Renegade Log 2023
Solent & Return to SYH 18 - 27 June - Len, Murray, Nick and guests
Sunday 18th June saw Len and Kevin arrive at Gosport to take over Renegade in preparation for a few days in The Solent before returning to SYH later in the week. Joined the following morning by Murray and Tony (Len’s brother) it was not long before Renegade sailed out into The Solent bound for Cowes Yacht Haven.
A reasonable breeze allowed a gentle sail around the north of the Bramble Bank ,along to Gurnard and then back into Cowes. A good berth was allocated to us for three nights in the north basin of the Yacht Haven and it became quite clear that there were a number of multi masted large yachts berthed nearby together with some very sleek and modern racing yachts. As is Len’s usual habit, accommodation was preferred ashore and he had chosen The Duke of York as the favoured spot. Just happens to be one of his preferred eating/drinking locations in Cowes and following his lead Kevin and Tony booked rooms too. We did not stray from there that night and Murray joined us for breakfast each morning having kept guard aboard Renegade.
Tony ; Murray; Kevin out of Cowes
Tuesday morning revealed we had had rain overnight but already the weather was improving fast with a good sailing breeze building. We sailed east through Osborne Bay before crossing The Solent with a good wind over the beam as we sailed up Southampton Water. A lack of cruise liners to view helped our decision to give the Ocean Village marina a quick look. As we neared, what was very obvious was a single tall mast which was dwarfing a four story block of flats beside the entrance to the marina. What a yacht was to be seen just inside but we did decide that it would be just too tiring walking from bow to stern too often!
During the afternoon we had a good breeze for a beat west to Yarmouth where a brief stay in the marina allowed time for a meal in The Bugle before an evening sail taking the tide back eastward to Cowes. Good job the tide was in our favour as the wind had died away which made sailing very awkward.
Wednesday morning and we were off to Bucklers Hard, as we crossed The Solent we were soon amongst a few of the visiting multi masted yachts. They were a fine sight out on the water but far too many lengths of rope available to be ‘played with’ for comfort. Good job each yacht had about two dozen crew.
“What does this bit of rope do?”
Lunch at Bucklers Hard was followed by a good sail back to Cowes with a fine Indian meal had in Cowes. Thursday morning there was next to no wind and this was the day to return to Haslar at Gosport where Tony was to leave us. Raising the cruising chute did not help too much either but eventually we did make Gosport.
Cruising Chute tried hard to fly for us.
Upon arrival at Haslar we were able to see lengthy strands of fine weed (which does seem very prevalent this year) which were wrapped around the boss of the folding propellor hindering the blades closing which explained occasions where we had experienced trouble getting the blades to close. Laying the finger pontoon and using the long boat hook the weed was removed and we never experienced an issue from thereon.
THE JOURNEY BACK TO SYH
We were joined on Thursday evening by Nick and we enjoyed a good meal in The Castle at Gosport. Next morning we had an early start as we began our journey back towards Suffolk. The wind was light to start with but as we got closer to the Looe Channel, the wind increased to a good level for sailing eastward. Conditions were such that getting along to Eastbourne was achieved with arrival at 1700hrs.
That night we enjoyed a very good Thai meal at the marina and the following day we visited Eastbourne taking refreshments in the old Victorian café on the pier.
Peaceful afternoon at the pier
Feeling refreshed we returned back into Eastbourne later that night enjoying a lively pub rock band. Murray seemed to know every song they played.
Nick soon led us astray.
On Sunday we left Eastbourne with very light winds making motor sailing a necessity as we headed towards Dungeness. The wind did increase slightly enabling a little more sailing and we were able to pass Dover quite comfortably before heading up the Kent coast to Ramsgate arriving about 19.30hrs. I was going to put in a picture of Dungeness but I think we have all stared at it enough to know it’s shape in minute detail!! Swift movement ensured we got to the Thai Restaurant in the Arches where once again a great meal was enjoyed. With no sailing planned for Monday we had breakfast at ‘Spoons’ before visiting The Tunnels situated nearby which was very interesting. There were some unusual exhibits to be seen and the attraction really merits a further visit.
Never seen or heard of these being used?
An easy day was planned and after getting provisions for the return home across the Thames Estuary very little else was done. We left Ramsgate at 0500hrs on Tuesday with a forecast of forthcoming rain but at least we had a steady wind that allowed us to sail in the general direction of Fishermans Gat but as the wind began to die away it became clear that the other two yachts clearly bound for the same area who had chosen to motor would arrive ahead of us. With none of the weather forecast coming our way (not necessarily a bad thing!) we motored up the Black Deeps channel having none of the Force 3-5 S.W. – W wind forecast. As we got to the top of the channel a sea breeze did start to kick in and that carried us nicely past the Gunfleet Sands and back into Harwich.
An enjoyable 10 days with good company and Renegade performed impeccably throughout.
Solent 2 - 9 June - Tony, David, Pete and Rupert
Tony and David were joined by crew Pete and Rupert who had sailed with us before. The week was marked by what David H would have called “champagne sailing” - wonderful sunshine and good winds (albeit a tad too easterly) for the whole week, with tides that avoided silly o’clock departures.
After a night aboard with Bouef Bourgignon and (intriguely) numbingly spicy Mexican rice courtesy of Rupert, we set off for a clockwise circumnavigation of the IOW.
A very fast passage especially on the southern stretch where we found ourselves in the middle of a multi-class powerboat race.
We made the Needles a couple of hours ahead of schedule and had to claw our way against the ebb, sometimes at 0.5kt SOG past the Bridge to head into Totland and Alum Bays to pick up speed in the slacker water.
