Strong Winds and a Leaky Boat

The plan: Because of other commitments, sail down to Yarmouth on the Sunday. This meant missing race one. Not a good start to a regatta, but hey-ho.

An early morning call form Colin, friend, and the Folkboats' owner, alerted me that plans are only valid til first contact with the enemy.

"The boats full of water. We need to put her on the slip."

We emptied the boat, washed out the insides, dried the bunk cushions, and mended the electric pump - we thought! We finally arrived in Yarmouth at 2230hrs, secured alonside, and nipped into the Kings Head for a quick pint.

Now folkboats, are wet boats to sail, especially in a gusty F6.

"Why's that lifejacket inflated?" cried Colin.

Sticking my head into the saloon the answer was obvious - we were full of water. The bunks were soaking, so were our sleeping bags, and my bag with all my clothes for the week was sat in three inches of sea water! I pumped, Colin pumped, but we were in the lead. Confusion over marks, and we ended up with a forth. Next race was better - we won.

Following a night sleeping on the boards, with cushions drying on the pontoon, and our formal wear drying out in the RSYC, we headed out to the start, the new bilge pump squirting continously over the side. As we rounded the final mark and hardened-up to cross the line there were two loud retorts; the first was the kicker exploding, the next was the finish gun - we were first.

Heave-to, a quick repair, and we'll be ready for the next start - except a lobster-pot had other intentions and slipped along the keel to wedged itself firmly between the keel and rudder. The lads on the mark laying boat cheerfully came alongside, offered advice, and hacked at the taught ropes as we hung in the strong spring tide.

Eventually we were free of the bottom, but still with ropes wrapped around the rudder and prop. Towed to another pot-marker, we used it as a mooring, while Colin swum around (owners privilege) clearing the mess. Back on board, a gust of wind veered, and silently we slipped over the "mooring" pot-line wedging it firmly in the same place! Deja vu. Another swim, and we were free. Just in-time to make the delayed start. Good tack-ticks and another first. A good day on the water: a lot of jokes at our expense, back on the dock! But we weren't finished yet....

Following the lay-day, we headed out for the start line, bit between the teeth.

Cutting across the 4knot spring tide, spinnaker billowing, we headed for the turning mark, layed amidst others, just out of the main tide on the Island shore. For the second time the kicker exploded, a chinese gybe and we just sailed to windward of a buoy - but the spinnaker sailed over it, and the sheet snagged the top-mark,the boat heeled, the loads increased. Something had to break. With a bang the foot of the spinnaker parted, the sail ripped in half, and we heeled over again before the head of the sail parted, and we shot-off, down wind and tide, to round the mark and take the gun for 2nd place.

Two more firsts on the penultimate day put us firmly in first place over-all, and we sealed it with another gun on the final race.

It had been a great regatta. The Royal Solent Yacht Club had been perfect hosts, Lymington Yacht Haven generous sponsors. Great racing was followed daily by lively socials. Even the Tot Club was in on the act, inviting all to join in on the Friday evening.

Would I do it again? Definitely, best regatta I have done in years.