The MBM fleet is now safely installed in Dartmouth after a safe and sunny passage from Weymouth...
Wednesday 12th July
Day 5
Position – Dartmouth Harbour, Deep Water Moorings
50°21′.356 N 003° 34.408 W
After the well-deserved rest day, it had been a nice late start for crews as they departed from Weymouth, bound for Dartmouth; this was so the fleet would have favourable tide most of the way while taking the offshore route around The Bill. The distance of the passage is a total of 50 miles.
Time Flies departed Weymouth shortly after the first boat, powering ahead to access the sea conditions off Portland Bill. Claire and Jon (aboard Time Flies) found superb conditions, although a very slight swell but it was nothing in comparison to the passage from Hamble to Weymouth. It was a beautiful sunny start with a south-westerly breeze. The bright skies continued all day with the wind picking up slightly as the fleet neared the Dartmouth coast.
With all boats departed Weymouth by 1100 hrs, Calm Voyager MBM’s Fairline, with cruise leader Neale and MBM Editor, Simon aboard, worked up through the fleet seeking photo opportunities. There were no reported problems during the passage.
Time Flies was the first to arrive in Dartmouth Harbour at 1300hrs ready to receive to the fleet. The Harbour patrol assisted in showing Jon and Claire the reserved pontoons the fleet would be using and 20 minutes later the boats began to arrive, coming in via the fuel barge. The first boat departed Weymouth at 1020 and at a steady speed of eight knots would take them approximately 6 hours.
The MBM team bid a very sad goodbye this morning to the young family aboard the Freeman 32’Penpal’. They had decided not continue with the cruise and were returning home to the Solent today. Yesterday Neale and Jon had aided the owner in fitting a much needed bilge pump to the forward anchor locker.
With all boats assembled crews settled in for the night, either taking the water taxi ashore or indeed their tender and eating ashore or eating aboard.
The Royal Dart Yacht Club is the venue for tonight’s MBM club cruise supper.
