Mike Fox Posted July 18, 2016 Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 Finally, Feisty is just about sorted. We'd filled up in the week, verifying 4 to 4.5 litres per hour. We celebrated by taking some worms, squid, and mackerel down to the boat, packed up the ship's parrot (well budgie) Snowy, and had a leisurely departure on the 9.30 bridge on Saturday. It was like a millpond in the harbour, and all the way out down the Swash, then suddenly we were into a SW4-5. We hoisted full sail, then took a bit in, to make it more manageable, and punched out beyond the Spoils to a little rocky reef we know on the 100' contour, hoping it would drop as quickly as it arrived, but it was not to be. I criss-crossed the area watching the down-vu and side scanning sonar, in awe at the craggy rocks there, that explained the tackle graveyyard. It was blowing too much to anchor, so set up a few drifts using half mackerel fillets, hoping for a pollack. Alas, nothing showed other than fat pouting, one of which was swallowed whole by a huge black-backed gull. Conditions didn't improve so we worked our way back inshore under engine, trying some old favourite gravel banks closer to Swanage for little reward. We eventually decided to pop into Studland, and lob the hook down. Carol hadn't used the windlass before, so it was a new experience. It bit straight away, and we spent a few hours just sitting in the sun, and it was such a welcome change from what had gone before over the last few weeks. charlieannear, Jim, rich185 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted July 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 The wind progressively dropped and it had all the hallmarks of a nice evening, so we decided to stay - one of the advantages of having accommodation on the boat. Carol raided the tin locker, and chicken jalfrezi and a vegetable dhal made for an easy meal, with a glass of something appropriate. A mayday in the Swash was reported on Ch16, and we watched helplessly from a mile or so away. Crew were rescued, and two lifeboats attending made short work of the flames. Boats steadily left...usually on the hour, to dash back for the bridge lift on the half-hour, and the wind dropped to a steady F2-3 off the beach. The previous owner of the boat came over in his dinghy to say hi. His new 48-footer was moored closer to Old Harry, and he recognised his old boat and came over for a quick chat. He was in shock at the changes. His black labrador recognised the boat, and fell asleep leaving black hairs everywhere. Snowy remembered him from last year...weirdly! The evening slowly passed, we wound it down in the cockpit, for an early night, popped the anchor light on, and slept like a log! At first light, I awoke with a start, probably due to the wash of someone leaving to cross channel, and popped on deck to verify we hadn't dragged, and to watch the sun rise over the island. It was peaceful, idyllic and I seemed to be the only person awake. Sometimes you don't have to catch stacks of fish to make a trip worth while. Leicester Fisheagle, rich185, Stuie and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherman1055 Posted July 18, 2016 Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 Mike Feisty is looking very good Needs a decent run just to test her out How about Torquay I know some very nice people heading that way for the weekend And free berthing with MDL Tony Mike Fox 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Fox Posted July 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2016 We left the anchorage after lots of coffee and an early breakfast. Carol delighted in using the electric windlass to lift the anchor, and was a bit too enthusiastic with the last bit. We've all done it. We motored gently out of the anchorage, to avoid disturbing the late risers and thought we'd try to catch the slack water somewhere deep for a red gurnard and maybe a cookoo wrasse. Well the red gurnard appeared, along with ballan wrasse and the odd mackerel but not a lot else on 3 or 4 marks. Gradually the ebb increased, and we moved inshore again to anchor off Swanage Bay at one of our brill marks, this time using the fishing anchor in under 20m. None today, but we had spotted ray and dogfish. A lazy line twinkling away 50 yards out produced one string of 4 plump mackerel for bait, but that was it. The wind against tide picked up, and risked us going over the anchor rope, so we moved further inshore where we fished a bank with no tide. We were showing 0.00 knots boat speed for about 15 minutes, and caught small eyed ray on the alleged drift using fresh mackerel chunks. Eventually we slid offshore, back into tide, and rather than mess around for little reward, we popped the new genoa out, and sailed back in gently, making an easy 5-6 knots against the ebb. We passed the chains, approached Aunt Betty, and realised there was a chance of making the 3.30 bridge, so we fired the engine into life, and was the last boat through. We went up to our berth in Cobb's just after low water neaps, without touching, and tied up first time...it's starting to come together, just in time for a longer trip.... Watch this space! jerry.shutter, niggle, Neal and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 Lovely report Mike. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.