How to get launched?

[Burst Boiler]

This is a good question that I've also been chewing over. I've not launched yet, but whether I can justifiably drive an hour there and an hour back for a day sail will influence whether I do launch or not, at least for now. I think if you go out, get into trouble and require assistance from official bodies, you might get a similar sanction to the hillwalkers. If you go out and have no problems, there is also the issue of optics (even without ais) - and a potential for backlash of the "no way do all those yachties sailing about live in Greenock/kip/largs/helensburgh. Which could cause those that do live within 5 miles losing their access too. I think officially the answer is no, but if you are sensible and discrete in choice of where you do your pootling about, then I doubt there would be any practical issues. I think its more a question if conscience and whether the nagging doubt would actually undo a lot of the enjoyment. Although for some, the thought of being naughty would add to the pleasure. My personal view is I'm not going to go sailing until I can stay overnight, but might drive and get ready for launch before that.

[cpedw]

Confession time. We live 6 miles from our winter boatyard so on Sunday, we went antifouling. First visit since late March. I don't remember leaving such a mess but that's often the way theses days.

The yard was only offering launch to nearby residents. I didn't ask what the criterion is exactly but we met the terms. Launched Monday soon after midday. Lovely sail to the mooring, 10 minutes walk from home, so I think I'm covered for day sails now. Then it pi$$ed down Tuesday and today's a bit windy plus other activities already arranged so next trip may not be till the weekend.

It's ironic that last year, questions were asked about a few boats in the Mooring Assn that didn't use their mooring. This year it looks like half won't make it. I heard that Crown Estate plan to review their fees in September; they may waive them if the mooring hasn't been used. That's far from certain at the moment though.

Derek

[marisca]

I have difficulty in seeing the difference in a local twisting their ankle and someone from 60 miles away doing it. Similarly my place of residence has no effect on my idiocies on the boat.
Neither breach Nicola's crowds in beauty spots warning.
Anyhoo the diesel leak I fixed in the shed is now worse! Back to grovelling in the innards.

[Burst Boiler]

At this stage of things, we are gong to see a background of continued fall in new cases generally, but with localised bursts of new infections. The long incubation period and the role of infectious asymptomatic carriers means these bursts exist before they are identified.

The tactics to deal with this in the track and trace (track and protect in Scotland) phase are more effective when travel is limited. Firstly, the localised outbreaks become less local (or become a series of different local outbreaks) the more people travel, and the effectiveness of contact tracing is also lessened as it gets harder to track down all the potential contacts someone has had the more they have travelled.

Its the unintentional contacts with people and surfaces (either picking up or passing the infection) that are the problem, which occur when things don't go to plan. We fully intend not to meet anyone, until we get a double puncture and need to call the AA etc. Unlikely I know, but these things will happen to someone in the coming weeks and months. But probably on a rare enough basis to not materially increase R.

[marisca]

Boat is now on Ashton mooring. Shuttled car and bike to avoid public transport, used Avon to get ashore. Good news is I can still get on and off the boat into dinghy, outboard works, and the bad side is the burgeoning ecosystem developing on my mooring junk has been given its marching orders.
Quite a few boats were drifting about but only a couple on AIS. Roll on Phase 3!

[marisca]

The mental calm that comes from just a short sail is such a relief. If you can get out, do it.

[aquaplane]

The mental calm that comes from just a short sail is such a relief. If you can get out, do it.

I 100% agree.

I hope to go for a long sail soon.

Maybe I could get somat cheap in Whitby for the £4K I was going to spend on a Flotilla holiday in Greece.

[mm5aho]

Launching booked for 16th.
Hopefully by about August I might be away to about Cape Wrath or thereabouts. Back for Christmas!