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Joining Day for a Sail on Eve of St Mawes
Joining Day Minus 1
A lot of work goes on in the background to get ready for a voyage on Eve of St Mawes. Normally the afternoon before a menu plan for the voyage will have been drawn up and a provision list created that takes into account the number of days, how many people and any dietary and allergy considerations. In addition the weather forecast is studied carefully and preliminary voyage plan thought out. The season also affects the menu, fruit and veg in season, will it be hot, mild or cold, will the meals be eaten on deck under way or in the salon all tied up or anchored for the meal. Check that the dinghy No 8 will be afloat in St Mawes Harbour for the right time the next morning. Check that there is sufficient fuel, water and gas onboard or arrange to re-supply as and when appropriate. Then its off in the evening to the supermarket to buy the goods and get home in time to freeze important bits overnight.
Joining day
The skipper gets onboard as soon as practical taking with them all the provisions, personal clothing, bed, kitchen and washroom linen. Any special requirements for the voyage like Festival forms, race entries and crew forms for safety information.
The goodies are all stowed away and then the whole boat is cleaned through from bow to stern both on deck and down below.
There are often small maintenance tasks to complete, a new light fitting, replace a door knob or clean out the log that measures the speed of the boat through the water.
By two thirty everything should have been done, the skipper fed and Eve ready to receive her new crew.
Jump into No 8 and row ashore to meet everyone and hope no body is late, delays are normally beyond the control of the guests so no panic ensues.
All onboard
Once everyone is on board they are welcomed with a cup of tea and wedge of cake. A thorough introduction and safety briefing is given so that everyone knows that they are well cared for and understands the basics of any situation. Gusts are allocated berths and storage space which is very small, ie no suitcases; shown where the heads, toilet, is and how it works; told about the fresh water, gas and electricity systems.
Sailing
Then it’s on deck with life jackets on and a practical demonstration of putting the sails up and working the ropes. Sounds a lot I know but it all works just fine.
The sails are now up and its time to go for a short sail where hopefully everybody will have a brief turn at helming and adopting different roles when tacking the boat. The first sail is normally to a sheltered spot for the first night onboard.
Evening Meal
There are nibbles before the meal which the skipper cooks from fresh ingredients right before your eyes. A pudding normally follows and by now its ten o’clock or gone and the guests help with washing and tidying up.
Plans for the next day
The local weather forecast is issued by the Coastguard at 2210hours and the skipper tries to get this written down before making plans for the following day. This requires the skipper to adopt a horizontal position and shut their eyes in deep meditation. Very occasionally this result in a strange sonorous sound that is a good sign that all will be well tomorrow.
Day two to follow.
www.classic-sailing.co.uk
