The inshore forecast on Friday morning dropped the strong wind warning, although the weather gods had a different idea, so with a bit of a scramble to get off the mooring before the tide turned, I was off at 09:00 in a light wind that increased to F5 as I got into the Solent. I could not quite weather Sconce Buoy (south of Yarmouth) so on went the engine to go through Hurt Narrows and the mile or so though the North channel.
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| Approaching Hurst Point, note the water breaking over the norther end of the Shingles bank (centre). |
It was a quick but bumpy ride in a strong F5 wind, sailing for comfort (a relative term) under a double reefed genoa and no mainsail. The boat is very well balanced under this rig giving the autopilot very little to do.
Then, at just the wrong time and place, the wind increased to F6 as I was approaching Anvil Point and the expected bumpy ride turned into very bumpy until I was past St Alban's having gone outside of St Alban's ledge.
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| Hamble to Portland 55 miles in 12 hours, 5 minutes slower than the east bound trip going back to Hamble for repairs. |
Click here for the trip to Hope Cove.
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