East coast Race

Due to the tides it was an early start for the race this year, 0800, so we were off the pontoon by 0700. The course was decided on as course 5, round Colne no 8 then up the Blackwater towards West Mersea.

We started on time then crossed the line again, and again, and again. The wind was so light that beating out against the tide proved really difficult, and most of the slower boats dropped their anchors for a spell. So did we, but our main anchor was tied securely to our bulwarks, and the kedge (which we used) was half buried in the forepeak. By the time we got the hook down we had been carried three hundred yards up the river.

By the time we did get out of the river we could see the fast boats (who had got out the river before the wind went to nothing) on their way back. Nancy Blackett, the only boat behind us, passed us before we rounded the first buoy. It took us four and a half hours to get out to Colne no8!

From there we did manage to sail quite well out to the next mark, but a stream of boats passed us on their way back, and it made no sense to carry on a race that we would not make the declaration time for. We called race control, put our ensign up, and just had a sail instead.

We were back on the pontoon by 1430, having dropped our sails in the channel into Brightlingsea harbour after the cardinal. It's disappointing to do so badly after the excitement of last year, but Robinetta just could not keep up with the fleet in these conditions. She's got 3 months of weed on the hull and sails that need replacing. She was only making 3.5 knots over the ground even after the wind got up.

The free reception on the smack dock was good. Someone was listening last year, because there was a barrel of cider as well as beer!