Winter work starts

I hauled Daisy G out last Saturday. To be truthful, I got the marina to haul her out. I wanted a pressure wash before I took her home so I had her lifted, cleaned and loaded on to the trailer. It saves an awful lot of time and effort and made t an easy day.From arriving in Poole to having her on the trailer ready to go home was little over two hours.

I was pleased to see that the Baycruiser 23 which had been on show at Southampton the week before was moored just a few meters from me. If she stays there, there will be three Baycruisers in the marina, which must be a record. Very pretty boat, but she seems incomplete without a mizzen.

The only problem potentially was with the trailer tyres. When I got home, without any mishap, I noticed one tyre was badly worn on the inside. I think the inflation was OK, but doing a bit of research, I wonder if those particular tyres are overloaded. I was probably also driving too fats as the roads were quite clear. I shall have to think over that over the winter.  I'm slowly offloading everything and got the sails packed away nice and dryly dues to the amazingly warm weather.

End of season haul out approaches

I have been away looking at othe rbioats and high art. Down to boat show next week, so I think my final trip to Poole will be in a couple of weeks to bring Daisy G home.

End of the summer

Another lovely weekend and I came down for half of it. Followed a Drascombe Coaster ("Nonsuch") being trailed from Shaftesbury to Poole. Then when I was anchored for the night off Shipstal point, she glided in to spend the night just a few yards away. Very peaceful night and not many boats out.. I think most treated last weekend and the end of season.

Strong winds and I sailed a lot with a double reef in the main, which is unusual. Worked very well. I used to have trouble tacking with a double reef, but didn't this time, so I may be learning how to handle it better. The winch is still proving itself invaluable. As the wind dropped I successively cranked out each reef, just tightening the topping lift, releasing the reefing lines and then cranking up the main. No need to turn into wind and the sail never fluttered. All of 30 second to complete.

Still warm enough to swim, so I was in several times. Beautiful clear views of the Isle of Wight, which has been hidden in haze for most of the year. I am away for a couple of weeks now, so the next trip down may well be to bring her home for the winter.