Lundy to Padstow

I got to sleep quite well at the anchorage at Lundy but around 4am the wind veered to the east and it got very uncomfortable.

We stuck it out until 5:30am, by which time it was light, and decided to make for Padstow.

Getting the anchor up was hard work but without incident and we motored off east with the stay-sail up to clear Rat Island, luckily since it was high water and slack we did not need to worry about the race to the south of it. The idea was to make towards Hartland Point and then hug the coast so we could see it.

Then the engine died.

We were right by what looked like a crab pot marker, although this is a no-catch nature conservation area and the waves kept pushing us towards it so we had to think quickly.

"Get the sails up" I said and went for the main. It is possible to raise Robinetta's main at least part way on any point of the wind and we had the stay-sail to help.

For the first time a hoop got stuck on the gaff saddle and I had to go and clear it and then, just when we needed the main, the parrel line came of the saddle and the gaff bounced forward of the mast.

I needed to drop the main and start again but we didn't have time. Alison on the helm desperately needed more way on so she could steer us clear of the dangers.

I unfurled the jib. Two headsails is not a great configuration but it got us out of danger.

Now I had time to lower the main, re-tie the parrel line and put it back up properly. Before long we were a proper sailing boat under full control and we could decide what sail configuration we really wanted. There was a lot of wind so we settled on about 80% of the roller reefing range on the main and the stay-sail. We could follow our course and start planning on how to get the engine working again.

The wind was strong and the swell was harsh. We hit 7 knots a few times and although we wanted to get inshore to enjoy the coast the swell was much more comfortable on the rear quarter than on the beam so we headed south-south-west at an angle to our planned course. That was really comfortable and the weather was fine. Only the worry of the failed engine stopped it being delightful.

Alison went forward and changed the no 1 jib for the number 2 in a wind lull in case I wanted to use it, but it stayed furled for a long time.

Once inside the shelter of Hartland Point the swell was much less and we carried on. We got the jib out and galloped along, Alison doing most of the helming. Once I could get my head around it I got out Nigel Calder's book on diesel engines and started working out what might be wrong. I'll put the trouble-shooting in a separate post. I got the engine working!

We got nearer the shore around Tintagel but I couldn't make out the castle. Then we had to gybe away from the coast and we picked up a large pod of common dolphins. They played with us for about an hour - wonderful! The wind was increasing though, and Alison wanted the jib away. Even when we slowed to 5 knots the dolphins kept us company.

Then we were near The Rumps and out of the shelter and the swell got really bad and the wind strengthened. I was down below reading the entry pilotage but Alison needed me on deck to help. I put the last of the reef in the main and that brought us back under control and we headed around Newland and the Rayner Rocks. The Polzeath anchorage already had two yachts in it, one of them being Moshulu who had left Lundy about the same time we did. We anchored nearby to wait for the tide over the Doom Bar.

Several other yachts joined us. The pilot book says not to enter before HW-2. The Cruising Association says HW-2½. One of the boats went in for HW-2½ and was ok. We left it until HW-2 and it was really easy.

We did lose track slightly getting into the harbour but the Harbour-master's rib put us right. We ended up against the north wall with lots of other yachts.