Beneteau Owners AGM Weekend - Portland

Thursday 2^nd March… An early start this morning as we needed to be in Gosport for a pre-planned departure to Studland at 11am. Due to traffic along the way making a 4 hour journey we departed a little late at 11.30am. 10 minutes prior to cast off, Linda fortunately averted a major disaster when she suddenly realised that she had left her make-up in the car!

Portland, here i come.....

The wind was a quite strong southwesterly and so we tacked our way along the Solent. 

This weekend we are sailing to Portland for the BOA (Beneteau Owners Association) AGM and Dinner being held at The Heights Hotel. By the time we passed Cowes we had two reefs in the Main Sail and a full Staysail. Flying at 8 knots it was very windy and so Dean put a third reef in the Main Sail. Our plan was to sail to Studland Bay and anchor overnight. However, it was so windy we very seriously thought about heading into Yarmouth instead. But, no longer had we discussed it when the wind dropped (as predicted on the weather forecast) and so we decided to carry on and tacked down the Needles Channel. 

Calm waters in Alum Bay

Here we spotted a Search and Rescue Helicopter on an exercise and Linda took the opportunity to snap a quick photo, before it flew right over us and away towards Southampton.

Feels comforting to know SAR are nearby

All was fine, but then as we passed the Bridge cardinal marker at the Needles, the sea was so rough, it was quite scary and we had to put the engine on and power through it.

Looking back at Needles Point after the tricky patch

Fortunately the high swell didn’t last too long and we turned onto a 280 degrees heading for Studland Bay. From there for the next two hours we left the steering to 'Ida'.... our amazing Hydrovane. We haven't used it since our trip to the West Country last Summer, but it's so easy to set up and we soon had it up and running again. 

Here's Ida (our self steering) at work

The light was fading as we approached Handfast Point and we slipped quietly into the Bay. Surprisingly, we were not alone as there was already a small Warship sitting at anchor. 

Old Harry Rocks at Handfast Point

Studland Sunset

The next photos is taken from the 'Vessel Finder' website and it shows the track we made today from Gosport to Studland. The little red square on the left shows our current position (Thursday night).

Note the tacking along the Solent

Friday 3rd March... A mostly uncomfortable night at anchor last night, even though we were in shelter from the Southerly winds. We had Plan A, B, & also C for today, and eventually ended up going with Plan B. And so we departed Studland at 11.30am in a South Easterly Force 5/6, motorsailing at slack tide a good way off Swanage, Peveril Ledge, and Anvil Point. 

One of the waypoints Linda had previously set in the Chartplotter was at the southern end of the overfalls at St Alban's Ledge. Apart from missing the dangerous overfalls, this also gave us something to aim at and meant we would be outside the Lulworth Firing Range area. As it happened, the range was not live after 12.30pm anyway.  A couple of times previously we have sailed close inshore along this part of the Jurassic Coast, and the cliff faces and caves here are just breathtaking. After passing near to our waypoint we changed course direct for Portland Harbour. 

Chartplotter showing our heading and course into Portland. 

Looks like the Caribbean & South America!

This point of sail was quite relaxing and Thésée was surfing in style. We radio'd the NCI again on Channel 65, this time for a test check on our handheld VHF radio (this is the one we keep with the grab bag), and were pleased to get instant responses from both St Alban's Head and Portland NCI Stations. 

Just outside Portland Harbour we turned head to wind to drop the main sail. The swell caught us out a bit and the boom swayed around before Dean could get it under control. All secured, we entered the harbour. It was bleak and windy and we were glad to arrive at the marina and choose a berth. I don't know why, but i expected the marina to be sheltered, however to some degree that doesn't seem to be the case. Well at least we are tied to a pontoon now, and we will have a good sleep tonight for sure.

Saturday 4th March... Refreshed, we woke to a bright view across the Inner Harbour, and Linda's camera was quick to come out. 

