Month: May 2020

Over the first few days after the opening of the harbour, I’ve been out many times, once with Signora, including a trip down to Bosham again. So much for social distancing there! The green at Bosham was heaving with picnickers, and I don’t think any were over 2 metres apart! Ah well.

One of the more recent sails was a test to see how long it would take to get to East Head. We’ve had a few Easterlies recently, which makes it easy to get down harbour in good time, but results in a windward slog on the way back.

Blowing a 2-3, it took only an hour to get within spitting distance of East Head, and on the way, I picked up some company from an International 12 creeping out of Bosham.

In principle, the Morbic 12 conforms to the Int 12 design, so this would be a good test, although their sail does seem to be quite a bit larger, and they use a stayed mast. However, I was pretty sure that would be offset by their greater weight, as they are built from solid wood planks

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Boudicca acquitted herself very well, showing him a clean pair of heels downwind on the way to East Head. This was on a close reach – not exactly planing, but a good turn of speed. My competitor peeled off to sail up Thorney channel, so I continued to East Head, where about 25 yachts were anchored up and many people on the beach.

I was starting to worry about how long it would take me to get back to Dell Quay, so rather than landing, I turned for the long beat back.

The 12 reappeared and joined me on the sail back to Deep End, and once again, Boudicca had the better of it. In fact, I think the 12er was a bit miffed by her performance. A quick wave of acknowledgement and he was away up the Bosham channel.

I continued to beat up past Itchenor, and Boudicca really is a delight to sail – very well balanced, and you quickly learn how to tack with minimal loss of way. Take it slowly, let off the sail a bit and accelerate out of the tack before the centreboard stall, and then bring the sheet back in.

Against the falling tide, I had to hug the shore, but as we rounded the point opposite Birdham, I could crack off the sheet, and relax. I got back from East Head in 90 minutes. Good reference for future trips!

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Chichester Harbour has been completely locked down since March, so we’ve had to take to the bikes to get around and social distancing has been the rule.

In May, it was announced that boating could resume, even though sailing clubs could not open, which ruled out any sailing at Shoreham for the foreseeable future.

The irony has been that the weather has been almost tropical, with incredibly blue skies and clear air. I wonder if it’s related to lack of traffic and no vapour trails in the sky? Well duh! (as my daughter used to say)

On 21st May, the time had come to get Boudicca back on the water, and with the help of a spring tide and perfect weather, it was irresistible.

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A quick trip down to Bosham and back was easily achieved as the wind freshened, and we got back before the tide disappeared. The sad thing is that the Crown & Anhor is closed, so refreshment had to wait until I got home!

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One of the nice things about Boudicca is that I get at least one compliment each time she goes on the water. She’s a good looking little boat, and appreciated by other sailors. I have had to explain what she is and who designed her several times.