MUPE BAY 13/14 MAY 2017.
In my final year as your Cruising Secretary I could not see the traditional trip to MUPE after the Cocktail Party not being met. After tapping my glass at the end of the Cocktail Party I announced that the MUPE cruise was on and we had 6 boats intending to go. A record for me. I arose at 06:00 to get ready for the day and got to the Tender Rack at 08:00. The weather was cloudy but it was still a goer despite the few spots of rain. Would it get worse by 11:00 as fore-casted. Once on boat Heatwave was got ready. I had my Branch handbook and so phoned around. Six now dropped to four. One due to feeling unwell the other hadn't set their alarm clock. There is no issue here as the people involved already put a lot into the Branch.
Heatwave was on Target to be ready to depart by 10:00 when a big snag emerged with the main sail Halyard. It was very difficult to raise the sail. Something was jamming. No twisted lines externally. So was the track dirty or has fouling occured inside the mast. If I can raise the sail will I be able to get it down. I had to use immense force on the winch and was worried I would snap the shaft. It held. It was difficult to move the sail back down but it would come down so it was not a show stopper though the problem remains. Heatwave slipped at 10:10. MUPE is too far for a shake down. I first saw Jennaker II (D Odgers). She was out but Sails not set. So I approached and then looked around for the other two boats when Lady Mona(S Lowe/Jason Hook) appeared followed by Laykin(S and P Naylor). Laykin was bearing down fast with Gull Wing set. Its time to go with the time approaching 11:00. We must get to MUPE before the Tide turns around 14:00 and with springs it would be a big headache.
After leaving the Harbour Heatwave is now trailing the field and I want to catch up to take pictures so I need to get the autohelm working. I know they can be tricky with a following sea but it was unreliable even with a sea on the rear quarter. After throwing the boat into a 180 I tried to snatch the Control Arm off the Tiller but snapped it so that was the end of the Autohelm and photo opportunities. However it wasn't all bad. The grey skies cleared and we had beautiful sunshine which lasted the day. So much for forecasts. I managed to make up enough ground with the Donkey to get some pictures and watched Laykin run into the Bay and dropped its hook. I got down the Gib at sea but would leave the main until anchored up. Jennaker II then came in and we were only waiting for Lady Mona. VHF call established she was happily fishing and I could pick her out so got the Telephoto to get a shot.
That wonderful man Doug Odgers called me and asked if I would like join him for lunch and I said I was going ashore to cook mine and he said he would join me if I would give him a lift. I said fine but I have to get my kit together. About 45 mins later I was ready with Tender full of kit that I might not use. When I look across to Doug he is eating and says I am going to have my lunch on board. He must have been very hungary but he also stated he wanted to set back for home by 15:00.
As I go ashore I pass Jenaker II and slip a beer to Doug. I call in on Laykin to let them know what I am up to and they say "No, come on board here and go and get Doug". Anyway after all the updating everything is left as it was and Stu says "Maybe you could advise people of your intentions."
Stu is a senior respected man of the Branch and I have learned to listen to people who have good advice to give so when Stu says dont try to organise people I took it to heart and people would do their own thing. Bless him.
I hit the Beach, stubbed my toe on a rock and crashed down into the surf. Not as cold as expected but still un-pleasantly wet. I get the GO outdoors burners going and the bangers are cooking a treat. Steve and Jason come ashore and they join me and I am happy to feed them though not to the presentation they gave me at Poole. They told me they had cought their breakfast (A couple of mackerel) and they would have a fish on the way back. Those two would survive the Captain Bligh open boat challenge as long as they had fishing rods. Their partners also deserve special mention for sacrificing the CTP to allow the boys to go on the MUPE run. Well done.
Steve and Jason absolutely love MUPE and it was their first time there. As they came in to anchor they wer going to drop their hook where I did but as I was in the Tender I grabbed their attention to move to the other side near Laykin as I fouled my anchor where they were going.
What a magnificent place Mupe is as it transports you back 100 million years to the Jurassic epoc. I expect it was a lot warmer then.
