Royal Southampton Yacht Club Members Magazine 'The Yachter' Autumn 2015

yachter Autumn 2015

Boating Festival

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Royal Southampton Yacht Club

Southampton Boat Show • Queen’s Cup • Online Update • New Members • Racing • Cruising • Social Scene • Weddings • Dinghy Sailing • Blind Week

CONTENTS Blind Week – 48

yachter Commodore: Wing Commander Gordon Agnew, BA, RAF (rtd)

Contributors: Kay Abbott Allan Beswick Will Bridge Adam Greig Brian Hinde Jessica Holding Richard House Maggie Lund James Maltby Janet Miller Maggie Puleston Gary Stocks Bob Trimble

Mick Wigfield

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Angela Rice

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Editor: Michael Ford Telephone (01794) 323 577 Email rsyc@mac.com Deputy editor:

News and features Secretary’s Notebook . . . . . . . 20 Calshot Navigation . . . . . . . . . 21 Meet the Guardians . . . . . . . . 37 Fastnet Challenge . . . . . . . . . 41 Dinghy Sailing . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Tea for the Chamber. . . . . . . . 47

Advertising: Sales manager: Daniel Pook Ludis Publications T: 01273 616478 E: info@ludis–publications.co.uk W: www.ludis–publications.co.uk

Photo by onEdition

Regular columns

Layout and Design:

Sian Collins E: sian@designmaverick.co.uk

Production and Printing: Production manager: Michael Brooks Maverick Design & Communication Ltd E: michael@designmaverick.co.uk W: www.designmaverick.co.uk

Swansong – 18

Published by: The Royal Southampton Yacht Club Ltd 1 Channel Way, Ocean Village Southampton SO14 3QF Telephone (023) 8022 3352 Fax: (023) 8033 0613 Email: rsyc@rsyc.org.uk Website: www.rsyc.org.uk Gins Clubhouse St Leonards, Beaulieu Telephone (01590) 616213 Fax (01590) 616327 Front Cover photo: — Southampton Boat

Southampton Boat Show – 26-27

Commodore’s Letter . . . . . . . . . 4 Club News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Racing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Maggie’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Cruising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Photo contest . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Weddings at RSYC – 38 Cowes Week – 7

Show 2014. Photo by onEdition

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COMMODORE’S LETTER

e hoped for a glorious spring and summer and, apart from the records being broken for the windiest summer on record (and the occasional heavy rainfall) that is what we’ve had. This has benefitted everyone and has seen an increase in the use of the Clubhouses both at Ocean Village and at Gins on the Beaulieu, and also helped us to make more use of our own boats!

At Gins, the June BBQ and Summer Party were a great success. We can now look forward to the end of year parties and functions with a Chinese Lantern Festival banquet, Commodore’s Dinner for Trafalgar Night and a Christmas Bring and Buy and the Christmas and New Year’s Eve events. Please look at the website and On the Water for all the upcoming functions.

On the social scene, the Clubhouses have been busy. The revisit of the J Class yachts in July gave us an excellent opportunity to use the Princess Caroline and those who went out had a great day watching Velsheda win her races.

In sailing, the Club has successfully completed the majority of its programme for the year with only the short range regular cruises still to go while the weather holds, such as the Bembridge, Newtown Creek and Folly Rallies. The fully crewed race programme successfully completed the Spring, the Topsail Insurance Twilight and Summer Series and will finish with the Coastal Pursuit Winter Series in October and November. The Double Handed Series (sponsored by Molson Coors), still the most popular form of racing for couples and short handed crews, has had an exciting year.

The Commodore’s Cocktail Party gave us an opportunity to meet with our honorary members, commodores of reciprocal yacht clubs and our own members and marked the start of Cowes Week with the Club Trophies being awarded for the first day’s racing.

The year finishes with the Sharp’s Doom Bar Nab Double and Autumn Solent Double followed by the DH prize giving in November. The Club is also involved with the IRC DH National Championships. My thanks to all our sponsors for their support to the Club throughout the year.

For all our members who would like to sail dinghies at Gins, whether it is in one of the Club dinghies or one of their own, the Cadet programme is in place during school holidays and we are introducing a training scheme for adults with the eventual goal of being RYA accredited as a Dinghy Sailing School for all ages. Friday Night Dinghy Racing takes place, weather and safety boat cover permitting, on most Fridays on the Beaulieu when Gins is open. These are proving very popular and there are eleven assorted dinghies together with three kayak canoes available at Gins for the use of all members.

Velsheda 4

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May I thank everyone who is a member of the 50/50 Club Draw, which supports my Commodore’s Charity – the Tall Ships Youth Trust, and also those of you who have raised money through personal challenges

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A Happy and Long Association

and fund raisers and supported the Horse and Pig Charity Race Night which proved as popular as ever.Last year, you raised over £7,000 for the Tall Ship’s Youth Trust and, so far this year and as we go to press, we are up to £4,000 with the on the water Charity Pursuit Race and four months of the 50/50 Draw still to come. I am very grateful for all your efforts and support.

I would like to welcome all our new members to the Club and congratulate those members who entered under the Introductory Scheme and have now gained full member status. May I wish you a very happy and long association with us and don’t forget we are on Twitter and Facebook. I would encourage you all to take full advantage of the Club Events and new members Events that we are holding throughout the rest of year, and join in on all the activities both on and off the water at Ocean Village and Gins.

I’m also delighted to congratulate Honorary Member Helena Lucas on being the first to be chosen for the 2016 Olympic Games in the 2.4mR Paralympic Class.

Once again we are delighted to have a presence at the Southampton Boat Show where we can meet members and prospective members and advertise our great Club and its facilities. So, if you are visiting the Boat Show, seek us out and come and have a chat.

As ever, I wish you all fair weather, fair winds and safe harbours.

Gordon Agnew Commodore www.rsyc.org.uk

CLUB NEWS

The Queen’s Cup won by a Hamble yacht T

he Hamble yacht Tokoleshe 11 is this year’s winner at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week of the Royal Southampton’s prized Queen’s Cup. The priceless trophy, originally presented to the Club by Queen Victoria, is traditionally awarded as the top trophy on the first day of racing at Cowes Week.

Tokoleshe, owned and skippered by South African Michael Bartholomew, and based at Hamble took the trophy by winning the IRC Class 0 on corrected time in the opening day’s racing.

The sailing schedule for the day had been delayed because of a lack of wind at Cowes, but shortly after midday, once the east-south-easterly breeze in

the mid-Solent had built to 8-9 knots, race officials got the start sequences under way.

The first Black Group was for the large yachts in IRC Class 0 and in the race itself, Michael Bartholomew’s GP42 Tokoloshe ll led the fleet away from the southern end of the Bramble line, ten boat lengths ahead of Bastiaan de Voogd’s Sydney 43 GTS Coin Coin.

A second group, which had started to leeward in the middle part of the line was led by Sir Keith Mills’ Ker 40+ Invictus, which led Piet Vroon’s Ker 51 Tonnerre 4 by three lengths. It was this group that looked to have an initial advantage when they gybed towards the north shore to gain tidal relief.

Tonnerre was first across the line, with a margin of almost 18 minutes on

Tokoloshe ll, who was second on the water. However, Vroon failed to save his time on the smaller boat, which took the first on corrected time by 57 seconds. Jonathan Bamberger’s Farr 45 Spitfire was third on the water and just 42 seconds behind Tokoloshe ll on corrected time.

The trophy itself remains at the Club.

Roger’s surprise win

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ember Roger Winkworth RSYC won the Bavaria trophy in this year’s JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club.

He bought his yacht Amelia, a 2009 31ft cruiser only in March 2015 and is based at Itchen Marine Towage.

She was entered in the ISC Class 8A White Sails only race.

She finished fifth in Class ISC 8A and first in the Bavaria Class with a crew of six beating the winner of three previous races into second place.

Yet Roger admits he entered the race merely for a ‘good day out with the lads’ and was surprised how quickly the yacht passed many classes having earlier starts on the line.

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Club news

Sailing Overview O

ur racing and cruising are in excellent health with their popular and well supported programmes of races and rallies.

We are particularly happy to report on the increasing success of our cadet and dinghy events at Gins where James Maltby and Bill Roper have built on the hard work of other members previously reported in these pages.

Cadets and Dinghies Cadets have had a great year with three well attended two-day cadet events so far. The weather hasn’t always been on our side but everyone has enjoyed themselves! As well as sailing, there have been powerboat rides and even some raft building!

