Popular Post GPSguru Posted August 23, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 23, 2021 (edited) A bit of a disaster really, the day started well but unfortunately the forecasts from the met office, XC weather, and wind guru were completely wrong ! Launched at 08:30 with the usual crew of Kyle and the wife. Kyle took the helm, and we were on the Skerries banks at 09:20. The trip down however, was not as smooth as the forecast of 0.2 @11secs. Also, on the banks the sea was quite rough, which although not unusual, it didn’t correspond to the forecast. A quick 360 with the boat indicated the wind was due East, and not NNW as forecast. The wind was forecast to veer East at 3:00pm which I had planned to be the time when we got back to port. The Stoke Flemming wave buoy was showing 0.5m, and it is probably double that on the shallow water of the banks. An East wind on the South Devon Coast is something to avoid, and here we were 20 miles from port with an increasing Easterly. Fishing was slow, but we did manage a few Plaice (4 keepers), Red Gurnard. Grey Gurnard, Tub Gurnard, Mackerel, and also a Dog. At about 12:00 midday the Stoke Flemming wave buoy was showing 1m and my anemometer indicated the wind speed at 26mph, I estimated the waves on the banks to be at least 1.5m+ which were hitting us on the beam due to the drift direction which was dictated by the tide and wind, so at that point I decided it was time to leave as we had a 20 mile trip back to port in what an only be described as a deteriorating sea ! We decided to call into Dartmouth and get some food which would allow the tide to change and maybe improve the sea conditions. Unfortunately it was Dartmouth Regatta week, so the place was very busy, but we did have a pleasant ride up the river to Dittisham and Galmpton. We left Dartmouth at about 2:00pm and the trip back was quite slow, with a strong East wind and the sea still deteriorating with white caps and breaking waves all around us. However, I managed to keep the speed at about 15knts by using the throttle to control the wave / trough motion. Rounding Berry Head I had to slow down to displacement speed of about 10kts but then picked up again as we crossed Torbay. We arrived back to the Slipway at about 3:45pm, and I was very pleased with the boat's performance to get us back without any drama. A round trip of 51nm. Just a couple of pics, especially for @Andy135 Edited August 24, 2021 by GPSguru suzook12, Scotch_Egg2012, Andy135 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 Lovely pics! We're back down in Dartmouth at the weekend and will try our best to dodge the Regatta crowds. Good report. Shame the weather wasn't as forecast but at least you got a few fish on deck. Well done 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Fish Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 Sounds like an exciting day afloat Ian. It’s good to have a tester now and again just to practise the helm skills. Glad you got back ok and caught a fish or two!! GPSguru 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike farrants Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 glad it wasnt too hairy and you kept an eye on things - good fish too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted August 24, 2021 Share Posted August 24, 2021 Well done for getting back safely and catching a few fish . GPSguru and Geoff 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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