Bala Cruiser Meet to sail Lake BALA

Always an early start 0700 on the road. good trip but very misty, Bala was very misty as well. met with John Malone who was doing a shipmaster meet. rib was loaded ready to go to Black Magic also armed with my old cover to put over the new one. the cover was filthy , all cleaned and cover took ashore to make a better job. NIc arrived and then Rob Hyde so we had 3 luggers total and then howard on his sailfish 18 by the time we got going it was 1200, the wind was light but supposed to build later in the day a good north east we went downwind and eventually the rain appeared but light. at the weather mark the wind was good , myself and nic made it to the water sports centre down the bottom on the hour we reached across and took pics waiting for the others howard and rob turned up then we headed back me saying the trip back was going to be fun. 18 tacks later Howard got back first followed by me then Rob and nic was behind because of a family lunch at LLnagower. a few drinks in the bar later and everyone agreed it was a good sail. on the way home it rained and got dark quick . sailing time 3h approx

Photo on Cara o Menai during Aberaeron regaatta 2022

Boat update Sept 4th 2023

My plan and ambition was always to have a corribee, in 2021 i sailed with Andy Beetz down the bottom end of Bala lake and he and stuart were cruising i was on my dart15, i always said to Andy if he sold GOOSE i would try to buy it. its now for sale and back in Smugglers cove boat yard, where i was thinking of putting Black Magic. so i have advertised Black Magic to see if i can seel and then i can bring GOOSE back to Bala fingers crossed im not going to loose sleep over it if it happens it happens tbh wrong end of season to sell boats its on Facebook market only.

my YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@mutley192

Long awaited Trip to Bala

waited ages due to poor weather to go sailing again, setting off at 7 ready to get to bala early and check on Black Magic we had alot of rain and was worried the boat cover may not have done its job and the bilge would have been full. a brief scare on the way as i had hit a cats eye which made a bit of a bang, the car semmed ok but on arriving at Bala found the tyre with no pressre in it, luckily i brought my tyre pump and pumpedc it up. the rib was pumped up using my new flexi tail battery pump, it didnt take long did it same time as i did the car one. i also brought the drone so flew it first to go out over the cruisers and back while it was quite. this was the first time i had flown the drone away frome home and over water , its on my youtube channnel i loaded the rib went out to Black Magic then checked the boat out, seaguls had a field day with using it as target poo pratice. with that job done all sails hoisted and the wind filled in a lot, the engine was put on the back and battery in place ready to leave the mooring, i was a bit apprehensive about this as it was my first time solo doing it. i waited my moment and dropped the line, with not putting centre board down and now gusty conditions i had a job to sail the boat couldnt tack, i know the reason why now, the boat does suffer from windage with the high sides, i made my way to mark 1 and was going to attempt 5-4-1 challenge however junior traing stopped my start as yhey were all around mark x, i started but found it too much solo, so when i was opposite 5 i took aLL sails down and motored to the morning, it was rather windy and was worried the motor had a enough power to get me back. i picked the mooring up great so no worries. i tidied the boat had a rest and watched the wind die down typicaL, with the cover on i went around the boat in the rib and took some pics, got back to shore and packed every thing in the car which i am getting better at i didnt sail much but was a nice morning out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO6I-gxcG2k

project material link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078HYGRQ1?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&fbclid=IwAR1_Kwn5wFKuIFbofvEiyvgmMZ8FNI6lwxnon8c58HiWMe8Udk5rtuCHxe8&th=1 >https://www.sailrite.com/All-Hardware/Fasteners-and-Hooks/Clips-and-Hooks/Fastener-Type/Stayput/type/Products

