Heading to the Blackwater

We drove to Shotley on Thursday night, to spend the night on Robinetta before heading for West Mersea tomorrow morning. I had drawn up a careful navigation plan as this was our first long trip by ourselves, although a lot of the Old Gaffers we had got to know on the August cruise were also heading in the same direction.

We went to the fuel dock and put in 11 litres of diesel and were out of the lock by 0935, an hour after low water. It seemed to take a long time to sort out the sails, and we spent most of the day motor sailing in very light winds. It was our first time heading past Walton-on-the-Naze and down the Wallet to the Blackwater, and the conditions were annoying. There was a swell running, and not enough wind to keep the main sail on one side of the boat so it flogged about. One of the main sheet shackles came off and we lost it over the side, but luckily we have a good supply of old spares.

We sheeted the main sail right in and motored, used the autohelm for the first time. It's no fun steering under motor for long periods and the autohelm proved its worth.

It was a real relief when the wind rose slightly. We passed the North Eagle cardinal on track and sailed up the Blackwater. The chart made it obvious that we needed to navigate with care, and it was nerve wracking as we passed the Nass beacon and entered Mersea Quarters under motor. There is no marina, just a lot of moorings. We called up WM Yacht club as advised in the pilot, and they directed us to take the first vacant buoy we could find in Salcot Creek. We were moored at 1655.

We saw the yacht club launch, and asked about going ashore, to be told that this was the launch’s last trip, and we would not be able to get back to Robinetta. Not to worry, we have food on board!