Baltimore 2017

The Jester Baltimore Challenge 2017

Start off western end of Plymouth Breakwater, or the Pwllheli Sailing Club’s start line on Sunday 10th June 2017.
Finish Baltimore Haven, when the linebetween Barrack Point light on the western side of the entrance and Loo Rock buoy on the eastern side of the entrance is crossed.

To sail single-handed from Plymouth, United Kingdom or from Pwllheli to Baltimore, Republic of Ireland, (ROI), a distance of about 250nm.

Due to my [Ewen’s] unavoidable absence, the poor weather forecast for the day of the Plymouth start (which meant that Hamish could not bring Black Velvet out of the river Yealm confident that he could get back safely with his young family) and Terry Orton (the past and current temporary Commodore of the Tamar River Sailing Club) breaking his coccyx the day before the start, skippers were obliged to start under their own steam off the western end of Plymouth breakwater – and one cheated! I’m not quite sure what happened at Pwllheli!

At least three Challengers put into Fowey for repairs and one was last seen in Cawsand Bay, otherwise all were reported to have made their way to Baltimore. The initial weather in Baltimore was poor:  indeed, Tony Head reported that dinghy work was impossible to begin with. However the weather cleared in time for the piracy celebrations to the point of, apparent, perfection.

As far as the Challenge itself is concerned no dramas, serious breakages, men/women overboard and so on were reported despite the initial dodgy weather at both starting points. Thirty seven potential skippers declared an initial interest with 25 crossing the two start lines. Around 90% finished at Baltimore.

Our thanks to the Hafan Pwllheli Marina and Plas Heli at Pwllheli and Tamar River Sailing Club at Plymouth for providing mooorings and hosting skippers’ suppers at the start, and to Baltimore Sailing Club for their hospitality at the finish.

Starters

Skipper	Start	Yacht	Type	LOA	Finish
Andrew Robinson	Pwllheli	CRUSOE TOO	Moody 29	29′
Bernie Branfield	Plymouth	CHANTILLY	MacWester Rowan	22′	Finished
Chris Jackson	Plymouth	SIXPENCE	Albin Ballad	29’11”	Finished
Dave McDowall	Plymouth	SULA	S&S 6.6	30′
David Golding	Pwllheli	TOROA	Rustler 31	31′	Finished
David Knowler	Pwllheli	HEADWAY 111	Achilles 840		Finished
Didier Goupil	Plymouth	GWENVED II	Beneteau First 305	30’6″
Donald Heath	Plymouth	GUPPY UNCHAINED	Django   7.70	25’3″
Doug Pingel	Pwllheli	JEKEEDA 2	Westerly 33	33′
Geoff Turner	Pwllheli	DAWN	Parker 21	21′
Glenn Evans	Plymouth	PLANCIUS	Sadler 34	34′
Graeme Shimwell	Pwllheli	PANACEA	Albin Vega	27′
Gus Davidson	Plymouth	FOXY LADY	Royal Cape One Design	29’6″
Jan Newman	Pwllheli	BLUE MOON	Parker 325	32′	Finished
John Apps	Plymouth	RAVEN	Rival	34′
Nigel Colley	Plymouth	JULIET	Vancouver	32′
Patrick Dollard	Plymouth	GOOD KNIGHT	GK 29	29′
Preston King	Pwllheli	LAMU	Macwester 26	26′	Finished
Roger Fitzerald	Pwllheli	ELLA TROUT	Dehler	29′
Simon Griffiths	Pwllheli	KIRIE	Feeling 286	29′
Stuart Batley	Plymouth	AGGIE	Westerly Warwick	21’6″
Sue Denham	Plymouth	FREELANCER	Westerly Centaur	26′
Thomas Lee	Plymouth	SPOOKY	Maxi 95	31′
Tim Luke	Plymouth	MEDUSA	Vancouver	34′	Finished
Tony Head	Plymouth	TRIPLE VENTURE	Twister	28′	Finished

Please note: missing information, and perhaps even skippers, is the result of missing records, not failure on the part of the skippers. Please let us know if you can fill in any gaps.

Jester Pirates

Diaries and Reports

Bernie Branfield – First Time Jester, Baltimore 2017

‘I have wanted to do more off-shore single-handed sailing and the Jester Challenge seemed to be an ideal choice. It features many of my sailing philosophies ; minimalist, low cost, own efforts, average / ordinary boats and people. Having watched several Youtube videos and read some articles it seemed to be within my reach. I just needed time and Chantilly, my aging Macwester Rowan, needed some modifications.’

Read more