To encourage the use of our boats at Gins, we have also been running new Friday evening dinghy sessions for all-comers. It’s something we plan to repeat next year, along with a new DINGHY REGATTA on the Beaulieu with some racing and plenty of family fun. Why not get down to Gins in the next few weeks to borrow a dinghy and get some practice in?

The Club took part in the RYA’s “Push the Boat Out” event in May to encourage more people to get involved in sailing. As well as being able to get out on the water, visitors were able to look round the Gins clubhouse, sample the great food and learn about RSYC membership - a brilliant introduction to our Club.

By Bob Trimble, Rear Commodore Sailing

Please keep a look out for next year’s programme to be published later in the year. You’ll find plenty of opportunities for you and your family to get on the water with our dinghy fleet.

Many thanks to all the volunteers and instructors who give up their valuable time to help at Gins with both the events and the upkeep of the boats.

Cowes Week 2015 Congratulations to all our members who competed in this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week regatta. The first and last Saturdays delivered sun and fresh breeze but the mid-week conditions were challenging with mainly light and variable winds dominated by low pressure and Tuesday’s racing was lost altogether for lack of breeze.

As always, the RSYC contributed one of the largest contingents of race officers to the event. Following a re-organisation of the race management, this year an RSYC team were entirely responsible for running all the White Group Committee Boat starts and finishes.

It’s a tricky role but they received high praise from the competitors for their efficiency and responsiveness to the difficult conditions. We suspect we may also have set a new record by including the very competent Rebekah Pitman in our team, who at 14 is probably the youngest ever Cowes Week Race Officer.

Rebekah Pitman, the youngest race officer

WHITE HEATHER WINS AGAIN AT COWES

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SYC members Janet and Lionel Miller have just completed their 20th Cowes Week with a respectable sixth place overall out of 35 and for the fourth year in a row winning a race.

On the final day they triumphed

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by coming first with their Swan 38 White Heather in the Cruiser Class, division B, winning the Chatham trophy.

They had an excellent start and pulled away from the fleet. They held their position throughout the

race and finished ahead of Peter Dickson (Chairman of Cowes Week) in Star-born IV.

Cowes Photos: Rick Tomlinson

Their excellent crew were son David, and friends Anya and Chris Turner, Al Turner, Christian Buckingham, Steve Carson and Chris Taylor. yachter Autumn 2015

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RACING REPORTS

Running Successful Racing Captain of Racing Richard House surveys the summer racing season

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he race season is half way through and new initiatives introduced last year have started to bear fruit with race numbers generally increasing. My thanks go to the Racing Sub–Committee members, the race management teams and importantly, our sailing secretary Cathy Crawley.

We are the victims of our own success and have had much on the water praise for our race management

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with a lot of satisfied racers, but we now need more race management volunteers. So please step forward and enjoy a convivial day or evening out on the water. Please contact Cathy for more details.

Thanks also to our returning sponsors for this year, Doyle Sails, Molson Coors for the Frostbite and Double Handed Series respectively, Topsail Insurance for the Twilight and Summer Evening Series and

Coastal Pursuits for the Winter Series. Their continued sponsorship helps us promote the events and their services.

Cowes Week saw a revised race officer and club responsibility format and as usual our race management teams were active in ensuring the success of the event under the guidance of Rear Commodore Sailing, Bob Trimble.

Thanks Bob.

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RACING REPORTS

Fully Crewed Racing Doyle Sails Frostbite Series The first event was the 12 race Doyle Sails Frostbite Series with two windward/leeward races per day on a fortnightly basis to coincide with the higher tides. The entries were up and the weather unusually kind, allowing all races to be run. Classes 1 and 2 were won by convincing margins but Class 3 was more closely fought.

The Series Class winners were: Class 1 IRC – Farr 36, Alice – Simon Henning Class 2 IRC – Hunter Impala 28 OOD, Two Frank – Oliver Love Class 3 RSYC – Dufour 40, Azygos – Dave Stot

Spring Series This followed the usual 10 races, windward/leeward, two races per day, weekly format and again the weather was kind allowing all races to be run.

The Series winner with a runaway victory of bullets was: Clemency Ives’ J105 – Jos of Hamble

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Topsail Insurance Twilight and Summer Evening Series Last year we combined both Evening Series into one long event albeit with a higher number of discards. The feeling was that as one series it was too long, so this year it reverted to two separate Series, each of six evening races.

Last year we also tried an average lap format incorporating a white sail double handed class. However, it proved difficult to set courses on” low tide” days so this year we elected to try a mix of average lap races on “high tide“ days and pursuit races for the “low tide” days. The Twilight Series has finished using this format and the feedback to date is encouraging with the variety of courses appreciated and entries up. More importantly we are attracting some new racers and the racing was close with only 1.5 points separating Class I first two places and all to play for in the last race.

The Twilight Series winners were:

Clarkson Cup This event is run annually by RSYC as part of the SIRCOA Solent Series and year on year the numbers for this Series have been falling. This year was no exception, which was disappointing for our event as only 11 boats participated. Class winners were:– IRC Class 1 – Andrew McIrvine’s First 40 – La Reponse IRC Class 2 – Huw Phillip’s HOD 35 – Malice IRC Class 3 – Teresa Whelan’s X342 – Xarifa IRC Class 4 – Richard and Ursula Hollis’ X95 – Crackajax.

Class 1 – Fully Crewed – Mike Garvey’s X36 – Magec Class 2 – Double Handed – David Cule’s J88 – Mai Tai

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There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in it’s sky PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY

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Winterise Systems

Winter Layup

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DOUBLE HANDED RACING

Double Handed Racing Spinlock IRC Double Handed National Championships

Sharp’s Doom Bar Double Handed Series

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s the acknowledged leaders in Double Handed racing in the Solent area, we are privileged in securing the IRC National Championships again, this time in conjunction with the RCYC (now RORC). The event is now run as a separate event and more details are available on the dedicated webpage www.dhnationals.co.uk

he Sharp’s Doom Bar Double Handed Series has proved popular again with race numbers generally up again from last year. The 12 race Inshore, Alongshore and Offshore format has been carried forward from last year although some shore side venues and destinations have been changed.

Spring Solent Double – Inshore 1 This race started the series with an entry of 52 boats, experiencing strong shifty winds and low tides for an interesting tactical race. It was good to see the multihulls out again. The class winners were: Class 1 IRC – James Neville and Robbie Southwell’s Corby 36 OD – Ino Class 2 IRC – Mike Harrison and Alan Swaby’s Contessa 26 – Jiminy Cricket Class 3 RSYC – Andy and Sarah Horwood’s Maxi 1100 – Asante Class 4 RSYC – Sarah Treseder and Juan Moreno’s Sigma 33 – Salamander Multihull – Matthew West and Max Hindry’s Dragonfly 920E – Wandering Glider

Weymouth Double – Offshore 1 and 2 These two races counted for two of the four offshore races and with base winds in excess of 20 knots, gusts to the high twenties and wind direction changing gave runs in both directions. It proved an exciting and fast ride for the 44 boats entered. Class winners were:

Out

Back

Class 1 IRC – Tim Hayhoe and Natalie Jobling’s J105 – Mostly Harmless

Class 1 IRC – James Neville and Robbie Southwell’s Corby 36 OD – Ino

Class 2 IRC – Mike Harrison and Alan Swaby’s Contessa 26 – Jiminy Cricket

Class 2 IRC – Chudziak/Horner and Malas’ Projection 920 – Weebear

Class 3 RSYC – Becky Scott and Hester Robertson’s Mini Transat – Cloud 9

Class 3 RSYC – Julian Brown and John Macaulay’s Sunfast 42 – Arcturus of Lymington

Class 4 RSYC – Ian Ward and Sam Hatch’s Moody 29 – Bedouin

Class 4 RSYC – Ian Ward and Sam Hatch’s Moody 29 – Bedouin

www.rsyc.org.uk

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Andark in association with Royal Southampton Yacht Club are pleased to offer club members, discount of up to 15% off full retail price at the Andark retail shop or over the phone.

Please quote RSYCAND01 when you visit our store or telephone Sharon Starks, Mail Order Manager, to place the order over the phone.

Excludes sale/reduced items, courses, books and lead weight.

Courses available at Andark RYA Sea Survival - £90 per person ISAF Offshore Courses - £90 per person RYA Powerboat Level 2 - £245 per person PADI Scuba Diver Training from Beginner to Instructor - from £379.00 Andark Underwater Escape Training course £99 per person (min 6 people required)

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– deck shoes and boots

Retail Store – We are open 7 days per week (late night on Fridays until 8pm during the summer) Email: admin@andark.co.uk • www.andark.co.uk

DOUBLE HANDED RACING

Cherbourg Double – Offshore 3

Round the Island Double – Alongshore 3

This longer race was held over the Spring Bank Holiday to give everyone a chance to return or go cruising.

