Hi Guys,
I'm planning my first short cruise for the end of this week (single-handed).
I'm planning to spend Wednesday night on board then set off early from Falmouth to Fowey, spend the night there and return on Friday.
As this will be my first proper trip I'd appreciate any tips.
Many thanks!
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MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Some thoughts ...
Plan A - what to do if it all goes right (basic passage planning, knowing what to expect for wind & tide, etc.)
Plan B - what to do if it all goes wrong (safe havens en-route, where you can moor, where you can anchor, etc.)
Fuel range - how far can you get on motor alone with the fuel carried?
Provisions - carry enough food and drink on the basis that you might not touch land before getting back home.
Make sure someone at home knows your plan, and let them know when you've arrived safely (also have a look at the RYA SafeTrx app for your phone, it's very good).
Don't fall off! If in doubt, clip on. I also recommend getting a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) and attaching it to your life jacket (and make sure you know how to use it!)
We always hope that Plan A works perfectly, but it's important to be able to cope when it doesn't - which always seems to be more often than is fair!
Hope you have a good trip, and it all goes right.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Many thanks Rick, some great tips.
I really liked the RYA SafeTrx, I've only looked at the App info in the App Store so far but it looks amazingly comprehensive and powerful; will definitely be getting it.
Thanks again; will post how it goes.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Rick has posted some excellent advice. Additionally you should know how much chain and rode you have on your anchor. I would strongly advise making a script for a May day or a pan pan call. If either happened I know that my mind would not be on what I was supposed to say. Much easier to read off a script.
Also, have a good idea of how much current you're drawing when your electrics are up and your engine is off. I carry a portable jumpstarting device for emergency use. It's a very cheap insurance policy.
I hope you have a great time! I am currently on the Walton backwaters until Thursday.
David Claassen
"Logan's Run"
2006 26M
Many thanks David, have great time!
Great points:
1. I've got two anchors with 6m chain and around 20m rope so should be ok.
2. I have a script pinned next to the VHF (great idea) also I've linked the Garmin to the VHF so pushing the DSC emergency button transmits my position as well as the Mayday call.
3. Regarding current, I have three batteries arranged in two banks. The outboard has a dedicated, isolated battery that gets priority charging from the solar panel (until fully charged) as well as any alternator power.
That way I can drain the "leisure" pair without worrying. You're right about monitoring usage though, what with the Garmin (GPS, plotter, depth etc), VHF and Autopilot potentially drawing much more than the solar panel pays in.
I use the Garmin to provide a variable battery alarm to keep an eye on things.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
20m of rope is a bit tight for safe anchoring. Given the recommended scope is at least 5:1, then you've only got enough for at most 5m depth (counting rope + chain). You might be on an overnight anchorage with a tidal range of 4m, which leaves you only 1m chart depth to be secure. You'll want to be able to anchor in deeper water than that. I'd say allow for maximum depth of 10m. The scope can be reduced as the water gets deeper, so maybe 40m of rope would suffice, but no harm having more available if you can stow it.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Thanks for encouraging me regarding the anchor chain/rope Rick, I just measured it all properly and it turns out:
Anchor 1 - chain 10m + 30m of rope
Anchor 2 - 50m of rope
So I'm better off than I thought; also checked the various shackles and attachments to the boat ?
Many thanks for your watchful eyes guys, feels like I'm sharing this first trip with you all.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
And, I just discovered today that my Danforth anchor may not be enough. I was out in fairly blustery weather with the tide ripping out and decided to anchor and wait it out. I drug the anchor, reset, and ended up being able to sit it out. However, this experience told me that I may need a little more in the way of an anchor.
David Claassen
"Logan's Run"
2006 26M
Good point Rick, to be honest I know I have 6m of chain but the rope length was a guess; I do need to check.
Fortunately on this occasion I'll be on a mooring or a pontoon as there's little, in terms of anchorages, available and they charge the same for for anchoring as mooring etc.
But, as you mentioned, I might end up somewhere I need to anchor so I will check before I leave.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Whilst Rick mentioned it briefly, I would suggest that your first priority is passage planning and the weather forecast. Degree of difficulty increase as the square of the Beaufort strength.
Also check that going with a fair tide at sea does not end up with you beating against a foul tide at the entrance to Fowey.
Draw a simple map (including currents, rocks and lights) of the entrance to Fowey before you leave your mooring to avoid struggling to find charts when you get there. A themos of coffee and a sandwich in the cockpit is also a good idea in case it gets bumpy or the autopilot gives up en route.
I do quite of lot of single handed sailing, and I never leave the cockpit without clipping on.
Rig lines before setting off to port and starboard from cockpit to outside rails at centre of boat and back to cockpit with a large bowline loop on the end. These are invaluable for coming alongside without leaving cockpit and getting boat under full control before attempting to get off and secure further lines.
I am currently half way up France in the Canals and barge techniques of centre lines are a godsend when trying to tie up to a lock with only one bollard.
I guess, most important of all is to enjoy your first sail!
Kind regards Chris
Many thanks Chris, some more great tips, are you in a barge or your Mac?
I've gone overboard with charts; having 3 iPads all equipped with full Imray charts plus GPS - so I shan't have battery problems. Also Imray on my iPhone and paper charts. Not to mention the Garmin GPSMAP 500s plotter.
Regarding winds and tides, I've been waiting for favourable NW'lies for broad/beam reaching plus no Channel fetch, also currents are mainly < 0.5kts.
Tide will be flooding during my arrival at Fowey but in any case I'll be on my Suzuki DF50 so no problem.
Very excited to be doing my very first coastal hop!
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
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