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Cruise Report
Cornish Crabber Club - Solent Rally 2018
Wednesday saw the fleet depart Bembridge after some discussion as to whether the very early ebb tide was the time to go or later, on the next rising tide. The right decision was taken as those wanting a few extra hours in their bunks will confirm. Boats began to depart as soon as the very helpful tide gauge on the pontoon indicated sufficient water in the narrow and twisting entrance channel to the harbour. A light Easterly took us down to Cowes, and everyone arrived in good time for supper at the Royal Ocean Racing Club. We were all well packed in berthing at Shepards Marina, which made for some interesting manoeuvres on departure on Thursday, as the crews made their way across the Solent and up the Beaulieu River to Bucklers Hard in light airs.
We were joined at Bucklers Hard by 10, or was it 11 Shrimpers from Poole who were beginning their own summer Solent rally. With something over thirty boats plus crews, this may well have been one of the largest gatherings of CC boats together at one time. Everyone mucked in during the evening as individual BBQs were prepared. Some 50 or so people attended a very sociable evening.
Friday 8th of May was the last official say of the rally, with Gosport's Haslar Marina the destination. Boats slipped their berths on the last of the ebb, and made their way gracefully down the Beaulieu river to the Solent and the passage to Portsmouth Harbour. Winds again were light, and a combination of sailing and motor-sailing found us arriving at Haslar in the late afternoon, on another glorious day. The fleet had depleted somewhat by this stage as a number of boats were headed back to Poole and Lymington, leaving out the final leg.
Those that completed the whole event celebrated with an excellent evening aboard The Lightship, where cocktails were consumed on deck, followed by supper down below. The Steve Evatt award this year was given to new participant John Hunt, who sailed single handed all week on his Crabber 2 Westwind, and although being new to Crabbers was determined to learn as much as he could in as short a period of time as possible. He definitely succeeded!
Saturday morning saw all boats return to home ports, after a rally where the conditions throughout were superb. Perhaps we could have had a bit more wind, but then we never get everything right! Let's see what next year brings.
In summary, the number of boats that entered can be broken down as follows:-
5 Shrimper 19s
6 Shrimper 21s
2 Crabber 22s
4 Crabber 24s
1 Crabber 24 (2018 version)
6 Crabber 26s
1 Crabber Mk II
1 Cornish Yawl
Julian Biggs September 2018
We were joined at Bucklers Hard by 10, or was it 11 Shrimpers from Poole who were beginning their own summer Solent rally. With something over thirty boats plus crews, this may well have been one of the largest gatherings of CC boats together at one time. Everyone mucked in during the evening as individual BBQs were prepared. Some 50 or so people attended a very sociable evening.
Friday 8th of May was the last official say of the rally, with Gosport's Haslar Marina the destination. Boats slipped their berths on the last of the ebb, and made their way gracefully down the Beaulieu river to the Solent and the passage to Portsmouth Harbour. Winds again were light, and a combination of sailing and motor-sailing found us arriving at Haslar in the late afternoon, on another glorious day. The fleet had depleted somewhat by this stage as a number of boats were headed back to Poole and Lymington, leaving out the final leg.
Those that completed the whole event celebrated with an excellent evening aboard The Lightship, where cocktails were consumed on deck, followed by supper down below. The Steve Evatt award this year was given to new participant John Hunt, who sailed single handed all week on his Crabber 2 Westwind, and although being new to Crabbers was determined to learn as much as he could in as short a period of time as possible. He definitely succeeded!
Saturday morning saw all boats return to home ports, after a rally where the conditions throughout were superb. Perhaps we could have had a bit more wind, but then we never get everything right! Let's see what next year brings.
In summary, the number of boats that entered can be broken down as follows:-
5 Shrimper 19s
6 Shrimper 21s
2 Crabber 22s
4 Crabber 24s
1 Crabber 24 (2018 version)
6 Crabber 26s
1 Crabber Mk II
1 Cornish Yawl
Julian Biggs September 2018
