Our journey began on Tuesday at 1300 Hrs where we travelled down to Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth. We all met under the Spinnaker tower, where we were introduced to our assigned yacht: Challenger One. We collected our luggage and brought it down onto the pontoon. After we boarded the Challenger at 13:15Hrs, we began introducing ourselves with each other as we were all strangers to one another. We were all very quiet at first as most crew members were experiencing their first voyage on sea. With exception of some who had previous experience of sailing. Soon after, we separated into two teams and was trained on safety below and above the deck. We then prepared the Yankee and Staysail and set out to Cowes on the Isle of White at 1500Hrs. However, we only used the diesel engine to get us there as it was very windy. Huge wave and very cold.

Once we had moored up at Cowes Watch 1 put the sail bags over and Watch 2 prepared and cooked a Spag Boll. We played some card games and then Watch 2 washed up while Watch 1 went to the showers. We then spent the rest of the evening relaxing until 2215Hrs when we went to bed.

Our day started with the annoying wirrrr of the diesel heater. We had all slept moderately well considering the windy and cold night. We all got up and met in the galley to chat and discuss the day before. We received the agenda of the day from the skipper and where we were going. Our plan was to set sail to Weymouth and arrive at 1900Hrs by doing a bit of night sailing. We discovered we had set a near record of using 500L (1 tank) of the clean water supply in less than 24 hours. Reasons for this are uncertain and doubts by the team questioned if they did fill it all the way up, although it seems impossible, they did this. The mate and Watch Leaders made bacon baps while the watches prepared the sails and deck. Shortly after, we were slipping the stern & bow lines and setting off. The day was calm with little wind. It was more cloudy but not as cold which was nice.

About 30mins into sailing west, we prepared the main sail with the sweaters and grinders.  For the rest of the day, we did training on the sailing terminology and knot-knowhow. We then cooked a Hungarian stew to satisfy our needs and very tasty it was too.

For the rest of the evening, we planned out meals for Thursday and Friday. We then explored Cowes near the harbour in our free time.

By Tom

On the Thursday morning, we had a slight lie-in as we were all tired, but well rested. Cereals were prepared on the table, and we enjoyed toast and honey. After washing up, we swapped the Yankee 2 to the Yankee 3 and the Staysail to a Storm Staysail. The weather was intense as we were to experience Gale force 8 winds, with plenty of rain that day. We soon set off at just before mid-day from Cowes with a plan to sail around the Solent until the tides were high enough to enter Yarmouth harbour.

They wind only got stronger and the rain heavier. The rain was like needles blowing into your face. We put up the mainsail (reef 2) and Yankee 3 up making our first official sailing experience of the voyage. It was so much fun though. Water spraying everywhere and the yacht at steep angles of more than 30 degrees. We reached a maximum speed of 12knts on just the sails. It was a great time, but we were all soaking wet and tired.

Once in Yarmouth we put the boat to bed, before ending the day with chicken goujons, salad and chips from the local chippie. Challenger 2 was also moored behind us, as they had come back from Weymouth. We enjoyed a delicious, 5-star apple crumble the Watch Leaders had made. Followed by ripples in the water of heavy bass and rolling stones as we found out how to connect to the yacht’s stereo. It was sweet and stereo! Till 2145Hrs is where we enjoyed our free time. We then explored Yarmouth.

By Tom

After a long night’s rest, we woke to the smell of burnt scrambled eggs and raw sausages as both watches seemed to only be able to “cook” meals to carcinogenic coal. You would expect a group of 16–18-year-olds to know how to cook, but the prolonged influence of pot noodles and microwave meals is our life support. But it was edible and sufficient to feed the crew.

At 0900Hrs, we did the typical morning routine of preparing the deck and setting up the sails. This time we added the Tri-sail. After the deck was set, we had free time to venture into the metropolis that was Yarmouth. We set sail soon after with the plan of heading back to Cowes. The wind had died down slightly, but still very gusty. We used the Tri-sail, Yankee 3 and Storm Staysail throughout the day. It was quite cloudy and miserable weather, but the speed we made on the sails combined with the waves made it exciting. We dropped the sails instantly when a drill for M.O.B. occurred. It is safe to say the innocent fender was recovered from the churning sea and secured back on the boat. We saw a large cargo carrier ship decimate its path over the sea which was a sight and a half. Challenger 2 was also sailing around Cowes.

After a lot of sailing, we moored back up at Cowes to enjoy a warm shower, out of the rain. Next came Fajitas prepared by Rebecca’s watch, hopefully not so burnt.

Today was a good day! Tomorrow will be our last day of the voyage as we are heading back to Portsmouth. Tomorrow will consist of tiding the yacht away and restoring its found condition. Everyone is dreading the….  DEEP CLEAN…… (dun dun dunnnn)

By Tom