Small Boat Voyages

Being a fairly new to boating there is a lot to learn. Nearly everything is a brand new concept or experience. Taking everything in my stride as new things come along sometimes I think that things that happen are everyday occurrences for other more experienced sailors.

This was only my third sailing expedition so I was still a novice really, but after spending as much time learning and doing courses I felt I was ready to take on a larger sailing project.

I only learned much later on that the rally to Hilbre, an event staying out for 2 nights in the Dee estuary is only possible on the very rare occasion due to the need to get a favourable weather window, coinciding with a very high spring tide.

What transpired that weekend was something that to this day (as I write on 14-11-24) remains the most transformational in terms of my understanding about what sailing is about.

The weather as I remember was mild as we sailed out on the first day. We needed to take a detour around a huge sandbank called West Hoyle Bank which we felt frequently dragging past our centre plate slowing our passage towards Hilbre group of islands in the Dee estuary.

This was the first live trial for me and Tarka. Myself not fully understanding how to rig the boat for a sail. I help and advice from my new friends in the Dinghy Cruising Association for which I’ll be forever grateful.

The sunset was so magical, and such a rare opportunity I feel sad knowing that I may never see it as good as that again.

The next morning we sailed up the estuary with the tide and explored around the many channels and sandbanks. We returned later to a sheltered anchorage alongside the largest island at Hilbre.

The night brought unexpected high winds so we took the opportunity to lay out a second anchor while the tide was out that would guide us out further away from the island once we were afloat.

During the night we were once more afloat and at anchor but with high winds. In the blackness of the night as Tarka bobbed around in the rough water I needed to go out on deck to secure the jib that had unfurled in the wind and if left would have resulted in damage to itself. I refurled it but also lowered the jib and secured it on deck with some spare line.

After a rather sleepless night we once more dried out and finally got a few hours sleep. By morning the wind had subsided clouds disappeared and blue skies and sunshine provided a stark contrast to the overnight storm. The return trip went without incident, taking turns to access the slipway to recover Tarka I was reminded that time was slipping away as the tide had turned and water levels at the slip would not last long.