We now pack up and head back to our boats. Jennaker II and Laykin having said their goodbyes have already departed.
Steve and Jason hang around to make sure the old boy departs OK. I struggle to get the main up again but the wind is freshening a little. I hope the forecasted front with 35 mph gusts does not come early as it would be hard to get the main down. I don't want to hang around so I haul the anchor which comes away ok. Even though the wind is fresh the boat hardly moves to the shore so no need to rush. Donkey in gear and away to the south east to follow Lady Mona out of the Bay. Pulling in the sheet she heels and stabilises. Such a great feeling. The Gib is up and we pick up speed but need to keep Lady Mona in view as she will want to tack to head back to Portland. So I stay off her Port rear quarter.
As Lady Mona tacks I come down on her stern. Everything is fine for a close pass and I see the Tiller man watching me and his course. As I come in the other man is photoing me. This is what I wanted to do on the way to MUPE.
OK its time for my tack so I let the Gib fly get the Boat around and then pull in the GIB on the Port Tack. Direct line for Eastern Entrance. No more messing. Keep the boat on line and hold to get back as quick as possible. Weather getting poor and cold wind but Im not moving. Get this boat home.
I pull further south from Lady Mona who are happy fishing again. I am in luck, Easter entrance open and I go through safely and pass the huge stern of the Greek Bulk carrier and get to the mooring by 18:45. Doug is just leaving after tidying up and I know I am still 45 mins from the shore. I finally get home at 21:00 very tired.
May I thank Stu and Pam Naylor, Doug Odgers, Steve Lowe and Jason Hook for taking part in this Cruise.
BY :Jason & Steve
Looked to us like you got back safely, thanks for organising our trip yesterday.
On our passage out of Portland Harbour with the wind on our stern we goose winged out through the North entrance which was a first for us, very exhilarating...
On our passage back to Portland we cut the engine once out of the bay, wind as you know was slight, so we 'heaved to' over Lulworth Banks & fished for a couple of hours, caught more mackerel for fishing bait on Sunday..
By around 1800 the wind picked up to 15knts & we had a fantastic sail right back to the marina..
Thanks for the catering on the beach, look forward to the next trip. Hope you enjoy the photos of Heatwave in action.
Take care,
Jason & Steve
Heatwave was on Target to be ready to depart by 10:00 when a big snag emerged with the main sail Halyard. It was very difficult to raise the sail. Something was jamming. No twisted lines externally. So was the track dirty or has fouling occured inside the mast. If I can raise the sail will I be able to get it down. I had to use immense force on the winch and was worried I would snap the shaft. It held. It was difficult to move the sail back down but it would come down so it was not a show stopper though the problem remains. Heatwave slipped at 10:10. MUPE is too far for a shake down. I first saw Jennaker II (D Odgers). She was out but Sails not set. So I approached and then looked around for the other two boats when Lady Mona(S Lowe/Jason Hook) appeared followed by Laykin(S and P Naylor). Laykin was bearing down fast with Gull Wing set. Its time to go with the time approaching 11:00. We must get to MUPE before the Tide turns around 14:00 and with springs it would be a big headache.
After leaving the Harbour Heatwave is now trailing the field and I want to catch up to take pictures so I need to get the autohelm working. I know they can be tricky with a following sea but it was unreliable even with a sea on the rear quarter. After throwing the boat into a 180 I tried to snatch the Control Arm off the Tiller but snapped it so that was the end of the Autohelm and photo opportunities. However it wasn't all bad. The grey skies cleared and we had beautiful sunshine which lasted the day. So much for forecasts. I managed to make up enough ground with the Donkey to get some pictures and watched Laykin run into the Bay and dropped its hook. I got down the Gib at sea but would leave the main until anchored up. Jennaker II then came in and we were only waiting for Lady Mona. VHF call established she was happily fishing and I could pick her out so got the Telephoto to get a shot.
