Most sailors probably install a VHF radio and then give it little thought apart from the odd call to the local coastguard for a radio check. While a radio check will provide some indication that the VHF is working, it is only a rough indication and could lead the operator into a false sense of security

Coastguard stations have well placed aerials using high quality cable and professional transceivers all of which is regularly maintained. Most sailors will request a radio check before they set out on their journey so it is highly probable that the coastguard station they contact will be “local” and therefore not a good test. If you do need to request a radio check then rather than contact the coastguard, make arrangements with a friend at a distant mooring to provide you with a check. As most people have a mobile phone these days, a quick call prior to the radio check will save a lot of waiting and, if either system experiences any problems, a report can be made by phone “sorry I couldn’t hear you”.

There is also a way of testing your VHF which does not require outside assistance is to measure the Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) to the aerial system. The SWR indicates how efficient the aerial system is at accepting the signal from the transmitter.

To measure the SWR you will need an SWR meter which can be obtained from a radio shop (look in the ‘phone book under Radio Communications) or Maplin Electronic Stores.

To test the aerial system follow this simple procedure:
• Disconnect the aerial lead from the back of the transmitter and connect the SWR meter between the transmitter and aerial. You may need some adapters and patch leads to make this easier.
• Find a free channel, not the calling channel
• Switch the transmitter to low power
• Switch the SWR meter to “Forward” and turn the “Set” control to minimum.
• Transmit and adjust the “Set” control until the meter needle just shows maximum.
• Stop transmitting
• Switch the SWR to “Reverse”. Do not touch the “Set” control
• Transmit and read the SWR from the meter.

It is difficult to say what is a good or a bad reading, but in general, if the value is 2:1 then there is no need to be concerned. If the value is greater than 3:1 then further investigation is called for, between these values is the grey area, and ideally you should investigate further. If you have a value greater that 5:1 then something is very wrong, before spending too much time, make sure that you have connected the meter correctly and not knocked the “set” control. If you have a value of 8:1 then either there is a short circuit or something is not connected at all.

If you need to perform further tests then you will need a Dummy Load. Disconnect the aerial lead where it passes through the deck and connect the dummy load to the deck connector. Repeat the tests again, if this provides a “good” SWR then you know that the cable from transmitter to the deck connector is OK and the problem is likely to be either the aerial or the cable going up the mast. If you can take the VHF to the bottom of the mast then it is possible perform the initial test on just the mast part of the system, a handheld VHF with an aerial socket will help with this. Finally, If you have a head for heights then going up the mast and disconnecting the cable from the bottom of the aerial and connecting the dummy load will allow you to test the whether the cable up the mast or the aerial itself is at fault.

Once the fault has been identified and rectified, remember to reconnect all the cables and seal the connectors with self-amalging tape.

When things go wrong and your VHF aerial has totally failed then you need to fall back on the emergency aerial you bought at the boat show and have never looked at. If, in your haste to connect it up, the emergency VHF aerial falls overboard, do not worry all is not lost. It is possible to make an “Emergency Emergency” aerial in a few minutes.

All that is needed is a length of coaxial cable with the appropriate connector for the back of your transmitter. Using a sharp knife carefully cut just the outer sheath and screen of the cable 47cm from the end without the connector. Be careful not to cut into the inner insulator. Strip off the sheath and then screen. Wrap some insulating tape round where you cut and the open end to prevent the ingress of water. Now tape the whole lot to broom handle, open end uppermost or tape it to a halyard and try to get your newly made aerial as high as possible. It might not be the most elegant, professional or efficient aerial but when the chips are down it might just get you out of trouble.

If you don’t have a length of cable aboard, then you can always cut the cable where it goes through the headlining to the deck connector. Ok, you’ll have to replace it but then this is an emergency.

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ROUND IRELAND IN LOW GEAR

Terry McGaul

Our first season without the deadline imposed by a return to work demanded a more substantial cruise. But where? Well Ireland didn’t look too big so why not go right round. According to the Irish Cruising Club ( ICC ) the shortest route is about 680 miles and three weeks is long enough.Well perhaps that’s true but it wouldn’t be my idea of fun and you wouldn’t see much. Statistics show that there is very little difference in the wind experienced if you go clockwise or anti-clockwise. We went clockwise,partly because we were familiar with the south coast and partly because we would have done the popular part before it got busy.