Bala long distace race pics

return to Bala

after the race Saturday i forgot an item i left on the boat,so an early start was made to get to Bala , no wind was foecast so it was a boat bimbling day as well. helped Sailing with Dave with his boat launch after hearing his tales of Anglessy then we moved down to sort out the rib, stupidly i forgot to pack the pump so good job Dave was there too . i went to Black Magic took the cover off which was looking good, i did this by whizzing around the boat in the rib much easier, then a quick pump of the bilge , recover the item and then set about a clean down and tidy out of rubbish. removed a few fenders and the seat that to me got in the way, then onto putting the new boat name on the boat , the old ones peeled off nicely. i was surprised the stickers had a coating that couldnt be removed and added to the fact i didnt get them on straight didnt help. i did a practice gaff raising and took the mizzen out for storing away. sorted the mainsheet rope as it was wrongly fed and stopped for lunch with Dave who was doing his tentt project. after i went back and stored the boat away and cover which worked better off the boat than on. returned to shore and packed the rib away. whilst talking to Dave the wind picked up and got quite fresh where was that from as not forecast, on leaving Bala the rain started and poured down untill i reached the far end of the lake then it was into sunshine again. a good days work sorting and away from home for some peace.

Bala Long Distance race

well an early start to Bala , get the dinghy ready motor out to Black Magic, undo the cover which was full of water , pump out the bilge , do the mizzen and bumpkin put the main up and foldwhich later unfolded as did the job cos i undid a wrong rope. then i went to see who was around see what the course was , help Nic on Elizabeth Rose, then as i was walking back to the far end Ritchie shouted someone wanted to crew. so James Macyntyre umped aboard who also had a cruiser and we set about getting off the mooring. we did ok and found out afer a few manouveres the ropes were not right. with 43 boats on the start line it was a bit hectic . i found myself in the middle while most were on the far pin, i went on port tack but this was a mistake as the besty wind was the left side we dropped behind bigtime, we got things sorted on the boat and settled in James was a good crew and sorted things while i helmed or vice versa. the wind came in fits and starts, Black Magic heeeled over nice and then powered up, with alot more tacking just to get into the middle of the lake we eventually rounded the windward mark to be greeted by howard on safety taking a few snaps. the return leg was a reach/ braod reach down the middle but again we were wrong and should have gone to the left side again(rightside going lol) we eventually made it to the leeward mark and greeted by rob on oboat sayinmg we would be finnished but with no hoot as others were still going. time was 2h25 and 1h25 from the other mark. we then worked our way back to the mooring and packed the boat away and put on its new cover, looking very smart. i was tired after packing the rib in the car and headed off home. very pleased for my maiden sail on Black Magic very sedate boat

launch rib trolley wheels

 the launch rib is light but not for one person, so to protect it after comming off the water ive decided to put some wheels on the stern , they were not cheap either £95 posted.

BlackMagic launch day

 on the road by 0530  Bala by 0720

unloaded the car and got the new dinghy pumped up, met Jane with the Bayraider and managed to off load my oars i did not want, after some time loading the boat i was ready to go down to see Sailing with dave

https://www.youtube.com/@SailingWithDave/videos  there he was with LULU anchored  up and chatting away to the camera, it was like waiting to go on a filmset.

when he was done i went over and said hi, and introduction to LULU and a nice cup of coffee.

Dave was then willing to help get Black magic on the water, it was quite a military operation.

first we went on the rib to hunt out mooring 16  there was only one blue bouy but no 16.

then we went back got the boat under tow from lulu and got her up to the mooring , we made off the shackles and was happy,   Dave then went off to leave me to it and sort the the boat tiday it away. He flew his drone over and did some fly bys.

then after the wind picked up we decided to take lulu out for a spin and he showed me the ropes, we decided a 5-4-1 challenge was in order so we headed to x and started the run , the boat went ok in light wind and showed signs of response in the breeze. getting to 5 was awkward , a low beat over to 4 and we were well high of the mark, a reach to 1 and then on to x  sadly only 38m 40 and daves first time was 30m 29, so all to playfor on Black magic. it was a good sail enjoyed it much.

we packed the boat away picked up my rib and then set off to look at Janes boat. time was now 5pm and Jane wanted a hand recovering the boat which we did. 

a slow drive home and some rest, i ached all over surprisingly, first time sailing since August regatta 2022

hopefully again next week.

coastgaurd helicopter

just launched

around the moorings

nice pink pickup bouy and filthy mooring bouy

moored up

waiting on the jetty

not alot of wind

on the mooring relaxing

boat launched

spinny project

following in the footsteps of sailing with Dave, i found a cheap set of spinnakers on facebook market , with a choice of colours i was drawn to this one, ive bought the block for the top of mast , the halyard and the control line 

as Dave develops the methods on his i will install mine the same, bearing in mind as of yet ive not even launched the boat yet for its maiden sail by me .