The intrepid Class winners were:

With relatively light winds forecast and a later start than usual, 78 boats started of the 98 boats entered and enjoyed a good sail in bright sunny conditions. Thankfully the wind held; there was no need to shorten at the Needles and all boats apart from a few retirees made the finish well before the time limit. The class winners were:

Class 1 IRC – Miles Woodhouse and Mervyn Hughes’ Grand Soleil 43 – Jua Kali Class 2 IRC – Pat Stables and Nigel Hunter’s Trapper 300 – Google Eye Class 3 RSYC – Will Bridge and Sandy Douglas’ Dehler 32 – Fusion IV Class 4 RSYC – Sarah Treseder and Juan Moreno’s Sigma 33 – Salamander

Poole Bar Double – Alongshore 1 With the wind changing on the morning of the race to 25 to 30 knots the decision was made to keep the race in the Solent for a finish at Lymington and apres–race at the Mayflower Inn. Class winners were:

Class 1 IRC – Andy Roberts and Bill Edgerley’s J105 – Jin Tonic Class 2 IRC – Mike Harrison and Alan Swaby’s Contessa 26 – Jiminy Cricket Class 3 RSYC – John Skipper and Graham Douglas’ Maxi 1050 – Magewind of Roke Class 4 RSYC – Henry Brownrigg and Graham Jenman’s Halberg Rassy 31 – Solo Multihulls – Mark Hughes and Henieo Firley’s Farrier F27 – Lil’ Annie

Class 1 IRC – Nigel King and Stephen Hopson’s Figaro 11 – Blue Note Class 2 IRC – Mike Harrison and Alan Swaby’s Contessa 26 – Jiminy Cricket Class 3 RSYC – Andy and Sarah Horwood’s Maxi 1100 – Asante Class 4 RSYC – Sarah Treseder and Juan Moreno’s Sigma 33 – Salamander

West Princessa – Alongshore 2 Some 48 boats entered the West Princessa race and enjoyed the sunny conditions returning to Portsmouth afterwards for the race supper held on the Haslar Lightship. Racing was close after 2.5 hrs with the first two places of Classes 3 and 4 separated by just 4 and 23 seconds respectively.

Class winners were: Class 1 IRC– Alex Adam’s J105 – Voador Class 2 IRC – Mike Harrison and Alan Swaby’s Contessa 26 – Jiminy Cricket Class 3 RSYC – Andy and Sarah Horwood’s Maxi 1100 – Asante Class 4 RSYC – Graham and Hubert Smyth’s Freedom 25 – Squirrel www.rsyc.org.uk

Radio Control

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hanks are also due to Eddie Hill and David Lawson for managing the Radio Control yachting and hosting some successful workshops and events at both Gins and Lakeside.

Enjoy the reminder of the sailing year Richard House, RSYC Captain of Racing yachter Autumn 2015

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News

Swansong F

Angela Rice

or our visiting expat friend it was about sailing his dream A Swan 38, that classic of superb yachting design and loving craftsmanship, now no longer in production. His ultimate ambition is to commission a new Rustler 42, to be delivered on the day he retires. But that Rubicon is at least five years ahead, so the final sums are not yet in on fiscal feasibility.

John and I, like most others who have already crossed this line, know that Prudence has a habit of trumping Aspiration when calculating how much is needed to provide for an unspecified remaining lifetime versus what can be spent on playthings. But for now he can dream…

He was chartering the Swan this time as he had already sailed a Rustler on his previous trip. But he neatly tracked down one based in Falmouth, home of to the iconic Rustler yard.

He scooped up John and I as crew, and we headed off to Cornwall.

It was both a mistake and an advantage to tour the Rustler yard before boarding the Swan.

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yachter Autumn 2015

Reflections on Retro Sailing by deputy editor, Angela Rice

The passion for excellence, superb attention to detail, meticulously handcrafted joinery and ‘haute couture’ ability to respond to each new owner’s specifications, plus the distilled essence of many years of design experience impressed even me. While no longer the Reluctant Boating Wife I used to be – in fact now positively enthusiastic about the charms of comfortable cruising – I do not regard myself as any form of boat buff, so I had considered taking myself off elsewhere while he and John drooled and talked technicalities. Happily, I tagged along, and was rewarded by finally ‘getting’ what it is that separates the aristocrats of the yachting world from the rest.

Of course it is primarily about the hull and keel design – and the strength provided by the reinforcing of the hull and the fully encapsulated keel. But the thick, solid toerail spoke instantly of luxury, the detailing was fully thought through - and then some more. I was particularly charmed to discover that teak is no longer the only wood for interiors, and found myself stroking the light oak alternative lovingly, while appreciating the daring

of a white painted bulkhead option, instead of the up-to-now mandatory (and I would say depressingly dark) plain wood panelling throughout. Our buddy had hoped to be won over by the new 37 foot version. Like the 42 footer, it is a truly lovely craft, but the position of the chart table, the berth arrangement and the extra space in the main saloon, plus a certain intangible quality (sheer size and power came into it) confirmed his continuing allegiance to the 42.

We floated (with no need for water) out of the yard to the marina next door to find our 35 year old Swan 38, and crashed to earth the moment we saw her decks. These were clearly over-ready for replacement, with the rubber protruding from worn teak slats and the whole covered with a bright orange last-gasp preservative redolent of a bad fake tan. Below was almost as sad – the gloomy dark teak interior was depressingly uncared for and pleading for a decent varnish job, with hard plastic upholstery adding to its profile of a working boat for hairy twenty-somethings racing across to the Scillies.

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News

While inflating our expectations by seeing the new Rustlers first may have been a mistake, the advantage was that we were able to see the beauty, albeit ravaged by time, of this classic craft.

Fresh in our minds was how many hours and meticulous workmanship would have gone into her originally.

No dropped-in bulkheads or production line fittings for her.

Having been kept awake on passage by the creaks and groans of boats protesting at the seas, I knew she would be quieter than a new German high-end car on a recently resurfaced autoban. And she was.

She took us over to Fowey on a broad reach the next day in record time.

Then slipped magically through the wind-against-tide waves on her return trip, pointing higher than I thought sailing boats could. Our Skipper’s initial disappointment dissipated the more he sailed her, and was replaced by warm respect. This was, after all, one of his favourite designs, and age had only withered her superficially.

Where he saw classic and fit for purpose, I however, notwithstanding the quality of her build, saw brutish and hostile. She brought back everything that made me a Reluctant Boating Wife 35 years ago, when she was in her first youth. The whole interior seemed to have almost audible speech bubbles around it saying ‘This is a Proper Man’s Boat’‘When I was in the Navy a Man did Man’s Stuff - If you want home comforts, stay at home.’‘You don’t need namby pamby cupholders or deck storage cuddies’ ‘What do you mean the forard berth is too high to get into? Jump for God’s sake!’‘Claustrophobic shelf-like crew berths? Stuff and nonsense’‘Women sailing – What next??’

This boat was from the days when a failure of the electrics did not spell www.rsyc.org.uk

doom, there being little to fail.

It was my first experience of a pedalpowered water supply; my initial attempt to balance in the cramped heads pumping with my foot while trying to clean my teeth using the intermittent violent squirts of water was reminiscent of the old trick of simultaneous head-patting and stomach rubbing – with the added allure of trying not to overbalance and bang one’s head on the deck overhang.

I assume it is unnecessary to mention that the concept of warming water while motoring appears not to have been part of the thinking at the time of her birth? And if I mention an immersion heater I may be required to go through that difficult process of rinsing my mouth out again.

This in a heads whose only ventilation was a strategically placed (ie opposite the washbasin, not the loo) two-inch diameter peephole in the bulkhead.

With predictable olfactory results over the course of the next few days.

There was at least electric lighting, albeit harsh. I reflected on the explanation we had received at the Rustler yard of how they optimised the quality of the low voltage lighting.

(Do I hear a speech bubble give a derisive snort?)

The most subtle torture was reserved for the cockpit. The location of the mainsail track is a vexed issue in many boats – The choice is clambering over it to get to the wheel, ditto to get to the cockpit or placing it conveniently but less effectively forard of the spray hood.

In a refinement of discomfort the Swan’s track was located adjacent to a raised platform between the cockpit seats and the companionway, ensuring that there was nowhere in the cockpit where it was possible to sit facing fore and aft in any comfort.

