Martin Caddy and I were in two minds whether or not we should go out. It had blown a gale in the night and was still pretty lively when we got to NDYC. However, the forecast was for the conditions to improve, so we rigged the boat with a reefed main and went for it.
Conditions were far from ideal, as it was very gusty off Appledore, and Instow Beach was very exposed and lumpy. However, just inside Crow Point there was a flattish stretch of water before the wind's strength was killed by the dunes.
Our speed runs gradually crept up, and we soon beat the 16 knots of earlier in the season. Martin kept his balance on the wire and we passed 17 knots with ease on several occasions. We also were in danger of pitch-poling in the less than ideal conditions. We hit 18.2 on one stretch and then maxed out at 18.5 knots recorded maximum speed shortly before capsizing off Yelland Jetty. We called it a day at that, and retired with no breakages.
Given marginally less wind and flatter water we'll go faster yet. This trip has been entered in the Yachts and Yachting Garmin Speed Freaks League.
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