End of 2022 sailing

As it turns out, 2022 wasn't a particularly productive sailing year.  For various reasons which aren't worth writing about, other things took priority.  However, I did manage two further trips

Walton Backwaters, Rivers Orwell and Stour, 3-5 August

This trip illustrates one of the causes of the lack of sailing - the introduction of Kizzy, the English Springer Spaniel to our life!  We're working on her sea legs, but she is more interested in swimming in rather than floating on the water…!

I launched on 3rd of August at Titchmarsh Marina, and sailed over to the Orwell, overnighting opposite Suffolk Yacht Harbour.  

The next day, Sally, Gilly and Kizzy joined me for a lovely sail up the Orwell, beaching opposite Woolverstone so Kizzy could have a run around.  I then dropped off the girls at SYH before sailing round to the Stour, overnighting in Ewarton Bay.  Finally, I sailed back to Titchmarsh.

Dried out in Ewarton Bay.

34.2nm

Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere, 20-22 August

Again, with Kizzy aboard, we did some sailing on the Norfolk Broads.  

For the first time, I launched at Martham boatyard, who were most accommodating, particularly since it was also 'changeover' day.  Excellent, sheltered slip and good parking for car/trailer.

I collected Sally and Kizzy from Hickling, and we sailed round to Horsey Mill for the night.

Unfortunately, the trip resulted in breakages to the mainsail track slides on Horsey Mere, so rather less sailing happened after that…

16.4nm

Whilst I was always on the look out for further sailing opportunities in the Autumn, it just didn't happen, so Daisy III was wrapped up for the winter.

Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere

Daisy III on Horsey Mere

Entering Meadow Dyke from Horsey Mere

Leaving the moorings at Horsey Windpump

More sailing on Horsey Mere

Hickling Broad - successfully avoiding weed

Running short of sailing opportunities now.  Launched at Whispering Reeds boatyard on Saturday morning.  Sailed through to Horsey Mere, where we had a good time colouring in this delightful corner of the Broads, and then mooring up for an overnight stop.

Return trip on Sunday.

Saturday 18th: red track, 8nm; Sunday 19th: white track, 6.6nm; total track: 14.6nm

Shakedown sail

 

Saturday evening mooring on the River Waveney

For a first sail, given a predominance of easterly winds recently, the decision was made to make the season's shakedown sail a Broads affair.  Launching at the public slip into Oulton Broad, some time was spent filling in the Broad with the GPS, before sauntering along the Waveney to find a suitably quiet, countryside mooring - just me, the boat and the natural beauty of this location.

Sailing along the Waveney

Extensive modifications to the trailer were put to the test.  Launching went well enough, but recovery onto the trailer needs some more work since the changes have exacerbated a previous tendency towards skewed recovery.  The large mudguard on the starboard side is now sitting within a centimetre of the hull, which doesn't leave much room for lateral movement on the road.  However, the boat has survived the trip.  More of this in another post...

10.7nm