Welcome to the Cornish Crabbers Club
For owners and admirers of all boats built by Cornish Crabbers
Cruise Report
A total of 17 boats entered the rally this year. This number was made up by 13 who had been to previous events, and 4 new entries.
The “newbies” were Paul and Linda Deslandes in their newly acquired Crabber 24 “Maudie IV” from Itchenor in Chichester Harbour, John Lowes with his crew on the Crabber 26 “Lady Mary” who made a huge effort to sail all the way from their home port of Dartmouth to take part. Also new to the fleet was Steve Mitchell and his Crabber 24 Black Jack. Whilst well known at OGA and Shrimper events, this was the first time that Steve had joined the Crabbers with his C24. The last new entrant was Richard Thomas, brother of Cornish Crabbers owner Peter Thomas in his newly acquired Shrimper 21.
The complete fleet comprised of two Shrimper 21s, two Crabber 22s, four Crabber 24s, one MkII Crabber, six Crabber 26s, one Cornish Yawl, and finally the lovely Pilot Cutter Alice Pellow owned by David and Kay Percival. ( A full list of entrants can be seen at the end of this report).
The “newbies” were Paul and Linda Deslandes in their newly acquired Crabber 24 “Maudie IV” from Itchenor in Chichester Harbour, John Lowes with his crew on the Crabber 26 “Lady Mary” who made a huge effort to sail all the way from their home port of Dartmouth to take part. Also new to the fleet was Steve Mitchell and his Crabber 24 Black Jack. Whilst well known at OGA and Shrimper events, this was the first time that Steve had joined the Crabbers with his C24. The last new entrant was Richard Thomas, brother of Cornish Crabbers owner Peter Thomas in his newly acquired Shrimper 21.
The complete fleet comprised of two Shrimper 21s, two Crabber 22s, four Crabber 24s, one MkII Crabber, six Crabber 26s, one Cornish Yawl, and finally the lovely Pilot Cutter Alice Pellow owned by David and Kay Percival. ( A full list of entrants can be seen at the end of this report).
Monday had all boats bound for Yarmouth and we all left at around the top of the spring tide to take advantage of the West bound ebb. By the time we reached Yarmouth the spring ebb was running strong and one or two boats overshot the entrance to Yarmouth and then had a hard motor punching against the fast flow to make their berths. By the time all boats had arrived in Yarmouth we were 16 boats. This was the highest number of boats attending one port on a Crabber Rally since the event began in 2013. They made for a super sight, as the accompanying photos confirm. Supper that evening was provided by the Royal Solent Yacht Club.
Tuesday saw the fleet make for the Beaulieu River and Bucklers Hard. Everyone had a pleasant sail across the Western Solent in fine weather. We were all desperately trying to get to Bucklers Hard before the forecast bad weather arrived. Most of us made it in good time, perhaps one or two arrived as the drizzle and mist began to arrive. Sadly the weather set in and the planned BBQ was cancelled. In place meals were prepared aboard boats as crews teamed up and made their own parties. Some of which went on longer than others! As an aside I should add that this was the first time we had used the gas rings, the grill and the oven at the same time. The set-up did us proud as the burgers/sausages/and kebabs were all delicious!
Tuesday saw the fleet make for the Beaulieu River and Bucklers Hard. Everyone had a pleasant sail across the Western Solent in fine weather. We were all desperately trying to get to Bucklers Hard before the forecast bad weather arrived. Most of us made it in good time, perhaps one or two arrived as the drizzle and mist began to arrive. Sadly the weather set in and the planned BBQ was cancelled. In place meals were prepared aboard boats as crews teamed up and made their own parties. Some of which went on longer than others! As an aside I should add that this was the first time we had used the gas rings, the grill and the oven at the same time. The set-up did us proud as the burgers/sausages/and kebabs were all delicious!
This year the rally was restricted to being within the Solent. Poole was voted out as a destination port this year. The route was Cowes - Yarmouth - Beaulieu - Gosport (Haslar) - and finally Bembridge. I suppose it’s true to say that “as usual”(!) we were thrown weather of all sorts, and this did have an impact on the final turnouts at each scheduled port.
I arrived in Cowes on the Friday before the event, and was therefore on hand to welcome participants as they began to arrive on the Saturday. Winds were fresh and this did alter some people’s plans and delayed their arrival until later in the rally. The opening dinner was held at the Royal Ocean Racing Club, who provided an excellent meal for us all. By Sunday thirteen boats had berthed at Shepards Marina. Sunday was a layover day and crews tended to their boats, went shopping, and one crew event went on a bus tour of the Isle of Wight. A number of crews got together on Sunday evening for an impromptu meal at Murrays fish restaurant in Cowes.
I arrived in Cowes on the Friday before the event, and was therefore on hand to welcome participants as they began to arrive on the Saturday. Winds were fresh and this did alter some people’s plans and delayed their arrival until later in the rally. The opening dinner was held at the Royal Ocean Racing Club, who provided an excellent meal for us all. By Sunday thirteen boats had berthed at Shepards Marina. Sunday was a layover day and crews tended to their boats, went shopping, and one crew event went on a bus tour of the Isle of Wight. A number of crews got together on Sunday evening for an impromptu meal at Murrays fish restaurant in Cowes.
Cornish Crabber Club - Solent Rally 2017
June 24th - July 1st
June 24th - July 1st