We left the Menai Straits in the middle of June ( earlier would have been better ), missed out the east coast altogether and sailed direct to Helvick in Dungarvon bay, about 150 miles. From there it would be coast hopping while visiting as many ports and anchorages as possible. If you like marinas you will find enough of them until you reach Kilrush in the Shannon estuary. After that there are none until Co. Antrim in Northern Ireland, which is a long way.

We wanted to go home for a few days in the middle of our cruise and chose Fenit in Tralee bay to leave the boat. Kerry airport is a 30 minute taxi ride. Fenit has a small marina in a commercial harbour and I cannot sing its praises highly enough.The people are very friendly, they have all the facilities you could possibly want and it’s cheap. Tralee is a very pleasant town nearby.

The ICC pilot book is invaluable but like all pilot books it can be quite pessimistic and in the case of the west coast truly daunting. Take no notice. As the sailing club boys at Fenit said, it’s written by “ West Brits “ *. The west coast is like everywhere else. In the right conditions it’s fine and in the wrong conditions it would be horrendous. Contrary to popular opinion there is not always a big swell running. There is always some swell but it is only a problem during or in the aftermath of strong winds.The weather forecasting is good and shelter is never too far away.

Having said that the next stop after Fenit is Kilronan in the Aran Islands and that is a 60 mile passage but we’re taking our time remember and can wait for a good forecast. Next comes the Connaught coast and it’s time to break out the large scale charts.You could come back to this coast year after year and find something to interest you. It’s just a mass of rocks ,cliffs and mountains and it’s beautiful. Not everyone was so
impressed. Cromwell said of Connaught : “ Not enough water to drown a man, not enough wood to hang a man, not enough soil to bury a man.” But you can’t please everybody.

Significant headlands are the thing from now on and you do have to treat them with respect. But don’t you always.Their names have long been familiar from the weather forecast and they’re almost like old friends by the time you round them. I did find myself ticking them off mentally though, regarding each one as another milestone.

Don’t go to Blacksod bay unless there is no alternative.We did and got stuck for a few days. This was a definite low point. It is very remote, there is nothing to do and they haven’t heard of the “ Celtic Tiger “. The next hop passes Eagle Island which had the unenviable reputation for marooning lighthouse keepers more than any other. There is another 50 mile plus passage across the mouth of Donegal bay and more fantastic scenery including the highest sea cliffs in Europe at Slieve League.

By now it was late August and we felt the need to press on rather more quickly.After a brief stop at Aranmore ( what passes for its tourist season was already over) we rounded Bloody Foreland onto the north coast and then got stuck in Mulroy Bay with continual strong wind warnings.After a crisis of confidence we eventually had a brilliant sail round Malin Head to Ballycastle in a westerly F6-7 ( 60 miles in 9 hours ) And thence home via Bangor and Port St Mary.

We were on the boat for about 10 weeks in all but only 31 days were sailing days.Quite a lot of motor-sailing was needed on the west coast. The total distance covered was about 1100 miles, around half of which was under sail alone. We met lots of very interesting and friendly people who were prepared to go a long way to help you. This amply compensated for the lack of facilities on the west coast where there are very few cruising boats, making those that are there all the more sociable. Something similar will definitely be on the agenda for next year.

* Irishmen from Dublin

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SAILING THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

Peter Linforth

Getting there

This may be your first Channel crossing and your first long passage out of sight of land. To further complicate matters you have to cross the shipping lanes. My preferred time for crossing is early morning. Have an early dinner and get a few hours sleep before a start at 04:00. From Dartmouth or Salcombe the passage will take about 12 hours. You will be crossing the shipping lanes in daylight and arrive in the Channel Islands late afternoon. A short sleep and you’ll be ready for a night on the town.

Guernsey

On your first visit make Guernsey your destination. It is very welcoming to yachtsmen and there is plenty to see and to do. Check the tide tables and plan to go with the tide down the Little Russell. If this doesn’t work out then head West of the Island and go around the South side. Do not be tempted to go against the tide it runs at more than 6 knots and you will spend a lot of time getting nowhere.

