Woke up to find a big (for Fowey) ship coming in to collect china clay. The wind was forecast to be west to southwest. We hoisted the mainsail in the harbour and once outside Richard decided to use the cruising chute (a kind of spinnaker) as the wind angle was just right for this sail. At first it was the right decision as it added 1 knot to our speed and we were regularly going at over 6 knots touching 7 knots through the water with the Hydrovane steering.
The wind did increase a bit and then when we were approaching our destination disaster struck and the sail ripped apart. It took a little time to retrieve the remnants and tidy up. Anne was worried as it was a bit frightening with Richard working on the foredeck in a rough sea. We then made it safely into Salcombe and anchored up the estuary.
The sail came with Harvard, is old and has been repaired at least twice before and it is probably beyond economical repair. Another visit to the sailmaker is on the cards; more expense!
