Renegade Log 2024
The Solent contingent and return to SYH
Arriving at Gosport Haslars Marina on Sunday 7th July it is probably fair to report that the weather did not look ever so inviting and considering the date, it would probably be described as pretty awful ! The forecast for the coming week looked ‘patchy’ at best but we were not going to let something as trivial as rain/thunder etc get us down, we are sailors!!!
Anyway, Len, Tony J, Murray and guest Kevin set off and have to say we had a very enjoyable sail across to Cowes with a pleasant breeze with the off spray coming over us. During the sail a course deviation was made to miss what looked to be a biblical deluge occurring towards Southampton Water and suffice to say, we missed it.
What we did see though was a fantastic welcoming by a Spitfire pilot demonstrating his acrobatic skills. The aeroplane was decked out in D Day markings and was a tremendous sight directly above us for many minutes.
Arriving at our old haunt of Cowes Yacht Haven, once again they had done us proud and we had a very good berth available to us for the four nights we were to stay there.
After securing Renegade and taking a bit of well earned refreshment , being softee sailors we were off to The Duke of York to claim our rooms for the four nights. That night we had a good old fashioned British meal, Indian style ! Great food again.
Monday 8th July.
After a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast we felt ready to challenge of the forecast heavy rain showers. In another steady breeze we sailed with the tide back towards Portsmouth and out around the Horse Sands Fort towards Chichester Harbour. As we neared the harbour the sight of the gathering and approaching storm clouds aided the decision to turn about and head back towards Cowes again. Yet another great sail and once again, we even dodged the rain ; mainly!! Evening meal in The Fountain Hotel, not bad either.
Tuesday 9th July
Raining and with the forecast of ‘more to come’ encouraged Len and Kevin towards a restful shore day but at least they did release the lines for Tony and Murray who ventured out. Have to give the boys their due, it was a good day to sail towards Yarmouth, circulate a little and then back to Cowes. Cutting their sail short in the deluge that did come along, Len and Kev were like true stevedores, ready to take the lines for Tony and Murray on their return.
As for Len and Kevs shore time, spent a good deal of that in a coffee and vinyl records store. Both love the various sounds/groups etc and having seen the current price of some they are off to checkout the unused vinyl store at home.
That night we ate in The Duke of York and yet again, no complaints with the food there at all.
Wednesday 10th July
What was to be more exciting/attractive today then? The sail up to The Yellow Well Café at Southampton or getting back and into The Vectis pub for the Euros semi final? Such decisions but thankfully we can, and did, do both.
After reading rave reviews about the quality of the sausage sandwiches at The Yellow Welly café Len was certainly so looking forward to getting there but did have feelings of trepidation about whether the quality would be as described in reviews.
After another very good sail (lots of racing dinghies out there today) we arrived at The Shamrock Quay marina who were very accommodating and also singing the praises of the sausages. So pleased to report that from now on this place is a MUST!! Excellent quality sausage and bacon baguettes and plenty of banter from the staff.
What a fine way to monitor the racing start line! Not jealous at all .
Very enjoyable, BUT football was calling! Another excellent sail across the East end of The Bramble Bank and back to Cowes, a quick snack in the Duke of York was all that we felt able to eat and then off to football. Even better as England won !!
Thursday 11th July
Sadly, time to leave Cowes so farewell to the Duke of York, easy sail back to Haslars where shortly after arrival it was getting towards time for Kevin to leave us and head up towards the M25. Such a lucky chap?
As for us, shopping to be done pre return to SYH sail starting tomorrow.
That evening Len, Tony and Murray feasted upon as much Chinese food as we could eat as we enjoyed The Great Wall restaurant in Gosport. Good quality and so much that just kept coming.
All in all, a great few days sailing and as for the engine, only used to get actually in or out of marinas. Great sailing winds throughout.
The return journey was pretty uneventful with routine stops at Eastbourne and Ramsgate.
