Fri 24 Jun
Today started well – we had a plan (Plan D). Early in the queue for shopping and back for breakfast overlooking the marina from the new popup van. Comfortable chairs in the open air and time to chat about how the day might be (Plan D)
Everything was prepared for casting off and we slipped the lines and motored out into Dartmouth harbour on the flood tide. The winds had increased now that we were out of the sheltered haven.
Plan C was to sail to Alderney with steady SW/W winds and arrive when tides were to our advantage. However a wind change was also forecast and squalls came in to give strong southerlies at the end of day. Best not to risk being there after a long passage.
Plan D gave us the option to sail along the coast in familiar seas closer to the shore and learn how to use the new gear and technologies of Liquid Asset. Seems a sensible plan although we would have more headwinds. Except for one flaw in plan D – didn’t check winds and tides towards the end of the day… because we were heading away south for Plan C
We started to sail best to windward and tracked our way down to Start Point. Time to motor here could’ve been ONE hour but we had all day to sail on for another 11NM at 6 kts to Plymouth. FOUR hours of sailing later and you are probably one step ahead … the winds increased as the squalls arrived and the tide changed against. It was grey, damp, windy and “horrible”. We set the sails to match the winds of 18-24 kts and hunkered down in the comforts afforded by Liquid Asset’s exemplary design.
The seas were magnificent in shape and form. White crests and deep troughs from the swells became confused as the wind blew over the tide. At one point three waves joined together in a pillar of water and rose up to explode in a volcano of spray.
Liquid Asset was impeccable and rose to the challenge by riding the waves, sometimes cutting through the chop, sometimes rising high over the crests. Eventually the grey clouds lifted and the sun came out; the mood changed and our destination came into view. We had LOTS of time to check out the new gear and technologies… and soon arrived in the shelter of Cawsands
Anchoring is now a dream as the helmsman has control. Push a button and the chain lowers the anchor with a display of the chain length as it falls to the seabed and digs in.
A simple meal listening to Vivaldi’s Mandolin Symphony and the day is put to rest – Plan D.
LA rocks gently through the night.
Sailed 48NM for 08:20 hr – AVE SPD 5.8 kts MAX SPD 9.7 kts.
Until tomorrow “good night” zzzzz
Experience Sailing 