A night on Lymington Town Quay and dinner at the Kings Head on Saturday, then onto Bucklers Hard on Sunday, resorting to engine finally to get moored up and up to the Master Builder for our booked al fresco table for a roast Sunday dinner overlooking the river in the sunshine.
Monday saw us using the E going tide to tack down to Osborne Bay, turning about there to head W. and onto Yarmouth and a pre-booked berth with Sirloin steaks aboard courtesy of Tony.
On Tuesday we again made use of the E. tide, yes back to Osborne Bay again, before turning back and into Cowes Harbour. Had a nice sail up the Medina as far as the Folly Inn pontoons (an old haunt of David's) then ran back downstream to West Cowes South basin where before long we were joined by a 39 boat strong corporate rally.
We wandered into town and along by the RYS (unfortunately we'd forgotten the blazers and ties).
Enjoyed a very nice pint on a pub roof terrace overlooking the Harbour. Fish and Chips for dinner, quite good but the expectation so often exceeds the delivery! The night was surprisingly quiet, we think the rally-goers must have 'done a Len' and decamped to hotel rooms for the night.
Weds saw us head truly E. tacking through the forts, during which we dipped the ensign to a Navy patrol boat and received a single hoot in response (no she wasn't turning to starboard!).
We oversailed the W Pole beacon at the entrance to Chichester Harbour and tacked back to enter at half flood keeping a careful eye on depth (we'd consulted the live depth available on Chimet too). Least depth as I recall was over 3m. Then up and into Itchenor Reach where we picked up a buoy for a late lunch and to wait for free-flow at Chichester Marina lock. A bit of a faff getting into our berth after misidentification of it and a strong crosswind blowing us off. We dropped crew on the neighbouring empty pontoon and hauled ourselves across.
A good dinner in the impressive yacht club where we watched a motor launch chance his arm in the very low approach channel. We think he made it. A few sunset pictures before we turned in.
A leisurely start on Thursday, as most mornings had been really. A bit of delay getting clearance to slip and enter the lock. Even when given we had to jill around maintaining steerage way while the lock was being loaded. I don't know what the yacht ahead of us in the lock was thinking but a blast of bow thruster saw them almost across the lock with the lock keeper holding them in with a boathook around the shrouds. Clear of the channel we unfurled the genny and ran up to the harbour entrance, hoisting the main once clear of the final beacon. A quick run back to Portsmouth, we refuelled at Sovereign before calling up for a berth at Haslar, a very handy one for all the facilities. We finished packing our gear and sorting the boat while Rupert did a very thorough exterior clean lasting a good 90 minutes!
We celebrated Tony's birthday with excellent roasted sea bream in the marinas Creek restaurant. Left by 0800 on Friday morning.
All in all a great week, fantastic weather, good winds, great crew, good food and drinks. Returned not quite so exhausted as usual.
SYH - Bradwell 5 - 7 May - David, Rebecca & her brother Chris
Rebecca and I were joined by her older brother Chris for a couple of days sailing on Renegade. The dates were selected for his availability rather than tides and with a desire to get ashore expressed and water taxis on limited hours early season, the only viable option was Bradwell again.
We got to Renegade late on Friday afternoon, stowing before the rain arrived and enjoying dinner aboard. Saturday was an earlyish start to get a decent amount of fair tide down the Wallet. With the wind in the SSE and a decent blow, it was a bit lumpy getting out to the Naze but a lovely fast sail down to the Blackwater, dropping the sails just past the power station.
We chilled out with a beer aboard for a while before we went off to the Marina Bar for dinner, pre booked as it was the Coronation weekend and the Green Man had a very limited menu due to an afternoon garden party. We all enjoyed very good Moules Mariniere with fries and a nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. The only thing we felt was the portion size was more starter-plus than main. The bar is now run by a relative of Mike at the Green Man and reports of the food there are good although the menu choice is not extensive. Back at the boat we finished off the evening with a nice bottle of red and a good chat.
A leisurely morning before departing after midday for the tide home so plenty of time for David’s full English, followed by a walk into Bradwell village to stretch our legs and to catch the end of their scarecrow festival…not quite sure how superman fits the royalty theme?
The wind had conveniently shifted into the SW for the return passage. We let Chris have the lions share of the helm which he enjoyed immensely.
Making good time to the Colne, we were able to cross the Colne Bar keeping a close eye on the depth to keep the wind on the starboard bow. A cracking passage back to the Naze before the wind eased and we mostly goose-winged just outside the main channel and through the docks.
Depth at Springs had been low leaving SYH and we were pretty back on LW as we entered the marina early that evening. There was very limited depth inside the marina even though we were hugging the first pontoon hammerhead. We came to a slow halt with the sounder reading 0.8!
No choice other than to await a rise of tide so we broke out the pasties that were already warming in the oven and enjoyed supper in the marina channel, trying the ignore the curious glances that came our way from the view berth-holders around. After an hour or so there was sufficient rise to float off and we were able to make our berth without further difficulty.
All in all a great couple of days, enhanced by sharing the joy of a newbie sailor.
SYH - Bradwell 25 - 26 April - David & Chris
Chris and I had a great couple of days sailing on R. Winds were mostly gentle but from a very favourable direction for both passages to and from Bradwell. Renegade felt very slippery and we achieved over 7 knots at times on both legs. Used the new preventer with block, very helpful.
Dinner in the Green Man. The steak has shot up in price! Chris opted for the generous fish platter. I opted for a very bland and disappointing Chicken Katsu Curry, not up to the usual Green Man standard.
A bit of sun, not too much and it was cold especially overnight.
A good shakedown for us both.