For a couple of videos of Renegade on passage please visit the ‘Renegade of Ipswich’ YouTube channel!
Plymouth to Cornwall & return to Gosport 21 June - 4th July - David, Chris and Nick
Had a great couple of weeks aboard Renegade with first Chris, then Nick.
From Plymouth, Chris and I sailed west on our arrival day arriving late in Fowey and picking up a pontoon berth in Mixtow.
The next day we pressed on to the Fal Estuary and Mylor marina where the crew of David Higginson's boat First Vagabond coincidentally had arrived and took our lines as we came in.
The following day didn't look promising so we opted for a layday and enjoyed a walk into the village along the creek and a couple of drinks with the FV crew.
On Monday we pressed on into the Helford River where we picked up a swinging mooring and Chris tried out the new dinghy. Sorry, no photo evidence!
We then started our return East with a longish passage to Salcombe, passing close by the Eddystone Lighthouse.
At Salcombe we were again afloat on a buoy in 'The Bag'.
We made for the Dart the following day around Start Point and brought up in Kingswear's Dart Haven marina, a chance to grab some further provisions and to enjoy our first meal ashore (we had eaten rather well aboard the rest of the time), before getting some sleep ahead of our dawn (0420) departure for Weymouth and the Bill.
My enthusiasm for a good sunrise underway didn't convince Chris of the merits of the early start but it was a lovely dawn and a fine sunrise.
After light winds to begin with, the wind piped up as forecast and we made very good progress in hot conditions to the Bill 5 miles off, enabling us to head up Portland to Weymouth with a crazy tidal offset, reaching Weymouth before the strong tide turned against us. It was a shame that the Harbour was very busy with rafting yachts and that we weren't quite able to make the 1400 bridge lift, having to wait till 1600. Personally, I would favour the Harbour over the marina which is quite characterless with a busy road running alongside. But it served it's purpose as Chris departed by train after a long promised reprise of a lamb 'roast' aboard as we'd once enjoyed in Eastbourne, and for some reprovisioning ahead of Nick's arrival at the station.
Nick and I exited on the 1400 bridge lift and passed Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, making for Worbarrow Bay where we anchored for the night.
Not an ideal spot as it turned out as the forecast northerlies were much later than forecast in arriving so it proved rather rolly.
Nick on the foredeck weighed anchor easily enough the next morning and we pressed on to Yarmouth for the night, enjoying mussels and chips aboard.
From here we kicked off an anti-clockwise 'circumnavigation' of the IOW with good winds and favourable tides until the wind died approaching Bembridge.
Not an issue really as it meant we arrived with perfect timing for the required rise of tide at 1730 to cross the sand bar behind St Helens Fort. It was still a little frustrating as the England match kicked off at 1700. We planned to restart the match on iPlayer and pretend it was live but only 'watch live' was available. Like the rest of the nation, we shared the disappointment of being a goal down before the excitement of the last minute equaliser and extra time winner! After the game, we took local advice and headed for the long walk across 'The Duver' to a pub in St Helens, hoping in vain for a late Sunday roast...cod and chips and a steak it was then.
West Cowes was our target the next day and we tacked across the westerly in the Solent. Outside Portsmouth we were approached by a police launch which advised us to keep 200m off the Chilean Navy cadet four-master 'Esmeralda' which was just weighing anchor.
In Cowes we enjoyed a good pizza and appetisers in town. A late afternoon engine check revealed a broken fan belt. With the fan belt replaced we set off for the Beaulieu River and Bucklers Hard, always a lovely stopover and were able to sail much of the river both in and outbound.
We enjoyed a couple of pints at The Master Builder, before a good late dinner aboard, finished off with strawberries and cream watching the football below.
Finally on the Wednesday, we had a final good sail to Portsmouth Harbour and into Haslar via the Premier marina for refuelling where we prepared R for the next crew.
Thanks to Chris and Nick for a great couple of weeks sailing.
David