All harbours are accessible 3 hours either side of high water. They all have waiting pontoons and in season a water taxi will take you to town while you are waiting for access to the marina. Victoria Marina is right in the middle of St Peter Port and is totally dedicated to visitors. You will be escorted to a berth most of which are alongside and you will be rafted two or three deep. If you are 35 ft or less ask the harbour staff for a finger berth, they are to Starboard as you enter the marina.

There is a very good tourist office on the promenade 100yards north of the marina. The Island Tour on the open top bus a good way to see the island, the Occupation Museum gives a fascinating insight into the war years. The harbour staff will give you a welcome pack that contains details of all the local restaurants and attractions. Danelos Restaurant has a consistently good reputation and is worth a visit.

The best day sailing excursion is to Herm and I would recommend lunchtime stop at Shell beach or the adjacent Belvoir Bay. Herm is exposed and should only be visited in settled weather. For a longer excursion and an overnight stop Sark has many anchorages. The tall cliffs offer good shelter and there is always one of the anchorages in the lee of the land.

Jersey

Jersey is the town and Guernsey the village. If you like towns then there are plenty of attractions on Jersey and it is worth the visit. It has a large visitors marina, which is in the centre of the town. It is possible to work the tides and make a good passage from Guernsey to Jersey and then further on to the adjacent Normandy coast. This circular trip is highly recommended.

Adjacent Normandy Coast

East of Jersey is Carteret a typical Normandy harbour with an adjacent village of Barnville. Carteret has a good marina and a wide selection of restaurants serving fish and all types of shellfish including Oysters and Mussels. Barnville is a pleasant walk across the fields and is a typical Normandy village with restaurants cafes and a good selection of shops. For most Channel Islander boat owners the trip to Carteret is the booze Cruise. Wine is available at French Supermarket prices and it’s well worth stocking up before returning home.

After leaving Carteret work the tides North to Dielette where you will find a good marina but little else. The marina makes a peaceful overnight stop before sailing onwards to Alderney.

Alderney

The Alderney Race between the Island and the Normandy coast has an awesome reputation with tides as large as 12 knots. Be sure to get your tidal strategy correct, if you don’t you will be sailing backwards. Bray Harbour on the North coast is you destination it is the only harbour on the island. There are many visitors’ buoys alongside the breakwater, a water taxi runs until late at night and a trip ashore to the capital St Ann’s is the only thing to do apart from taking long cliff top walks.

If returning to the Solent Alderney is a good overnight stop and an early start will give you a daylight Channel crossing.

Peter Linforth

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THERE ARE ONLY TWO KINDS OF YACHTSMEN

Terry McGaul

There is no excuse for what follows but in mitigation I can only say that it happened a long time ago. It concerned a boys sailing weekend ( my wife would say that explains everything ) from my mooring at Ardfern. Nothing arduous was planned and we decided to sail down to Tayvallich at the head of Loch Sween.There are submerged rocks, the Oib rocks, often unmarked, outside Tayvallich but they do not present a problem as long as you know they are there. And I knew they were there so that was all right .

So we had an uneventful and enjoyable sail , avoided the Oib rocks, picked up a mooring at Tayvallich and spent a good evening in the pub. Next morning although the painter was still tied to a cleat there was no sign of the dinghy. A local fisherman returned it after breakfast in return for a few cans of Boddies.Tricky things,knots.

It was deemed too windy for sailing ( probably F2 gusting 3 ) so we went for a walk followed by lunch at the pub. Ater two pints of Guinness and with judgement suitably impaired a sail up and down the loch seemed like a good idea. There was a debate about whether we should leave the dinghy on the mooring or tow it. With commendable foresight I insisted on towing it.

We were just sailing nicely with the log reading 6 knots when there was an almighty bang and we shuddered to a sudden and violent stop. Horror!..... The Oib rocks !........ had somehow slipped my mind. The first impulse was to rip up the floor boards expecting an inrush of water but the bilge was dry so attention was turned to getting off. Nothing worked. We were stuck fast.

It was now late on Sunday afternoon and there were no boats about, so using the aforementioned dinghy two of us went off to get help. Standing on the quay was a man who had watched the whole thing and to whose eternal credit managed to keep a straight face.He said it often happened but I thought he was just being kind.

