Cruise Report

Cornish Crabber Club - Solent Rally 2014
June 16^th - 22^nd

The 20^th of June dawned fine - again. The early wind was very light to nothing at all, and sadly the pre-booked Beken photo opportunity was cancelled. However by the time we reached the mouth of the river at around 1100hrs the NE winds had increased and we all enjoyed an excellent sail to Gosport. In fact it was the first occasion where we had a good beat to the East, making for some exciting sailing in the good breeze.  We managed to take our own photos and made good time to Portsmouth Harbour, arriving in the early afternoon. We berthed in Royal Clarence Marina where we were very well looked after. Our shore activity in Gosport was a visit to the “Explosion Museum”. This was a fascinating tour of Royal Naval Ordnance through the ages. It ranged from cannon balls to an Exocet missile, with much in between, including many types of shell, bofors guns, torpedoes, depth charges, and even a Polaris missile. The staff were very attentive and informative, explaining to us in great detail early sea battle techniques to the workings of battleship turret mechanisms and missile launch systems. A superb buffet was also provided.

Our last day together was the longest day - 21^st June. John Gifford on the Crabber 22 Tegen, and Dave and Joanne Morley aboard the Crabber 24 Yo Yo, decided to get to Bembridge on the first tide of the day and slipped away at around 0600hrs. The rest of the fleet waited for the second tide and left Gosport at lunchtime. This allowed for a morning of relaxation, a superb breakfast for some of us at the Pump House in Cooperage Green adjacent to the marina. On leaving Portsmouth Harbour the fleet made quick time to Bembridge, despite having to cross the paths of many of the Round the Island Race competitors who were sailing West under spinnakers - which made a fine sight. We arrived ahead of the recommended time for negotiating the shallow Bembridge channel, and the author was not the only one to touch bottom on entry! Despite being very busy Bembridge Marina had allocated us sufficient space for rafting up four abreast. The afternoon was hot and sunny and everyone relaxed in preparation for supper at the Brading Haven Yacht Club’s pirate themed evening. An impressively attired gang of “ruffians” took to the water taxis to get to the Club and made their “invasion” for the evening. The Club produced a wonderful supper, after we had all had pre-supper drinks on their very impressive harbour facing terrace.  A late arrival at the supper was the exhausted but cheerful crew from Alice Pellow, who in their efforts to complete the Round the Island Race were sadly beaten by the total lack of wind late in the day,and retired to Bembridge after some 13 hours on the water. They were one of more than 750 retirees, but were warmly welcomed by everyone at the Club and their energy was soon restored as they joined the supper.

The rally officially ended that evening and ideas for 2015 were proffered; kind words of thanks were spoken. We had sailed for six days in company, and new friends had been made. We had been very fortunate with the weather and all in all it was a great fun event. Let’s hope that the idea of future rallies catches on, and I look forward to seeing everyone again next year with more new participants. Watch this space for details.

Julian Biggs, Events Co-ordinator

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