The contrast between this elderly Swan and the boats on which I now very contentedly sail is striking. I am in awe of the ability of the market to bring about such a (literal) sea change in boat design in one generation, to reflect shifts in buying patterns impressive enough to incite Keynes to hum sea shanties in his grave. Now the usually jointly spent, grey-ish pound of couples who are at the stage in life to have time to cruise has altered the course of boat design. A combined male and female decision on seaworthiness, performance, comfort and style has resulted in a (to me) joyous leap forward, with furling everything, lines back to the cockpit, power winches, plenty of style and home comforts and an end not only to that smell that somehow pervaded every craft in the past, but also the ethos of tough living it signified. Combined with an increase in marinas and a concomitant shift away from clambering into dinghies, it has become in many ways a different sport.

But there will always be diehards like our friend whose Rustler spec will as a matter of principle exclude many of the most alluring optional extras (My particular favourite is the coffee machine). He even likes the pedal waterpower, so there is little hope of decadence on his eventual craft.

Will he finally rustle up a Rustler as the swansong to his career?

That may depend on his (currently unreconstructed) wife. Who is speaking threateningly of the charms of apartments in New York…..

Angela Rice is a former Motor Boats and Yachting columnist and author of The Adventures of a Reluctant Boating Wife (Adlard Coles Nautical - 2013) yachter Autumn 2015

19

COWES WEEK NEWS

Club Secretary’s Note Book Club Secretary and Manager, Gary Stocks highlights current developments

T

o try and improve our administration and customer service to the membership, the Club will be changing the core of its electronic management, accounting and point of sale systems over the next few months.

It is hoped the project will be live in time to coincide with the new membership year commencing in January 2016.

As with any electronic data management systems, the quality of the output is dependent on the quality of the input and to ensure this is the best it can be, all committees and staff will be working hard to clean the data currently held, but will require the assistance of all members, to ensure the information is as up to date as possible.

Members should expect therefore to receive some requests for information or to confirm the information we already hold and it will be appreciated if you could assist by fulfilling the requests as in depth as possible and returning by any requested deadline.

There will also be a need to amend the current accounting system for joint memberships, as the system will only allow one billing/accounting address, underwritten by one direct debit and all membership cards issued to the joint account will have any purchases invoiced to the one account.

We hope the change will not cause too much inconvenience and the result will be better for all. Thank you in advance for your support in this venture.

GW Stocks Club Secretary/General Manager - Administration

20

yachter Autumn 2015

www.rsyc.org.uk

News

Navigation Light Back On Station

By Brian Hinde, Vice-Commodore

A

mid-week cruise can often offer a different view to the usual weekend trip. During the winter the only other yachts out on the water are likely to be sailing schools but all year round the commercial world takes advantage of the reduced density to complete many tasks.

Local Notices to Mariners announced that on July 15 the Calshot light float was to replace the port hand buoy which occupied its station. A trip to Cowes meant that we might be among the first to see the mark back in its rightful place; as it happened we were far more fortunate.

The whole replacement took place as we slowly progressed down the channel.

www.rsyc.org.uk

It had only been less than fortnight earlier that we were bemoaning the absence of the light float; it shows the direction of the tide so much better than a buoy and orientates the pattern of buoyage in the central Solent.

Comparing the new photos with older shots revealed that either it is a completely new light float or at least the superstructure had been renewed. It also gave rise to an outbreak of nostalgia for the original light vessel that it replaced.

I say original but the light vessel, now alongside Trafalgar Dock in Southampton, and for a long time after decommissioning close to

the RSYC in Ocean Village was not the first in use. The Naval Journal of April 13, 1842 records the very first light vessel in that position anchored in three and three-quarter fathoms at LWS. Perhaps the most interesting of the light vessels to be anchored there was LV50. This vessel is the last all-wooden light vessel, constructed for Trinity House in 1879 and after decommissioning in 1952 became the club house for the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club, Blythe where she remains to this day.

If you visit the area why not call in and mention the connection.

yachter Autumn 2015

21

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Each surgery is equipped with the latest technology to help treat your problems.

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MEMBERS’ NEWS

New Members T

he RSYC welcomes the following new members since the last issue. We look forward to seeing them at both Clubhouses and to meeting them at events both on and off the water

NAME

www.rsyc.org.uk

ADDRESS

BOAT NAME

MOORING

Tony & Anne Roberts

Chepstow

Bella Figura

Peter Taylor

Southampton

n/a

Peter Blackadder

Richmond

n/a Aolus

Clive & Sue Robinson

Southampton

Extrapolation

Hornet SC

Joe Robinson

Southampton

n/a

Colin & Gill Burchill

Stratford–on–Avon

n/a Audray

Warwick Buckley

Southampton

Kia Kaha

Ocean Village

Andy & Angela Gales

Lyndhurst

Galeforce 2

Beaulieu

Howard & Jackie Jupp

Southampton

Marvellous

Ocean Village

Charles & Lesley Everall

Southampton

Blue J

Hythe

Matthew Derry

Southampton

n/a

n/a

Paul & Jan Newton

Lyndhurst

n/a

Paul & Mandy Puntis

Southampton

n/a Legend of Atlantis

Richard & Roslyn Smith

Southampton

Raya

Overseas

James Evans

London

Mirelle

Beaulieu

Phil Arlott

Reading

Amber Rose

Ocean Village

Danny Veal

Southampton

Aljonic

Shamrock Quay

Graham & Sheree Fish

Beaulieu

Akuna

Beaulieu

Bryan & June Bird

Southampton Southampton

n/a Raffles

n/a

Christopher & Nasreen Tilbury Andrew Ghinn

Southampton

Yarnspinner

Ocean Village

David Cram

Southampton

n/a

John & Philomena Shanahan

London

n/a Ivernia

Richard Atherton

London

Josephine

Beaulieu

Mark Lawless

Southampton

Lawless

Ocean Village

Richard George

Dyfed

Chance Discovery

Beaulieu

Shannon Dixon

Southampton

n/a

David Ramos

Fleet

n/a Ramosseas

Neil & Annabelle Miller

Newbury

Elidie

Beaulieu

Oliver Robinson

Portsmouth

Golden Savanna

East Cowes

Geoff Ibbett

Southampton

Magic Moments

Hythe

Viktor Maksimov & Inga Kruste

Southampton

n/a

Jack Harvey & Kate Brown

Beaulieu

n/a Amazon

Ian Gillingham & Carolyn Tyrer

Harwell

Gemini Girl

Beaulieu

Glenn Peacey

Winchester

n/a

n/a

Hannah Neocleous

Hertford Hertford

n/a Julia

n/a

Richard & Julia Neocleous Stephen Beasley

Romsey

n/a

n/a

Peter Sowrey

Southampton

n/a

n/a

Phil Johnston

Southampton Henley–on–Thames

n/a Perseverance

n/a

John & Aafke Oldridge Martin & Karen Ball

Lymington

Vogue

Bucklers Hard

Michael & Jenny Jackson

Southampton

Daygo

Town Quay

Suzanna Kelsey

Southampton

n/a

n/a

Mary Whitman

Southampton

n/a

n/a

Lindsay Tucker

Southampton

n/a

n/a

Beaulieu Beaulieu

Hythe

Beaulieu

Saxon Wharf

Ocean Village

Ocean Village

Ashlett Creek

Ocean Village

Beaulieu

yachter Autumn 2015

23

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BOAT SHOW

Photos by onEdition

What a lot has been happening on the Solent this summer and now the Southampton Boat Show to look forward to. Come and visit us there!

T

he America’s Cup first leg of the event’s qualifiers in Portsmouth was won by Sir Ben Ainslie’s Land Rover BAR Team.

Thrilled crowds watched the Formula 1 racing yachts of today, whilst only a few days later RSYC Members were able to admire the awesome sight of the J Class yachts moored in Ocean Village. These Formula 1 racing yachts designed in the 1930s were competing in the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Bicentennial Regatta at Cowes. First in all four races Velsheda K7 flying the ensign of the Royal Southampton Yacht

By Allan Beswick,

Rear Commodore House

Club, won the J Class in the historic Bicentenary International Regatta on the famous yacht’s home waters.

Nothing stands still; a few weeks ago there was a public exhibition of the Southampton City’s plans for the Royal Pier Waterfront, a development that will start this September and probably continue for the next ten years.

(See www.royalpierwaterfront.com).

Apartment buildings, yes another hotel, restaurants and of course shops but also an extended Mayflower Park, a permanent site for the Southampton Boat Show.

