The fleet move to Weymouth
50°36.437N 002°27.119W
We had good news for the fleet this morning. Neale and Claire aboard Blue Fin left Salcombe at 7am and reported back to Time Flies at 7.45am that conditions in Lyme Bay were good enough for a passage to Weymouth. The rest of the fleet began slipping their lines at 8am and 15 minutes later all 15 boats had left Salcombe Estuary.
The cruise is now running a day late now, after the fleet were held up in Salcombe for three nights instead of two.
The 60-mile passage to Weymouth was acceptable with a north-westerly breeze helping to subdue the south-westerly swell we had been experiencing for the last couple of days.
Sealine S41, Swept Away, was the first boat to arrive into Weymouth Harbour, swiftly followed by Bayliner 275, Allora. By 1pm 13 boats were moored up safely on the town quay. Today we said goodbye to two boats, Windy 37, Tally Ho, who headed back to their home port of Lymington and Broom 39, Jomima, who continued on to Portsmouth.
A radio briefing was held at 6.30pm where crews were informed of departure times for tomorrow. Times Flies will head out to assess the sea state off St Alban’s Head at 8am, and if the conditions are good the rest of the fleet will leave at 9am.
Photos – Early morning in Salcombe, Windy Mistral 37HT Tally Ho and the fleet in Weymouth
