Pylos is not where I was originally heading. When 10M away from Methoni the wind increased from 25-30kts to a much more difficult40-45kts. That's when things started to get bit more energetic. Had been sailing along for couple of hours on just the genoa and casually admiring the approaching islands when the wind became too strong. At this stage it's already later than it should be. I just missed any warning signs and was running on a very broad reach at the time and had just entered the log at 1500 saying "Mostly heavy seas and winds from SE gusting up to F8. Easier than being close-hauled, just very uncomfortable due to roly-poly seas.". The next half hour was quite difficult and my next log at 1530 says "Under bare poles. Sudden very
high winds 45kts. Genoa head blown out. Engine fuel tank changed-over to port-for'd". What it doesn't say is that the increasing wind brought Ticketeeboo from very broad reach to close reach (in other words she rounded-up to wind) and by the time I took the helm from the autopilot I was unable to overcome the close-reach. Now heading towards some small islands to stbd less than a mile away and unable to bear-away onto our original course. When I started the engine to support what I wanted it ran then stopped. I guessed because the in-use fuel tank was approaching low, the fuel pick-up must have drawn air in? Plan B - The wind showing no signs of reducing me thinks "If I can't bear away then tack". This I achieved and sure enough we are
now heading away from the small islands into safer waters. Now I can reef the Genoa more and and gybe onto original course, which I did without a problem. Unfortunately, when I backed the genoa the leech must have caught our radar radome (which is on our mast at first spreaders) breaking the radome bracket and tearing the genoa. Bollucks! So I reefed what's left of our genoa, hence my log comment "Under bare poles!". Next sort the engine, which needed fuel tanks changing-over and bleeding fuel lines to enable normal use, just in case it becomes needed again unexpectedly. The wind stayed relentless at 40 - 45 kts so we are now running on a very deep broad reach using just a little of the jibsail at very modest speeds. Now me thinks: 1: If the wind stays like this Methoni could be dangerous on a lee-shore and 2: I want to know someone knows my situation. Hence I made a decision to abort the approached towards Methoni, where the winds could be even stronger, and to send a text to our friends on Stratagen:
My text at 1556 from Ticketeeboo to Stratagem:
Am reporting position as a precaution. 36:42'.6N 21:49'.7E. Methonsi could be unsafe so now hdg Pylos safely wil send txt on the hour. Hairy SE45kts very lively.
Reply from Stratagen:
Received message will standby 4 nxt txt. Take care luv RS
My text at 1705:
Hi and ta very much. In pos 36:43N 21:43E 13M due S Pylos. Wind presently 33-35 kts so more pleasant again.
Reply from Stratagen
Good 2 hear conditions improved please text when u arrive or b4 if any concerns. Won't settle 2 enjoy g&t until we know you r safe. Luv RS
xxx
My text at 1800:
6M due S of entrance O Navarinou Pylos in pos 36:47N 21:40E cing up to 40 gusts 45kts. Looking after jib because genoa has tear and radar brk from earlier. Me good!
Reply from Stratagem:
You ok is the main thing. Yacht can be repaired. Maybe dry ship rule ditched tonight?
My text at 1903:
Pleased to say just 1M S of O Nav. 35+ kts still! 3M to drop hook. Tuna defrosting. Might put some in my first G&T. Brilliant day as well.
After dropping hook just outside Pylos marina/harbour we had a chat and I greatly appreciate knowing Ray & Sandra would have been able to report my position, as a precaution.
Just finished my second G&T and still seeing 30 +kts wind. Dropped hook in 5m depth and put 40m chain out so ain't going anywhere for now! The repairs will be minimal and have already taken first steps towards getting genoa sewn back together in Levkas. Radar radine repairs need to be evaluated when I go up the mast tomorrow. I was able to use halyards to prevent it swinging about and falling onto the deck or into the water, which beat needing to do an Ellen McArthur in storm conditions, which I did not fancy at all at the time! At worst it
comes-off for time being.
A brilliant day in the life of Ticketeeboo. Goodnight all. My tuna awaits. Thanks to Ray and Sandra. Me thinks day here in Pylos tomorrow?
Goodnight My Lover xxxxxxxx
