Sailing Log: Greenwich Yacht Club East Coast Cruise - 17th-19th August 2013

Garth Emrich helming Spray at 7kn

First two days of the 2013 GYC East Coast Cruise

Total distance 88 nm

Day 1 GYC to Queenborough.  

Wind SW starting f3 ending f5-7.

Crew- Garth

Fast sail down the Thames reaching Queenborough in record time of 6 1/4 hours. Wind strengthening as the day proceeded to gusting 7.  An exciting sail. Despite reefing  at Holehaven we still did the fastest speed yet in Spray of of 7kn, (10.1kn over the ground). Increasingly rough as we got towards the Medway but not unpleasant. Tacked in as far as we sensibly could and then motored the last mile or so. Very wet with spray coming up over the bow even with the spray hood up. A fantastic day.

Harbour porpoises seen at crossness in the Thames and on entry to Queenborough in the Medway. Also seals, 6-7 on the sandbanks at the beginning of Sea Reach.

37.2nm average speed 5kn

Day 2 Queenborough to Brightlingsea.

Wind SW starting f3 dropping as the day proceeded to f1-2.

No crew.

Beautiful day to cross the estuary. Sailing singlehanded but in company all day. Very enjoyable. Passed close to the wreck of the Montgomery outside the Medway- very spooky and surreal, only the masts out of the water. Then across the shipping lane. Had to wait for a very large freighter to pass then go on following the fleet. Half way across we decided to motor sail to catch up some time. Much of the fleet converging and passing through the Swin Spitway  together. Able to sail again after this on a beam reach. Just faster than Icarus the corribee but only on this point of sail. Motored the last 3 miles into Brightlingsea. A beautiful day but could have done with less motoring. Outboard will run at low revs with choke slightly out (thank you Sean).

35nm average speed 3kn

                                                  Various members of the GYC fleet:

Balantrae

Tiger Lily

Talulah

Ardent

Icarus

Day 3 Brightlingsea environs.

Wind SW f3.

Very enjoyable potter up the Colne to Arlesford Creek and back.  Good birds and landscape. Paintable if I had only stopped!   Back to Brightlingsea to pack up and leave the boat.

11.5nm