We met on a decidedly damp Portsmouth quayside. When we arrived on the boat, we gathered in the gally to introduce each other as a team building exercises and ice breaker.

The skipper split us up into two groups to give us a below deck safety briefing through the whole boat. Next, we discussed the weather of the next couple days to see how the weather would affect the journey.

After that we looked at the charts to help plan our potential voyage. Then we were given an hour to decide what we would be cooking, considering dietary requirements and preferences.

After that we planned potential routes, deciding whether to go west or east and looking at all the obstacle, we will be facing. After a very tasty sausage casserole we got to know each other more and got ready to sleep.

By Katie, Isla & Finn

Today we arose at 07:15 and left Portsmouth at 11 after we finished prepping the deck. We transited out into the Solent after passing the outer channel marker.

We were blessed with sunny weather and good levels of wind with useful gusts up to 15 knots. Once on the Solent we practiced the hoist of the Main, Staysail and Yankee sail.

From here we refreshed our tacking skills and sailing knowledge in preparation for the voyage ahead. The crew’s tacking was sharp and well executed. 

For lunch we had chicken wraps which went down a treat with the crew. Our passage to Cowes today was a pleasant one with a max heel of 19.5 degrees, multiple hoists and de hoists and leadership skills.

Tomorrow, we sail to Weymouth planning to leave Cowes at slack water, so we have the tide with us coming out of the Solent and then head west towards Weymouth. All crew are excited for long journey tomorrow and are prepped thanks to a passage plan made up by Poly and Katy.  

Blog written by Fran and Jack 

Today we woke up at 7:30 in the morning, the sun had not yet risen, and we set up the boat to set sail which we did impeccably fast. Then we set sail leaving Cowes, one of the watches went below deck to serve breakfast which was a selection of pancakes and toppings which everyone enjoyed very much.

After that, we put up the Staysail, Yankee and Mainsail which was a success as we did it in amazing time because we motivated each other. Then we came to some choppy water where many of us got seasick and had to go below deck to their beds to rest. Then we arrived at Weymouth after taking down the Stay, Yankee and Mainsail to get ready to come into port.

After we docked, we put the sails away and close the boat. And then after that we got an hour or so to explore Weymouth and one of the watches make dinner which was fish and chips. After washing up we discussed what we were going to do the next couple of days, and we had showers and went to bed.

Special note Katy was the one who took us out of Cowes.

We all had an epic day.

By Kati, Finn & Isla

Today we had a slow start. With leadership learning under our belt, we cast our eyes to the weather outside the harbour. With a heavy fog bank looming over us our hopes were not high that we would be able to go out today nevertheless starboard watch started deck prep while port made lunch.

After sandwiches were devoured and the deck prep was complete, we decided to cast lines with smooth helming from Jack to get us out of the harbour, and with the fog clearing we hoisted the main. 

After we left the harbour, we had a close call with a crab pot we decided to take turns on watch at the bow on look out for the helm. In quick succession we rounded the headland and we then decided to host the Yankie 3 sail.

At this point it was dark, so we were excited to hoist the Yankie. After the sail was trimmed to perfection! We decided to have a tea break.

Before our inbound pilotage to Poole, we lowered the sails and prepared the deck for berthing alongside the marina office. Once berthed at Poole there was a chicken korma waiting down below prepared by starboard watch. With provisions on board for tomorrow the crew is excited to attempt to go round the Isle of Wight and enter back into the Solent. 

Blog written by Fran and Jack.  

Today a long passaged awaited. After some hardcore leadership passage planning we planned our route to Warsash marina from Poole. As we departed into the Poole pilotage, we had to give way to the chain ferry so Fran at the helm had to do some donuts to wait for the chain to settle. 

We also had a slight delay on hoisting the main has we had to wait for the Voyager fast channel ferry to pass into the Poole channel. Once we were clear we started hoisting the sails and made headway towards the Needles so we could make way rounding the Isle of Wight, passing pass St Cathrines point and back into the Solent in darkness.  

As we approached Bembridge ledge we struggled to find the cardinal marker however, we were glad to know it wasn’t our eyesight at fault it was due to the fact that the cardinal light was not working. 

Giles (mate) then reported the cardinal to Southampton VTS. After a long transit in the Solent towards the main channel and lots of looking out we started to lower sails and wait for the perfect amount of tide to enter into Warsash. 

After passing car carriers, cruise ships and ferries we entered Warsash and Skipper Paul showed his skill at the helm in a shallow and narrow channel with a fast tide upriver.

The crew is in good spirts after a posh pasta dinner and are excited for a good play around in the Solent tomorrow!

Today we woke up in Warsash Harbour. We were fuelled by toast and bagels and with food in our stomach we set sail. We went into the main Southampton channel and saw an endless number of things to look at such as oil tankers, ferries and cruise ships. Then we swung the boat to port and left south back into the Solent.

We were then served with wonderful hot dogs whilst watching a massive oil tanker pass by. 

Once out of danger we hoisted the Yankee sail. At this point Jack took over the helm from the smooth helming of Charles (watch leader). We then had a tea break thanks to Christine’s (watch leader) perfect tea making skills whilst at sea.

We then hosted the stay sail. Jack pushed the boat to an impressive speed of 12.4 knots. After holding on for dear life we checked the max speed and was shocked to see an incredible 32kns of wind speed. 

We then decided to call it a day and come into our beloved Cowes.

After a stressful docking we made it and had some much-needed shore time visiting what Cowes has to offer. We then turned our attention to the massive task of getting the boat to bed in the dreadful pouring rain.

We are sad to see the end of this Voyage. Lastly, from all of us on board Challenger 3 we bid farewell.