Unexpected Circumnavigate

Race from Puffin Sound to Porth Eilian, followed by circumnavigation via Caernarfon.
 
Date Saturday 13th September
Sunday 14th September
Time 0830 Leave mooring
0950 Puffin Sound
1224 Point Lynas
1600 South Stack
1920 Mussel Bank
1950 Caernarfon River
Sunday 14th September
0730 Leaving River
0845 Swellies
0930 Moorings
Tide UTC 0424 1.7   0939 6.1   1647 1.4   2158 6.2
0508 1.4   1013 6.4   1731 1.2   2231 6.2
Crew list Carolyn and Glen
Distance Leg 1: Beaumaris to Caernarfon
67 miles; 11hrs; 6 mph
Leg 2: Caernarfon to Beaumaris
12 miles; 2hrs; 6 mph

Route

 

Route

Weather

St Davids Head to Great Ormes Head including St Georges Channel

Inshore waters forecast

24 hour forecast:

0700 Sat 13 Sep 

0700 Sun 14 Sep 

Wind

West backing southwest 3 or 4, backing southeast later.
Experienced: West 3/4

Sea state

Slight.
Experienced: Smooth

Weather

Mainly fair.
Experienced: Fair

Visibility

Mainly good, but occasionally poor at first.
Experienced: Good

Outlook:

0700 Sun 14 Sep 

0700 Mon 15 Sep 

Wind

Southwest 3 or 4, occasionally 5 later.
Experienced: SW3

Sea state

Slight, occasionally moderate later in west.
Experienced: Smooth

Weather

Occasional rain.
Experienced: Fair

Visibility

Moderate or good.
Experienced: Good




Notes

What started as a race for the club from Puffin Sound to Point Lynas ended as an unexpected circumnavigate.  As we crossed the finish line, Abraxas came on and said they were going around the island.  Not wanting to pass up a perfect day for sailing, we went with them.

We tacked around the top of the island in the light winds keeping up with Abraxas who motor sailed.

As we passed South Stack the wind became very light and largely on the nose so we also motor sailied.

Coming up to Caernarfon, the moon set the castle off nicely:

In the morning, the sunrise promised a pleasant sail back:

As it happened, there was virtually no wind so we had to motor back in the sunshine.

 

We were moving pretty quick, taking the tide with us:

Lessons Learned

  • It is possible to do a long journey late in the season