The Cruise Almost Went Completely Wrong But Was Also a Great Success!
At the briefing, 20 minutes before launch, what could possibly go wrong? Beautiful sunshine, a gentle NW breeze 5-8 knots, a laminated pilotage and chart sheet for each boat, aims, objectives and obstacles (oyster racks and 28 Toppers) identified, signals clear (visual & vhf Ch. 72), tides perfect with HW at 2pm. Some of us looking forward to the 4.5 miles run back under spinnaker. But it all went wrong!
By 12.15pm the wind had dropped to a whisper, the cruise leader’s radio had unlocked from Ch. 72, but then broadcast the message he had not heard, word for word to the entertainment of any neutral listener. Plan changed. Sorry. Not making Faversham Creek. We are going to Shellness.
Forty five minutes sail and drift later, with Jim’s classic Cornish cruiser buddied up with Giggle W 1561 under tow, we made landfall at the remote and very beautiful white shell beaches of Shellness. Not before, Whoosh!, Simon pulled up on his windsurf, and immediately helped everyone to anchor or tie onto a groyne. Some of us enjoyed a picnic lunch, others who had counted on the pub, survived thanks to their breakfast porridge.
Well, it would be a spinnaker run back surely! Oh no it wasn’t. Not a breath of wind in the East Swale doldrums. The 3.5 Mercury outboard, fired up again, drove Giggle and took two boats under tow, the trio enjoying a power assisted if noisy return home, while Daisey quietly cruised on her electric Torqeedo having dispensed with sails altogether.
But for the nine sailors, and windsurfer? It Was Fun! Wrong wind, wrong destination, wrong pilotage and chart, no lunch for some, and no glorious photos of a lovely run back under sail. But that’s how it goes with cruising. The aim at the outset was put very simply: “To be safe and have fun”. That was a great success. We enjoyed great company, no shouts of “Starboard!”, and a really good day!
P.S. Simon made it back before us. Must have a propeller under the board.
With thanks to Richard Maltby for this report.