PHOTO: STEWART HENTONJANUARY 2016 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com 49HOME WATERSSue PellingSue is a freelance yachting journalist. She contributes
to various magazines internationally and covers the Olympic Games, Cowes Week and other regattas. She is also the author of
Sail for a Livingto careers in the marine industry., a comprehensive guidePortland to rest and wait for the system to pass through, leave early the next The original plan was to slip into
morning and negotiate Portland Race at slack tide. But, as with all plans, it was subject to change. A weather update indicated more manageable winds and a
window before the next system arrived. To avoid getting stuck in Portland, a decision was made to continue overnight and reach Brixham by dawn.
at sea, with winds reaching 30 knots by 0300. While we, the crew, all suffered in the uncomfortable conditions, All went to plan but it was a taxing night Brighton
Belleto prove her ocean-going pedigree. With full mainsail and partly furled genoa, she lifted her skirts and ploughed on was in her element and seemed keen
to provide a relatively stable ride in the relentless strong headwinds.our way to the visitor berth at Brixham Shattered after 24 hours at sea, we made
marina, where we enjoyed a hot shower and a hearty cooked breakfast back on board. It was then time to bid farewell to the team as they prepared to sail to
Plymouth later that day. After that short hop, they were stuck for the next two days while another nasty weather system passed through. Thankfully, the weather
settled from there on and the team enjoyed a pleasant sail across the Irish Sea to begin their west coast of Ireland cruise.As to my initial prejudice against
joint ownership, it was dispelled almost immediately I stepped aboard. By the end of my passage with the Brighton Belle Sailing Club, I was convinced. W
Brighton Bellea cutter-rigged ketch designed for long-distance is
offshore sailingIt was a tough passage and the crew were glad to enjoy warm showers and breakfast in BrixhamPhilip and Stewart make the sails ready as they talk through the plan for leaving harbour