From time to time holidays are taken without Whimbrel being the link-pin of our lives … we went to Cornwall and have now returned, refreshed and ready for autumn … winter and the freshness of the 2019 spring…
Now down in Cornwall, on a ‘no-boats’ holiday, it is exceedingly difficult not to stumble upon a stretch of the sea in one’s travels. The place ‘reeks’ of traditional craft – almost as much as Essex and Kent. But one of the things I noticed was the varying way in which owner’s of craft appeared to ‘bother’ about their charges. This is often seen in the way things are done, or not done…
Cover and sail security seems to be a common thread among boat owners – they are either well looked after or not. Dodgers too! Roller head sails are another matter of concern to most, to others, left to chance, it seems. Whatever the season, these all need attention, but if winterising, then greater attention surely is needed.
All looks well here … but a closer look at the ‘tarpaulins’ on the lugger would suggest covers need seeing to or renewing…
Whilst winding along a cliff-side road near Truro, I spotted a number of craft laid bow to the beach through the trees. Some were in a ‘dilapidated’ state … another had a cover full of water and looked to have been that way for some time. Not good!
Can’t work out why this picture capsized … hasn’t spilt the water though!
Below is a vessel with a well fitting cover ensuring rain water is put where it belongs – in the sea!
Above are serried ranks of dinghies at a coastal sailing club – a common sight anywhere within the United Kingdom of GB & NI, but what I noticed were craft with newer well fitted covers and others clearly on the way out as it were. Dinghies cost a lot of money, a cover is expensive too, but it is designed to protect the investment…
The other thing I noted was a number of craft with loose or torn dodgers – in winter these should either be removed or the securing examined and defects rectified. Dodgers cost money too!
Damaged dodgers … boat looked sad too!
I seem to remember that this sad sight was seen in Porthleven, but it is a common sight. Many owners ensure that the sheets roll round the sail at least once and a little. Many others also secure with a lashing for safe measure. Others leave a bit of the sail ‘set’ … this is not good! Clearly this sail was either left incorrectly rolled or had too few turns on the furling drum to ensure fully rolled. Insurance companies consider a rolled head sail as being ‘set’ and will not insure…
A common sight with a rolled head sail…
Have a look round your own locality and see for yourselves how things are done – rightly or wrongly!
It was an enjoyable spin around Cornwall with my wife, Christobel. We had a marvelous time … but it was nice to get home … drop down to out little mud creek and check our Whimbrel out! I look forward to a sail this week.
And, as most of you are aware, Whimbrel’s head sails are hanked…