https://www.youtube.com/@SailingWithDave/videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUakTKXdHmA

how to rig and gybe 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpfAamc1uD0

Drascome py

at Bala we will use py1386

 

more kit

 Well the intended launch didnt hapen due to problems with the car, now thats all sorted aiming for 20th May 

also been sorting kit to run a spinny like https://www.youtube.com/@SailingWithDave/videos

got the spinny off facebook market 

also some ropes for the halyard and sheets for the spinny control 

not sure which im getting yet

then i have ordered some main halyard  and control lines

red 5mm control line 

yellow 5mm halyard

the Drascombe Lugger

 

new rib

Many moons ago after work i set off in my trusty vw van and went all the way to truro to pick up a 3m ish rib inflatable, it was stored at home under the pear tree gather leaves pears and water, when we moved it was stored inside one of the open air stables out of the way, one hot summer it even acted as  a nice mini pool.

over the years it steadily deflated and gathered mud etc 

now i go to use it and find the rubbing strake and underneath has all come apart prob due to the heat and cold.

so i had to bite the bullet and buy a new 2.3m rib to get out to "Black Magic" its a fair way to the mooring and i have to get the lithuim battery and bisson 55 onto the boat  so needed more than a sup to do it. 

at £420 its alot but never mind , it will get plenty of use i hope 

Boat Sticker

 this is my new Boat sticker for Black Magic , but first the old name must be taken off and the hull repainted black.

more to follow

To do and purchase list

 Items needed for "Black Magic" or to do list

Boat stickers  FUNKYMONKEYBOAT Names £97.91  done

art and sea better boat stickers as ordered wrong font £65 done

Ecoworthy Lithuim iron phospate 12v 100ah  £340 done

Victron blue smart charger £88 done 

Drascome inner cockpit cover £345 done

Bluetti EB3A 600wh power bank for nav kit £ 269 done

Ecoworthy 130w flexible solar panel £ 129 done

New jib sheet needed £ 25 (20m)   done

Bisson 55 electric outboard new £192 done

2x Anchor marine fenders 45 x 13cm £29  done

new Rydal 2.3m rib £420 done 

mooring strop £28.70 done 

stainless steel clips £10 done 

galvanised mooring shackles £19.65 done

pickup bouy £25 done

double action pump £23 done 

£2100 so far 

 Black paint for hull needed £

make boom for Mainsail  2x cls timer needed

Boom fitting to mast and boom (possibly a mirror version) needed

clipper wind instrument wanted but not essential 

this is just a short list more to be added no doubt 

Mutley93 has been sold

on Saturday 15th April my d zero Mutley93 was sold to Ninian and will be sailed in the manchester area. an early start to get to Bala on time and pack the boat away and tie it down ready for the transfer. i made sure i had everything needed. after this i went over to Dogstar(Black Magic) To get her unwrapped. the cover was taken off after bailing all the water off the top, all the spars were removed and the heavy rudder, with the help of David Ansell we put the main mast up and the mizzen the rest of the baot was rigged whilst waiting for Ninian to arrive. when he did we handed over the correct stuff went for a tea and did the money transfer.a last farewell picture and Mutley93 was gone. back to Black Magic as i will be reverting the name, i fully rigged the baot and got a feel for what it was going to be like overall i am really happy as the baot was only boat on supplied photos. with help from Rob Hyde we got the gaff up no problem. the day was very sunny and warm but not a lot of wind. i am still waitng for my engine electric to put onboard and get the Lithuim phospater iron 100amph battery with all that it was time to pack away and put the rather tired cockpit cover. new one on order. plans are to rename the boat back to Black Magic former name and stickers still visable repaint the boat Black , get the bision 55 outboard ecoworthy 100amph battery do some re roping ie the jib sheets and shroud ropes. apart from that re do the teak oil gunwhales and centreboard wood , all are fine but it doesnt hurt.