Ad Lib 22

"Those magnificent (wo)men in their flying machines

They go up, Tiddley up, up

They go down, Tiddley down, down. . . .

Up, down, flying around

Looping the loop and defying the ground. . . ."

'Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines' by Ron Goodwin & Lorraine Williams 1965

Ad Lib 21

 

Every so often a new boat design catches my eye.

For example the RM1080 which I visited last year in La Rochelle (Zen Again 79). Liking the Space, light and simplicity below decks. As well as the hull lines, informed by the short handed offshore racing success, for which the Atlantic coast of France is famous.

But less keen on the exposed helms and wood epoxy construction. Boat design is the art of compromise. A gain on the swings often brings a loss on the roundabouts.

However, the (Australian designed and Turkish built) Seawind 1170 may be the exception which proves this rule. Seeming to 'have it all.' Starting with a flexible and easily handled rig. Comprising self tacking jib, permanently rigged furling reaching sail, plus a catamaran's inherent ability to carry a spinnaker without drama. No rolling downwind. No pole required. Both by dint of her beam.

The helm positions are sheltered, with all controls to hand. They give directly onto an airy interior, which resists the temptation to cram in berths. Instead concentrating on providing comfortable living for a couple, with occasional guests: A bridge deck saloon. A 'galley-down' in the starboard hull, plus guest cabin. The owner's quarters occupy the port hull. There is abundant, easily accessed, stowage.

Dispensing with lead ballast keels adds performance potential. As do wave piercing dreadnought bows. 

Whilst a one point two metre draft opens up anchoring opportunities. And extends the ‘opening hours’ of tide constrained harbours.

Picture Credits

Seawind 1170 pics courtesy of Seawind Catamarans and their agents.

Ad Lib 20

It is time to Ad Lib:

 A weather window, which had yesterday hung ajar, slams resoundingly shut. At this morning's dawn forecast check, eighteen to twenty knots, of north easterly breeze, has escalated into twenty five to thirty. Strongest on the French shore. Clear of the lee of the English mainland. 

It is a three day (perhaps four or five on the French side) blow. By the time it is predicted to have eased, the (by then neap) tides are running westerly from daybreak. Factors which Stargazer's skipper may be able to turn to her advantage.

Stargazer's purpose is to spend summer on the Atlantic coast of France. Dieppe is merely a staging point. Putting in our westing on the English shore is an alternative. Perhaps a 'Plan B' crossing, from Chichester to Cherbourg? Or a 'Plan C' routing, from Poole to Guernsey to Roscoff? Plan C holding the added  attraction of reducing the number of Schengen border crossings (now further complicated by the EES roll out) from three to one.

A financial point, in favour of Plan C, is that Stargazer's (Marina Developments Ltd) Chatham berth contract grants us free stays in Northney (Chichester), Cobbs Quay (Poole) and St Peter Port (Guernsey). Once in France, we are able to use our Passeport Escales nights (five per marina). 

As of today, Stargazer has paid so much in day rate, to Sovereign Harbour, that they have kindly agreed to waive further fees until early May. Although we fervently hope not to depend upon the largesse, of the Premier Marinas group, for so long.

Ad Lib 19

 

Waiting for the tide to rise, beyond the Sovereign lock.

Waiting for a fish, upon the shingle shore.

Waiting for the wind, outside the sailing club.

Waiting for fresh gelato. . . . .

. . . .in Old Eastbourne Town.

Waiting, in soothing sunshine. . . .

. . . .for our breeze to come.

Ad Lib 18

 

I shall not repeat the rash predictions (Ad Lib 16) which preceded, perhaps precipitated, Stargazer's auto-pilot problems (Ad Lib 17). Instead I shall repeat the words of Bob Marley: "We know where we're going. We know where we're from......" (Exodus 1977)

Following a Friday evening visit, from PTmarine Paul, a glorious green glow once more bathes the darkness of Stargazer's bilge. Emanating from the nine-axis motion sensor, come compass, which informs the pilot's actions.

A poor connection, in the single cable which provides power to and conveys data from the sensor, was the culprit. Quickly identified and corrected, by Paul. Thus restoring Stargazer's second crew member to active service. That is "where we're from."

As to "where we're going:" The movements of the moon mean that the tides are at peak springs. Bringing depth constraints to the Sovereign entrance (Ad Lib 16).

As well as swingeing flow rates, particularly on the French side of the Channel. Where the tide will drift Stargazer two and a half nautical miles sideways for every five she travels forwards. Meaning that we will travel at forty five degrees to the direction in which our bows point.

Simply steering into the tide would halve our speed. Instead, the trick, for a fast crossing, is to find a passage timing during which the East and West going tides (more or less) cancel out. On a day on which wind direction and strength allow us to steer thirty degrees to either side of south.

Picture Credits

‘Admiralty Tidal Streams Atlas: The English Channel’ page courtesy of The United Kingdom Hydrology Office.

Ad Lib 17

 

  

Stargazer revels in the breeze that she has waited for so patiently. Her skipper delights in having cheated the Sovereign harbour bar. Slipping out with the keel lightly stirring its silt. We are hard on the wind, headed for Dieppe.

Until our trusty autopilot utters a plaintive electronic bleep. Before falling silent. Stargazer rounds up into the wind, sails flogging. Her skipper tries a system power on power off. Several times. With increasing urgency. To no avail. At Beachy Head, we turn and retrace our steps. Reluctantly.

Back alongside, investigations begin. The system's black box brain is mounted below the stores stacked in Stargazer's aft cabin 'garage.'.

Once accessed, it shows a reasurringly steady green LED. As it should. All appears well, with this part of the system.

However, beneath the sole boards of the saloon, the gyro compass lies dark. With no sign of a green glow from the LED on its top surface.. Indicating that this is the likely seat of our problem. A theory corroborated by the three dashes, instead of a compass angle, on the cockpit display, 

Psi Paul has thus far led the diagnosis by phone. Stargazer's electronically illiterate skipper doing his bidding. But we have now reached the limit of this approach. 

Fortunately (Chatham based) Psi Paul is able to recommend (Brighton based) PTmarine Paul. To determine whether the compass malfunction is due to component failure, communications discontinuity, or power supply interruption. He hopes to take a preliminary look, on the way back from a pre booked job, tomorrow evening.

Ad Lib 16

 This afternoon's low tide is the same height as it will be at six o'clock (an hour after low water) tomorrow morning. I take the opportunity to reconnoitre the Eastbourne entrance. Where the fishermen appear to be favouring the green cans.

As does a local Beneteau of (potentially, dependant upon keel option) similar draft to Stargazer. A change to previous years. When it has generally paid to hug the reds, for best depth.

Today's southerly is forecast to veer south westerly by morning. Blowing sixteen to twenty knots, somewhat forward of the beam, until we come under the lee of Normandy’s Côte d’Albâtre.