Eastern Solent Daysail

 October was characterised by adverse weather due to a series of complex depressions assaulting Britain from the Atlantic. Fitting in a few days away proved to be impossible even though we had a couple of prepaid nights at Beaulieu. However between Storm Alex and Storm Barbara there was one day when the forecasts looked favourable enough for a day sail so together with an accomplished fisherman we set out to see what we could make of it in the Eastern Solent.

The BBC app forecast a 15 knot southerly but this is notorious for underestimating wind strength, a cursory check of others indicated gusts of stronger stuff, but nothing we couldn't handle. I'd checked that high water was at about 2pm but failed to notice that it was a 5.1m spring tide until we had set out. With this in mind there was a hazy plan to set off along the coast to West Pole at the entrance of Chichester Harbour and let the tide take us back.

First impressions of the weather were that it was fine with a moderate breeze so full of enthusiasm we set off soon after 10:30. Motoring out towards Blockhouse at the entrance of the harbour, the wind was right on the nose so we didn't hesitate to haul up the mainsail with the first reef in. Under the watchful eyes of NCI Gosport the main was flogging more than I'd expected and the wind indicated was already 20 knots. By the time we'd cleared No 4 bar buoy it was obvious that we would be in for an uncomfortable slog to windward in quite rough waters for much of the time if we persevered to Chichester. After a quick reassessment we unfurled the Genoa keeping several rolls in and snugged down the main and cracked off on a comfortable reach towards Ryde. At about 60 degrees off the wind Lively Levante picked up speed and powered over the considerable wave state that had been raised by the southerly fetch. 

In no time (it seemed) we were off Ryde sands tacking towards the forts. The gaunt, dark granite walls of Horse Sands fort towered above us as we sped past, a forbidding view against a similarly forbidding

background of darkening grey skies and green sea covered with white horses. Not quite the weather we'd expected but at least it wasn't raining. We had an exhilarating sail towards Bembridge; these are the conditions that bring out the best of a Contessa, she remained well mannered needing hardly a touch on the tiller to keep on track.

Approaching lunchtime we thought it prudent to head back into the Solent rather than out into an increasingly lively sea. Bearing away we flashed past Seaview on a broad reach enjoying the drop in apparent wind and opportunity to warm up a bit. Tracking round Ryde Sands we achieved some remarkable speeds according to the instruments. The log indicated over 7 knots several times, the tremor of the hull beneath us confirmed that we were planing even though the sea state was far from smooth. Our speed over the ground went over 8 knots which was consistent with the tide which had been slack and was now starting to turn. We had quite a sleigh ride surging forward with plenty of spray thrown up as we blasted over the waves.

Clear of the sands we headed inshore towards Wooton Creek then on to Osborne Bay. Here the sea smoothed over and the wind dropped to a very pleasant 15-20 knots in the lee of the Island; ideal

conditions for lunch! I had intended to keep well away from the Cowes end of the Solent not wishing to have to plug the tide. However this was so pleasant we continued on to get a splendid view of Osbourne House, for a few seconds at least. The cream towers and house rose up majestically over the reds and yellows of the trees in their autumn colours.

It would have been tempting to stay longer but the thought of fighting an increasing wind against a strong spring tide won and we hardened up onto what I'd hoped would have been a reach. We'd left it too late, Gilkicker was directly upwind in the distance so it was hard on the wind. Lively Levante points well, especially if you ease off and keep the speed up which we did passing the cardinal marks of Ryde Middle in the distance. 

We might have been going through the water fast but the tide was getting into it's stride so by the time we'd reached the northern shore and forced to tack we were doing less than 3knots over the ground. Time ground on, it was clear that this was going to be a long, difficult haul before we could clear Gilkicker. We took an age to pass down wind of a starboard lateral mark on one tack then some time later dispiriting to find that we'd made such little progress on the next tack. Looking round we saw that we were the only yacht out there at that time, earlier there had been so many; not surprising really!

This was quite deep water with a strong current that still had time to build; we cut our losses and used the engine to point higher and increase speed. Motorsailing we headed inshore to Stokes Bay where we could cheat the tide; passing a yellow racing mark we could see that we were now making steady, if slow, progress. Eventually we were able to crack off and ease the sheets as we passed south of the fort with the harbour entrance in view. Conditions are often a bit tricky here and this time there was no exception, the waves had built up in the shallow water kicking up an angry sea that demanded respect; we were on a lee shore after all!

Somewhat relieved that I'd made an error of judgement but got away with it we sped over to the diving tower under sail power, the engine just ticking over. The Genoa was soon furled ready to enter the harbour but we chose to leave the main up. This was not a good place for a drop and we might have needed it to get through the entrance against the tide. As it happened, once over the Hamilton Bank the sea eased and with little traffic to get in the way, we entered the harbour without incident.

With the main dropped and stowed just off the lightship at Haslar, we then motored sedately into Royal Clarence Marina. Fortunately the oil jetty provided shelter from the southerly which was right on our stern so we slid into our berth doing what we could to keep the speed down.

We moored up at about 4pm so that was a five and a half hour sail, enough to feel we'd had a good day our. The log showed we'd covered just over 25 miles, further that to the Nab and back; it was all that tacking.  A challenging but satisfying day, perhaps not according to plan but what we ended up doing was better anyway!

