Vince, Paschall and myself spoke on the phone on Thursday and decided to go for it. We'd pick up the junk from Chichester on Friday, and see how far we got. None of us would risk bad weather in an untried boat, but if the forecast improved, we'd surely get a fair few miles under our belt.
At the club bar on Thursday night, with the forecasts still varying wildly, we decided to set off from Cardiff at 07:00 Friday morning. Sheila (Vince's wife, and the other half of Alana's crew), would kindly drive us down.
By 10:30 Friday morning we were at the boat. Paschall and I started loading, Sheila and Vince set off for the supermarket for provisions. The boat looked very sound, and her new Junk mast and sail looked very nice indeed. Inside, she needed some TLC, but none of us were bothered about that.
As the tide entered Emsworth marina, Paschall inched Antares (new name soon) away from the pontoon and we were off.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Leaving Chichester"]
[/caption]We picked our way through the shallow channels in Chichester harbour, dodging moored boats, and moving ones too. As we reached deeper water, and with a bi more room to manoeuvre, Paschall raised the sail, and very fine it looked too.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Junk Sail"]
[/caption]Antares' new owner seemed very happy with his new vessel.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Paschall"]
[/caption]The wind was in the West, the direction we were headed. Not the best point of sail for a junk, but she pointed better than we expected, and tacked easily. Vince had sailed the Solent before, but Paschall and I hadn't, and it was busier than either of us expected.
With the forecast still varying, seemingly every 6 hours or so, we decided to 'play it by ear', and keep sailing, aware that there were many safe ports to duck into if bad weather did arrive. That plan changed sooner than expected though, when we tried to start the engine and it resolutely refused.
We quickly dismantled the companionway steps and changed the battery (we'd taken a spare), thinking a lack of power caused by using the instruments all day was the cause. When this failed, I decided to ensure the stop lever was properly seated, and then try manually opening the throttle to start it. The first option worked, and that was a lesson learned. The cabin was in a mess.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Panic over"]
[/caption]It didn't end there, however. 20 minutes later, we noticed that the engine temperature was in the red. No water coming from the exhaust. Engine off again.
I quickly realised that the raw water filter, a clear plastic bowl, was empty. The seacock was on, so it must be blocked. I tried refilling it from the top, but it drained very quickly. In the meantime Paschall texted the previous owner, who told us to refill it, but to close the seacock first. Second panic over.
By this time we had decided to head into Gosport for the night. Paschall was sailing us peacefully in that direction. Suddenly he informed us that there were TWO hovercraft approaching, from different directions. One passed very closely, but there was, naturally, no wake.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Hovercraft"]
[/caption]Vince then took over - he'd been into Gosport before, and helmed us expertly, avoiding ferries, yachts, motor boats and strong currents.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Arriving at Gosport"]
[/caption]We tied up for the night at Haslar marina, having covered just over 16 miles. There was more bad news - the exhaust was now leaking fumes and water into the boat. When the engine had overheated earlier, we'd melted the connection on the waterlock. With all the shops closed, we decided on a meal and a beer, whilst we examined our options.
Not the best day, but we'd overcome all of the challenges, and enjoyed a pint.
A trip to the chandlers the following morning saw us attacking the leaking exhaust with duct tape and tin foil. Vince did an excellent job, and we left the marina about 10, hauled up the sail and sailed for all of 20 minutes before the wind failed completely. Bad weather?
We started the engine. The wind was fitful, but built as the day went on, and we tacked our way Westwards through the solent, dodging commercial and leisure craft in their (it seemed like) hundreds. We passed some beautiful vessels.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Solent yachts"]
[/caption][caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Solent yachts"]
[/caption][caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Solent yachts"]
[/caption][caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Solent yachts"]
[/caption]Just a personal view now. It was lovely seeing all those beautiful boats, and interesting seeing all the ferries, merchant and commercial shipping, hovercraft, Ribs and many many dozens of racing yachts, but it really isn't me. It was far too crowded, too hectic, and the sheer number of people out there showing off their pride and joy just made me want to get away as quickly as possible. I longed for the freedom, peace and tranquility of the Bristol Channel, Milford, Ireland or Scotland. Too many people.
Finally, we sailed out of the Solent and into Christchurch bay. With far fewer boats and much reduced currents, we had a beautiful afternoon sail across the bay, and then across Poole bay. I think ther three of us enjoyed the slacker pace, and some decent sailing room at last. The forecast had changed again, and was now threatening a force 7 once more for Sunday. Another stunning old sailing boat passed us on the way.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Poole Bay"]
[/caption][caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Poole Bay"]
[/caption]The engine overheating problem struck again as we navigated the channel into Poole harbour. I quickly refilled the filter and we were underway again, arriving at Salterns Marina just after 20:00 hrs. I cooked a quick meal of pasta with tomato sauce and cheese, although reviews were mixed.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Pasta"]
[/caption]We heard the wind rise and rise during the night, and it was far too strong to consider going out when we rose. A quick check of the forecast showed a force 7 gusting 8 at times, with Force 6-7 for Monday. Tuesday was better, with 6s and 7s forecast for the rest of the week. Reluctantly, we agreed it was hopeless. We'd cut and run, leave the boat in Poole and return in a few days time to resume our journey. If the weather stayed bad, Paschall would bring her back by road, marina fees meaning a long stay was not an option.
All in all, good fun, and I enjoyed my first sail in a junk. Great company, and sailing in unfamiliar waters. A good time was had by all.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Antares in Poole"]
[/caption]
