Welcome to Our ICOYC Cruise 2012
(ICOYC - International Council of Yacht Clubs - RHKYC is a Founding Member)
The die is cast the plans are made; we need now to tell you all about these plans and encourage you to join in.
First to introduce you to the organising team. The leader of the pack is John Beardsley, immediate past Commodore of the Royal Southern, known to many as John B. His boat "Jorvik Rose" will be Mother to all during the cruise. From the Royal Thames we have Peter Innes-Ker. Peter was the RTYC cruising captain for a number of years and has been the key man in planning the route of our cruise so far. David Mead is the current Vice Commodore of the Royal Southern. He brings his executive weight to the team but in addition he will help bring our Motor Boat section to the party and just for the record, they know how to party. We are to have that well needed feminine touch from Kate Gough. Kate is the chairman of the Royal Southern Motor Boat section. With Kate around and her husband Goughy there is never a dull moment.
In Seattle this year John B. described the early plans of aiming to visit the interesting and historical areas of the Solent. It is steeped in nautical history and the most well-known area for competitive sailing in the Northern Hemisphere. During this week the RS Elite class will be holding their World championships.
Finding a boat or a berth
There are many bareboat charter companies operating in the Solent. See the attached list for contact details.
A number of members of the Royal Thames and the Royal Southern have expressed a wish to offer berths on their boats to members of ICOYC member clubs. People interested in this offer should contact Lucy Burn, the Royal Southern organising secretary at communication@royal-southern.co.uk .
Below is an outline of our planned cruise. Here's hoping you will want to join us.
A comprehensive book will be presented to each skipper as he or she checks in, detailing all navigational points and other issues such as the best pubs and restaurants etc. as needed for the whole cruise.
Participants may choose to do either the Coastal Week or the Inshore Week, or both.
Coastal Week - 27th August to 2nd September
This week is mostly informal and loosely structured to allow for weather factors. We plan to visit Poole, perhaps the largest natural harbour in the UK and home to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, some 35 miles out from the Royal Southern.
Then we intend to spend some time at Weymouth, another 30 miles further on, where the 2012 Olympic sailing will have been held, and where the Paralympics Games will be starting.
In relaxed time we will then make our way back to the Hamble River for the start of the Inshore Week.
Inshore Week - 2nd to 10th September
Day 1. Sunday 2nd September
Those starting this week take delivery of charter yachts late pm if possible, otherwise accommodation ashore. 1800 Registration and Solent Briefing.
Day 2. Monday 3rd September
Provision charter yachts.
Sail to Portsmouth, berthing at Clarence Marina
Approximate distance 18 miles.
Social: We all meet up at the "Explosion Museum" for drinks and of course a wander round this fascinating place.
Day 3. Tuesday 4th September
There is to be a day sail to Chichester Harbour about 10 miles each way.
The alternative is to explore the historic dock yard of Portsmouth there is also the possibility of taking in some retail therapy in the huge shopping mall in the same area.
Social: We all meet at G's Wine Bar where a meal will be organised for the whole group
Day 4. Wednesday 5th September
White sail cruise/race out to the forts or Bembridge then a course back down the Eastern Solent to Cowes. Approximately 25 miles depending on the course we set.
On arriving in Cowes we will find a berth in Sheppard's Wharf Marina
Social: We should get there in time for a stroll round this interesting small compact town. In the evening we plan to have drinks and nibbles at the Prospect Museum another wonderland of nautical memorabilia and an unforgettable venue.
Finally we go to the Royal Yacht Squadron for our evening meal. It is from what is known as "The Platform" at the Squadron that the world's best known regatta, Cowes Week, is managed and run.
Day 5. Thursday 6th September
A late start for a sail down to Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. 10 miles as the crow flies but we may make it interesting with another White Sail Race. We will be on the walk ashore pontoons at Yarmouth so a wander round this small quaint town will be an enjoyable experience for our visitors
Social: On this first night in Yarmouth we will have a pontoon party and allow everyone a free night to sample the many restaurants in the town.
Day 6. Friday 7th September
A lay day in Yarmouth. A coach will be organised to take the group to the south of the Island where we can take in a cliff walk to the Tennyson Monument, those wishing take a longer stroll can continue on to Alum Bay and join the rest of the group for the ride back to Yarmouth. For those wishing to sail there is nearby Newtown River for a quiet lunch or a sail into Alum Bay
Social: A drinks party will be organised in the newly refurbished Royal Solent Yacht Club (well they hope to have the work finished by September!)
Day 7. Saturday 8th September
A very short sail across the Solent to Lymington - about 5 miles. Lymington is a typical old Hampshire seafaring town but on Saturday mornings it boasts another typical English town market, the largest in the area. For those wanting to sail, Jorvik Rose will head off South to the Needles to view this landmark from the sea. After a channel crossing this is always a welcome sight. Then back to join the group in Lymington, where we all moor up to the Dan Bran Pontoon.
Social: These are yet to be finalised but Lymington is the home of two great Yacht Clubs - the Royal Lymington Yacht Club and the Lymington Town Sailing Club. There are also a number of good restaurants in the town.
Day 8. Sunday 9th September
A free sailing day to arrive at the entrance to the Beaulieu River around mid to late afternoon in order to get a safe passage over the bar. Sailing or motoring up this beautiful river is always a pleasure. Mooring up at Bucklers Hard will be either on the mid-river pontoons or in the marina.
Social: The Maritime Museum is worth a visit. We are hoping to have a Barbeque on the foreshore in the evening. There is also the Beaulieu Motor Museum.
Day 9. Monday 10th September
A morning sail down the river as we need to be crossing the bar around 10:30 ish for a sail back to the Hamble River against a weak ebb tide.
Social: As all good things come to an end we will do so by having an end of Cruise dinner at the Southern. This should be a great final evening with the new friends we have made during the week, and old friendships renewed.