Ad Lib 45

 

The day builds 'poco a poco' to a crashing overnight crescendo:

Stargazer bids a fond farewell to Old Harry. Poole's famous chalk stack, at the tip of Ballard Down. 

Which separates Studland and Swanage bays. Stargazer's skipper opts to take his afternoon siesta anchored off the beach in the latter. Because it is the most seaward of the pair. 

We leave at twenty hundred. So as to have a couple of hours of daylight, to settle into a passage making rhythm.

For, during the day, each successive forecast update adds a knot or two to the wind strength. We will be sailing in twenty five knots of breeze. A full force six on the Beaufort scale. It will also be well forward of the beam. Meaning that Stargazer's motion will increase the Apparent Wind strength.

Stargazer's skipper had wanted to experiment with a part furled jib. It balances the helm, with a double reefed main set, and reduces heel. But turns out to mean, as suspected, that Stargazer cannot sail close enough to the wind. (See short leg, at the start of our passage, where we are heading for Cherbourg.) Unfurling the full jib, as the tide turns west going, has a dramatic effect on speed and angle. (See long diagonal leg.) Albeit a night of hand steering is required. The combination of a lively seastate and spirited sailplan, too much for the autopilot.

The spring tide is at its height. Carrying Stargazer three to four nautical miles west per hour. Her spread of canvas enables her to complete the Channel crossing during the west going run of the tide. Before slipping into Guernsey by the 'back door.' Around the Casquets. Where, because of the circular flow around the Channel Islands, the tide is slack becoming favourable. Whereas, ten miles away, on the other side of Alderney, the Race is cascading northward at seven knots or more.

Once round the Casquets, the seas smooth to a low regular swell, and the wind drops to a pleasant twelve knots. All that Stargazer requires to reach a respectable five knots. The autopilot takes the con. Allowing Stargazer's skipper the luxury of a fried eggs and mushrooms breakfast in the cockpit. 

On the horizon, a puff of white cumulus cloud marks the spot where Guernsey lies unseen. By the time that coffee is poured, three grey smudges are visible: The cliffs of Guernsey, to the right; those of Herm and Jethou, fringed with glittering sands, to the left; and, between them, the Brehon tower. Marker for the Little Russel Channel.

Which leads to St Peter Port. Where the tide is falling fast. Leaving the inner harbour cill high and dry. Stargazer secures, on the waiting pontoon, to await the evening flood.

Picture Credits

Stargazer AIS track screenshot courtesy of MarineTraffic (aka kpler)