MBM fleet make the move for Weymouth, but it was an exhausting day for all the crews....
Monday 10th July
Day 3
Position – Custom House Quay, Weymouth
50°36′.453 N 002° 27.057 W
It was another grey start to the day in Mercury Marina, Hamble. Aboard Calm Voyager the alarm went off at 0600hrs, Neale accessed the weather again and the forecast remained the same as yesterday, predicting Force 3-4’s with a slight sea. So at 0700hrs he made the call for the fleet to move to Weymouth today.
The 8-knotter, Grand Banks ‘Lazy Days’ was the first of the fleet to move off at 0815hrs. The aim was to get all the boats up at the needles before the 1030hrs. Time Flies left Mercury at 0845hrs and proceeded out a very murky and misty Solent towards the Needles.
Conditions were quite uncomfortable outside the Needles and remained so for most of the passage to Weymouth. Time Flies reported that there was quite a substantial swell and due to their size of boat, at times they were unable to make more speed than 10 knots. This was the case for a few of the boats however some were able to plough through the chop regardless.
Four miles outside Weymouth, ‘Penpal’, a Freeman 32 reported that they seemed to be taking on water. It was later found out this was a result of a new anchor winch being recently fitted on the foredeck; sea spray was filling up the chain locker which was then draining into the boats lockers and bilges, and not to the outside as it should do. Calm Voyager had escorted for most of the way on passage and once inside the Harbour MBM staffer and RYA instructor, Jon Mendez boarded the boat to assist mooring up.
With all boats assembled alongside Custom House Quay, it poured with rain. After a lively day at sea, the plan is to rest the fleet in Weymouth tomorrow. Unfortunately Claire has had to cancel tomorrow nights planned dinner at the Royal Dart Yacht Club.
