OB Sailing Weekend

Sailing Weekend

14th Friday – Crews assembled

Following an excellent spag bol, and having completed their provisioning/depleting the supplies of select items, the newly bonded crew of the Blue Otter ventured over to one of the two other OB sailing crafts. They were met with great hospitality by the other OBs and further provisions were depleted.

15th Saturday – Hamble to Gosport to Cowes

Some strong winds in the channel. We got under way with 2 reefs in the main and quickly determined that the third reef would be necessary to balance the vessel, and allow steerage on the helm. Out on the water our more experienced sailors were able to share knowledge and coach others, with everyone free to do as much or as little as they preferred. Aboard Blue Otter, the crew were without a couple of members for some of the day as the social efforts of the night before and the choppy seas combined poorly.

Some technical issues with the foresail saw the Blue Otter, which had completed the most sailing of the three boats, motor into Cowes. Now rafted up to the other OB vessels, the crew were able to set about provisioning and repairing the foresail, with the charter company staff ascending the rigging (to discover an over tighten halyard from the previous charter).

Crews enjoyed a group meal at a local pub sharing tales of sailing and Berkhamsted School.

16th Sunday – Cowes to Hamble – Disperse

Woken promptly by the Red Star Ferries, Blue Otter enjoyed some scrambled eggs while capturing drone footage of the OB fleet.

What a difference a day makes! With a full complement of crew available, and next to no wind about, we were able to punch the tide and effect a crossing from Cowes to the hamble without beaching on a sandbank or using the motor. Having moored on a buoy for lunch we sailed up the hamble now aided by the tide.

A social and fun weekend, open and accessible to all experience levels.

Mike Petrie (Sc ’08)