That wonderful man Doug Odgers called me and asked if I would like join him for lunch and I said I was going ashore to cook mine and he said he would join me if I would give him a lift. I said fine but I have to get my kit together. About 45 mins later I was ready with Tender full of kit that I might not use. When I look across to Doug he is eating and says I am going to have my lunch on board. He must have been very hungary but he also stated he wanted to set back for home by 15:00.
As I go ashore I pass Jenaker II and slip a beer to Doug. I call in on Laykin to let them know what I am up to and they say "No, come on board here and go and get Doug". Anyway after all the updating everything is left as it was and Stu says "Maybe you could advise people of your intentions."
Stu is a senior respected man of the Branch and I have learned to listen to people who have good advice to give so when Stu says dont try to organise people I took it to heart and people would do their own thing. Bless him.
I hit the Beach, stubbed my toe on a rock and crashed down into the surf. Not as cold as expected but still un-pleasantly wet. I get the GO outdoors burners going and the bangers are cooking a treat. Steve and Jason come ashore and they join me and I am happy to feed them though not to the presentation they gave me at Poole. They told me they had cought their breakfast (A couple of mackerel) and they would have a fish on the way back. Those two would survive the Captain Bligh open boat challenge as long as they had fishing rods. Their partners also deserve special mention for sacrificing the CTP to allow the boys to go on the MUPE run. Well done.
Steve and Jason absolutely love MUPE and it was their first time there. As they came in to anchor they wer going to drop their hook where I did but as I was in the Tender I grabbed their attention to move to the other side near Laykin as I fouled my anchor where they were going.
What a magnificent place Mupe is as it transports you back 100 million years to the Jurassic epoc. I expect it was a lot warmer then.
We now pack up and head back to our boats. Jennaker II and Laykin having said their goodbyes have already departed.
Steve and Jason hang around to make sure the old boy departs OK. I struggle to get the main up again but the wind is freshening a little. I hope the forecasted front with 35 mph gusts does not come early as it would be hard to get the main down. I don't want to hang around so I haul the anchor which comes away ok. Even though the wind is fresh the boat hardly moves to the shore so no need to rush. Donkey in gear and away to the south east to follow Lady Mona out of the Bay. Pulling in the sheet she heels and stabilises. Such a great feeling. The Gib is up and we pick up speed but need to keep Lady Mona in view as she will want to tack to head back to Portland. So I stay off her Port rear quarter.
As Lady Mona tacks I come down on her stern. Everything is fine for a close pass and I see the Tiller man watching me and his course. As I come in the other man is photoing me. This is what I wanted to do on the way to MUPE.
OK its time for my tack so I let the Gib fly get the Boat around and then pull in the GIB on the Port Tack. Direct line for Eastern Entrance. No more messing. Keep the boat on line and hold to get back as quick as possible. Weather getting poor and cold wind but Im not moving. Get this boat home.
I pull further south from Lady Mona who are happy fishing again. I am in luck, Easter entrance open and I go through safely and pass the huge stern of the Greek Bulk carrier and get to the mooring by 18:45. Doug is just leaving after tidying up and I know I am still 45 mins from the shore. I finally get home at 21:00 very tired.
May I thank Stu and Pam Naylor, Doug Odgers, Steve Lowe and Jason Hook for taking part in this Cruise.
BY :Jason & Steve
Looked to us like you got back safely, thanks for organising our trip yesterday.
On our passage out of Portland Harbour with the wind on our stern we goose winged out through the North entrance which was a first for us, very exhilarating...
On our passage back to Portland we cut the engine once out of the bay, wind as you know was slight, so we 'heaved to' over Lulworth Banks & fished for a couple of hours, caught more mackerel for fishing bait on Sunday..
By around 1800 the wind picked up to 15knts & we had a fantastic sail right back to the marina..
Thanks for the catering on the beach, look forward to the next trip. Hope you enjoy the photos of Heatwave in action.
Take care,
Jason & Steve
Mupe Gallery: Click on first photo and paddle through.
Jason Hook and Steve Lowe Pictures
