Beaufort Wind Scale
35 kts wind
Developed in 1805 by Sir Francis Beaufort, U.K. Royal Navy
- Force 7 28-33kts Near Gale Sea heaps up, waves 13-19 ft, white foam streaks off breakers Whole trees moving, resistance felt walking against wind
- Force 8 34-40kts Gale Moderately high (18-25 ft) waves of greater length, edges of crests begin to break into spindrift, foam blown in streaks Twigs breaking off trees, generally impedes progress
- Force 9 41-47kts Strong Gale High waves (23-32 ft), sea begins to roll, dense streaks of foam, spray may reduce visibility Slight structural damage occurs, slate blows off roofs
The overnight forecast predicted force 8 (gale) gusts. Two low-pressure centres off Ireland were merging into one. By 20:00 last night, our position near the entrance of the estuary was becoming quite rolly as the swell ahead of the strong winds began to develop. It’s time to attach to a mooring buoy upriver. And what a difference it made as the winds howled through the standing rigging, yet we only rocked very gently throughout the night. Good call.
The winds had settled down by 08:00 and we had time to explore the upper reaches. Visitor buoys carry a mooring fee and anchoring in the deep pool upstream may be possible.
We passed many vessels before reaching the Pool however the approaches would be too shallow at low water. The River Helford is a ria (flooded valley) fed by small streams into its creeks. The rich and famous live in grand properties along the shoreline. Let’s move on.
The Voose Bay anchorage is a sheltered spot near the entrance to the ria. It tends to be crowded and rolly. We passed the cardinal buoy. Can you identify it?
11:30 Out at sea, we spent a joyous time sailing back and forth just for fun. We were not alone; there were about 50 others like-minded. Plenty of open seas and fair winds, tacking and gybing on a whim.
St Mawes is tucked in behind Anthony Point and again worth exploring. Mooring buoys were closely packed together in deeper waters however the entrance was again rather shallow. We slowly weaved between the stationary yachts and decided it was too constrained.
Suddenly, there was a rush of activity. A flotilla of large sailing yachts were racing through and between the buoys. Avoidance tactics became frantic, with split-second decisions to be made as the yachts crisscrossed each other with only metres to spare.
Safely out in open waters we resumed a well journeyed trip up into the sheltered anchorage of the River Truro.
It’s so peaceful and quiet, with the shoreline covered with oak trees and the occasional heron or blackbird calling out from the depths. Our traditional kedgeree was served in a timely fashion, and the still air settled down as day became night.
From the distance, a thumping became audible, louder and louder: thump, thump, thump. The cackling and ‘music’ shattered the silence as the Party Boat passed by.
The day doesn’t end until the day is done… Silence returns. Zzz
Experience Sailing 