Commencing Friday, September 11 and running through until Sunday, September 20 the 2015 Southampton Boat Show is an opportunity to research and buy those essential improvements that will ensure your boat, if not quite Formula 1, stays up-to-date and on the water for the years to come.

See the RSYC website for ticket information and please visit the Royal Southampton Yacht Club stand - in the Mayflower Hall.

We look forward to welcoming you there.

OCEAN VILLAGE FACILITIES Apart from membership opportunities, the Club will be focussing on the benefits of what Ocean Village and the Gins clubhouses have to offer for event organisers.

Entertain guests at the water’s edge in the stunning Ocean Village marina, or on the tranquil Beaulieu River at anytime of year.

During the Boat Show the Ocean Village Clubhouse provides a haven to relax minutes away from the hutle and bustle of Mayflower Park, and is ready to welcome members and visitors throughout the build up days for the Show and during and after the event.

For business visitors there are: 4 Four fully equipped meeting rooms for 10 - 120 people 4 Private dining for 10 - 130 people 4 Waterside dining rooms and bar with balcony overlooking the marina on three sides 4 Wireless Broadband 4 Full access to marina activities 4 Lift access to all areas 4 Free car parking after 6pm (Daytime £1/hour) 26

yachter Autumn 2015

www.rsyc.org.uk

BOAT SHOW

Southampton Boat Show is back again this September as a magnificent festival of boating centred on Southampton’s waterfront Mayflower Park with one of Europe’s biggest purpose-built marinas adjacent to it.

N

ow in its 47th year, the Southampton Boat Show is a world leader and showcases the very best that the international marine industry and sailing interests has to offer. And the Royal Southampton will be there once more.

We will be among a host of attractions as well as thousands of boats, brands and equipment which you can see, touch and try first-hand.

As one of the world’s top 10 Boat Shows, the event will feature lots of family friendly attractions such as: • Plenty of opportunities to get out on the water for FREE • A big wheel offering panoramic views across the Show

• The spectacular Earl of Pembroke tall ship will take a break from featuring in blockbuster movies to allow visitors to climb aboard • Weather permitting, the Red Arrows will be swooping across Southampton on Saturday, September 12 treating visitors to their famous show-stopping display.

There will be plenty of opportunities to experience the latest RIBs, powerboats and yachts at no extra cost, whatever your age, and whether you are an advanced sailor or a bold beginner.

• On the Water’s “Get Afloat” is a tailor made attraction for younger visitors which gives 8 to16 year olds a chance to discover the

excitement of dinghy sailing and Stand up Paddleboarding • Try-a-Boat sessions will allow visitors to experience the thrill of being out on the water on a varied selection of vessels • Wet Wheels is a fully wheelchair accessible, 9m Cheetah Catamaran, the brainchild of Royal Southampton honorary member, Geoff Holt. Capable of driving at 40 knots, it has been specially adapted to allow disabled access •R YA Active Marina Experience will again be offering visitors the opportunity to refresh their boating skills and gain top tips from expert instructors through their on-water and shore-based workshops.

2015 Show Opening Times

Spectacular Marina

The Show will be open each day from Preview Day on Friday, September 11 until Sunday, September 20.

The Show has one of Europe’s largest purpose built marinas with over 2km of pontoons, which display more than 300 boats.

Opening times are 10 am to 6.30pm each day, but closing at 6pm on the final day.

The Show entrance is located on Harbour Parade.

Visitor access is no longer available through Gate F by the Red Funnel Terminal • Public entry is permitted on Public Preview Day • Gates will be open from 9.30am for access into the arena

Ticket Ticke Prices Ticket Prices

Photo Credits: onEdition2013©

It also berths some of the world’s most prestigious exhibitors and brands, hosting global, European and UK launches of yachts, RIBs, motor and day boats. In addition, the marina holds many exciting feature boats.

For the benefit of visitors’ comfort, some boats do need to be booked to be viewed.

The Marina can be entered by Mayflower Park and is free to access for all Show visitors.

Early bird prices at concessionary rates are available to members booking online, via the Royal Southampton website.

Preview Day (September 11) This allows access to the Show any one day of the Show.

Standard Day Tickets Saturday September 12 - Sunday, September 20

Early Bird at the Gate Adult £20.00 £27.00 Child (5 yrs and under) Free, with paying adult Senior Citizen 60 + £15.00 £20.00 Concessions (disabled with carer, admits 2) £15.00 £20.00 Group, 10+ £17.00 n/a Late entry (after 3.30pm) £10.00 n/a

Early Bird at the Gate Adult £13.00 £22.00 Child (5 yrs and under) Free, with paying adult Senior Citizen 60 + £12.00 £17.00 Concessions (disabled with carer, admits 2) £12.00 £17.00 Group, 10+ £13.00 n/a Late entry (after 3.30pm) £10.00 £10.00

Senior Citizen residing in postcodes SO14 - SO19 Free entry to the Show on proof of age and residency. www.rsyc.org.uk

Family Day Ticket £30.00 Two adults and two children 15 years and under

Platinum Experience Ticket VIP package -Advance Booking, £125 any day

yachter Autumn 2015

27

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Stand J - 106

SOCIAL SCENE Maggie’s Corner by Maggie Lund – Director

of Entertainment.

Maggie Lund

Spring We have come to the end of the nts, Eve and Summer Club Social s with Cowes Week, the Commodore’ es Cow and er dinn and ty par cocktail off the ding roun Fireworks party at Gins, nt.

Sole the in k wee ting spectacular yach and ul derf won e Aren’t we lucky, to have thes own amazing occasions, right on our very enjoy to , hand at Club t grea a and doorstep makes It ? ome refreshments and a warm welc ical. mag living by the sea truly

Chinese Banquet from 2013

and Gins, December events at Ocean Village lively year and busy very a of end the k will mar for the RSYC. ing Day Once again, Gins is planning a Box ember Dec ay, urd walk and lunch on Sat ld like to wou ne anyo if know 26. Please let me e. rout ing walk new a help plan for this Saturday, December 5 is the date ensian Dick a with ty, Par as istm Chr ’s year se plea – ge Villa traditional style at Ocean are s king Boo . info web and see the Posters now open. , A Right December 31 -New Year’s Eve Ball end of nal Royal Do, is going to be a sensatio in the let and us, year event. Come and join s are king Boo t. mus A . style New Year 2016 in . now open , the Looking ahead to 2016, another year and Gins ge Villa an Oce both for es amm pogr stage, are already in the outline planning of well all you ring assu and again promising and ng resti inte , nced bala well out, thoughtexciting occasions, as always. at Ocean A selection of activities is planned such ber, Octo Village, starting from early an and tion ecia appr wine as bridge nights, ents ngem arra l flora of se cour ek t-we eigh the e gsid alon and topiary instruction, ding carvery quiz / steak and kidney pud . ings even o bistr es gam / Club ers So please take the time to read post keep all, e abov and es hous club both in abreast with events via our weekly y bulletins. Most importantly, keep happ ts. even al soci the to ing com keep and and We need you, we need your support your sense of fun.

Blessings to you all, Maggie Lund Director of Entertainment

L SO A Y O U R

www.rsyc.org.uk

CHT CL U B YA

P TON M A H T

Ocean Village is the place to be on entic Saturday, October 3, when an auth tern Lan Chinese banquet Moon and sticks and Festival will be held. Yes, even chop t. men rtain Chinese ente y this Gins is holding a super Autumn part on held be to , Fall the In year Autumn 17. r obe Oct ay, urd Sat er will The Commodore’s Trafalgar dinn Ocean at 24 r be held on Saturday, Octobe 2015 our in t even nt Village – an importa calendar. s Cocktail ay the November 13. Friday – yes, it’s Frid s Blue the for t nigh t grea a it ing 13th, mak ge and Villa n Ocea at ies Part an mer Oce Sum at two ing The and Ragtime hot supper even er lower .

Trio is Harr Gins, June and July, experienced rath Pete Village, by the brilliant l the numbers, but certainly this didn’t spoi er all? you The following day, Saturday, Novemb great atmospheres and fun. Where were g Brin as istm Chr prea 14, we are holding busy to 11am I know many of you have been very from , Sale Top le & Buy Tab se do hes and sailing, racing and holidays, but plea 3pm, accompanied by coffees, lunc k chec larly regu and s to all open t read the weekly Bulletin even an refreshments. This is t’s On for ds can frien and our website and keep abreast of Wha bers Mem . ance with free entr an Village r choice, thei of s your interest and delight both at Oce good with £5, for d stan a book out. This and Gins. although these are almost now sold into goes Christmas arch your rese t and star to ght ce thou h chan Muc is a must and a al soci the of g the planning and organisin shopping. se we do programmes each year, but of cour to see need your support and it’s so fantastic e thes and meet up, especially on occasions.

