On passage Falmouth to Kilmore Quay - St Georges Channel

Bootlegger of Mann
Frank Newton
Sun 5 Jun 2011 09:47


040611

51:08.43.786 N 006:14.69W

On passage Falmouth to Kilmore Quay

Decided that R would do 22:00 to 02:00 Watch, I would do 02:00 to 06:00
and L would straddle both our watches with 2 hrs each. L & R went below to
get their heads down.

21:15 Wind shift to east enabling us to sail boat. In pulling out headsail
on Port self tailing motorised winch, sheet got fouled up. As headsail P &
S sheets were one continuous line knotted at the clew, only way of
releasing sheet was to tie another sheet on the clew and take the tension
of the sail on the Starboard winch and cut off the jammed sheet. Called up
R to assist. I rigged new sheet and cut off existing at clew enabling the
sail to be wound back in, following which it was possible to remove the
cut sheet from the winch and rig the replacement sheet through the car and
onto the winch. Wind was back on the nose.

21:45 Watch arrangement revised with F remaining to do 22:00 to 02:00 and
R to do second watch - 02:00 to 06:00.

Boat speed variable with conditions, the constant slamming slowing us down
to between 4 and 6 kt. Increased rpm to 3,000. Pulled in main.

23:45 Called ship ‘Norman Conquest’ on southerly passage and some 9nm off
our Starboard bow for a radar check. Was advised we were clear on their
radar. Wind N22kt S.O.G. 6kt CSE 345 degrees

Been dropping into some seriously big holes throughout the evening
manifesting themselves by loud bangs and sending a shudder through the
boat, testing its structure and rigging to the limits. The conditions make
it impossible for anyone below to sleep. Very uncomfortable.