Bristol Channel cruising

Chapter One, in which Juggler heads to sea after 3 years in harbour and starts sinking.

"...The channel turns offshore at Portishead and heads out past barely covered sandbanks. Two round islands, Flatholm and Steepholm, lay on the horizon, sentinels guarding the channel. Here the wind was even fresher and Juggler's bilge keels lacked grip on the sploshing water which was formed into three foot waves as wind and tide fought. Objects clattered around inside the cabin as I tacked into the eye of the wind and enjoyed the feeling of hard sailing.
I began sinking. The floorboards were awash. I carefully (in stomping 5 ft waves) looked at the possibilities; the sea toilet - no; the unused engine intake - no; the cockpit drain pipe - no, plus, there was no water in the front, only the main cabin. Ah ha! the sink outlet - yes. Next to the hole is another, unused, one. This was gulping in water with the boat heeled over in the fresh wind the starboard side was immersed up to the drains.
I was quite fearful about sinking but acted calmly. At the time I was refueling the outboard, one of the cans slopped petrol into the cockpit. That left an unpleasant smell to exacerbate the sinking drama. With sails reefed about 50% Juggler still bashed along on her ear, the wind strength must have been about force 6. It got to the point at which the tide was turning against me. To remain where I was would result in being quickly swept back up to the sandbanks I'd just thrashed my way out of...." Read more