We had a good breakfast - our favourite (scrambled egg on toast), and disembarked Thésée in glorious sunshine which made the water look Mediterranean-like, if there is such a word? We're off to catch the bus to the BOA AGM at 2.30pm. It's only 3 stops but it's a big hill to climb at Portland.

Wow! Just look at that water

Pretty colours

The marina is very big and it's quite a walk to get ashore. Dean has done double the distance having to take Saffy for walks twice a day. Here's a few photos we took on the way to the bus stop.

Blowy hair day on the pontoon

Portland is a Dean & Reddyhoff marina

On the shoreline of the marina is a Mk 8 torpedo. The torpedo, nicknamed 'Tom the Torpedo', acts as a reminder of a now-demolished Torpedo Works factory, built in 1891 and situated on the northern shore of the harbour. The factory operated throughout the 20th Century until it was demolished in 1997. Torpedo testing and practise firing would occur from the northern-most breakwater in the harbour until the 1960's.

Tom the Torpedo

Along the promenade, Lulworth Cliffs in the background

SAR Helicopter base

Passing Portland Castle

We finally reached the bus stop and jumped straight onto the bus, perfect timing. We were at the Heights Hotel in a jiffy, with plenty of time to spare so we looked at the sights and took even more photos...

We're here....

Thesee's down there.. back leftish

Remember the 2012 Olympics here?

Little Linda 

So it was almost time for the AGM to start, and inside the hotel we got comfy and warm.

We're in the right place then

Chillin'... (no, getting warm actually)

It was lovely to meet up with our BOA friends again, the first time we've got together this year. We also made friends with a Polish sailor (and his crewmate) whose boat was also in the marina. The AGM finished at 4pm and we left to go back to the boat. It was downhill this time and so we decided to walk. 

Our new Polish friend very kindly offered us a lift back to the hotel with him on the evening for the BOA Dinner, and we were very grateful as the wind was bitter and strong. After dinner we listened to a talk from Olympian Lucy MacGregor, and then to our great surprise, Patrick (the BOA Commodore) awarded us an engraved tankard called 'Spirit of the Event' as we were the only boat to have sailed here specifically for this event. Gosh! We've won a sailing trophy! Olympics here we come!!

Sunday 5th March... Gale Force 8!! No chance of leaving today. The wind howled through the marina all day long, for well over 14 hours. Poor Dean had to brave it and take Saffy for a walk. Linda just about managed to stick her head outside for a couple of quick photos in the windy conditions.

We kept ourselves amused posing for photos with our new Trophy. Fingers crossed we can get out of here tomorrow and sail back to base.

Monday 6th March... Up at 5.30am for yet another weather check, and we concluded we were good to go. We cast off at 7.45am, and Dean made leaving the pontoon look easy peasy. Once out of the harbour a small boat approached and informed us the Lulworth Firing Ranges would again be active today, and requested we steer a course of 120 degrees. We were already aware and Dean confirmed this was our intention. 

It was a comfortable sail across Poole Bay, and making good progress we approached the Needles with an hour to spare. A little apprehensive after our experience here the other day, with binoculars at hand we homed in on Fairway Buoy to give us a good approach.

The red & white Fairway Buoy is unmistakeable

After leaving the following red buoy to port side, the next marker is Bridge Cardinal. It's only a narrow channel between Bridge Cardinal and Shingles Bank Overfalls so not much room for error. Slightly nerve-wracking, Dean sailed us through the gap like a professional, holding his course. You need to go close to the cardinal and i was amazed how big it was. 

The Bridge Cardinal must be at least 20ft tall

 Shingles Bank Overfalls - keep well away!

Looking back at the Needles Lighthouse

Just then a squall passed across us and it was gusty right until we reached Hurst Castle. Happily, at that point all calmed down and we rode with the tide until we passed Cowes. The wind was astern and Dean decided to goose-wing the sails for the last hour until we finally arrived in Gosport safe and sound. 

A sail either side.... clever clogs

The end of our long weekend to Portland.

Some good experience under our belts xx