Round Britain and Ireland Cruise–

Still room for one to join for part of trip — leave a message on 07971 192 103 but I am away now until 12th September, Judith will be answering e-mails and i will be on-line sometimes. 

Fastnet team–2011–3 places left see seperate page for best guess at dates.

Sydney Hobart in 2010—See seperate page for latest information–I had 4 places which have all gone but have managed to get another 2 also at £4750. Better than other companies and £1000 less expensive.

Autumn RYA course 3 places left.

Posted: May 31st, 2010 under Uncategorized.
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Hurtling through the night, surfing down waves with the heavy weather spinnaker flying in 25 knots of wind is not everyone’s idea of fun, but if it is yours then the Eddystone race was superb. Andy and I checked our navigation; we were still south west of Portland Bill at 2300 and heading for home on a spring tide with 25 knots from WSW, if we passed the Bill close in we should just make it round Anvil point and past Swanage before the tide turned, but any problems and we could end up at St Albans Ledge with wind against tide—not a good place to be. We opted for a safer margin and laid a course 5 miles off shore knowing that we would then have to fight more tide on the way to the finish line at North Head at the western end of the Solent. With hindsight I believe this was still the correct decision although it was to cost us a place, first place, so just another second to add to this seasons tally.
One of the difficulties about racing is how much food to put on board. We like to eat well and make sure there is plenty of it so I try and work out how long the race will last just before the final provisioning. The Eddystone (Myth of Malham) race has been dogged by either Gales or not enough wind for the last few years and on the Tuesday before the race the forecasts predicted a period of very light winds, on the Wednesday they showed almost perfect winds then changed back to light winds. Thursdays forecast was for stronger winds but it was clear that a dying low pressure meant unpredictable forecasts. During the race we had 3 gale warnings but I decided on plenty of food and at the end we had 24 hrs of spare on board.
Our start was not brilliant, but by the time we reached Hurst at the west of the Solent we were reasonably positioned as we tacked down to the Needles in 20 kts of South westerly. A period of lighter winds was forecast for the night so we went deeper into the channel to avoid the strongest adverse tides coinciding with light wind. When you are struggling to make any headway a Gale Warning is a mixed blessing but at least it was due to come from the South. In reality it was never a full Gale but we saw 30 kts a few times and had to reef the sails as we sped down to the Eddystone rock off Plymouth rounding it just under 24 hours after starting off Cowes. Not the fastest I have ever done this, which was a few years ago when we had 48 kts of North easterly and the ‘through the water’ record of boat speed was for Wild Spirit was set at 16.4 kts, but still pretty good.
Given the relative inexperience of some of the crew and the large seas we gave the rock a good clearance before shaking out the reefs and heading home under white sails. We sped up the channel past Start Point and experimented with the Heavy Weather Spinnaker before deciding that the following seas were still too large. We laid a course north of the Rhumb line to pick up stronger favourable tides later on and gybed on to it before gybing back a few hours later and then in still quite large but more predictable seas flying the spinnaker which gave us an extra 2 kts. Passing the Bill we exceeded 11 kts speed over the ground and sometimes through the water but the extra disturbance to the wave patterns meant we had to drop the spinnaker and finish under whites.
We crossed the line at 0430 just 16.5 hours after rounding Eddystone but with only one other yacht visible assumed we were near the bottom of the list. Only after arriving home did we find out we had achieved 2nd in class –we were actually the first in class to cross the line but the 2005 overall Fastnet winner Iromiguy beat us on corrected time.