Anyway he had a cruising cat and he offered to tow us off. At his suggestion we tied two or three warps to the main halyard so that when he pulled we heeled and came off very smoothly. I have often wondered if we could have done that with the kedge.

He was a nice man and he invited us all up to his house that evening and everybody had a great time. Well everybody but me. I was still thinking about the rock.

The most embarrassing bit was having to to tell the yard owner back at Ardfern as there were compression cracks caused by the bang on the keel. He was very kind too, hence the title, the second part of which reads “ those that have hit a rock and those that are going to “. Which kind are you?

One day I might tell you about the rock I hit this year…………sailing with my wife!

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THE SARONIC GULF

Niall Golding

Cruising in Greece doesn’t need selling, but the large array of cruising areas does require some consideration. The Ionian Sea is perfect for beginners thanks to reliable winds and shelter. However anything in the Aegean, to the North, East and South of Attica (Athens), where the Meltemi blows force 6 & 7 for days at a time from July to September, needs a bigger boat, plenty of time and some muscle. In between is the Saronic Gulf. To the SW of Attica and Athens it offers some of the most beautiful and more important, accessible islands in Greece.

Cruising in the Saronic Gulf and Southern Peloponnese has a number of advantages, the most obvious being accessibility. Most other cruising areas in Greece rely on charter flights whereas Athens has scheduled, charter and cheap flight operators. Within half an hour of the new airport are some of the biggest marinas in Europe and a new tram service to the sights of Athens.

The Saronic Gulf can be busy, hence the absence of flotilla fleets, but don’t be put off by the commercial traffic, it is well behaved and ferry traffic has been reduced in recent years with a strict limit on the number of companies operating out of Piraeus. The island of Aegina is usually the first port of call, there being little of note on the Attica peninsula. There is a new marina in the harbour at Aegina town, berths on the outer wall at the Yacht Club or the town quay, but get in early.The island is famous for two things, the biggest church in Greece and fistikia aegina (pistachios nuts to you and I) and also a rather photogenic temple 45euros by taxi to see the lot. Don’t go near the fish taverna on the front unless you have deep pockets. In fact wherever you go in Greece wet fish is 25euros a kilo, cooked 40 euros and there is little decent stuff left.

Palea Epidavros on the mainland is a good next stop if you are not in a rush (good swimming bays at the western end of Anghistrion on the way). It is near the famous ancient theatre at Epidavros but sadly the season of Greek tragedies doesn’t start until July. From there I would head for the island of Poros, with Methana on the way as a stopover but remember it got it’s name from the methane hot springs so don’t be surprised at the pong

Poros is a most delightful island, with the town just a stones throw from the mainland. I wouldn’t recommend going on the town quay, too much passing traffic, although there are new berths around the corner towards the Naval College. We spent three days anchored in one of the beautiful bays on the left before you get to the town proper, great for swimming. The next stop is the magical island and port of Hydra, no motor vehicles whatsoever except a dust cart, not even those noisy scooters are allowed. Mules only. The harbour is small but spectacular and unless you can get in before lunch, plan to stay two days. The second day you’ll get alongside when the rest have buzzed off and enjoy one of the best free shows in the Mediterranean for one euro a day.

Spetsas is the next island most people head for but leisure craft are not allowed in the main harbour and the boat harbour is a bit of a trek into the town Not a lot to see although I have spent some enjoyable holidays there in hotels. Porto Heli on the mainland is just across the water, big sheltered anchorage but not much else. From Spetsa it is either South to Monemvasia (long way but worth it) or North to Nauplion (pronounced Nafflion, first capital of modern Greece). Beautiful town and citadel but with no tides or currents the harbour can smell a bit. Maybe better to leave your boat in Porto Heli and get a day trip by bus. Then it’s back to Athens, with a call at Ermioni or Dohkra island on the way. Perdika on Aegina used to be a popular stop for the last night but we tried to get in and it was a mess, with a permanent water barge taking up one of the two piers. If all you want to do is sail, you can always flog across to Cap Sounion at the bottom end of Attica and weather permitting stand with hundreds of tourists to capture sunset through the pillars of the Temple to Poseiden, one of those “must have” photographs.

