Previously, in my last update, I described how I found cruising at 6 knots both comfortable and enjoyable but what I hadn't explored was what it was like to cruise this slowly at night. I had done night trips before with a crew or as part of a crew during my Yachtmaster training. However, COVID-19 meant if I wanted to do more, I would have to do it alone. In my previous life as an ICU doctor all-nighters were common and I knew I could deal with the physical and mental strain, even though I was older! However, in recognition of this I decided to limit myself to a trip of less than 12 hours, so Swanage to Darmouth it was. To get used to being at sea again I left Portsmouth on the Saturday for a night in Newtown Creek, refuelled on Sunday in Yarmouth and then picked up a buoy in Swanage to prepare and have a sleep and a hot meal before the night trip to Dartmouth 66nm away. Preparing for as many eventualities as possible is key when planning a night passage.
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