Various jobs and a short cruise

After a gap in reports due to a holiday, I spent a morning on Rebel Runner before taking her out on a little trip in the afternoon. I had been in California and among other toys I brought back a lure and trace holder, which I cut in two and fitted each side of the wheelhouse "wings". In fact, having reflected on how simple this is, it could easily be made from right angled plastic strip (less than £2 from B&Q) with small holes drilled in the sticking-out part and the flat glued to the boat with Sikaflex.

Next job was a simple one - I had applied for a Small Ships Register number and it arrived a while back. It has to be displayed in 30mm text on each side, so I ordered vinyl lettering from The Sign Man (who supplied the boat name lettering) . I applied them to the stern quarter.

The next job wasn't so easy. The hatch in the cockpit is a heavy beast and if it fell shut it could be dangerous. I bought a heavy-duty spring to hold it up but unfortunately there is nothing to bolt it to at the side of the hatch as the gutter forms the rim. I made up a block of wood and intended to glass it under the gutter. Have you ever tried glassing upside down underneath yourself, where you can't see the back of it? Worse, every time I put a layer of mat on it slumped down. Eventually I decided to do it in stages, here are two layers on, another to go then a flow coat. Who would have thought such a small thing was so tricky.

At 2pm the marina gate opened but it was blowing a good F5 and all the charter boats were tucked up in their berths. Fishing seemed unlikely. We have family arriving from the USA soon and I am required to transport some of them to Bembridge for a family meet-up, so I thought I had better do a trial run as I haven't been to Bembridge harbour for a while. Rebel Runner behaved perfectly heading into a very short sea and 20 knot winds, feeling very steady and surprisingly dry, most of the spray was deflected well astern. As you could have guessed, Bembridge on a Sunday in Cowes week was packed, it felt like the M25 going in. Once I found the visitor's berths I turned round, job done, only to find a 30 foot yacht reversing at 90 degrees across the channel which is about 30 feet 6 inches wide. I have no idea what was going on, I just found a gap and went through. I had heard mackerel were appearing at The Forts so I headed over. First drop, a mackerel, then nothing for the next several drifts but it was very uncomfortable in the wind. At least I could claim fish guts on that flashy deck at last! Back to the marina for a through clean down, now she's all ready for visitors.