Posted: May 31st, 2010 under Uncategorized.
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Second place in first race of the season
Our first race of the season was to Cherbourg the second was back to Cowes. These Easter races have a bit of a reputation for bad weather so it came as little surprise when the JOG postponed them by 24 hrs due to forecasts of Gales. I was still part incapacitated following the dislocated shoulder and had asked John Priddle to Skipper, with me as Navigator. Pam added her round the world racing experience. Eddie, Tim and Andy were about to experience their first offshore race.
On Saturday we finally got underway as part of a class of 19 and with a weather forecast which was tactically challenging—mainly Southerly but going SW then NW later. We were not the first across the line but after a brief spinnaker run managed to overtake a couple on the reach down to Bembridge. Now tactics became important and with a big sea running we kept in fairly close and headed west against the tide towards St Catts. Then we were off across the channel in a 20Kt breeze which was as forecast. Instead of going to the SW however it went due East for several hours and we choose to split the difference between our original planned route and the best we could sail towards the rhumb line. This paid off, as with about 15 miles to run the wind shifted dramatically to SW and rose. We ran in under the flying pig (our asymmetric spinnaker) with a rising wind dropping it around 20 kts. We arrived in Cherbourg with over 25 kts of wind and rising to claim 2nd place in class and 3rd overall out of 45 entrants.
The start of the return leg was also delayed and because of non starters (several yachts had damage on the first race) the start for the first 2 classes was combined. We got off to a cracking start but as we came out of Cherbourg harbour a small problem arose—there was no one to follow. The fleet then split with a few following us whilst the rest laid a course about 5 degrees further east. It was a fast crossing in variable winds between 15 and 25 kts and some quite big waves at times. About 15 miles south of the island two Sigmas who had been following us hoisted spinnakers and slowly fought there way past with some impressive broaches in big seas. About an hour later as the seas subsided a bit we flew the heavy weather kite in up to 27 kts and clawed our way back past reaching 13.7kts through the water. As we rounded the mark at Bembridge we were together and at the forts it was still neck and neck but the Sigmas tacked in close to the Island. I decided to go for wind and speed so we crossed to the north of the Solent. For the next hour we thought my gamble had paid off but then the wind dropped and we had to fight stronger tides than them, which cost us dear. We finished 8th in class and 15th overall.

We had an extra training weekend on 23rd April and sailed round the South of the Island in glorious sunshine and rather more wind than was forecast.
After overnighting in Haslar with an excellent meal out we beat back down the Solent and had a quick MOB practice. In order to make it as realistic as posible I prepared the victim below came up top and immediately threw him over. One of the crew was drinking a cup of tea so I said ‘get rid of that we have a man overboard’. She immediately reacted by throwing the tea overboard, or rather towards the side of the yacht. It was of course the windward side and I was well and truly covered as it blew back.

Posted: April 6th, 2010 under Uncategorized.
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The weekend of the 21st May saw glorious weather and we sailed from Lymington on the Saturday morning in 10 kts of easterly out past the needles and then along the south of the island. The wind increased to 18kts and we reefed as we sped past St Catts on the tide and into a dense fog bank. Fortunately this did not last long and we rounded Bembridge ledge around 1600 as the wind dropped. After a short wait for the tide we crept into Bembridge and enjoyed a quiet night in splendid surroundings.
On Sunday we returned to Lymington on the tide using the spinnaker and practising Man Over Boards including with the spinnaker up. A great weekend with the best weather so far this year.
We came 3rd in Class in the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s De Guingand race on 15/16th May. Not as good as our 2nd in the first race to Cherbourg but racing round marks in the Channel is always a tough one as the race committee may set a course taking account of wind and tide which is designed to split the fleet. I was in Serbia so Trevor Sainty (No 2 on last year’s Fastnet) skippered Wild Spirit with a comparatively inexeperienced crew to achieve a creditable result.
The May RYA course was agreat success, everyone had a good time and passed.
The May Bank Holiday race to St Vaast saw winds of up to 30 knots and after a spinnaker run from the Start down to the Forts we were under white sails all the way to the finish line. The tides off Cap Barfleur are notorious and we were at springs so likely to encounter up to 5 kts. The crossing was faster than expected and like several others we sailed below our normal line, this required correction as we neared the finish and the wind dropped spreading the fleet and assisting the corrected times of the earlier finishers. Our ‘make sure we can drift across the line’ tactics were paying off when the wind returned helping those competitors who were further off shore to tack home. We finished 10th out of 21 in class—not bad but I had hoped

For several years we have sailed between Boxing Day and New Years Eve and enjoyed comparatively mild weather plus lots of space to sail in. To end 2009 we had a combined Competent Crew and Day Skipper course but due to sickness and travel problems 2 of the participants dropped out at the last moment so there were only 4 of us setting off on the 27th as we left Lymington and headed east. We had looked at the forecast and decided to get the miles in early just in case it rained later in the week. The run up to Cowes was fast and easy, then after anchoring for lunch we set off to round Nab tower, knock off some night hours then head into Haslar for the night. The wind was cold but the rain held off and we covered 44 miles on the first day.
The rest of the course saw sufficient wind to sail for all but a couple of hours and the only real precipitation was at night. Phil, who is also a RYA Instructor and Karen were just sailing so with Andy as the only Day Skipper candidate we had plenty of time for pontoon bashing, MOB etc.
Most courses have a low point and for me this was when I saw the dismantling of the 3 marks in Southampton Water which were used to guide in Flying Boats. For years I have asked students what they were and received very few correct answers. The other low point was the amount charged by Ocean Village and this was made worse by the lack of Hot Water, quite a contrast to Hamble Point which is run by the same company where an overnight was less than half that charged by Ocean Village.
The high points included a splendid run down to the Nab at times over 9 Kts SOG in 25 kts of wind, a good meal out at Toninos in Cowes plus Andy passing with flying colours.

