A Few Fixes
Before we could start to sail, we needed a few fixes. That took much of the morning. Then, as we were about to sail, the GNAV ( kicker) split pin fell out and rolled around the boat until it finally rested on the centreboard and plopped into the Thames.
The Saga of the Wonky Wheel
Our sailing adventures seem to involve more camera equipment than actual sailing. This time, we decided to bring a trolley with us. Of course, it had one wonky wheel. True to form, it failed on us in the most spectacular fashion as we arrived by the boat. While visiting one of the mole valleys, the trolley toppled over, spilling all our cargo.
I’ve always known about molehills, but I never truly appreciated the extent to which moles can displace dirt. Naturally, the trolley found the exact spot where a mole had done some serious excavating. With our gear scattered and slightly bruised egos, we decided it was a perfect moment to fix the wheel.
After a bit of tinkering, the wonkiness was gone, and our trusty trolley was back in action, ready for more camera-lugging (and less spilling) adventures.
The Hungry Trailer
There were two bits of the boat we needed to fix. The wheel of the boat launching trailer didn't have a washer (as installed by RS). Every time the wheel turned, the metal took another bite out of the wheel. This was an easy fix to turn the trailer over, remove the wheel, and move and add new washers. We got these from the Sailing Chandlery. I don't get paid anything from them to say this, but they are possibly one of the fastest chandlery businesses out there. I ordered one day, and it arrived the next day. I ordered sweets with the order! They supplied the washers and cleats that we used. Great value for money and speedy, too. I will continue to use them.
The other item that needed to be fixed was the lowers. As rigged, we couldn't tighten the wire, and it flapped. By putting in these cleats, the lowers could now be plucked like a string. Another success from the Sailing Chandlery.
Morning Race
This was mostly a Handicap race with all sorts of boats trying to out compete each other in gusty wind conditions.
The Mornings work over Paul and I settled down to making a spot of lunch whilst sitting at the tables overlooking the River. It was nearly peaceful with the Race Ending and boats mooring and being pulled up out of the water.
Ready set the GNAVS Broken
There we were, boat in the water, ready to set sail. The horn blasted, signalling the start, and just then, disaster struck. The shackle pin decided it had had enough and popped out, bouncing around the inside of the boat before plopping straight into the Thames. In a blink, Paul was left scrambling for a new way to secure the GNAV.
The 4-minute warning sounded, and we were still tied to the bank. Paul, with a mix of desperation and determination, started tying knots frantically, trying to hold the GNAV in place. It was clear a new order to the Sailing Chandlery would be needed.
Then came the 1-minute warning, and we still weren't in the boat. The race started, and as boats glided past us, we finally pulled out into the river. But instead of joining the race, we had to turn in the opposite direction to make it to the Start Line.
The Battle with the Wind
The other boats had a good start on us, but we had hope—we might catch up if the winds held. Naturally, they didn’t. We zigged and zagged up the course, making little headway. Soon, the other boats were passing us in the opposite direction, already on their second lap.
As we finally passed the windward mark, the other boats had overtaken us entirely. By the time we were halfway back, the safety boat approached and asked if we wanted the other competitors to wait for us before starting the next race. Determined to do better, we declined their offer and pushed on.
We completed our single lap and, despite being far behind, we received the bell for our first time. It was a small victory in a day filled with challenges, but it fuelled our determination for the next race.
The Second Race
The Thrilling Finale: Last Race of the Day
In the last race of the day, we had a chance. Our plan was simple: follow the other boats and keep the same angle to the wind. The horn went off, and we were in the race. The other boats streaked ahead, but we were level pegging with a Zest, despite having a larger sail area. With a couple of death-defying turns and me hanging out of the boat, we caught a gust and were off.
Halfway up the river, we met the leaders speeding downwind. The Zest was still behind us. We rounded the mark, with the jib on one side and the main on the other, and gently drifted downwind while the other boats rounded the other mark. Once we rounded the mark, we were off again, zigging and zagging.
Paul, caught off guard by the boom’s unexpected move, failed to duck, and the other boats overtook us. As we reached the windward mark, the Zest was upon us. The wind caught his boat, and he rounded the mark before us. Then the wind died, and we had to tack five or six times, each time drifting further from the mark.
We asked the safety boat crew if they could move the marker down, but they assured us the wind was coming. We finally made it and set off a quarter of a mile behind the Zest. We crossed the finish line to the sound of the bell, just in last place.
By the time we finished, the other boats were already out of the water, and we queued behind the safety boats to get our boat out. Another day of sailing filled with excitement, challenges, and a few good laughs. Stay tuned for more of our sailing escapades!
