Day 8.
So – Monday 25th. The final day of our 1st cruise…
We started with minor hangovers (compared to yesterday!). Also, similarly to yesterday we were forced to make some further adjustments to the bobstay. We wanted chain, but also a rigging screw to tension said chain!
This was achieved by beaching ‘Corsair’ bows-on at the edge of Salhouse broad. The water came just over the skipper’s neatly folded trousers legs (!) But. The task was completed with far less shouting, splashing and conflicting ‘advice’ than at Gay’s Staithe the previous day.
It was almost like being sober improved our motor-skills. Weird.
We then motored to Black Horse Broad, and positioned ourselves alongside MH, to steel ourselves for a quick blast around the broad itself. Sailing on Black Horse would be a first for me, little did I know it was where ‘Corsair’ had her first sail under new ownership, back in 1961.
It was a fantastic sail! We’d reefed, and set the repaired jib. Theo managed to take some photographs of us as well;
One thing I had learnt, was that to get the best out of ‘Corsair’ was not to be shy of reefing. If you keep her rig balanced, she’ll sail in almost anything.
During our sail, we spotted RCC S/N 72 – ‘Brit’, a very beautiful clinker river cruiser. Her increased size, and beam meant she was handling the weather slightly better than us.
However, more importantly, by sailing on Black Horse, it had meant that on this cruise, bar Bridge Broad (Belaugh Broad), we had sailed on every navigable broad on the Northern Rivers!! Quite pleased with that.
However, the need to return to civil life forced us to motor back to Oby Dyke, and to put ‘Corsair’ away for a few days.
So yes. The first cruise of ‘Corsair’ was brilliant, if at times somewhat ‘full on’ – we stayed out late, we drank too much, we generally enjoyed ourselves.
Success!
And what does the cabin look like, after 4 blokes have lived onboard for over a week…
Theo provided one final illustration, and then we were back to the car. I’d given up on drawing the maps, because frankly they were crap compared to his efforts.
Postscript – 2008.
To write a summary of the cruise is always difficult. Mainly because lots of things happen, and once it’s all over, you are left with too much to choose from. Overall I am tinged with regret that the cruise is over, but once again really elated (exhausted) to have done it.
However. This year, if I were to point out my worst moment, I would say it was when the bobstay broke on Saturday afternoon, when we attempted to race ‘Corsair’ for the first time in my ownership. My disappointment came more to with how pleased I was, with everything. Then BANG. Rig failure.
The best moment however, well. Where do I start?
There is the thoroughly stormy sail across Hickling Broad where with a triple reefed main and storm jib I suspected I had reached the limits of ‘Corsair’. I was wrong.
or
I could choose the delightful light air sail we had Sunday evening, on Salhouse broad where we were relaxed and happy doing what every bunch of friends should be;
Simply messing about in boats.
Until 2009.
Joe
A Broadsman 