Jonny Moore and Casulen II - Round Britain 2008 - Newsletter 1, 02/07
As more and more people become interested in or involved in my trip, I think that now is the time to introduce a newsletter telling you all how my training is getting on, to give you all updates on any sponsorship deals that have come up and so on.
For those of you who do not know, or those who want to recap, here is an overview of what I intend to do. In 2008, I intend to sail single-handed around mainland Britain in my Corribee 21, Casulen II. I will be 16, and it will take me approximately 75-90 days, At the moment, I intend to sail in an anticlockwise direction, but this is subject to change, and I am open to any suggestions. If you would like any more information with regards to my trip, please do not hesitate to contact me.
As some of you are aware, this summer, I have been spending all of my time sailing, training for my trip. From the 22nd July to the 9th August, I was sailing in Scotland with my Dad, on board Casulen II. In those 20 days, we completed a huge trip, taking us from our home port of Gareloch in the Clyde basin, around the Mull of Kintyre, Ardnamurchan point, through the Kyles of Lochalsh, around Cape Wrath, the Pentland Firth, then through the Caledonian and Crinan canals and back to Gareloch. We sailed 674.4 nm, and only had one day in harbour when we were held back by huge seas. We made this up the next day, however, by sailing non-stop from Wick to Fort Augustus, a total distance of 108 nm in 31 hrs Two other trips I also completed this summer were on board T.S Royalist, and also on board UKSA Outreach II. These two trips both took place in and around the Solent/Portland Bill areas. On board T.S Royalist, (the Sea Cadets sail training brig) we went from Weymouth to Poole, Portsmouth, Cowes, Yarmouth, Worbarrow, and back to Weymouth.
A few weeks later, on board UKSA Outreach II, (Sweden 39) I joined a sea-phase with one of the crews, and we sailed from Cowes to Studland bay, Weymouth, Lulworth cove, Poole, Yarmouth, Portsmouth, and then back to Cowes. Many thanks to all at the UKSA for letting me spend some time there, it was great, and well worth it as I learnt a lot and was able to complete my Competent Crew and Day Skipper qualifications. I also was able to do some sea survival training. Thanks to the crew from Drake 1, especially Mark, and also Alan, all of whom were really nice and helpful to me during my sea-phase with them.
Looking Ahead:
• From now until October 1/2 term. A few more trips in the Clyde area.
• October 1/2 term—sail Casulen II down from the Clyde to Cumbria. Via the Isle Of Man, maybe also Ireland or Anglesey.
• Dinghy sailing over the winter in the Lakes.
• Shorebased Yachtmaster course at night school
• More work on upgrading Casulen II over the Winter:
1. Increase size of cockpit drains
2. New coat of antifouling and repaint topsides/ deck.
3. Redesign and make main hatch, to increase seaworthiness.
4. Design and make self-steering wind vane.
5. Design and make a new set of sails.
6. Look at expected power consumption, and ways of keeping on top of this (solar power, towed or wind generators etc…)
7. Sort out new standing rigging, and replace chain plates, as I am unsure of the age of these.
• Due to the costs of self steering and new sails being outside my current budget, it looks as if I may have to make these myself! A fairly tall order, but if I can manage it, it will be an interesting learning curve! However, I am following up various contacts, and hopefully I will end up with some support and this will therefore ease off the workload considerably!
Downloads - in Adobe pdf format. Windows users right click and choose 'Save target as...' Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free download from Adobe.
Download the Voyage Plan
Download newsletter no 1
Download newsletter no 2
Download the Polar Bear report
Latest update on preparation of Casulen II here
Download newsletter no 3
Download newsletter no 4