I am not one for “ticking” off islands when cruising and if I find a nice one I tend to stay. Last summer we spent two weeks getting to Ermioni and back and had a super rest. We chartered a 40ft Bavaria (perfect for Greece) from Cosmos Yachting out of Kalamiki Marina near Athens and have nothing but praise for their service and back-up. On arrival don’t mess about with public transport, although it has improved beyond recognition, get a taxi from the new airport (not before 0700, it’s a treble rate at night), without going through Athens. Another up and coming marina for chartering is Lavrion at the Southern end of Attica, closer to the airport and Aegean but a long way from Athens.

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CRUISING THE BAY OF THE SEINE

Geoff Meggitt

The Bay of the Seine is an interesting and varied cruising area with one or two sailing challenges and some nice places to visit. Bounded by the two great ports of Cherbourg and Le Havre, all the other ports are locked or gated with more-or-less restricted access either side of high tide. It is on the whole easier to port-hop going east.

Cherbourg is an excellent landfall from the south coast, accessible in all weather and states of the tide but subject to strong cross tides in the approach. Chantereyne marina is well-sheltered and a short walk from a lively and very French city centre.

Catch the east-bound tide and avoid the Barfleur Race and you’ll soon be in British yachtsman’s favourite St Vaast (say “san va”). An essentially dour little place, it perks up greatly in summer when the crammed harbour swarms with yachtsmen, many of them struggling back from Monsieur Gosselin’s famed emporium laden with food and drink. The Fuschias is a well-known and fairly pricey restaurant much lauded by the British and you can get a dozen oysters on the quay for a couple of pounds.

Next stop could be Carentan, a quiet town up a drying river (it’s Utah Beach to starboard). This needs careful timing but you will moor up in a doomed Napoleonic canal in rural rather than marine surroundings. The river has a bore (mascaret) at springs: wander along and see it surge up to the lock gates.

Grandcamp-Maisy is different: a small but welcoming fishing port behind a gate. There are some traces of a greater past as a resort, some restaurants and a convenient bus stop to get to Bayeux and along the coast.

From here west you pass the Normandy landing beaches but will see little evidence other than a glimpse of the vast American cemetery at the top of the cliffs at Omaha beach and the remains of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches (anchor inside for lunch). The two ports along this stretch are not really recommended: Port-en-Bessin does not seem keen on yachts and Courseulles-sur-Mer, while keen, has very little space.

Ouistreham has a lock into the Caen Canal that opens a few times around high water but there is a large (and sometimes chaotic) waiting pontoon available at all times. The marina is quiet and Ouistreham village is charming enough with some good food shops but most visitors seem to miss the seaside town of Riva Bella which is French, pleasant and has some passable family restaurants. If you have time you should motor up the canal to the Caen (there are convoys a couple of times a day) under Pegasus bridge and into the city centre.

Dives-sur-Mer has a brand new marina and usually plenty of space. Not much in itself, it does let you stroll along the promenade up to the Grand Hotel at Cabourg and have a coffee on the terrasse.

Cabourg is family-chic but Deauville is just plain chic. Choose the town harbour or the marina and stroll around studying the buildings (have a look at the Hotel Normandie), the market, the shops and the people. Take the boardwalk (Les Planches) along the sands and amble round to Trouville, its family-friendly neighbour, for the markets. Have an afternoon at Deauville Races.

Honfleur is the treasure of the coast. The lock opens more-or-less around the clock and you are soon into the old basin surrounded by eight-storey medieval buildings and, it has to be said, more tourists than you can shake a baguette at. Rafted up ten abreast, the noise and crowds are strong meat and you may find one night enough. If it is, head for Le Havre. This busy port, vast and impersonal marina and bleak waterfront don’t look too promising but you’ll find the city – largely rebuilt after the war and now a World Heritage Site – and the Andre Malraux gallery worth a visit.

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© Author & Manchester Cruising Association 2006

 

S&R on the Lakes

John Roe - One Off?

Some Thoughts on Marine VHF - Jerry Armitage

Round Ireland in Low Gear - Terry McGaul

Sailing the Channel Islands -Peter Linforth

There are Only Two Kinds of Yachtsmen - Terry McGaul

The Saronic Gulf - Niall Golding

Cruising the Bay of the Seine - Geoff Meggitt