Hickling Broad - Drascombe Association rally

Boating huddle in Catfield Dyke

This year's Drascombe Association Norfolk Broads rally took place at Hickling Broad, based at the staithe outside The Pleasureboat Inn.

Participating boats included:

BayCruiser 20: Daisy III

Dabber: Tamarisk, Virginia

Luggers: Rita May, Little Egret, Windhover, Jimbo

Coasters: Tangram, Kathleen, Egret, Prawnpipe

Lune Pilot: Grebe

Moorings at The Pleasureboat Inn

Daisy III

The weekend followed the usual plan, with a Saturday sail around to Horsey Mere.  Unfortunately, Hickling Broad is more difficult to enjoy these days, clogged up as it is with weed.  The Broads Authority will say this is a positive thing, since the water is clearly less polluted.  Sailors' needs are clearly not particularly high on the list of priorities.  For Daisy III, sailing proved particularly testing as I grappled with a new boat, with design features such as a forward inclined rudder which unhelpfully hooks the weed with some alacrity...  Still, I had fun and much pleasure was had by the other boats too.

Saturday lunchtime moorings at Horsey Mill

After lunch, the brisk SE winds allowed a general run back to base.

Jimbo 

Jimbo heels!

Stately progress across Horsey Mere by Tangram and Prawnpipe

Prawnpipe

Daisy III using the reed-sifted breeze to meander along Meadow Dyke

On the way back, a few boats took a turn up Catfield Dyke - hence the picture at the top of this post.

Daisy III heading along the narrow Catfield Dyke

On Sunday, many boats worked their way along to Potter Heigham.  Daisy III spent much time untangling weed from the hull, and stopped for elevenses in Deep Go Dyke, before returning to Hickling and hauling out.

Red track - Saturday trip to Horsey Mill; Yellow track, trip back via Catfield Dyke.  Green track - Sunday sailing to Deep Go Dyke.  Total track length: 11.2nm

First sail...at last!

Mizzen sail

First sail, Walton Backwaters, 2-3 September, 2019
Once again, launched at Titchmarsh Marina.  The initial track (red below) was all motoring.  Water was sloshing up through the centreplate casing.   This needed sealing, so I returned to the marina, purchased a suitable sealant and let that do its business overnight.  However, the big relief is that the centreplate itself was operating properly, dropping all the way, as evidenced by a suitable clunk if allowed as it reached the true extent of its lowered position.

The next day, finally, I motored down the Walton Channel, raised the sails and spent a happy few hours sailing up and down Hamford Water.  Winds were F3-5 and the slightly gusty conditions eventually led to a reef being tied in, which is shown in the picture below.

Mainsail with one reef tied in.  Lots to learn about sail trim, etc, but this will do for starters!

There was time to anchor in Landermere Creek for lunch, before returning to the Marina for HW and hauling out.

Once again in Titchmarsh Marina.  New name transfer showing on the hull.  It looks like burgundy will be the main colour theme, to match the spray hood.

1st December (red track) 4.6nm, all motoring.  2nd December (yellow track) 9.9nm.  Motoring up and down the Walton Channel, sailing in Hamford Water.  Winds F3-5 SW.