Please do feel free to contact me if you would like to put forward your ideas, likes, dislikes, requests, or indeed offer some help.

Well, the coming autumn is looking pretty busy and fun, with an extremely wide range of events, something for ever yone, I hope.

We start off early Autumn at Gins, with the Last Night of The Proms, a recorded concert and supper, with on u, men my” “yum carefully chosen Saturday, September 12.

yachter Autumn 2015

29

Royal Southampton yacht club

B

YAL SO U RO

CHT CLU YA

AMPTON TH

Pre-Christmas

Table Top Sale

At Ocean Village Clubhouse on Saturday 14th November 2015 11am - 3pm Free entry for the Public!

Refreshments are available to purchase throughout the day

Table Hire: ÂŁ5 per table If you would like to reserve a table please contact Maggie Lund on 07950 344818 or email magslund@aol.com

SOCIAL SCENE SOCIAL SCENE gallery

L SO A Y O U R www.rsyc.org.uk

Recent Events French Night and Elvis Night

CHT CL U B YA

P TON M A H T

yachter Autumn 2015

31

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CRUISING

Strong Winds, Rough Seas and Soggies Captain of Cruising, Adam Greig surveys the summer season for Club cruising and has been looking for weather fortunes to change

T

he cruising program commenced with the Frostbite rallies. The first was to Marchwood Sailing Club. As it was early in the season many drove but a few hardy souls went by boat and moored to the pontoon.

On this occasion no members were locked in and did not have to scale the fence to get out.

The February rally was held at the RAFYC on the River Hamble. Four crews went by boat, others joined

34

yachter Autumn 2015

for dinner by car. The scene was set for this year as far as the weather was concerned with strong winds for both passages there and back.

The March rally was held at Gins with boats mooring on the pontoon. The lengthening of the pontoon has really increased capacity and enabled all the boats that attended to moor on the pontoon. Once again the weather was dry but windy.

The Easter Rally was very successful.

The Safari supper was held at East Cowes Marina. The boats were grouped together in the South Basin meaning the late arrivals had to raft to the earlier arrivals.

Comments were made about the fact that marinas are now expecting owners to book and pay in advance and that all boat owners should be resisting this unwelcome innovation, if at all possible. The safari supper was fun although the drinks on the pontoon, were marred by the

www.rsyc.org.uk

CRUISING

fact that it rained. A new term was coined for nibbles - ‘soggies’ - as the crisps became damp in the rain.

The Rally then moved to Lymington and moored on the Dan Bran Pontoon. Dinner was held in the Lymington Town Sailing, which once again delivered an excellent dinner at a very reasonable price.

On Sunday the fleet moved to Gins for Sunday Lunch.

The first May Bank Holiday saw the Club return to Poole Harbour via Yarmouth for the weekend. Eight boats moored at Harold Hales Yard and then went for dinner at the Royal Solent Yacht Club. The Club was welcoming as usual and gave us an excellent dinner. The following morning the fleet left for Poole.

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On this occasion the weather god smiled and the fleet had a cracking sail to Poole in sunshine - sailing at its best. The fleet went to the Royal Motor Yacht Club and were all accommodated in their marina.

I understand the reason was that the club boat man did not want to be late that evening and tried hard to get us all in the marina.

Dinner as usual was excellent.

Sunday saw the sailors going to various places across the Sandbanks ferry either on foot or in the bus. If you go on the bus the ferry crossing is included in the bus fare. There is an excellent seafood restaurant within 400 yards of the ferry on the Studland side. If the restaurant is full do not despair it has an attached Café that serves delicious fish and chips.

Those of us who had not gone to Swanage on the bus went here for lunch. The weather god decided that one day of fair winds was enough and turned on the blowers again. Northern Spirit had to be roped off from the pontoon to enable us to leave.

Various cruises have taken place this summer. The St Vaast Rally went ahead as usual. Boats went to the Channel Islands and to the west country.

The theme for the weather has been strong winds and rough seas.

Perhaps the weather will improve for what remains of the summer.

There are a number of rallies organised for us to look forward to including the Island Harbour Rally, Bembridge Rally and of course the Newtown Rally.

yachter Autumn 2015

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CRUISING

West Country frustrations This year’s summer cruise to the West Country held many promises, but as Mick Wigfield recalls all did not go to plan

C

ruises come and cruises go but none – thank goodness – go on for ever! At least not in relation to this year.

For if ever the wind conspired to be contrary, it did so with frustrating effect for the West Country Cruise.

Alas, Ke Mari did not get to Plymouth via L’Aberwraich and Falmouth, the skipper did not get his dinner in L’Escalier des Abers and transiting the inshore passage at the Manacles remains an ambition.

It is perhaps just as well that there were no takers to accompany Ke Mari on her outward journey from the Solent to Plymouth; it was wet, the wind was on the nose and to begin with we had to shelter in Yarmouth for two nights. The delivery crew’s (Ken Oakerbee and John Tyer) frustrations were somewhat mollified by an excellent meal in Beamers Restaurant in

Liz, Laurie, Sarah and Anton

36

yachter Autumn 2015

Brixham, highly recommended for its fish dishes, and visits to the Yealm and Fowey.

A Ke Mari trip would not be the same without a bit of shallow water work, so by way of consolation for missing the Manacles, we took Ke Mari up the ditch generously named the Lynher River, to the Dandy Hole, a delightful anchorage as pretty as Newtown Creek without other yachts. Ken went below to make coffee; John’s knuckles are still white from gripping the tiller. The delivery trip ended with a pleasant night at the Mayflower Marina.

The West Country Cruise started for Ke Mari (by now with Liz as crew), as a solitary week in Plymouth while the south-westerlies blew through and we lost so much time that we abandoned the plan to go to Falmouth. In Dartmouth, the in-company bit began with Copycat’s Tim, Jo and Geoff

(Laurie and Anton Bates) arrival from the Channel Islands. The largest gathering was in Torquay where Caribou (Sarah and Tim Phillips) and Araxian (Jo Oakley and Geoff Rowe) both travelling westwards met with east-going Copycat and Ke Mari. There we celebrated Ke Mari’s 35th and Jo’s we-could-not-possibly-say birthdays.

After another week waiting for reasonable weather, Copycat and Ke Mari finished the cruise in company together at Yarmouth.

One objective of the cruise was to visit as many of our reciprocal clubs as possible. We were able to sign in at the Royal Fowey, the Royal Western Yacht Club of England, the Royal Dart, the Royal Torbay and the Royal Solent. And while on about clubs, let us not forget the superbly situated Brixham Yacht Club, with its magnificent view over Torbay.

Mick and Liz

www.rsyc.org.uk

club briefing

The Guardians – Who are they and what is their role?

They are listed in the Club Handbook and are elected by members at the annual general meeting. Guardians’ Chairman Anton Bates tells Yachter Editor Michael Ford about their role in the Club.

T

he Role of the Guardians is set out in the Rules and “to represent the interests of the members as a whole.”

Editor: How then does this role differ from that of the Executive Committee that is charged with management of the club?

Anton Bates: The Guardians are the modern successors of trustees who originally acted as directors of The Southampton Yacht Club Building Company Limited – the Building Company, formed in 1885 and incidentally one of the country’s oldest companies. Its role is to hold our principal assets including the lease of Ocean Village and the freehold of Gins and our now shares’ portfolio.

Editor: What is the relationship with the more recently formed property company?

Anton: The Royal Southampton Yacht Club Property Company Limited was formed for legitimate tax reasons in 2005 and holds the shares of the Building Company. The Guardians, together with the current Vice Commodore, are the directors of both of these non trading companies.

Editor: Do the Guardians play a part in the day to day management and operation of the Yacht Club?

Anton: Once elected, every member of the club is a member of The Royal Southampton Yacht Club Limited and is also a member of the Property Company. The members of Executive are the directors of the Yacht Club and, together with the Club Secretary and staff, ably manage the day to day affairs of the club. Three Guardians sit on the Executive, receive all committee minutes and, whilst we cannot vote, can and do contribute in discussions at meetings of the Executive.

Editor: How are the Guardians appointed?

