PRACTICE JOURNEY NO. 1 - SOUTHAMPTON DRY STACK T0 DARTMOUTH

Unfortunately our maiden voyage which was to have been from Weymouth to Southampton after the completion of our RYA Advanced Power Boat course had to be cancelled due to bad weather conditions.  We were both keen to put what we had learnt into practice as soon as possible, so planned a trip to Dartmouth leaving Southampton 1 July, returning Sunday 3rd July.  We had followed the weather closely all week,  the forecast looked ideal, and we plotted a course which we estimated would take 4-5 hours.

Friday morning lived up to expectations, with warm sun and very little wind.  However, what we did underestimate was the amount of time it took to get on board, set up the Garmin and get going.   We also hadn't taken into consideration that two of our nearest fuel stops would be restocking that day and were closed for business until 11.30am!   We pressed on to Lymington for our fuel, picked up a sandwich, and rather sheepishly made our way 1 1/2 hours later than planned.  Already we had learnt valuable lessons about set up times and forward planning.  We vowed never to put the boat away again without first filling the tanks!

The trip to Dartmouth was fantastic.  ConTTentment went like a dream, the course we had plotted taking us wide of St Albans Head, Durlston Head and Portland Bill to avoid the races and any associated rough water.  Average speed was 25-27 knots which was good going in almost ideal conditions.

Coming in to Dartmouth

Arriving in Dartmouth was like arriving in some idyllic Italian port.  Approaching by sea is a magical way to enter a new destination  - seeing the castle and the quaint and colourful rows of houses from the water was a highlight, especially in the glorious afternoon sunshine.  We secured a berth with the local Harbour Master in front of the Dart Yacht Club, and made our way to Browns Hotel where we were staying, feeling in dire need of cups of tea, (another lesson learnt - rib driving is incredibly dehydrating!),  but pleased with the passage and the boat's performance.

Saturday our aim was to explore the Dart.  First we topped up the tanks at the Fuel Barge, then headed on up the river.  Again, the sun was shining and conditions were spot on.  We crept up the river as far as we dared, before retreating with a falling tide back to a mooring off Dittisham, where Anthony spent an hour customising the electronic gauges, and Georgi spent a very happy hour lying in the sun!  The church bells rang out a wedding day peal from the little church above Dittisham.  The tranquillity of the water, the sound of the river birds, the bells and the sunshine were almost surreal.  Tweaking completed, and before sunburn set in, we secured a mooring off the pontoon at Dittisham and had the most delicious crabs and mussels on the terrace of the Anchorstone Cafe, before heading back to our mooring at Dartmouth.

Portland Bill

Sunday we were heading for home.  For the outward journey, we entered our way points into the Garmin from a course we plotted on the chart at home.  On the homeward run Anthony was keen to test the skills of the Garmin "Guide To" facility, which actually plots a course for you once you enter your desired destination.  Interestingly, instead of taking us wide of the races, the Garmin course took the other option of avoiding the races by hugging close in to the land.  The course plotted was spot on and a good reinforcement of our faith in our electronic navigation aids.  The sea outside of Dartmouth was short and slightly more bumpy than on our inward journey, but ConTTentment was still able to sail through - the advantage of a good heavy hull.  A sighting of a pod of dolphin was an added bonus in Lyme Bay, and then once we had rounded Portland Bill, the going was good to excellent, with oily calm waters off St Albans and across towards the Solent.  Again, ConTTentment was able to skip along making 25-28 knots.

VERDICT:
Dartmouth: 10/10  Fabulous place to visit by boat.
Navigation: Both methods of navigation, both human and electronic, reliable!
Crew:  Needs work!  Much more time needs to be allowed for setting up for a journey.  The physicality of rib driving can't be underestimated.  More liquids and ideally resting points along the way will be necessary in September if we are to maintain high mileages every day.
Boat:  10/10 Well done Ribcraft!  A sturdy, steady and reliable boat that handles the sea really well.  Definitely feels like the right tool for the job.