Posted: January 3rd, 2010 under Uncategorized.
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After the Fastnet we had a cruise down to Fowey then up to Yealm, racing against a new 42i for about 20Nm before winning by about a mile. After this on to Dartmouth for a couple of days then to Studland and home to Lymington. The Fastnet report is on the fastnet page.

A few days later I was back in Dartmouth working the mainsheet on Scarlet Jester in the Regatta. Our best position was 9th which was as much as we could really hope for with a lightweight crew and damage to 2 spinnakers and the pole. On the day it was too windy (no-one told us until we were out at the line) we went to Paighton on the Steam train–I recommend this–the train anyway.

RYA Day Skipper and Competent Crew over 5 days Evening of Sunday 25th October to Afternoon of Friday 30th (Half Term)£350 or just £300 each when 2 or more book togetherAll our courses are run in association with Hayling Sea School an RYA training centre.  Next course after this is between Boxing Day and new years eve. I have rejigged the autumn programme due to other work etc and reduced the price of the October course to £350 –2 places left.

Cherbourg Report

The mid week gales had left a large swell in the Channel and the winds were forecast around 18 kts from the West which suggested a quick but lumpy race. Most of the crew were new to wild spirit and the spinnaker practice on the way to the start line was interrupted by gusts of over 25 kts.

We got off to a reasonable start on whites and then went for a spinnaker hoist. The results were mixed—the spinnaker went up but without the sheet attached. After recovery and relaunch we did get the kite flying but the gusts were worrying and several other yachts had big broaches. Given the relative inexperience of the crew we dropped the kite and proceeded on whites arriving off Bembridge after about an hour and a half. We now turned and for a while had a fast run in moderate seas.

When we left the shelter of the island the swell grew and by the time we were 10 miles south of it the sea was not only large but with a secondary wave pattern which was hard to read at times despite the glorious light of the full moon. The wind was now always over 20 kts and we reached towards Cherbourg at more than 7 knots through the water. Some crew members also retched but considering the conditions this was quite understandable.

As we neared France our speed over the ground often exceeded 9 kts and we crossed the line in Cherbourg harbour having averaged over 7.5 to come 5^th in class 3 which advanced us to 42nd overall out of 443 in the Royal Ocean Racing Club for 2009.

After a good meal out in the Café De Paris (it really is worthwhile just for the ‘Chef’s special Tart’) we had another good run back in lighter winds and flatter seas. 

 Bareboat charter will be available through Lymington Yacht Charter–see link.

Gear—I have trade accounts with Gill and Ocean Safety and extend very good rates to regulars.

2009 Programme
24 th to 27th Sept Meet Fri midday for evening start Race–JOG Cherbourg £225*  One place 
       
        
25th to 30th Oct Meet Sunday evening RYA Course Local reduced to £350  3 Places
Boxing day evening to afternoon New Years Eve  Competent crew and Day Skipper or just sailing Local   2 places 

When comparing us with other schools/ sailing companies please remember we do it properly. Others don’t always mention extra costs and very basic food plus kittys for marina fees. We run in association with Hayling Sea School, an RYA training centre, and our price includes good food and plenty of it, all fees, use of Oilies, fuel etc. We also sailout of Lymington Yacht Haven which has secure free parking and good rail access. The only extras are drinks ashore and a meal ashore if the crew decide to do this.If you want to know more just give us a call on 01823 433813 preferably between 0830 and 2000 seven days a week.

Posted: September 3rd, 2009 under Uncategorized.
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The Cherbourg peninsular is notorious for its strong tides and the RORC race there was a day after spring tide when up to 9 knots of tide can be encountered.
Our start was more tense than normal as our normal Bow man was not on board. This meant a crash course in spinnaker work as we motored up to the start line against strong tide.

We crossed the line just after the gun and hoisted a spinnaker to set off east towards Selsey Bill. The line I had chosen reflected the relative inexperience of the foredeck crew rather than the best for tide etc so it was a surprise when we realised we about 6th in the class as we neared the Forts.

In varied winds we ran past Nab tower and then Jibed down to the mark off Selsey before settling down for a run across the channel on winds that were much stronger than had been forecast. Had these winds lasted we would have made excellent time but instead breakfast found us in company with several other competitors off Cap Barfleur and struggling with little wind against an increasing foul tide.

