In last weeks blog I arrived on the Isle of Wight with a few engine issues to solve, but more importantly I had always planned to stay a while when I arrived here. I know some have speculated why I’m doing this trip in short runs. It’s quite simple really … why rush?
The weather
Of course this is Britain, and the weather is eternally on everyone’s mind, not least that of a sailor. Sure, I could sail when the wind is coming from the exact direction I want to travel, but why should I? Why be uncomfortable? If the wind’s in the wrong direction, or too strong, or the rain is going to be absolutely flinging it down, why should I? I’ll put the kettle on, have a coffee and wait until tomorrow.
When I started out from Ipswich it was so, SO cold out at sea! This is especially relevant when I’m on my own. The sailing season in the UK doesn’t really start until April or May, and most people don’t actually go very far before June.
When you are coastal sailing in busy waters like the English Channel or the Thames estuary its crucial to keep a good lookout. Going below to warm up and take a breather isn’t always so easy when you’re alone.
The north or north easterly winds we’ve been experiencing may be great for pushing me down the east coast and along the Channel at this time of year, but at this time of year they are all too often biting cold. Shorter day hops allow me to relax and warm up, both at the end of the day and between trips.
Tides
This does make tides much more relevant.
Take my trip from Ramsgate to Dover for example. It’s only 15 miles, in my boat that would be about three hours. The tides run quite strongly around this area, the water moving at 2.5 to 3 knots in places. Now my boat averages 5 knots, maybe 6 or 7 on a really good day.
If I’m going forward at 5 knots through the water, and the water is going against me at 2.5 knots, then I’m only going forward at 2.5 knots. Conversely if I’m going forward at 5 knots and the water is going with me at 2.5 knots, then I’m going forward at 7.5 knots. I can cover the same distance in a third of the time.
Ok, so this is an extreme example, but I’m sure you see the issue. Working with the tide is always a positive. If the weather was warmer, if I had a second crew, if I could survive 12 hours of Arctic blast, then I could sail for longer and the tides would have less of a say. After all, on average there are 6 hours of tide one way, and 6 hours going the other way, so it’d average itself out right? Unfortunately life’s never quite that simple.
People and places to visit
Another very good reason for not rushing ahead is people. I want to take the opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. It’s been great catching up with young Sam who works on the Isle of Wight. Robin and Claire are down on their boat and Dave and Lydia are heading over from Poole this weekend, it could be quite a Saturday night! Then there’s the local liveaboards I’ve met on the river, as well as the time I’ve spent exploring the island in between fixing the latest issues on the boat.
It’s all about me
Yes, that’s right. I’m no longer on a deadline to get back for work. I haven’t got to be in a certain place at a certain time to meet anyone. I travel with, and in, my mobile floating home because I can choose when I want to move on. If other people think I should do something differently, then they can choose their own paths, live their own lives.
I love my ever changing landscape, however if I want to stay somewhere a while I’ll do just that.
Boat work update
As I write this everything is up and working again. Fitting the new alternator wasn’t too bad a job, once I’d emptied the entire cockpit locker to get access to that side of the engine. Of course it wasn’t the usual two bolts and three electrical connections … nothing on a boat is that simple. Once I’d figured out which other bits to remove or loosen it wasn’t too bad. I’ll get the old one refurbished later in the year and then I’ll have a spare on board.
Yes, sure, I’ve been doing a few repairs while I’ve been here. And getting spare parts cheaply when you have no fixed address locally is a challenge. Luckily young Sam is close by at Island Harbour and he has allowed me to get parts mailed to him.
