03/09/2026
Friday 28th August
Celeste.
Jonny , Phil, Scott, Jeremy, Helen and Joe M.
W’ly 5-6
HW 18:18
Sea state: surprisingly smooth.
Having cancelled the proposed trip to Lelant for both Jumbos on account on SW 5-6 forecasted, 6 adventurous, experienced members met (providing appropriate ballast) for a blustery sail nonetheless.
With Phil at the helm , we set off soon after 4 pm, double-reefed sailing freely out of the harbour - the wind being more westerly than forecast. Heading in the direction of Hayle Bar we tested the strength of the gusts bowling down the valleys - particularly off Carbis Bay.
We were far enough out of the lee to keep the wind between gusts with the perfect sail area for the conditions. As we were still on a broad reach we put her briefly on the wind and found that we could comfortably lay the harbour so our return, with the tide with us, would be straight forward.
Thus encouraged, we decided to check out the situation at the Bar. Once there continuing up the river was a no-brainer which we did close-reached only tacking at the bend above Dynamite Quay. We anchored instead of completing the second tack.
Although there was still about an hour before HW, it remained dry and, with congenial company, time passed quickly. By 18:10 the tide was slack enough so we off again, Jonny helming, mostly reaching down river with a strengthening ebb, eventually hardening-up for the beat home through occasional drizzle.
Pointing as high as possible, I thought there’d be plenty in hand but as we approached we could see the tide was setting us to leeward so we only just weathered Smeaton’s Pier to lay the moorings on a single tack from the Bar arriving 45 mins after leaving Lelant.
Phil scullied us ashore. Home and dry by 7.20pm.
Jonny
