Summer Sailing, <<First Name>>?

Well, after the last newsletter’s comments on it being rather wet, this time I have to comment on it being superbly warm, hot even! It’s due to be 37°C on Thursday in London, and 30°C in Southampton! Who needs the Med when it’s like this in the UK.

As you’ll see below, it has been a busy few weeks for the club and continues to be so for a number of weeks. It’s great to have interest in so many events. There are still places available throughout the rest of the season, so please check out the Events Programme on the website and maximise your time on the water before the season draws to a close.

I’ve participated in another RORC race — the Cowes – Dinard – St. Malo race — ending up in St. Malo where we had an extended stay. It just happened to be Bastille Day on the Sunday, so we were entertained by a spectacular fireworks display. Our berth on the wall of the Basin Vauban gave us a near perfect viewing spot, especially from atop the boom!

I wonder if we should arrange one of next year’s events to be a long weekend with a dash down to St. Malo in time for Bastille Day. It's a wonderful city and a great place to spend a summer weekend. Any takers?

Oh, and if you like a bargain and need some new sailing gear, please check out the little RNLI fundraiser below too... :-)

A Busy Few Weeks

It has been a busy few weeks for the club, with lots of members — and some new members — coming forward to book onto events.

Round the Island Race, 28-30 June

Tony Ellingham pulled together a team for the Round the Island Race at the end of June. The weather conditions were great for ‘topping up the tan’ but not so good for fast sailing. Along with most of the fleet, they managed to get the south-side of the island before retiring.

Out of the 1,161 entries, a mere 285 successfully finished the race, a huge 743 retired and the remaining 133 did something else (including one poor boat that managed to complete the rounding of the island to cross the wrong finishing line!). You can read more about the race on their website.

City Sailing Series / Portcullis Regatta, 19-21 July

Committee member René Chinnery entered his yacht Temptation into this regatta after securing a team. These events are great fun, with some friendly racing and typically a meal in one of the Cowes yacht clubs afterwards. If you fancy try one out, there are a couple more in the programme in September; see below.

St George’s Channel and Ireland Cruise, 19-26 July

Jim Nicholson and four crew are currently aboard Otter (Sun Odyssey 379) from Pembrokeshire Cruises in Neyland. Their original intention was to cross the St George’s Channel over to Ireland, but at last check-in on Facebook, it looks like that plan may be thwarted by bad weather!

I’m sure they’ll still have a fun time with some more stories to tell and photos to share. You can see their latest updates on the club’s Facebook page.

Scottish Bank Holiday Cruise, 2-5 August

This event very nearly didn't happen, despite a willing crew, due to the lack of a willing skipper! Thankfully — and very kindly — Bernard Abbott has stepped in after agreeing some time off work and booked onto the event along with his wife Angela.

It was a challenge securing a boat at late notice, especially in Scotland where there’s a limited season and limited charter companies, but the crew of 7 will be heading out of Largs on Lady Naomi (Hunter Legend 36) in a couple of weeks’ time. I’m looking forward to more Facebook postings from that trip.

This Newsletter’s Promotions

These events are great opportunities to get some quality time on the water, be it crusing or racing (or both!) that takes your fancy. Let me know if you’re interested asap, as early booking allows us to secure the best boats and pricing:

Solent Cruise (Bank Holiday), 23-26 August

After a flurry of bookings, this event is now going ahead. Being a longer Bank Holiday weekend, the crew were after a bit of comfort and so have booked onto a Beneteau Oceanis 45 from our partners at Fairview Sailing, with four double cabins.

There are six confirmed bookings and we’re awaiting confirmation from two more. If you would like to join them please get in touch with me. The two we’re awaiting confirmation from have priority and — skipper and crew permitting! — there’s always a couple of saloon berths that could be used.

The published price range is £270 – £350, or less if the saloon berths are used, so good pricing for a long weekend on a new and spacious boat. Please get in touch asap if you would like to book onto this event.

City Sailing Series, 6-8 & 20-22 September

Committee member René Chinnery is on the team promoting the City Sailing Series. Born out of the Inter Bank Regattas, the City Sailing Series combine some friendly racing with good socialising.

The third of four City Sailing Series events this season, with this one hosted by the John Lewis Partnership sailing club. There are race(s) on Saturday and usually Sunday, with Saturday’s (optional) evening dinner in one of Cowes’ yacht clubs.

The last of four City Sailing Series weekends in the sailing season, organised by the Lloyds Insurance, Baltic & Stock Exchanges, with Saturday dinner in the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes. It should be a superb weekend!

If you’re interested in either weekend — and you don’t have to do both — then please get in touch. It would be great if we get enough interest for both René’s boat plus a charter boat to enter under the DHSC pennant.

…and a few more events on the website!

I’m particularly keen on getting bookings for the above events, but there are still some others listed on the website. At the end of this month, I’ll be cleaning up the programme, removing all events that don’t have any bookings yet and as such are very unlikely to go ahead… so please book now for all events you’re interested in if you’ve not done so already!

Quick RNLI Fundraiser

A friend is having a clear out of his yacht and has asked if I would find a new home for some spare wet weather gear. I’m taking the opportunity to raise a few pounds for the Club’s charity of choice: the RNLI.

On offer are a Gill Coast Jacket and Trousers (both Medium size) that have been hardly used and are in excellent condition. Unlike this year’s model, these are unisex so suitable for all.

The RRP of both items was around £300, so a bargain could be had here!

The technical specs of the jacket are:

• Rollaway fluorescent hood with volume adjustment for improved fit
• High cut thermal collar provides warmth and comfort with faceguard for protection
• Adjustable cuffs with PU inner seals for watertight comfort
• 2-way zipper protected by a double front storm guard
• Fleece lined hand warmer pockets
• Large capacity cargo pockets with drainage
• Life jacket attachment facility
• High visibility Reflexite® reflectives
• Adjustable shock cord hem
• 2 Dot™, 2 layer coated fabric with a durable water repellent finish
• Fully taped seams for a waterproof seal
• Non-absorbent and quick-drying lining

If you’re interested in acquiring these items, they are being auctioned individually. Please submit your bids via email to me at the usual address, stating your maximum bid for each item. Starting prices are £20 for the jacket and £10 for the trousers. I will raise the prices in increments of £5, up to the highest bidder. In the event two people have the same highest bid, the earliest dated email wins. Closing date for bid emails is 11:59pm on the 31st August. The winning bidder(s) is responsible for paying postage, if required, at cost.

Please note: Bids will only be raised by £5 above the second highest bidder, so please make sure you send your absolute highest bid from the outset! For example if someone else bids £30 and you bid £50, your winning bid would be £35.

Membership Posters

That’s it for now. Please check out this year’s programme and email me if you have any questions. As always, when booking please let me know the role you’d like on the boat: skipper, mate or crew. Don’t forget to check the latest news on the DHSC Facebook page too!

Kind regards,

Simon Jackson
Dark Horse Sailing Club