A sailing adventure to the Baltic Sea…….and back!
They have arrived! Our lovely new Imray chart pack 2130 Westerschelde and Oosterschelde was waiting on the doorstep.
I did not think I could get so excited by a set of charts but they cover the first part of the mast up route through Holland that we will be taking.
However what was not so good was the the ANWB Wateralmanak 1 which is only in Dutch and you have to carry one on board. It has the regulations for using the canals so a bit of guesswork will be needed!
Friday I had the engine serviced although having watched Simon, the very helpful engineer do it and after my RYA engine course I think I could have a go at basic impeller, fuel and filter stuff! All was fine, it was only 30 hrs since the last oil change. He did comment on the lack of Volvo Penta service parts that had been used by the previous owners! Anyway we are all Penta-ed up now!
He still had to do the belt change which will give me a spare and he will change the coolant as well. We are going to use the engine a lot in holland so better do it!
I think we also sorted out some mystery electrics including the engine room fan, the smart battery charger and the inverter for 240 volts!
I also gave in with the outboard, and ask them to fix the idle speed as I couldn’t do it! So they’ve taken that away with them.
Today, Saturday I got covered in Marina mud! So off to have a shower, but at least I got the anchor sorted…..almost!
We have 50 m of 8mm chain on a 15kg anchor. I know because I have it all out! I put the anchor on the pontoon and let the chain out! I wanted to mark every 10 m with cable ties but as soon as I brought the chain in the winch striped them off! I ended up going to the Chandlers to buy some extortionately priced colour blocks that fit inside the chain itself. They were an absolute nightmare to get in and I’m convinced that they will pop out at the first opportunity although at least I did get the chain back into the locker with them still on I think! So now red blocks indicate 10 m, white blocks at 20 m and yellow blocks at 30 m and red yellow and white blocks at 40 m!
Great trip to Littlehampton, we sailed 23 miles in 6 hours. We worked our passage plan perfectly- from West Pole beating to the boulder buoy then through the Looe.
We took the opportunity to test out the autopilot.
Lots of lobster pots to avoid so need to keep a close watch!
After a bit of a rolly entrance it was nice and calm in the river where we rafted up …… for the first time
Motored from Chichester to Northney Marina, just a few miles up the Emsworth Channel. Saw lots of sailing boats and foiling moths.
Nice easy access into the Marina although we berthed on the wrong pontoon! But we just had to pull back to be on the right one.
Completed a great course at SeaStart! I’m sure I could actually do a basic service on my Penta D1-30 and my pre-trip checks are a bit more meaningful.
I’ve resigned from work, leaving at the end of June! Our plans to sail to the Baltic Sea are now a reality……gulp!
On Saturday 25th march we sailed over from Chichester to Bembridge on the Isle of Wight. It was our first overnight trip and first strange harbour in Grace! Force 5/6 we were quickly across and avoided the ships and ferries out of Portsmouth but past close to three Palmerston forts, Horse Sand, No Mans and St Helens. Very helpful marina staff meant we were soon snug on the pontoon. Only one other yacht came in. We went exploring and found the origin of holy stones for wooden deck and a windmill!
We attended the seminar at the CA’s Limehouse HQ. We now know our route to the Baltic!
February 4th: I undertook my VHF radio trading at the yacht club.
January 28th. We made it out and over Chichester Bar. Tested the sails although we managed to jam the genoa roller reefing gear. 
but for the Grace 