&2C

Last night I had a tour of Landamore’s workshops in Wroxham.  [ www.landamores.co.uk ] For those that don’t know these guys fit out new Oyster Yachts. Oh yes…

They had 7 yachts in the workshop varying in size from 45 foot to 72 foot.  Some with the deck on and some being fitted out before the deck is put on, quite an unusual and amazing sight, I must say.

Each Oyster is built to the new owners specification in terms of materials used, different woods etc,, and also layout of the yacht, within certain parameters.  So each Oyster is basically a personalised or customised yacht.  Nothing like the so called “plastic fantastics”.

Landamore’s receive the newly-made hulls and the keels separately, so the first job it to attach the keels before they start fitting the hulls out. All the bulkheads (rooms), water systems, heating, electrics, engines, generators and navigation systems are installed in the workshop.  So many trades are represented in the nearly 100 staff working here.  The completed yachts are taken by low-loader to Ipswich to be launched and several weeks for sea trials, before being handed over to their new owner’s.

There were around 22 of us in the visiting party and we split into two groups of 11, I was in the group that started downstairs where all the wood cutting and preparation goes on.  The set-up is that the yachts sit in cradles and a second floor has been constructed at deck level across the whole building, so when downstairs the hulls of the boats disappear into the ceiling !!

On the second floor you see all the boats sitting as if low in the water.  This provides easy and safe access the rails, decks and steps up into the boats themselves.  The quality of workmanship is amazing, even the steps to access the yachts are made with care and precision.  Naturally the whole workshop was incredibly neat and tidy.

The different yachts were in different stages of completion so we could see all stages of construction and fitting out of the interiors.  Beautiful woods and high quality materials used in all cases.  As well as live-aboard factors,actual practical sailing issues have been thought through; like nice strong hand holds around the saloon and well placed “D rings” in the cockpit.  These are not just luxury yachts but luxury sailing yachts.

It is the attention to detail and the elegant but strong fittings that makes these yacht a step above their competitors. Much better than the flimsy catches and fittings of the Sweden Yachts 45, I spent a month on a couple of years ago. …

Was a fascinating 2.5 hours, thanks again…  Now I just need to get a sail on one, and see how they really perform. :-)

Marconi SC was the host club for the event.  Providing a camping area, and use of the club facilities, including bar and BBQ.  Most boats arrived on Friday night with one due in the morning ( once some little jobs were completed ). Emma was sailing down to meet us from the Orwell, during the day on Saturday. There would be 11 boats in total.

The BBQ was a great success and after a briefing in the clubhouse from Colin we had a beer and settled down for the night.  Me and John slept on Myrtle, with her boom tent up.  Felt like real Wayfarer pros despite her being on her road trailer, in the dinghy park !! 

Saturday morning was the usual chaos of boats being rigged ready for launch.  Had bacon sandwiches in the club house before the briefing, excellent.  Then off on the flooding tide to Maldon with a nice breeze from the East to push us along…

We went North around Northey island and arrived in such good time that we had to wait a few minutes for the tide before proceeding up the channel into Malden itself.  After a nice ice-cream stop in Maldon (watch the depth Robin) and a look around we proceeded on the South side of Northey for a picnic stop in the lee of Osea Island.  Emma picked us up here, so the fleet was now complete…

The next leg was down to Bradwell power station via Thirstlet Spit SHM. The beach is a bit of a spit providing a lee shore in most cases, it is easy to find and you can sit with you're back to the monstrous concrete building..

After a re-group it was time for the last of today’s legs across to Brightlingsea, where we would spend the night. After avoiding all the racing dinghies and cruising yachts we tacked into the pontoons and rafted up.  Myrtle provided a taxi service from the mid-channel to the shore for the rally members and all their gear, lots of it .. 

Most of us camped in the campsite, however some hardy souls camped on their boats and used the water taxi or their tender to get back and forth. …

Group dinner in a pub near the beach allowed a chance to catch up on all the day’s events and relax after quite a long day, 25 miles or so.

