We had a good sleep and got up to say goodbye to Gordon and Louise on Camira, who were staying another day and then heading to France. We hope our paths cross again in the future, as we enjoyed their company and shared the similar life experiences which we had all taken to meet on our journeys south.
Beautiful day for a sail. We left Newlyn at 10.00am and set course to view St Michael’s mount on the other side of Mount’s Bay.
We then progressed towards Lizard Point dodging anchored ships and many, many lobster pots. Once again the tide was with us from Lizard Point onwards and we sailed into Falmouth harbour arriving at 17.30pm.
As there was a large regatta in progress there was no room for us at the Town Quay visitors pontoons so we progressed up the river to the large Falmouth marina, where we re-fuelled and tied up. The Marina has very good facilities, chandlery and excellent showers.
28th May – Wednesday
In preparation for our departure to France Mick checked the engine and changed both the engine and gearbox oils and filter. On running the engine after this service we could hear a small clunk as the boat was put into gear coming from the prop shaft. Mick thought the shaft anodes may have come loose but could not understand how. So we deployed for the first time our USB underwater bullet camera (£10 from Ebay) taped to the end of the telescopic deck brush handle, taped to the end of the boat hook. We could then whilst perched on the pontoon, one holding the laptop and one holding the pole, manipulate the camera to get a view of the underside of the boat. Keyhole surgery must require much more finess. Once we had verified on the laptop screen what was up and what was down, we found the prop shaft and saw that the anode was still in place. We worked our way down the prop shaft and could see wrapped round the propeller a mass of fibrous material. The boat is fitted with a rope cutter, which cuts through any rope that would stop the propeller going round, but does not remove debris.
There are now 2 options. 1. Ring the marina and have the boat craned out (approx £200) or 2. Put on the diving gear and jump in. We decided to sleep on it.
29th May – Thursday
As £200 represents one months pasties and we are both qualified divers, a quick dip to investigate seemed the best option. Mick donned his dry suit and mask and armed with his new Sailing Knife (a great leaving present – thanks) he entered the water
and returned 50 seconds later clutching a clump of fishing rope and netting.
He spent the next 10 minutes scrubbing blue antifoul off the dry suit and was hosed down. This was much easier in a calm marina than in a rolling boat at sea. We were lucky to have found this before we set off on an overnight trip to France.
Became tourists for the rest of the day. Falmouth is also worth a visit.
Excellent read. I particularly like the calculation of marina crane charge versus cost of pasties.
ReplyDeleteAm surprised neither one of you lifted a couple of lobster pots. A tasty lobster bisque would make a refreshing change from the endless pasties!!
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