Author: larksong
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Cobra MR HH400 EU
We got this little radio with our boat but it had a few issues. The battery life was terrible and the antenna was falling apart. There is something very useful about the HH400, and that is that it can hold normal AA batteries, making it instantly invaluable as a grab-bag radio. In normal operation it…
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Trip 14 – Portland to Brownsea and back
3 days/ 2 nights Delayed departure We arrive in Portland and Jane spots that our SB Spinnaker pole is missing…. We are ready to report it stolen, but a very close look at a picture from the re-launching shows the top of the pole is not properly engaged so we have to conclude it has…
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Haulout 2024
First haul-out since survey. Takes some doing to find the right lift-points and a combination of looking at Graeme’s boat and finding faded stickers gets us there. Quite nerve-wrecking, but these guys do this every day…. A good spray reveals the old blue anti-fouling. We spot some possible damage to the bottom of the keel.…
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Trip 5 – A rolly night in Mupe bay and a visit to Lulworth
We notice some rust on the new rigging! Clearly from the machining and it doesn’t come back after wiping off. You can also see how deteriorated the deck is in this picture. A small forrest hangs off our boat. End of season haul out will require new anti-fouling. Mupe Bay is well protected from SW…
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Trip 4 – Weymouth Bay
Purpose of trip: Try out cruising shute, do some maintenance, swim. Food, drink, play with computer. There is only just enough wind to fill this sail. It might have worked better if our spinnaker booms were operational. The moment before you realise how cold it is in March. Both Alex and Jane make it around…
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Trip 3 – Poole Quay to Portland Marina
Parked the car at Portland and take the bus and train to Poole where Larksong has been fitted with all new steel wires by Chris from XP Rigging. Before we set off we have a vistor, Michael and Winnie (the poodle) come to say hi and give us some nice presents. Today the timings are…
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Trip 2 – Portland Marina to Poole Quay Marina
Since our rigging is of unknown age and the insurance won’t cover it we have booked Larksong in with XP-Rigging in Poole. This will be our first slightly longer trip with Larksong. After a cold night we wake up to a frosty deck. Jane takes us out and practices reversing. We buy 50l of fuel.…
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Trip 1 – Portland Marina to Ringstead Bay
First sailing trip out of Portland marina just across Weymouth bay to Ringstead bay. Because our yankee is at the sailmaker we only have main, mizzen and staysail available. Later we find out we do actually have a spare!
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Xmas delivery
VAT and registration complications meant we could not bring Larksong over ourselves, but relied on skipper Mark and his colleague to do this. They made St Peter Port to Portland in record time even thought the genoa clew ripped out near Portland bill. The docking master and I walked to Larksong’s berth to signal Mark…