Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club Cruising Section

Welcome to the Cruising Section of CCYC

Cruising Fixtures

Cruising Notes 2007

The cruising members of the Club have been quite active this year despite what has generally been considered appalling weather for most of the summer. Up until the end of August if it wasn't blowing old boots it was raining cats and dogs or, like as not, both together. I cannot remember a year when so many people have told me that they failed to get out of the Solent or else had to leave their boat in some distant port and return home by public transport in order to get back to work at the end of their holiday. This did mean that some of the rallies organised by Colin Huggins had to be somewhat curtailed or were not attended by as many members as originally hoped. However, very enjoyable and convivial weekends were spent at a variety of Solent harbours and rivers, including Lymington, Bucklers Hard, Bursledon, Shamrock Quay, Ashlett Greek, Bembridge, Southsea and Itchenor, by both sailing and motor enthusiasts.

On arrival at each location Colin raised the Gin Pennant aboard 'Ebb Tide' for as he put it 'A Noggin, Nibbles and a Natter' in return for a donation to the RNLI. Hopefully, this very deserving and worthwhile charity will not be called upon to rescue too many of our members.

Each venue was chosen so that suitable dining establishments were within easy reach of the overnight berths so that those who preferred not to cook on board did not go hungry. Initially, it was planned that at several locations, meals would have been available at Yacht Clubs but due to the vagaries of the weather and members being unwilling to commit to booking meals in advance, this proved to be a bit of a non-starter but there turned out to be plenty of pubs and restaurants within easy walking distance. I suspect that this may be the norm for future rallies as it requires less planning on the part of the organizer and does not matter whether only a couple or a dozen boats turn up.

Whilst the organised rallies tended to favour marinas or at least alongside berths, other cruising members continued, as they always have, to do their own thing and Cowes Corinthian burgees have been sighted all around the Solent and South Coast, including Studland Bay, Swanage, Wareham, Weymouth and across the Channel in Cherbourg. 'Memory' and 'Amadeus' have been seen on more than one occasion rafted together in Newtown and I have it on very good authority that very convivial supper parties have taken place aboard one or other boats.

By far the most ambitious cruise this year must be that of Rod Jones and daughter Alex aboard 'Franzi' who made a circumnavigation of Great Britain in their 'Five Nations Adventure'. Congratulations to you both.

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MCC CRUISING FIXTURES 2008

The Sailing Committee would like to welcome everyone to join us on our new joint cruising venture with the East Cowes Sailing Club and the Medina Mariners.  The three clubs have joined forces to become the Medina Combined Clubs – Yes the MCC!  This is to enable us to share facilities and it was thought appropriate to get together for cruising events too.  We are not planning to spend our cruising fixtures anchored on the Bramble Bank waiting for the tide to drop in order to play cricket (!) but instead we plan the following joint ventures (please note that at this time they are subject to possible alteration – please see the web site for any updates):

Date                                    Venue                                                     To Organise

10^th/11^th May                      Lymington Town SC                                  ECSC

24^th/25^th May                      Marchwood YC                                          MMA

7^th/8^th June                         Port Solent Marina                                     CCYC

14^th June                            Sail the Wight                                             ECSC

4^th to 7^th July                      Cherbourg                                                  ECSC

19^th/20^th July                      Hornet SC                                                  MMA

13^th/14^th Sept                     Gosport Hardway SC                                 ECSC

4^th/5^th Oct                           Southsea Marina                                        CCYC

We hope you approve!  Unlike last year we will only be arranging Saturday nights away but there is nothing to stop interested parties getting together and arranging their own stopovers on the way to the Saturday venues.

We don't want to be too prescriptive in organising the cruises, and we aim to leave it to individuals to plan their own passage to venues although we can share mobile numbers and VHF contacts so that we can liaise en route or be in touch should weather necessitate a change of venue.  And of course we can co-ordinate evening eating arrangements if people wish.  You will see that only two cruises are directly organised by CCYC – but please register your initial interest via our club.

If you are interested please email Debbie McDonald, the Hon. Sailing Secretary at dmcdonald@onwight.net

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