From the Commodore - Royal Solent Yacht Club

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Royal Solent
Yacht Club
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Office/Secretary
Bar/Members
Caterer
Fax
E-mail
Website
01983 760256
01983 760239
01983 760110
01983 761172
office@royalsolent.org
www.royalsolent.org
OFFICERS OF THE CLUB from April 2015
Commodore Vice Commodore
Rear Commodore (Sailing) Rear Commodore (House)
Hon Treasurer Mark Hall
Dick Dawson
David Fox
Caroline Norris
Anne Kyle SECRETARY
Hamish Fletcher
CONTENTS
4
5
6
10
12
14
16
18
20
21
22
24
25
27
28
29
30
31
33
34
36
38
40
42
43
45
46
50
52
55
56
58
60
62-65
66-67
69
Commodore
Sunshine at Taittinger Regatta P6
Rear Commodore (Sailing)
Taittinger Regatta
YOD Class
XOD Class
Yarmouth Lasers
Yarmouth Folkboats
Folkboat Week
Junior Sailing
Bart’s Bash P25
West Wight Scow Class
Junior Sailing P20
Wednesday Series
Team Racing
Bart’s Bash
Powerboating
John Caulcutt
Aberdeen Asset Management
P34
Blaze Inland Championships
King Louie Season Round up
Madelaine’s Memorable year Mariquita Panerai Trophy
Member Profile–John Caulcutt
Wellow Maid
Member Profile–John Flanders
cruising to
Corsica P46
Memberships Secretary’s Report
Weddings and Events
Secretary’s Jottings
YOD Pimpernel
Midi Canal Cruise P50
Ocean Youth Trust
Wellow Maid to Corsica
Midi Canal Cruise
Cruising – Out for Lunch
Yarmouth Lifeboat
PLAT-O Tidal Turbines trials
Yarmouth Harbour Report
Bembridge Harbour
Members’ Activities
Trophy Winners
Tidal Turbines Trials P56
Merchandise
Front cover photo: Alex Leonard demonstrating his skills in Laser sailing.
Photo by Paul Brown
All photographs in this magazine, unless otherwise credited, are courtesy of Club
members.
Editor: Dick Dawson, Tel: 01983 760256
Advertising Manager: Tony Knaggs, Tel: 01983 761647 Mobile: 07912 646955
Designed and Produced by Solitaire Creation, Tel: 01983 752232
Printed in the UK by: Crossprint Ltd, Tel: 01983 524885
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
3
From the
Commodore
T
he summer of 2014 made Yarmouth an amazing place to be, with blue skies and warmth that we have never
experienced before. It did mean that sailing in shirt sleeves was
a joy and the balcony and lawn at the Royal Solent had never
been so busy. David Fox, Rear Commodore (Sailing), has overseen record
entries for the annual Taittinger RSYC Regatta in conjunction
with the ever-popular Towers Party by kind permission of John
Caulcutt.
Earlier in the year we had a hugely successful Laser Team
Racing Regatta and David transformed the Prince Consort
Race into a charity regatta, which raised lots of money for
Combat Stress and the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
Folkboat Week, the Royal Artillery and Contessa regattas were
also great successes.
The Hudleston Bar really came into its own for the recordbreaking August Dinghy Week – all this in addition to Club
sailing on Wednesday evenings and at weekends. Eighty
members joined the Cruising Group led by Geoff Neary,
our Cruising Captain, to lunch at Gins Farm in the delightful
Beaulieu River; the culmination of a cruising programme that
had run throughout the summer. Many non-sailors or boat
owners joined in and will always find a warm welcome.
The Club mark layer Marksman sank in November and was
written off. She has been replaced and we hope the new craft
fulfils the role needed. The costs have all been covered by
insurance and generous contributions from Club sailors.
Our Vice Commodore, Dick Dawson, has really got the
message through to prospective members that the Royal Solent
is the friendly club and a record one hundred and twenty new
members have joined this year, bringing numbers back to over
one thousand for the first time in eight years. There are still
lots of members who Mary and I have yet to meet. If you are
a relatively infrequent member and are in the bar, do make
yourself known to me or to one of the other flag officers as
we would all be delighted to catch up with you. Dick is now
arranging monthly ‘get to know you’ Friday evenings for the
many new members to ensure they are really welcomed. Dick
is responsible for the production of this magazine in addition
to organising the detailed parts of the Taittinger and his
contribution has been and continues to be outstanding.
