"A big gust hit us, ripping the clew from the jib": How I got to the marina safely after gearbox failure, a ripped sail and sheet wrap while sailing against wind and tide

"A big gust hit us, ripping the clew from the jib": How I got to the marina safely after gearbox failure, a ripped sail and sheet wrap while sailing against wind and tide

When his drive failed near sandbanks, Bob Angell thought he could sail out of trouble... until the wind picked upPainting by Dick EverittI left the mooring around 1200 at the top of the tide to use the ebb to leave the Conwy River. I motored out through the North Deep channel, alongside the Great Orme in company with Rosie, a Westerly Centaur. Both single-handed, we kept in contact visually and by VHF radio. The plan was to sail to Moelfre on th…