Next morning David brought Myrtle over and she taxied everyone over to the pontoons for the usual re-rigging Shenanigans We were off to ( the pub at ) Rowhedge on the river Colne today.

The day started with virtually no wind, basically drifting along, which was pleasant enough as we were going in the right direction !!   Fortunately the wind picked up and we sailed as a tight group up the Colne through the huge lock, used as flood defences, and on to the stunning village of Rowhedge. 

Me and John continued past and accompanied by Emma, sailed on up the Colne, which was very nice, until we started to enter Colchester and the river became rather narrow and industrial..  Time for a pint we though and turned around..

Rowhedge is a lovely spot to stop for a picnic and a beer. The pub apparently did good food too.

Then off down the river with the tide behind us to Stone Point on Mersea Island.  This was a surprise as it was so busy !!  Day tripping boats take people out from Brightlingsea and there are lots of kids on courses learning to sail there too. A huge flurry of activity after our gentle sail…

Then the short hop across to Brightlingsea where the ever-helpful harbour master helped us get up between the pontoons and rafted up to each other.

After a trip to the yacht club and then the sailing club, both of which were very welcoming to visiting sailors. Dinner was chip based followed by a couple of pints sat outside the Railway Pub, which brews its own Mild. Very chilled evening…

Forecast for the next day was for decent winds growing to a potential force 7 (30+ mph) later in the day.  So we reefed up and pushed off as soon as we were ready.  Emma headed off on her own (with Dennis and Anne) for the trip back up North.

We had a quick rendezvous at the beach outside the Bradwell Power station and carried on back to Marconi before the weather changed too much.  Was a great down wind leg, running most of the time and surfing on the waves.

Then, all too soon,  we were back at Marconi SC, for final de-rigging and fond farewells…

Thanks Colin and John for organising such a successful rally…

16th April
Travelled out via Luton on Easy Jet to Pisa, Geraldine picked me up from the airport and brought me to the marina.  Spent the rest of the day provisioning and relaxing..

17th April
Sailed down past Elba to Gilio,where we anchored off in a secluded bay, very nice indeed. 43 Nm [42 16.6N 10 57.4E {M}] Had the best night’s sleep…

18th – 19th April
10am left anchorage and sailed through the night to Ponza, I did usual 2am – 6am watch, clear sky and dolphins accompanying us. Two exhausted birds roosting on yacht.. Arrived 7am anchored [40 55.2N 12 57.7E {M}] very good place with interesting caves.Big thunderstorms so didn’t venture ashore as two mile walk to town. Called John for forecast and decided to leave next day at 4am.

20th – 21st April
Trip down from Ponza was harder than expected.  We stared at 4am and the weather was as forecast with light winds, so sunbathing on the deck in the afternoon as we motor-sailed south.  Dolphins now and again. Weather started to change – barometer dropping, clouds forming, swell growing etc.. and by 10pm we had Force 6, by 2am was up over 30 knots, so spend the night battling with (near) gales !!  But the yacht is great and sails well so really not a major issue in terms of safety, just a bit knackering and bumpy !! 153 Nm [40 55.2N 12 57.6E {M,3G}]

22nd April
We had a problem with the engine as we approached Marsala harbour, it started cutting out !!  I took her in as we thought we would just arrive and stick it on the first pontoon.  There really was nowhere else to go and if it went wrong we could unfurl the Genoa and sail out of the harbour anyway…In fact I managed to get us in with out too much problem, just had to be rude and go where we wanted (on the end of a pontoon) rather than where the staff wanted to put us, but once they realised the problems we had  they were fine..  202 Nm [37 47.3N 12 26.5E{M,3G}]

The engineer came and had a look at the engine, fault was a dodgy seal on the fuel filter allowing air into the system.  I am currently avoiding the rain and the Mistral ( Force 8 ) so will be here at least until tomorrow.. Then off to Malta  So currently looks like we will have a more leisurely trip back up . 