With 60 metres of depth anchoring was not an attractive option and we worked hard to reduce the speed at which we going backwards. The tide eventually turned and we made progress again in very light wind.

Approaching Cherbourg the wind dropped below 2 knots and it was clear that we would struggle to finish before the tide turned. Determined sail trimming and no unnecessary movement of crew kept us going and we just managed to work our position on the eddies of tide to arrive at the Western entrance with a few minutes to spare. 

As we rounded the end of the harbour breakwater the tide drew us in and we lost all wind. Along with 3 other yachts we were now drifting backwards towards the finishing line.

We readied the anchor to drop it at the stern and immediately recover but the redistribution of weight alone allowed us to turn and we were able to regain steerage and make a fraction of a knot to cross the line some 26 hours after the start.

This was one of the most exciting finishes we have experienced and we were all tired. There was however more to come.

We set off back to Lymington as it was too late to eat out in Cherbourg. A watch system started and I was fast asleep until 0400 when the engine suddenly stopped. My initial thought was that perhaps we had at last been blessed with wind but it was in fact 25 metres of fishing net round the prop and rudder.

We were in the middle of the channel and at the limit of VHF range. I considered the options and decided against Andrea kind offer to go over the side. There was fog about but we were in a clear patch and between the 2 main flows of shipping.

I spoke with Solent Coast Guard and commenced half hourly Securitee broadcasts while we waited for some wind.

The wind did not come but instead Scarlet Jester a smaller competitor came to us and offered a tow which we accepted. We were now making less than 2 knots north towards the Isle of Wight but there was a possibility of some wind and we had reasonable visibility.

I had not issued a Pan Pan so was surprised when the Coast Guard called us to say the Yarmouth lifeboat was on its way. An hour and a half later we slipped our line from Scarlet Jester and accepted one from the Yarmouth lifeboat. Then we were off at over 8 knots across a flat sea.

Just off Yarmouth we went into a close coupled tow and were put carefully alongside in Yarmouth by the lifeboat. This is an interesting experience as one slip by them and we would be well and truly squashed.

Seastart had a diver waiting and in a quarter of an hour he had cut all the net away and we had ceremonially carried it to the skip. A quick check of the prop and a visit to thank the lifeboat crew and we were on our way.

76th out of 111 entrants so not brilliant but at least we finished.

Our thanks to scarlet Jester, her skipper Jamie Muir and crew.
The cruise to Sark, Alderney and Cherbourg was a much more relaxed trip with some superb weather and for most of the time enough wind to sail by. We had a few regulars plus Carl on board and he proved himself to be an excellent cook and affable team member. On the crossing back he was skipper and completed a Qualifying Passage towards his YM

The Round the Island race was a more laid back affair than the last few years and most of the crew had not used a spinnaker before our practice day. After tacking down the needles passage we went further out than most competitors to give us a simple spinnaker run. With wind against tide off St Catts things got a bit exciting at times and several other yachts tore their spinnakers. We rounded the East end and tacked up the north of the island in very close quarters with shouts of starboard all around.  At 494th out of 1771 far from  our best result but quite commendable for a novice crew flying a spinnaker for the first time.

We came 37th out of 79 in the Royal Ocean Racing Club Channel race last weekend and have now qualified for the Fastnet. Not a fast race due to lack of wind at times but good fun and we improved our light wind sailing skills.

The Eddystone race saw us of to a flying start and we made good time until just before the light house when the wind died. It took us and about 30 other Yachts some 3 hours to inch our way past against the tide but we were entertained by Basking Sharks one of whom circled us in a good impression from Jaws. (I know they only eat plankton but this one was 30 foot long and had a mouth as big as a dustbin). On the way back the wind died completely and the forecast was for very little so with a heavy heart we decided that we would not make the finish in time for the international flights that had to be caught on monday and likely many others retired

The Competent Crew and day Skipper Course run over 2 long weekends was a more lively affair and on the second one we ran down to Weymouth on a spinnaker with the promise of a South or Southwesterly to speed us back. Yet again the weather forecast was wrong and on the Saturday we had to beat back aginst between 20 and 28 knots of Easterly.

Andrew our Day Skipper navigated well and we passed over St Albans ledge shortly before the tide turned to run with us, but against the wind. After a short choppy little section of Anvil point we sailed into the bay and back to the Solent logging 59 miles in just under 10 hours.

All 4 students passed successfully and we had a great time.

Posted: July 20th, 2009 under Uncategorized.
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