Anton: Guardians are proposed by the Executive. but elected by the

www.rsyc.org.uk

Left to right Peter Whatley, Bob Stevenson, Jan Cox, Anton Bates and Don Wark Yacht Club members at an AGM. They must also have been full members for a continuous period of ten years and have ‘contemporary knowledge of the management and operation’ of the club. Some guardians may have been commodore and all will have held senior office and in these roles will have gained first hand experience in the operation and management of the club.

Editor: For how long do Guardians remain in that position?

Anton: They serve only for a maximum of six years. This now reduced term will hopefully in due course, allow for ‘younger’ guardians to be elected with fresh ideas and enthusiasms!

Editor: Surely, they must have some influence on the running of the Club?

Anton: It is not the role of the Guardians to become involved in day-to-day management but to take a more ‘long term’ view of members’ interests. From time to time, however infrequently, an Executive initiative may involve the proposed commitment of a large sum of money or perhaps a matter of principle involving the future of the club. In these circumstances the Guardians might take an independent and different view as to whether the use of our assets on such a project might be in the long term best

interests of the members. If we were of a different opinion to that of the Executive and have not otherwise been able to persuade them to our view, the Rules allow us to appeal directly to the Club members.

Editor: Can members make direct approaches to the Guardians if they have matters of concern?

Anton: Members may also find it an advantage to have in place an avenue through which members may express concerns which they would not otherwise wish to raise directly with the Flag Officers. All that being said however, whilst remaining truly independent of the Executive, our role, is to support the Flag Officers and the Executive in their demanding management role.

Indeed, we have much to thank all those who commit much of their time, experience and skills in our many committees, to ensuring that our great club continues to offer the facilities and services that we as members, may sometimes take for granted.

Editor: Finally, who are the current Guardians?

Anton: Myself, Jan Cox, Bob Stevenson, Don Wark and Peter Whatley.

yachter Autumn 2015

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weddings at RSYC

Celebrate in Style The Ocean Village Clubhouse offers a truly romantic setting for your very own special day!

Celebrate in style in a calming and friendly atmosphere, at the heart of a prestigious marina, close to the sea and yet just minutes from the Southampton City Centre. Here you can soak up the views across the water from the dining room and its balconies and then sail into the sunset from the adjacent Club pool!

Credit: Perfect Chairs 38

yachter Autumn 2015

www.rsyc.org.uk

weddings at RSYC

Will and Tracy Roper’s wedding at RSYC – Saturday, July 25

By Jessica Holding

A

1960s vintage police car carried Will and his new wife Tracy from the church to the Royal Southampton Yacht Club’s clubhouse in Ocean Village. On a beautiful summer’s day with the clubhouse dressed over all, the sweeping steps at the front of the club provided the perfect setting for the happy couple’s photographs.

The Roper family’s yacht Mistress was also dressed over all in the Club pool adding a really personal touch to this keen sailing couple’s reception. The bridgeroom’s father Bill Roper and mother, Margaret are long time members of the club

and Bill is an active member of the sailing committee and looks after the dinghies at Gins.

After drinks with their 55 guests they enjoyed a delicious meal of a fresh salmon Caesar salad followed by medallions of pork with crispy crackling all finished with a trio of deserts.

In the evening joined by an additional 40 guests a live band set the party off with guests taking to the dance floor, relaxing in the bar or enjoying a warm summers evening and views over the marina on the balcony.

Will Roper, an assistant manager at Waitrose and Tracy, a local police

officer, thoroughly enjoyed their special day, and are welcome back any time.

Quote from the bride and groom: “The Club was wonderful, it’s so well appointed anyway that a few simple flowers and decorations made it shine effortlessly.

The location is absolutely unique and stunning and the staff made the process of planning and preparing stress free and painless.

The day went so smoothly and they took everything in their stride.

All of our guests commented how amazing the club was.”

Photos: Mark Bastick

To check availability and book your appointment to discuss your needs, please email: events@rsyc.org.uk or call 02380 210878 Why not come along to our wedding fayre on the Saturday, October 10, 10am til 4pm and meet our events team and some of our partnered suppliers. www.rsyc.org.uk

yachter Autumn 2015

39

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News

The Challenging Fastnet R

oyal Southampton’s Mike Slade and his crew aboard the Farr 100 Leopard put up a valiant fight against leaders in this year’s biennial Rolex Fastnet Race but was unable to pull off a record breaking finish as in the races of 2007 and 2009 Nevertheless the battle for first to finish for both multi and monohulls was a close call and went to the wire with the 100ft monohull Commanche arriving at the Plymouth breakwater four and a half minutes ahead of Rambler 88.

Yet Leopard still finished respectably, just one hour behind the 88ft Rambler on corrected time.

“It was a difficult race with a lot of no wind which makes it very difficult and very challenging but we thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Mike Slade after Leopard docked in Plymouth Yacht Haven.

“The Rock was a real challenge and then we got back to within 12 miles of them (Comanche and Rambler 88) at the finish which was good. So we

are all very pleased with the way the boat has gone and looking forward to a few beers...

“This boat is eight years old now and I describe it as ‘she’s a got a bit middle-aged and put a little bit more weight on her than maybe she should have’. That’s how we live and the boat fits into that pattern.”

She is a former record holder and has twice crossed the finish line first in 2007 and 2009 and given the right mix of conditions is still tough to beat.

She is a familiar yacht in Southampton’s Ocean Village marina.

It was in 2007 that ICAP Leopard became the first monohull yacht to reach Plymouth in less than 48 hours, breaking a totem barrier unimaginable back in 1925 when Jolie Brise completed the first race in just under 147 hours.

This year’s Rolex Fastnet Race again demonstrated why the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s premier event is

By Michael Ford

regarded as the world’s largest and most diverse offshore yacht race.

The 46th edition lined up to be the biggest ever in the event’s 90-year history with 387 yachts, from over 25 different countries entered for the event that took the boats from Cowes, around Land’s End, across the Celtic Sea before rounding the Fastnet Rock and Bishop’s Rock en route to the finish line off Plymouth.

The legs across the Celtic Sea to and from the Fastnet Rock are long and unpredictable. Openly exposed to fast moving Atlantic weather systems the fleet often encounters the toughest weather of the race on its approach to and return from Ireland. The Fastnet Rock has significant standing in the minds of competitors, and is viewed as the halfway mark, even though the actual distance remaining is less. The sense of achievement felt by crew must be tempered by a need to stay focused on the challenge ahead. Both the start at Cowes and the finish in Plymouth, with their maritime heritage are always memorable.

Photos by: Rolex/Daniel Forster and Kurt Arrigo

www.rsyc.org.uk

yachter Autumn 2015

41

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Beds on Board is a website that connects boat owners and accommodation seekers, allowing owners to make money from their vacant boat. The boats do not leave their mooring, it is just accommodation, just beds on board.

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To help offset the cost of ownership and help keep owners as owners.

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CLUB NEWS

Launch of Friday evening Dinghy Sailing C

lub Member Sir Paul Newton was the first person to attend the new Friday evening dinghy sailing sessions at Gins organised

by James Maltby.

James, who is head of Cadets, is keen to see members of all ages, and their guests, take advantage of the newly expanded fleet of dinghies which are now available at Gins.

Support with rigging, launching and stowing the dinghies is now on hand every Friday evening, together with a manned safety boat in attendance from 6.30 to 8 pm.

Sir Paul took the opportunity to check out his rusty dinghy skills by going out in the Club’s Gull for, as he termed it, ‘a flail around’.

It looked more like competent sailing than flailing to the rest of us

however! Hopefully he convinced himself as well as us.

Why don’t you come and give it a try? Chef Bob Owen will cook you supper afterwards, too!

Please call Gins on 01590 616213 beforehand to reserve a boat and a table if you plan to eat.

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yachter Autumn 2015

www.rsyc.org.uk

CLUB NEWS

Afternoon Tea for the Chamber

By Jessica Holding

O

n a glorious sunny Thursday afternoon in July the Club warmly welcomed around 40 delegates to the Ocean Village Clubhouse to enjoy delicious afternoon tea. This was a hosted event by The Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.

and many more. All were welcomed

by Jessica Holding, Business Development Executive and Allan Beswick, Rear Commodore House.

As members, the Club has the opportunity to attend various networking events along the south coast. However for this event we were proud to be able to host the afternoon.

The afternoon provided networking opportunities, a mouth-watering afternoon tea prepared by head chef, Glenn Shears, followed by a presentation by the sponsor Diguru, a Gold member of the Chamber, which offers a variety of printing options for businesses and had the opportunity to showcase their portfolio.

