May Cruise - Day 5

First reef put in mainsail whilst docked

11:05 Depart Bradwell under motor
11:25 Unfurled genoa, stopped engine
11:55 Hoisted reefed mainsail

12:25 Abeam Bench Head

13:36 Passed NW Knoll

13:20 Rounded Wallet Spitway

13:30 Rounded Swin Spitway

15:40 Struggling to make progress to windward even with a fair tide. Pushed too far to the South onto the Swallowtail bank and forced to run back downwind into deeper water sacrificing much of the ground gained. Steep chop knocking us back in the tacks and we missed stays on several occasions. Twice reduced genoa, first to about 80% then again to around 60%. Wind rising and sea state worsening so started enging, furled genoa, centred main and proceeded under power.

--:-- Passed another small yacht also motoring in under centred main and furled genoa abeam Buxey Sands.
17:25 In Brankfleet in almost calm conditions. Engine died coming in to anchor. Jane let go anchor and it set and held. Restarted engine, tripped anchor and moved position inshore before setting anchor with engine astern. Good holding.

17:40 Anchored in Brankfleet, River Roach, downstream of Jubilee racing mark. 6m of water, 25m of scope.
18:25 Hoisted anchor ball to starboard spreader
21:00 Lit and hoisted anchor light to port spreader

Total engine time: 2:20

Issues arising:

The engine simply cannot be trusted when coming in to dock or anchor if it has been run for any length of time at higher throttle settings. It invariably dies shortly after being throttled back. Suspect this may be due to plug fouling possibly due to the use of motorcycle 2stroke oil. It may also need hotter spark plugs fitting.