11 years in the Merchant navy, then a break from the sea before starting kayak fishing. 7 years travelling the country, fishing and paddling on the sea.
But sat at anchor watching rod tips for a bite, my eye was for ever being drawn not to the shore but the sea. I began to long for whatever was over the horizon, foreign ports with bars and cafe's to explore. Rolling ocean swells under moon lit skies.
But how to get back to sea? The answer it occurred to me was a command of my own. A yacht big and sea worthy enough to cross an ocean but compact enough to be handled single handed. The problem was I didn’t know how to sail a yacht.
I bought a little topper dingy. This seemed to go well. Next step sailing in a yacht.
I turned up at Chatham marina on a cold rainy morning the wind rattling the halyards against the forest of masts. After enquiring at the barge that serves as a base for Elite sailing they pointed me in the direction of 'Tonic' a 45ft Bavaria yacht. I climbed on board and introduced myself to Paul who was doing a day skipper course and Nick the skipper. A safety briefing and a quick tour and we were ready to slip the lines and head for the lock. We motored out and headed down river as far as Kingsnorth power station, headed into the wind and raised the mainsail. Turning away from the wind the sail filled and we were off. Headsail next, roller reefed, so it was just a case of unfurling it and sheeting home. Engine off and we were under sail only, just the sound of our gurgling wake and creaking of rigging; fantastic.
But sat at anchor watching rod tips for a bite, my eye was for ever being drawn not to the shore but the sea. I began to long for whatever was over the horizon, foreign ports with bars and cafe's to explore. Rolling ocean swells under moon lit skies.
But how to get back to sea? The answer it occurred to me was a command of my own. A yacht big and sea worthy enough to cross an ocean but compact enough to be handled single handed. The problem was I didn’t know how to sail a yacht.
I bought a little topper dingy. This seemed to go well. Next step sailing in a yacht.
I turned up at Chatham marina on a cold rainy morning the wind rattling the halyards against the forest of masts. After enquiring at the barge that serves as a base for Elite sailing they pointed me in the direction of 'Tonic' a 45ft Bavaria yacht. I climbed on board and introduced myself to Paul who was doing a day skipper course and Nick the skipper. A safety briefing and a quick tour and we were ready to slip the lines and head for the lock. We motored out and headed down river as far as Kingsnorth power station, headed into the wind and raised the mainsail. Turning away from the wind the sail filled and we were off. Headsail next, roller reefed, so it was just a case of unfurling it and sheeting home. Engine off and we were under sail only, just the sound of our gurgling wake and creaking of rigging; fantastic.
We headed out the Medway and as far as red sand towers before heading south along side the wind farm and into the Eastern end of the Swale. We picked up a buoy and tied up for the night. Half a bottle of rioja and a beer with dinner ably cooked by Skipper Nick and I was ready for my pit.
Following morning was a bit rainy with a stiff SW breeze. We headed out the Swale, across the main shipping channel to the Swin, making for North Fambridge, up past Burnham on Crouch in Essex. The trip up the river Crouch was interesting with calm conditions interspersed with heavy squally showers and rainbows. It was great having the yacht heel right over when the squalls came through, I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. We tied up to the jetty and went ashore for a shower. Then another plateful of delicious food accompanied by the rest of the rioja.
Next morning we practiced letting go and coming along side before heading to Burnham on Crouch for supplies [ beer and wine ] . Just a short stop then off to Brightlingsea. Not far as the crow flies but a days sailing on the water. Again we tied up to a buoy for the night. There was plenty of wind and rain during the night. It was still blowing at breakfast but by 10 it had eased and the forecast was for improvement.
We set off, heading back to the Medway. The wind from the SW was against us all the way and there was much tacking to make headway. But I was learning plenty about how to sail a yacht and was enjoying myself enormously. It was dark by the time we entered the Medway and it had been a long day on deck, I was sleeping well.
Friday was our last day, again we practiced coming along side and letting go, which was fine by me as it is better to practice such things on somebody else's boat.
It was cold and wet as we headed out into the Estuary to do some man overboard drills, this seemed to go quite well. Back at Chatham we entered the locks and pulled onto the bunker berth for fuel, then washed down the boat and cleaned everything ready for the next crew.
It had been a great 5 days aboard learning stuff with Paul. Nick was a good instructor and excellent cook I loved every minute of it. Trouble is now I wish to get my own boat. I had better start saving.
It was cold and wet as we headed out into the Estuary to do some man overboard drills, this seemed to go quite well. Back at Chatham we entered the locks and pulled onto the bunker berth for fuel, then washed down the boat and cleaned everything ready for the next crew.
It had been a great 5 days aboard learning stuff with Paul. Nick was a good instructor and excellent cook I loved every minute of it. Trouble is now I wish to get my own boat. I had better start saving.