Thursday 1600hrs 19th April to Monday 0900hrs 23rd April (four nights)
From Chertsey on River Thames
At present two six berth boats available.
Cost £150 per person exc fuel
Booking must be by end of year, availability is very limited.
This is a very popular area to cruise.
Contact Victor to book and for more information
For some days leading up to the event, a close and watchful eye was kept on the weather forecasts, as they lurched from damp, to very wet and back again! However, we were not to be put off, and slowly, slowly, the forecasts improved enough for us to become a little less pessimistic.
I personally have been to 5 concerts over recent years, and never yet had a wet one! So with maybe unfounded optimism, and a bit of a prayer, we made ready to welcome our crew, Maureen and Diana BC and set sail for East Cowes, (via Gosport to collect Robert).
The weather remained fair as it turned out, there was no queue for the lock and the short passage on Friday from Chichester to Gosport was enjoyable, for once, with winds in the right direction to allow us to sail in a relaxed manner, rather than beat!
Friday night dinner was a traditional affair aboard Sea Dream with chicken soup, roast chick, garden veggies etc! This sailing club definitely sails on its stomach; always has, and I sincerely hope always will!
Robert arrived ahead of time on Saturday morning, hot foot from the railway via the greenie ferry! We made off for East Cowes and once again enjoyed a fair old sail, with definite hints of increasing periods of warm and sunny weather, and friendly winds.
NO HEROES this year, No wind, No race but YES, beautiful sunshine and Yes sparkling blue seas and YES the largest midsummer gathering for many years with 8 boats and 30 members dining together at the Royal London Yacht Club on Cowes Parade.
It seemed the only craft moving anywhere on the Solent were those under power!
The Rally afternoon’s principal pleasure was watching Gallivant approaching her marina berth with young Anna on the bow line and the twins and Jo on the aft lines. Dan manoeuvred himself brilliantly into a 37ft space (Gallivant is 36ft) and a round of applause went up from a very large watching audience aboard moored marina boats. Continue reading
Round the Island 2011
Victor and Robert again joined owner Mike and 1st mate Pete on Matahari for the 80th anniversary Round the Island (RTI) race, started in 1931 to commemorate the 1851 race won by the America of “America’s Cup” fame. On August 22, 1851, the America raced against 15 yachts of the Royal Yacht Squadron in the Club's annual 53-nautical-mile regatta around the Isle of Wight. America won, finishing 8 minutes ahead of the closest yacht Apocryphally.
We even practised, but it did not help sufficiently to win. Matahari is based in Haslar and had her bottom wiped at Hardway Marina, and a new main and genoa fitted ahead of the big day. Water was low, fuel even lower. The total complement was 8 of varying competence.
Friday afternoon (12th August) was the start of a memorable weekend. The weather forecast was SW 3-4, 5-6 for a time, slight/moderate, rain, visibility good, poor for a time. This seemed ideal sailing conditions. Our course was 185° putting us on a fine reach.
With Victor as skipper, our crew comprised, Robert, and the Ramets, - Dave, Simon and Lorraine.
We had a hearty meal at 1730hrs at the Ketch Rigger ready for the off at 1830hrs. We finally departed Hamble Point Marina at 1900hrs making our way under power down to Bembridge. Arriving there with the last light, we set the sails with one reef for the night ahead. Dave having undertaken many sea watches was invaluable for identifying the various aspects of shipping and also staying awake.
Everyone stayed up until the beginning of the first watch at 2200hrs. Dave and Simon took the first four hours. At about 0130hrs they decided to motor sail as the wind was on the nose. Lorraine plied us with cuppa soups through the night, which were most welcome.
During the second watch, starting at 0200hrs, we experienced heavy rain and poor visibility. Keeping a watch for vessels in the shipping lanes was less stressful using radar. With a North-up display and an EBL (electronic bearing line) watching the oppostion move down the line meant danger of collision. Using the “precautionary principle” we slowed at a mile distance and steered around the stern. On one occasion we saw the other boat on radar but not in the flesh. Then suddenly, nav lights and two large spotlights on the stern. Just as it passed ahead of us the nav lights disappeared and we were left with the spotlights. This was rain showers coming down from a great height, they even showed up crossing the radar screen.
