Julian Megson Sailing

Ok, so it wasn’t quite an epic voyage, about 50 miles to be precise and with no particular destination in mind.  But I had a great time and I’m pleased with how things were.

There was plenty of breeze for once, somewhere between 15 to 20 knots and the waves were just big enough for me to get nice and wet.  I got my first dousing just as I was beginning to think it was time I wore my oilies – I didn’t bother after that as there wasn’t much point.

I also got a visit from a passing lifeboat too.  They came along side and said hello before disappearing off into the distance. I did wonder for a while why they were making there way towards me, but I guess I must have looked like I knew what I was doing because they didn’t stick around for long.

I had a bit of an issue with my tiller pilot though.  Sailing close hauled everything worked fine, but when the wind backed and I was sailing on a beam reach, Ragamuffin wanted to turn into the wind and the pilot just couldn’t cope.  I tried every trick I know to lose the weather helm but I just couldn’t balance the boat at all.  I really need to get this sorted because it means I can’t leave the pilot to steer while I take a snooze or put the kettle on.  It seems mad to let the boat go the wrong way whilst I perform my galley duties.

I said at the beginning that I was pleased with the way things were on the day.  Well that’s true to a point, but in the back of my mind for the whole day I was worried about how I would cope when it came to parking the boat in the marina. My disability definitely has more of an effect when it comes to leaping over guardrails – I don’t do leaping.  Sure enough I made a real mess of it.  I found it impossible to bring Ragamuffin up to the pontoon and jump off in time. Before I could make it she had drifted a good few feet away again.  I would have been there all night had it not been for a lovely couple who saw I was having dificulty and grabbed my lines.  I’m not sure what to do about this, but I would rather be self sufficient and not rely on the possibility of someone being on the pontoon.  Anyway, I’ve no doubt I will think of something.

That said, it was still an excellent day and I loved it.  I can really feel my confidence growing and i’m now especially looking forward to the next time out at sea.

Cheers, Julian

[pro-player]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHOtGjH3K1U[/pro-player]