PicoMicroYacht's first voyage

It was PicoMicroYacht's first voyage after lock-down.

The UK Government had published guidelines about recreational water sports as follows:

‘All forms of water sports practised on open waterways, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and the use of privately-owned motorised craft (in line with the guidance issued by the relevant navigation authority) are allowed.’ 

The Government also allowed for travel to get to the relevant places for such sports.

Although some common sense and caution was required, I realised this meant that I could finally launch PicoMicroYacht. I decided to go to my sailing club, which had provided guidelines for visiting the club. 

In addition, my own rules were:

(1) Not going in the club house at all
(2) Using disposable gloves when I unlocked the gate to enter the club and gain access to the slipway.
(3) Not to touch anything other than PicoMicroYacht (I broke this rule when I rescued a good piece of wood from a bonfire).

I brought with me all food and drink and left nothing.

When I arrived, I chatted briefly with two other sailors, keeping a good distance. They seemed happy to be able to visit the club and do some work on their boats.

The plan for PicoMicroYacht was to circumnavigate Hayling Island, part of the coastal waterways between Portsmouth and Chichester, areas of outstanding beauty. 

Hayling Island is the rotated T-shaped island in the middle

The sea state was smooth or slight, and to start with there was no wind. There was a gentle neap tide and warm weather.

PicoMicroYacht left the Chichester Harbour at about three and a half hours after high tide. Normally I would not leave on the ebb, but the sea was calm.

The glassy sea by the entrance inspired confidence

As I headed out, I realised the harbour entrance was being patrolled by the harbour master, presumably checking that people were following the regulations.

The harbour master crew swept by in their rib

I also cut a corner and headed west almost immediately outside the entrance, going across the West Pole Sands. Normally this would only be done at high tide, if at all, because of the danger of breaking seas and grounding. I proceeded very cautiously.

Chart showing the West Pole Sands by the Chichester Harbour entrance

I then rowed clockwise west, close to the Hayling Island shore, watching people relaxing on the beach.

The wind started filling in from the west. However, I was now shielded by a large sandbank outside Langstone Harbour called the East Winner.

The East Winner shown to the right of the Langstone entrance

Looking south across the East Winner towards the Isle of Wight

I was able find a way across the sandbank, the depth being slightly greater closer to the shore.

Just a few inches to spare

An aerial photograph shows the passage inside the East Winner

I then entered Langstone Harbour, with the ebb tide now slackening.

I moored up and napped for a while, and then headed up the harbour, the wind strengthening all the time.

It was not long before I reached the channel that runs north of Hayling island.

The chart shows the channel separating Hayling Island from the mainland, the remains of a railway bridge to the left and a road bridge to the right

The first main feature was the dilapidated railway bridge, originally built in 1864.

As I got closer, the waves started to pile up and I had to be quite careful to aim though the gap, passing the large structure that supported the rotating bridge.

The water quickly calmed and I next passed under the road bridge, with six inches to spare for my mast.

It was nearly high tide  and as the sun started to set as I turned south towards the Chichester Harbour Entrance, back to my sailing club.

Including some detours, the total distance had been 19 miles, a pleasant and memorable voyage.

The East Winner Sandbank shown by drone