressive though!

The wind died by the time we got to the forts and so we put on the engine and motored up the harbour. Following an evening meal at Hardway I left the crew to make their way home whilst I motored up to the mooring. Having put the boat to bed I enjoyed a beer whist watching the sun go down. It was GREAT.

We were discussing the attraction of the one day sail whilst at the Folly. It was put to me that maybe people don't want to spend a night on the boat or that perhaps some people have too much to do to spend the whole weekend on a boat. These things I can understand and now I am a one day sail convert. It felt like we were out for longer than a day. I got a great sail in great company AND got some boat maintenance in as well.

The next day sail is 25th September, which I am organising. Why not join us? Maybe there is a friend or partner that you want to introduce to sailing or maybe there is someone who is "too busy" to come sailing. It's a great way of dipping your toes into the water so to speak.

Is there anyone with experience of flying a spinnaker who can come and show me how it is done?