During the winter of 1951-52 ‘Mike’ Pleass and the author part owner of a fairly respectable fourteen footer were guilty of that harmless exercise known as armchair cruising. This we were well aware even at that stage is a very pleasant but misleading occupation. Comfortably ensconced before a warm fire on a winter’s evening with the right sort of companion and a chart or two that is the time when we sail our farthest, our most interesting and our most incredible voyages. We had a useful dodge for counteracting this invented by Mike. It was merely to set one’s alarm for five or six a.m. on the morning following and to reconsider one’s plans alone at that lifeless hour. It can be quite illuminating. In our case it reduced a Channel Island cruise to a trip down west. This we thought would provide a good shake down cruise and suggest improvements in gear for the Channel Islands next year.

On August 11th Tela was moored off the hard at Hamble and I met Mike there about noon. ‘I’ve left the mainsail on a bus in Cowes,’ he said cheerfully, ‘but never mind, we’ll manage.’ Luckily Tela has a Wykeham Martin roller jib which had been left up from the previous weekend, so we had that and the oars. It was blowing pretty fresh from the south-west so we were stuck for a bit but at Hamble there is always plenty to see and yarn about. When the ebb started at 1800 we left under jib and lee oar. Passing Kaylena the twelve metre at the mouth of the river we hailed the skipper and offered to race him to Torbay. The replies from him and his mate, both professional seamen, were more in the nature of good sound advice than an acceptance of the challenge! Nevertheless we plugged on heading for Cowes with the wind dropping off to a light breeze. Out in the Solent we had to keep at it hard all the time to make anything across the tide and it might well be recorded that the oar was no real substitute for the mainsail! To add to our joys the starboard rowlock cheek chose to work loose under the mighty heavings of the crew and of course this left us with only one tack. By some chance we just managed to lee-bow the tide and creep in to Cowes. We tied up at 2300 and walked to Mike’s home for supper and bed.

The next morning we spent collecting the remainder of our kit together (including the mainsail) and doing sundry repairs. We managed to stow everything eventually but being an ex-racing boat (East Cowes O.D. ) the space in Tela is limited. She has a hard chine, is three-quarter decked and the forward and after ends are bulkheaded off forming useful storage space. The cockpit is her chief asset being entirely clear of thwarts and seven feet long it makes a fine place for sleeping. The centreboard case has a broad top wide enough to sit on while rowing. The centreboard and drop rudder blade are both of steel, a good point when cruising since they give no trouble and add to the stability of the boat. She is remarkably stable as the ease with which one can stand and work on the foredeck effectively demonstrates. The rig is bermudian, roller jib being a great convenience as she has a short bowsprit. Perhaps not the ideal cruising dinghy but she has some very commendable virtues.

The afternoon saw us beating down to Yarmouth against the dregs of the southwesterly which had at last blown itself out. We succumbed to temptation at Yarmouth, moored her and went home on the bus for a free meal and bed for the night. We were back, however, and rowing out into the mist by 1800 next morning just catching the first of the ebb outside as we hoisted sail. Almost immediately a light easterly breeze filled in, the mist cleared, the sun shone and we draped ourselves in comfortable positions to relax and dry. Past the Needles and across Bournemouth Bay the wind held and then towards afternoon crept round to head us. With the flood against us we were barely making any ground, so we anchored close inshore just east of Durlston. On the ebb we made another six miles or so and passed St Albans but by sunset the wind had died completely so we rowed into Warbarrow Bay and anchored for the night. Sleeping was a rather fitful process due to the low temperature and the necessity of keeping half an eye on the weather. 0600 saw us rowing again mainly to keep warm. The wind was fair, however, so we were soon sailing and reached into Weymouth a couple of hours later. We tied up alongside a five tonner and were promptly offered two mugs of tea!

Visiting Weymouth for food and tidal charts of the Bill kept us busy in the morning while in the afternoon after a good meal cooked on our meths stove we had a lazy time apart from mending a broken bottom board. We carried a small selection of nails, screws, bolts and tools and although not vital they certainly proved useful. It is surprising how many little things that get by on weekend pottering will wear out in more continuous service. That evening we telephoned the coastguards and Met. Office and decided to try the inshore passage next day. It was still dark at 0350 when we cooked breakfast. Rowing out past the harbour mouth we decided the wind was fair alright but a bit breezy and this led to some discussion. It may have been the time (0600 again!) but the result was a unanimous decision to return and try the next day! The day wasn’t wasted since in the afternoon we took a bus trip to the Bill to have a look at the passage and spent the evening talking to the owners of two neighbouring yachts, Princeza and Falanda. In the process we acquired the information we needed for the inshore passage.

On Sunday 11th all went well. By 0800 we were off the Bill close inshore. A course was set for Berry Head and with a following wind and the ‘spinney’ set we started to make short work of the miles. We rounded Brixham breakwater at 1920, 13 hours 15 minutes from Weymouth. The inner harbour looked attractive but we didn’t find anywhere to lie. In the outer harbour again who should we find but Falanda just picking up her mooring and it was alongside her that we spent the night.

Monday we spent cleaning and storing ship and looking at Brixham and the yacht club to which Falanda’s owner invited us. As he was to be away for the next two nights we were very kindly given the run of Falanda and very useful she was as for most of the time the wind was strong to gale force. Tuesday we spent ashore and in Torquay we found Kaylena and were again given some sound advice. Our best bet, they said, was to sell her and walk home. . . Wednesday morning we slipped after thanking the owner and beat out against a brisk north-easter. Wet going at first until we rounded Berry Head and came under the lee of the land. We passed the Blackstone and Mewstone with plenty of ebb left so decided to try for Salcombe. We ran on for Start Point intending to take it fairly close inside the race. Approaching with the ebb and against the sun it looked smooth enough but from the other side and having been through it we knew that on that day at least there was no inshore passage! Prawle Point was abeam by the time our pulse rates were down to normal. The wind died off Salcombe entrance and we gratefully accepted a pluck up to the town. Eventually we found a remarkably good camping site with reasonable access at low tide, plenty of wood and an old disused orchard right on hand.

The following two days we spent very pleasantly in Salcombe harbour a place well worthy of a longer stay. The fine weather showed every sign of holding and our time was running out so that on Friday evening we put out again. There was no wind so we rowed out of the harbour. Still no wind so we rowed on with the ebb past Prawle Point and on to clear the Start. Off the Start at sunset a fine northerly breeze sprang up and we took tricks turn and turn about until dawn on Saturday. A period of calm while the run rose allowed us to cook our breakfast in comfort. Portland lighthouse was in sight as the mist cleared and a very light breeze came in from the N.W. The ebb set us back in the afternoon until about 1830 when we started to make up again. We left the Bill well to the north at least 6 to 8 miles off. The breeze picked up nicely in the evening and by 2200 Durlston Head was abeam. In Christchurch Bay we felt the full force of the wind and rolled down to the first batten. As we didn’t want to arrive at the Needles with a foul tide and in the dark we hove to in the bay and waited for the dawn. 0500 we shook out the reef and were in the Needles Channel an hour and a half later, the tide dead slack. By 0730 the flood was making strongly and we beat in against a very light north to east breeze. Yarmouth, Newtown, Beaulieu then the wind dried up completely under the scorching sun. With the tide under us we easily pulled the last mile or so into Cowes and tied up off Atkey’s yard 42 hours out from Salcombe and having covered about 105 — 110 miles.

So ended a very pleasant cruise which confirmed or modified our ideas and gave us confidence in the boat provided reasonable judgement was exercised and a careful watch kept on the weather. As a result I may add that we have subsequently had equally satisfactory cruises on both the south and west coasts.