So today, it was Tilman's turn for a spin. She is so easy to prepare, I just go thru a quick mental checklist to make sure everything is on board. Being garage-less, I only need to toss her cover off and it's all there.
At the water's edge we had no sailing craft (come on guys! A public holiday in summer?) A gentle sea breeze and strong outgoing ride.
We entered the water at the S end of Lemon Tree Passage and used the tide to shove us through. I noted that all the moorings to the E side off the passage have been removed and the marina is expanding. Oh dear! As we cleared the Passage the NE increased to 10 knots, and we had a few thought tacks heading ENE to clear the entrance, but the toffee was still up so we sailed outside the markers quite safely.
Once cleared, we set a course to the N, a beam reach. As we got further of the wind became healthier and we got a bit of slip and I needed to use the seat (instead of the bilge), and allow the main to luff a fair amount. Our speed was good tho, and we hooted along for three miles before nearing the reefs to the NW off Soldiers Point. With the sea mist, salt spray and glare these low lying but solid rocks were hard to pick up, but eventually the yellow market stood out from the grey.
By now we were spilling lots of energy, so I hiked out a bit and loaded her up, the ebb now pushing us to windward as we entered deeper channel watered off Fame Cove made for a boisterous ride. We laid the entrance (to the NE of our position) with only one tack.
Entering FC I noticed a handful of boats moored up, motor cruisers, one decent cruising yacht and a lovely 30 something cat. We must have been impressive, red sails, full tilt into a healthy wind as we tracked in to FC, the cruising boat owner sitting in the shade off a bikini called out: "A real sailor!". I gave him a nod of thanks and a smile, but I had my hand full off mainsheet and tiller, while watching telltails for sign of wind buffering while dodging boats. Lovely sailing.
Anchoring is my least favorite thing to do in a Mirror dinghy. As soon as the sails are lowered the deck becomes unstable, then there's the centreboard to haul and rudder to tend to, even before tossing the hook. Basically you're piloting a gay moving, unstable craft without steering, while not looking.
Anyway, it wasn't my finest and to a leg of sailing. I left the centreboard down to long and as I was busy working the halyards she slithered quietly up onto a weed bank and went full tilt. I dived for the upward gunnel, losing my hat and taking a couple of gallons over the lee rail. For the sake of a mouthful of water, an apple and muesli bar, I should have just heaved to!
The sail back, this time around Bull Island was on a loose beam run and was a little wet, rolly and fast. Fantastic sailing at about maximum speed most of the time for nearly an hour.
A much anticipated gybe into the bottom and off the Passage proved uneventful and we cruised into the beach rudderless and centreboard- less pin a lovely free flowing drift to make a sweet landing in soft weed over sand. First cruise of 2020, done.
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