Nab Tower and Back

If you're day sailing and only wish to spend four or five hours out there's no need to rush down to Gosport. Usually, arrival was timed for about 10am, this allowed a stress free drive after the traffic had died down; not that there was much this year. The weather forecast for this trip was for a sunny day but with potentially, quite strong winds 15-25 knots. That's well within the scope of the Genoa so the jib and it's inner stay wouldn't be needed.

After a quick cup of coffee we set off at 10:30 with a couple of hours before the tide turned. Naturally as it was close to high tide we could leave the harbour by going over the Hamilton Bank so were soon hoisting sails in 16-20 knots of south westerly wind.  Erring on the side of caution we put in the first

reef for the main and the Genoa. This was just as well as, by the time approached the forts, we had gusts of well over 20 knots over the deck. Fortunately the wind was well south of west so we were not far off a beam reach which soon took us through the forts and on towards Bembridge.

Off Bembridge there were several ships anchored, as is often the case, mainly gas or oil carriers. This is where they can safely wait before entering the Solent and Southampton Water, not surprisingly it's known as St Helens Anchorage. We transmit our position details on AIS and have set up a monitoring watch on Marine Traffic so that when we leave and arrive at a port details are sent by email to shoreside contacts. This is fine usually but when going round the Nab, extra emails get sent as we enter then leave St Helens anchorage both on the way out and the way back, some tracking system!

By this time we'd got the wind vane steering working the wind had gradually increased in strength

and we were powering along. Although the boat is well balanced and needs little helm most of the time, occasionally a firm touch is needed which the Neptune system certainly has! It's a joy to be using nothing other than wind and water power to both sail and keep on track, so much quieter than the irritating buzz of the autohlem as it tries to hold a course with varying degrees of success.

Once clear of the Island the wind had piped up to a good 25 knots so the second reef in the main was taken in, so much easier with two line reefing! After a short fight with the Genoa that too was tamed and the sail area reduced. In these conditions Lively Levante was a joy to sail, stable, fast and relatively dry.

In no time the stub of Nab Tower that had been on the horizon grew to it's full size as we approached. It's not the most beautiful object since it's rebuild in 2013 becoming more squat,

loosing much of it's superstructure. It's functional and certainly looks smart but with wave heights increasing, we didn't want to examine it too closely.

Heading back the wind was right on the beam and with the tide now flowing under us in our direction we were ready for a bit of a sleigh ride. We were not disappointed, soon achieving some impressive speeds. The log had been under reading a bit, as usual, so the 5.8 knots registered must have been well over 6 knots in reality. The tide would not have been more that a knot and a half at that time so we not that far away from hull speed of 6.8 kn based on the GPS speed over the ground of 8.1.

All good things have to come to an end and it was all too soon that the wind dropped back to a sedate 20 knots as we passed into the lee of the Island, the sea state dropped too so it was time for a spot of lunch. Navigation was easy, just miss both forts and head for Gilkicker whilst keeping an eye out for shipping. On this record breaking trip there were few other ships about but that wasn't usually the case, I'd been kept quite busy on other trips keeping clear of all manner of naval and commercial shipping.

In what seemed like no time at all we has passed Gilkicker were adjacent to the Dive Tower with NCI Gosport ahead. Sails were

dropped and we motored in listening to channel 11 which was much preferable to channel 16 with it's endless radio checks. Motoring into the harbour was a bit slow as it often is when the tides flowing out but soon enough we were safely tied up in Royal Clarence Marina once more.

We'd been out for just over five hours and covered a fair distance, well over 20 miles although it seemed further. The good thing about a Nab trip compared with Osbourne Bay is that you really do feel that you're out offshore, or at least out of the Solent!

Sailing During the Pandemic in 2020

  2020 has not been the best year for sailing; it was difficult for us to make anything of it. Although much of the time the weather was fine, the Pandemic got in the way all too often. Just when we could go out conditions were not favourable so we ended up going out about half the time we usually do. 

For the duration of the lockdown we couldn't travel and for some time afterwards were banned from going into the marina, even for essential maintenance. Lively Levante had been returned to her berth in March, just before the lockdown. It wasn't until June before we could sort out the rigging and bend on the sails. For quite a while we could only go day sailing as marinas would not accept visitors; once opened they became fully booked as every boat owner on the South Coast was determined to break out of their confinement. 

We did manage a splendid stay in Bembridge in late July before family stays in the cottage blotted out most of August. We managed several fine trips to Cowes in September but whilst these trips were enjoyable, they were not particularly memorable from a sailing point of view. All to often it was a motor sail upwind followed by a fast run back with just the headsail out; all over in two hours or less. Several trips had strong winds, 25+ knots, which did not please the crew so a pragmatic approach had to be taken.

The Autumn cruise booked up for the first week in October was scuppered by Storm Alex, four days of strong gales and torrential rain with unstable conditions extending well into the end of the season. Nevertheless we did manage to take Lively Levante out a few times in "interesting" conditions before calling it a day (year!).

The year was characterised by several outstanding day sails, either out to the Nab, to Osbourne Bay or around the Eastern Solent. By accident or by design these had excellent conditions for sailing so they became the most memorable times on the water for 2020.