Delegates included Berry Recruitment, The Grand Harbour Hotel, Fareham Collage Corporation

Margaret Toms, Head of Membership Services at the Chamber, gave an update to delegates on upcoming

events and news and introduced the second sponsor for the afternoon, Perform Southampton, which is part of Spire Healthcare, and provides rehabilitation programmes such as physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to name but a few.

Hosting events like this helps to promote the Clubhouse as a great venue for corporate functions and meetings, and business membership was also promoted on the day. For more information on events please contact the events team on 02380 210878, or membership at 02380 210877.

continued on page 48 www.rsyc.org.uk

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blind week 2015

What a fantastic week…

Blind Sailing Week which gives would-be sailors who are blind or visually impaired the chance to get out on the water was hosted this year by the Royal Southampton.

Kay Abbott and Will Bridge recall some of the memories of the week.

R

un on the south coast for over 30 years, Blind Sailing Week actively involves 50 visually impaired people in sailing with volunteer skippers and their sighted crew aboard one of 25 participating yachts. The event’s base alternates annually between the Solent, where the Royal Southampton Yacht Club plays a very active hosting role, and the West Country.

RSYC members and their yachts form the largest group of volunteers, over the years safely giving hundreds of visually impaired crew an unforgettable sense of freedom and empowerment.

This year’s Solent/RSYC based week started with the meeting up of old and new friends, both sighted and visually impaired, catching up on news and

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yachter Autumn 2015

gossip, with lots of laughter and hugs - great to see. This continued into the evening when we were all treated to a lovely meal at the Club with Vice Commodore Brian Hinde instructing us to have a really good time! Some boats obviously took him at his word as a few sore heads were evident the next morning!

What a fantastic week we had! The weather could not have been kinder, with brilliant sunshine, no rain and some great winds at times. The only reminder we had that this was, after all, a British summer, was the early morning fog on the Tuesday morning.

That will serve us right for planning to leave Poole harbour at some unearthly hour so we could catch the tide at Hurst! The sun soon burnt it off though and we still managed to get back into the Solent in time.

The 25 boats taking part were divided into four fleets, with mostly two VI’s on each boat. Each fleet leader arranged their own itinerary, with some collaboration with the other leaders, so we didn’t have too many boats turning up at the same place at the same time. The furthest east one fleet went was into Chichester harbour, mooring on the mid-stream pontoon at Itchenor. This same fleet also had a great spinnaker run from the Solent to South Deep in Poole harbour, arriving there far too early and giving rise to some contact with the putty! As their leader said: “We now know that 0 on the depth gauge means 0!’ One other fleet went west to Weymouth, where they arrived safely in up to 30 knots of wind. The following day they left after a fish and chip supper, with only their breath to

www.rsyc.org.uk

blind week 2015

be felt, but with laughter and stories of the previous day’s challenge well met still to be heard across the fleet.

All four fleets paid a visit to South Deep and rafting up together is now a very popular activity. The ‘pontoon party’ is then changed into a ‘boat party’ and, as two fleets discovered, it is useful to keep a watchful eye on the raft to ensure you are not drifting with the current or anchored too shallow for the tidal range! The first boat to anchor in one fleet had a ‘secret competition,’ judging which boat did the best job in the ‘coming together.’ Well done George Powell and ‘Wishwell’ who didn’t even know he was in a competition!

Various activities are arranged throughout the week to provide great socialising as well as great sailing.

‘Canada Day’ was celebrated in two fleets where red and white had to be worn. The usual red t-shirts and hats were seen, but the crew member who sported a red and white shopping bag, upside down, was the most unusual.

A ‘selfie’ competition was also held by one fleet, won by one of the Coutts boats who managed to get BEHIND the bar at the Anchor in Cowes for a

www.rsyc.org.uk

photo! This same fleet ended the week with a BBQ at Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club where they had a DJ for the evening and nobody from the fleet left the dance floor until the end! One other fleet were fortunate enough to be invited to Warsash Sailing Club where six VI’s and six sighted crew from that fleet took part in the evening racing. Many thanks to the boats concerned and to Warsash Sailing Club for a great evening with good food and live music.

This year we had several new skippers and many VI crew new to the event taking part- which is really good news. As one ‘newbie’ skipper said afterwards: “I really enjoyed it and, more importantly, I’m delighted to say my two VI’s did too - and I managed to get them back in one piece!”

There were times, he said, when he forgot they were blind, which is a great accolade to both him and them.

Having said that, the event starts with VI awareness training for “sighties,” this year tutored by a team including an experienced VI crew member and qualified VI support professional.

In post-event feedback , one fleet leader remarked that everyone was

bowled over by the brilliant food provided by the RSYC on the first and last evenings. All hot and delicious, how do the kitchens do this for so many people? Many thanks to all involved in this! The crews were also really impressed by the local organisation, commenting on an excellent RSYC team, and better than ever pre–event fundraising by the club.

At the last evening, the Hansford Trophy was passed from our Commodore, Gordon Agnew, to Tan Lumby of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, who will be hosting next year’s event. This will start and finish in Falmouth from June 25 to July 2, 2016.

We would very much welcome more RSYC club member participation in future Blind Weeks - either as skipper/yacht owners, or as sighted crew, or as shoreside admin/logistical helpers.

If anyone would like to get involved in this great week in Falmouth next year, or in the event when it comes back to the RSYC in 2017, PLEASE contact the event’s Organiser, RSYC member Will Bridge at mail@willbridge.com.

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49

COWEScontest photo WEEK 2015

Cruising and Photographic Competition 2015 T

here is still time to enter the Royal Southampton’s 2015 photographic and cruising diary competition and share the sailing photos you’ve taken during the summer, or spring and early autumn The twin competition is open to all members of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club and is intended to reflect the exciting atmosphere and activity of the Club, both on water and ashore and in the clubhouses.

We are not concerned whether you have an expensive camera or a straightforward point-and-shoot pocket camera, and we have come to expect equally startling pictures taken on mobile phones – winning pictures

Photo Competition categories On the water Club activities ashore Club personalities in previous years have been taken on an iPhone along with many of the pictures appearing on the RSYC website.

For the competition there are three categories and members can interpret the themes of pictures afloat, onshore and personalities as broadly as they like. Photographs taken on water or land do not necessarily need feature dinghies, boats, motor cruisers, yachts or yachting providing there is some link with sailing or Club activity.

Photographs taken in or around Solent waters or further afield are eligible.

The cruise diary is a separate competition inviting cruise members to submit a diary – an illustrated account of one of the club rallies or a cruising venture. Contributions for the Yachter this year or for the club website about members’ experiences on cruising events or longer distance

sailing adventures will automatically be entered for the diary competition.

Members’ personal online blogs are acceptable, but you need tell us about them and the online address of where to find them.

Both competitions will continue through September and early October and will close on Sunday, October 18. Winners will be announced at the cruisers’ dinner on Saturday, November 7.

The competitions will be judged by the Commodore or Vice-Commodore, along with the editor and one other judge. Their decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. Winners in each category will receive a prize and an overall winner will be selected by the judges to receive an additional prize.

Entries should be submitted to the Club Editor. There is no entry fee, so just check the rules on the club website and remember to take your camera with you to the Southampton Boat Show and on your sailing days this month and early next month.

THE RULES 1. This competition is organised by the Royal Southampton Yacht Club and is open to all categories of members including cadets and associates.

2. Members may enter a maximum of three entries per person in each category.

3. Photographs can be colour or black and white, and may be submitted on photo quality paper or as a digital jpeg file. These can be submitted by email to rsyc@ mac.com or on CD or computer memory stick to the Club office at Ocean Village.

4. Images which have been digitally manipulated, other than straightforward enhancement, are not permitted.

5. The following details must be attached to each entry. Photographers name and contact details / when and where taken / title (if appropriate).

6. When people are photographed for personality pictures please get their permission, and when children are photographed you should submit written permission of the parent or guardian with your entry.

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yachter Autumn 2015

7.

The copyright of all entries will remain with the photographer, but all entries may be added to the Club’s photo database and may be used in Club publications, publicity and/or online. Should any photograph submitted be published in a Club publication or online, the photographer will be credited but no payment will be made.

8. Editorial cruising contributions, accompanied by photographs for the Yachter and the Club website at www.rsyc.org.uk will automatically be entered for the Cruising Diary competition.

9. T he RSYC takes no responsibility for entries mislaid or damaged in the post, nor undertakes to return images to those participating in the competition.

10. All entries to be submitted to the Club Editor at Ocean Village.

11. Closing date for entries is Sunday, October 18. Winners will be announced at the Cruisers’ Dinner on Saturday, November 7. www.rsyc.org.uk

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