Yacht Seaduction 2023

6th August – Saturday

Our alarm went off at 05:30 and we quickly got ourselves ready to slip our lines at 06:00. Chris checked the weather forecast which was a SW 3-4 increasing W 5 later with possible fog patches. This is what we had expected and so we left Dartmouth. The last time we headed East from Dartmouth was in 2012, when we left at 04:00 before sunrise when it was pitch black. This time, although everything was very damp from the heavy dew, we had a bright morning. The wind was light so we continued on engine, passing the two cardinal buoys protecting the two lumps of rocks outside Dartmouth. Soon we passed Berry Head and were heading for Portland.

The wind did not pick up as expected so we continued on engine. Carole kept a good supply of drinks and snacks going while we kept a lookout in the warm sunshine. We kept ourselves occupied by singing some sea related songs (We are sailing – Rod Stewart; Yellow Submarine – Ringo Starr, etc) and this may have been what brought some harbour porpoises and dolphins to the surface (to see what the noise was), but they didn’t stay around for long. I don’t know why! Our passage plan was to keep clear of the Portland Race and pass south of the Shambles Bank then back into Portland, as our timing at the Portland Bill would not be very comfortable. We were tracking another yacht some 3 miles in front making the same passage. This yacht then decided to take its passage in closer before the Shambles Bank. This would take him to the edge of the race. As the weather was calm it would be possible, so Chris monitored his progress and all looked good. We then made the same course, knowing that the tidal race would be pushing us East. We had a few bumpy bits of water but this soon cleared, saving us about 1½ hours. It seemed then to take ages to get to the Portland Harbour but once in it only took another 15 mins to reach the Marina. We followed instructions received from Portland Marina when Carole radioed in and made our way to the visitor pontoons (T, S and R) where we were free to moor wherever there was a space. Chris picked a space on pontoon S and with the help of two of our neighbours taking our lines, we were soon safely tied up.

After some hot buttered toast and tea to keep us going, we headed to the marina office to pay our dues and get showered. We had thought we might have supper at the marina restaurant this evening but on enquiring were advised they were fully booked. So, sausages it was for supper, which was fine, as we would be meeting up with Elaine and Rob tomorrow for Sunday lunch.

Chris set up the TV for the evening and we were able to get good enough reception to watch some of the Olympic Games. We could hear the wind howling outside and on checking, Chris said the wind forecast had now increased to a F.6. We were glad we had already made the trip across Lyme Bay as tomorrow may be a less pleasant journey.