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Justin Butler takes his five-year-old daughter on a magical cruise along the south Cornish coast to the Isles of Scilly

- Justin Butler

I knew I had really dropped the ball with my weather checks when the 30 knot increasing winds and threemetre waves began blowing in from the south-east. We were too close to Falmouth to consider diverting and instead endured a very long two hours of howling wind and big following seas. My 1967 Twister 28 composite, Roquetta, was laid flat twice and I reflected later on what an odd thing it was to stand on the side of the cockpit. My five-year-old daughter, Criona took it in her stride. When I checked on her below I saw she was tucked up in the starboard bunk, drawing happily; a testament to the boat of course, not its skipper. The gale warning had been issued early that morning. Lesson learned, I thought.

Ever since I have owned Roquetta I’ve wanted to take her to the Isles of Scilly. She is the first boat I’ve owned that has proper ‘sea legs’ and is all the inspiration I need.

We had left from Cargreen Yacht Club on the River Tamar with perfect weather and a good forecast. I showed Criona Roquetta’s tiller, telling her ‘that stick steers the boat, try it’. I gave no further instructions and instead let her experiment in the Tamar’s safe waters.

In short order she was soon holding a good course towards Cawsand Bay, our overnight anchorage. Criona was immediately involved and engaged in the sailing holiday; she felt great and so did I. We had a quiet night at anchor and set off for Falmouth the next day. I made sure Criona took one Stugeron to prevent seasickness, which thankfully worked.