Nobody enjoyed the crossing, either being unwell or the lack of sleep. Moral of the story – get the bucket out of the locker before you set off.
By sunrise we were north west of Barfleur. We considered altering course to Cherbourg but due to the strong flood tides, we carried on around Barfleur lighthouse, on to St Vaast, finally arriving at 1030hrs BST at the visitors pontoon E05. We tied up and explored the area. Food was on our minds so we satisfied our wants. The vin du pays is cidre, by the wine glass. Having satisfied our stomachs, as the old saying goes – the rest of the day is yours! So we spent it looking around the town and, suitably refreshed, we went in search of that genuine French cuisine in the evening. Ah, but monsieur, you ‘ave not booked. So we went Italian instead.
HSSC Past commodores Bryan Sheinman and Ed de Mesquita were hailed "the real heroes of the race" and narrowly missed out on an impressive finish were it not for a torn headsail.
Click on link for more details of this race which took place under quite gruelling conditions.
Beginning on Friday the 27th May, we arrived at Hamble Point mid-to late afternoon, the sun was shining, the weather calm and for non-readers of the weather report in full optimism that the weekend was going to be warm, sunny with a reasonable wind of between force 3 and force 4. Sitting in the ketch rigger, however, and discussing matters with Jill, both our club sailing captain and organiser of the weekend, she advised us that the wind and the weather were going to be somewhat harsh. The sun was going to disappear and things might be a bit iffy, come the Saturday morning. Nevertheless she confirmed that quite a number of people had signed up for the event, and that those taking part were Sandy, Avi and Michael Vine on Sea Dream, Steve, Louise and Diana A on Yamma, The Neumann family on Gallivant, and the Blackstone family and friends aboard a charter Bavaria.
We had the Friday night chicken aboard Aeolus, partaking of the meal was Alison and Stanley, Jill, Robert and Bob Emanuel.
The following morning the sun failed to rise and pierce through the dim grey clouds. We skilfully untied the boat, backed away from our mooring and ventured into the wild, wild sea. The sea was grey and choppy, the wind was getting up a pace and the threat of rain was ever present. Robert was skippering and we headed East with wind, (lots) and tide (not so much…Neaps) for Chichester.
The subject of water, especially swimming or sailing in it or on it is a topic that does not fit easily with the Jewish people. When the good Lord took the children across the Red Sea not only did he have to part the waters to allow them to walk across, but the sand underneath had to be dry. Indeed it is my view that the Jews were so relieved to get away from water, be it the Red Sea or the River Nile, that it was for this reason they spent forty years wandering in the desert.
How much more unlikely therefore would it be that there is in existence a Jewish Sailing Club in North West London. North West London is not known for its amazing pieces of water or sea and it is my belief that generally Jews have an aversion to water and hence to sailing. Nevertheless it is indeed correct that there is a Club known as The High Seas Sailing Club which was founded by Jews for Jews and sails with Jewish participants.
There is always a little anxiety. The yacht, Wild Spirit, a Jeanneau 40 berthed in Lymington, well founded and with an excellent racing pedigree, is comfortable and handles well for teaching. The victualing done, with heavy duty tupperware (frozen bouef bourgignon, chorizo and bean stew, green Thai chicken curry…) safely stowed in the fridge after the drive down from London E4. They would surely satisfy the heartiest of appetites and warm us, body and soul, despite the persistent ice on the late December pontoons. And as for me – well I was prepared too.
The course candidates started arriving a little early. Peter and Debs from Birmingham, Gary a yachting novice, Hampshire gal Holly who is planning to crew her way off to the Caribbean and Terry, who shares a 60’ yacht in Turkey with his brother, needing the certificate more than the instruction.
The first day we had 17-18 knots from the south west to get us going. We hoisted and reefed the sails and everyone got a go at the wheel. They mainly helmed competently – always a relief to a yacht course instructor. We practised heaving-to, which impressed all – even Terry. It’s surprising how many yacht skippers don’t know or have forgotten how easy, calming and useful heaving-to is when the wind is up.