23rd April
Set off this morning and engine issue reoccurred, so sailed back and moored up, friendly engineer came back and we took him out with us, he quickly diagnosed a fuel blockage, but also found a leak in the sea water pump, for the engine cooling, so new pump ordered for installation in Malta and we will try to go at 4am tomorrow.

24th - 25th April

Got away at 4am as planned, is now 6am and we have just changed course, next waypoint in 142 miles off the coast of Malta plan to get there at 12:30pm.  Currently at [37 32.4N 12 29.0E {M,3G}] sitting on deck alone with no sign of land, the sun raising, and getting a 3G signal !! so checking emails and having a bit of a blog :)

Will be great to get to Malta after all this time and trouble and although we arrive a day after we planned, we need to stay another day (a least) to have the new pump fitted. So will still have plenty time to rest, socialise and have a look around.

Trip down was good with intermittent engine running at low revs to push us out of some windless areas.  Arrived off Valetta at 12:34, 4 mins behind schedule !!!

Trip past Valetta was amazing, took lots of photos.  We are over on the North side at Msida Marina.  [35 53.8N 14 29.9E {M,3G}]

26th - 28th April
Sight seeing in Valletta and environs, as well as fixing the odd thing on the yacht.  The engineer turned up at 9:30 am on Monday with the new pump and fixed it very quickly.  All under warranty so just needed signing for.  Very good service.   Now in the Black Pearl checking out the internet and the local beer….

29th April
Left 4pm and cruised over night to Syracruse was an amazing entry to this fortified town.  Arrived at 8am and I went ashore for an explore.  Really pretty place. Moored up in marina curiously next to "Onyx" a yacht I sailed with across the altantic on ARC Europe 2007. Expensive at 50 Euro and no facilities !!!  Should have used the great looking anchorage this time [37 06.7N  15 17.4E {M,3G}]

30th April
Off at 6am for trip down to Messina, was nice sailing and a little motoring until was hit a huge wind line upon entry to the Messina Strait.  Went from 10 knots on the beam to 20 on the nose !!! Crept up the channel and into Reggio Marina, poor facilities and 40 euro !! Not doing well with marinas at the moment !!  [38 97.6N 15 39.1E {M,3G,}]

1st – 3rd May
Off at 8ish to continue trip “Up North”, motored through the end of the Strait, very impressive indeed. Then turned to head for Capri.  Got the sails up and then after checking the engine (what could possible go wrong with it) found it was leaking oil !!!! After much investigation and experimentation, discovered it is not leaking any more oil if we run in low revs, so having to do that.

Night watch was great with Stomboli lighting up the sky to the West and we sailed north accompanied by dolphins and a million stars :)

Anchored off Ponza town [40 54.4N  13 57.8E {M,3G}] next to "Mariah" a motor yacht I had sailed with on Rally Portugal a year ago.  Despite assurances from the weather people the wind stayed in the SE and caused a bit of a swell in the anchorage.  Still maraged to get to the town for a look around, not much to see !!!

4th - 5th May
Off at 6ish for excellent sail back to Scarlina, passsing Gilio and Elba along the way... [42 53.6N  10 46.9E {M,3G}]

6th May
Spending today looking around the town, as I am iunder strict instructions that I don't need to help clean the yacht, oh well, if you insist. ..   Trip was just under 1,300 Nautical miles.  Flying back tomorrow

I am starting the sailing season with a bang this year.  Off to Italy to sail on my friend's Dufour 425 Grand Large.  It is a lovely boat and sails very well indeed. 

The plan is to go to head South from a marina near Pisa (on the Mediterranean coast) towards Malta and see how we get on with wind and weather !!  The current GRIB files don't look too bad, so hopefully we will make good progress.

Will definitely be a good fun trip...

Pink salty water, miles from the coast....

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