RCSSC Sailing 30 June 23 - Sailing on RCSSC Squib Satyr. Great conditions and company.

The forecast was good so Mike and I (Dave) agreed to meet up at Rutland Sailing Club for a sail on Rutland Civil Service Sailing Club (RCSSC) on Friday 30 June 23. The forecast was a F3-4, dry so we looked forward to good sail on Squib Satyr. For a change they weather was forecast and so we launched and rigged Satyr and with the wind blowing from the south/ south east. With Dave on the helm, we headed along the south leg of Rutland Water (RW) and once away from the shore, the wind picked up and we enjoyed a sail up to towards the boundary line for sailing, up to Old Hall on the Peninsula. We had the lake almost to ourselves, the wind was picking up and Satyr, over 50 years old, was showing us she could still give us a great sail, heeling. As ever on RW, wind awareness had to be constant as the wind strength and direction kept us on our toes. Time for Mike to helm. After a few more crossing back and forth we headed back toward Rutland Sailing Club (RSC) and then out toward the end of the Peninsula, Half Moon Spinney and Normanton Church. The wind picked up and got lively with white caps we were speeding along with a good heel on the boat with water splashing onto the decks and onto us both. We were soaked but enjoying the sailing - the years fell off us both and we Satyr did herself proud, making a good way on a beat. The sky greyed a bit more and we decided to head back to RSC for lunch, brought in nicely by Mike in changing wind strength and direction. We'd been well over 2 hours. After a brief lunch break we decided to head back out for an hour or so. This time I donned my waterproof jacket and trousers. Mike on the helm and myself crewing this time. The Waszp Event was on and sailing north in the basin area - Dam down to Normanton Church and looked a great sight. We sailed to towards a safety rib and checked the course to stay out the way and spent time going back and forth in a good breeze with Mike on the helm and myself videoing on My iPhone (as usual - it works for us) and we managed to capture a good number whizzing between the two gates. A wonderful sight to see relatively close-up but out of their way. Time to change helms enjoying the strengthening breeze, now more white horses. Just enjoying being on the water, with a sailing buddy and getting a great sail out of Satyr as we sailed the area between the Peninsula and Normanton for a while before it was time to return to the pontoon. We put in a sail past RSC and sailed in to check out our pontoon to find the wind direction would mean we would have to come in on the other side to the recovery slipway. Luckily the two dinghy sailor came out and were setting off and the RAF Rib kindly moved away to kindly make it easier for us when it came to bring Satyr round to the recovery side of the pontoon. We had a plan of approach and escape if necessary to come in again and we able to come in alongside comfortably, using the strong breeze to quickly slow us, but allow us to gently come along side. Thanks to Malcolm RSC Bosun, who offered to use his tractor to recover us, Satyr was soon back on her trailer and in the trailer park. 15 mins and Satyr was stowed ready for the next members of RCSSC to sail her. Time for a debrief and a pint and reflections of another perfect day, in sailing great conditions, in good company.