Josin’s Summer Cruise 2021 / 5

To Rørvik and beyond.

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Reassuring to have the Rescue Service at hand. A dream boat, Dragonfly trimaran.

Forecast for the 15th was not good, too much wind and probable rain, so we stayed put for the day. Forecast for the 16th was promising so early to bed and set the alarm for 05:00. Woke before of course but never mind. Away at 06:10, overcast and cold, (7 degrees), so with wool first and 5 more layers, (I was not going to get cold today!), and a delightful sailing wind. It lasted for four hours. Then Josin needed motor assist, then more, then all motor after another hour, coinciding with the sun appearing. Warming. We had made such good progress that I decided to go for Rørvik in the sunshine and over calm waters, arriving just before six. 63 nautical miles. Listened and was entertained and amused along the way by P.G. Woodhouse in the ear. Evening meal at the “64 degrees North” restaurant, very good fish soup, just across the harbour.

Rørvik (64 51.65 / 011 13.75) is a busy town, home to thousands of Kittiwakes, (vociferous!), nesting on any available ledge, and a recently built church dominating on the hill. Unusual building to say the least, several square blocks, looking like they were of scaffolding covered by white tarpaulins. No, the tarps are glass. Well, different. Topped by a quadripod, seemingly copied from the goverment building in Canberra, Oz. Must have caused a good deal of discussion when first built.

17th another pause day, blustery winds and rain, so some shopping was in order, provisioning amonst other things. Forecast for the 18th, today, was most promising, with good sailing winds in the right direction, but not until mid day. So the genakker sail was rigged, (see top pic), and sandwiches made and thermoses filled.

Yes, we sailed, on main and genua, until we got into open water, intending to roll out the genakker. But before I got that far, the wind very suddenly gusted to over 30 knots, from it’s 10 to 12, and the genakker half-unrolled itself, (never done that before, and I cannot see how, but,) with a loud bang and started thrashing and flapping. Interesting. Umm. Now what? Normal control ropes no use. So. Only solution was to lower the sail gradually into the water. Excellent brake! Manoevered with the mainsail to reduce speed to a sort of sideways chassay, enabling the sail to be hauled on board. That sail is big, and as it was all wet, the operation was a bit strenuous and gradual, until success. Very busy for a while there, but no worries. Unfortunately the sail must have snagged on something which caused the leech to tear, sufficiently to be a sailmakers repair job. Bother! Sailed on, but decided to shorten the day, to a Plan B harbour, Skei, on Leka, (65 05.34 / 011 44.46). Here the wind is gradually subsiding, between rainshowers, and is forecast to be even lighter tomorrow. Probably an early start to get to Brønnøysund in time to get the sail off in the post.

Another experience richer, and a bit more sailing-wiser, but confident that I’m still capable. Lovely reassuring thought.

Alls well

Sailor JosinJohn