At last the weather has improved and left Dartmouth at 07.00 by 07.30 hoisted main with one reef and engaged auto helm. The wind was increasing and backing from north to north west 2 to 3, the engine off at 11.00 and with full sail and on a broad reach it was perfect sailing conditions. A boom preventer was fitted and with a few other yachts crossing Lyme Bay in an easterly direction, there was also company to keep an eye on.
At 15.00 the tide turned against as we were approaching Portland Bill, this one I had been told and read about. The yacht was four miles off shore when the swell began to pick up from a south westerly direction. I was in the cabin putting the 16.00 position on the chart when there was an uncontrolled gybe as the boom shot across from the starboard to port side. The preventer securing point had bust and took with it the topping lift which luckily wrapped itself around the reefing lines. This had been too much for the auto helm, so on hand steering, then the power became low from the batteries and the instruments going funny, on with the engine. Where this unpredicted wind was coming from was a bit concerning as we tried to make our way around the Shambles Bank with an even more confused sea to the north. This reminded me of Scotland but it was not raining. After three hours it was beginning to calm down as we started to go in the right direction towards Portland. By 20.00 we were through the piers and into the harbour. Alongside a welcoming pontoon at 20.45. In the office at 21.30, I was direct to go straight to the bar as it closed at 22.00. The two pints were delightful as I reflected on the day, 60 miles single handed in fourteen hours, a wonderful crossing of Lyme Bay and the hell of getting round Portland Bill, sailors beware.
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