Southampton Water Day Sail - Day 82

Southampton Water Day Sail - Monday 1st August 2011 - Day 82

For those who have been following this saga will know the second crew member to join was Lizz, who came from Lossiemouth to Oban in appalling weather conditions and convinced me to carry on with my project.

Bill; Lizz; Alex

It was Lizz's day off and I had brought 'Selene' back into Hamble Marina to try and make up for Scotland.  With no wind and after numerous cups of tea decided to still go ahead with the day sail.
Lizz has sailed on many different boats but never as skipper, so for the day, she was made honorary skipper with Bill and I as her motley crew.
She took the helm to take us off the pontoon and into the river and onto Southampton Water.
The breeze at this time was steadily building as we hoisted full main and genoa.  We found our way over to Calshot Spit and north of the Bramble Bank.  Normally, by this time Bill and I would have the auto-helm on but Lizz would have none of it, as she had the helm.

Car Carrier

At 13.00 we hove to and had lunch discussing what to do in the afternoon.  There was a steady wind from the south and wanting to give an airing to my cruising chute and decided to run up in the direction of Southampton.  The chute easily filled as we ran outside the main shipping channel which is used by rather large vessels, as can be seen from the photograph.
On the west side of the river there is the massive Fawley oil refinery and now the non functional power station which contrasts with the east side of the river with the picturesque greenery of the surrounding parks and gardens with the old military hospital church and Netley Castle.

Skipper

At 15.00 it was time to head back, so the cruising chute was dropped and with full genoa began tacking down river.  The skipper was really getting into this as we put in short tacks to keep out of the main channel when any of the ferries came along or the big ship wanted clear passage.  Bill and I kept going pulling on the sheets until we arrived off the Hamble river.
Lizz navigated back up to the marina and put 'Selene' safely alongside at 17.00.  For her first time as skipper, she had definitely impressed and appeared to enjoy it all, but the most important of all, her crew were very happy, after having a great day out on the water.

A farewell dinner was held in the Ye Olde Whyte Hart which was the finishing touch to a memorable day.