4
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Mark Hall, Commodore.
Many of our non-sailing fraternity have participated in the huge
number of social events organised by Caroline Norris, our
Rear Commodore (House). The big event was the Summer
Ball with over two hundred guests but regular dinners and the
New Year’s Eve Party have been great fun for all. Backgammon,
Bridge, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Film Nights, Gentlemen’s
Lunches, Golf, Scottish Country Dancing, Scrabble and the
Wine Society are growing in popularity, especially during the
winter months when the wood fire creates a cosy atmosphere
in the Hudleston Bar.
Behind all the Club operations is the Treasurer, Anne Kyle.
No decisions and certainly no expenditure happens without
her say-so and quite right too. At the end of the day we have
to balance the books. Anne spent days on the 2015 budget
so it’s up to the flag officers to ensure we perform. We have
significant expenditure coming up as we need to address the
leaky dining room roof and single-glazed windows around the
bar in the near future. A very big thank you to Anne.
I would also like to say a big thank you to all members who
serve on committees as well as to those who help out in other
capacities, whether it be with the Taittinger RSYC Regatta,
the flower ladies who decorate the Club, those who assist with
the annual refurbishment programme and yet others who
garden or organise a canal trip to France. The Club would
be significantly poorer without these contributions. A huge
vote of thanks is also due to the staff for their co-operation,
helpfulness and willingness to go the extra mile.
On a personal note, Mary and I find the Club very much part
of our lives and we are privileged to meet so many of you and
share our leisure time with you.
Mark A Hall,
RSYC Commodore
A year in
the life of Rear
Commodore
(Sailing) W
hat a busy, busy, year 2014 turned out to be! With so
many special occasions, new ideas and enlarged events, the
work in the Sailing Office increased greatly but provided more varied
activities for our increasing membership.
David Fox, Rear Commodore (Sailing)
This year I shall continue to try and provide ‘On the Water’ activities
that embrace even more of our members’ interests and needs. If
you have any ideas for future events or constructive thoughts and
comments on any of our existing events and activities, you know where
to find me!
It’s easy for me to forget that racing isn’t everyone’s desire. However,
thanks to our Cruising Captain, Geoff Neary and his team, the Club
had some great days out and overnight stays away. The plans for this
year are already made and are open to both sailors with their own boat
and others who would like to crew or just come along for the ride.
When Hon Sailing Secretary Nicky Henderson retired in April, many
of the season’s plans were already in place. Thank you Nicky, let’s hope
you can get lots more sailing in 2015. However, the need to add in
new events caused considerable extra work and an extremely steep
learning curve for her successor Angela Cordon. It’s a good job Angela
lives close by so she can balance her home and Club duties, which isn’t
always easy in the very busy months of July and August.
Like the previous year, Wednesday evening racing got off to a slow start
but developed into a busy and highly competitive season. With good
value sailing suppers and excellent course setting by our Race Officers
and their assistants, Wednesdays are an important part of our Club’s
season and social life. If you don’t have a boat but would like to join in,
please contact Angela – there are normally opportunities to crew or
join the race team.
Last year we introduced the enlarged Prince Consort Charity Regatta.
This worked well thanks to support from the Lymington fleets and the
successful Charity Dinner kindly sponsored by Yarmouth Spice and
Eurovines, whose chefs produced a delicious curry dinner for the event.
This year’s Regatta on 4th and 5th July will be bigger and even better!
The sad part for me is the huge decline in the Class 1 Fleet. There is
no easy solution as we are dependent on members, not only having
the boats, but also finding the crew. We need to try and resolve this so
that new boats and members can enjoy Wednesday evening racing.
There is no entry fee and non-members can join in and enjoy the good
humoured sailing that the RSYC provides.
“Barts Bash,” with its strict Guinness Book of Records requirements
produced 53 boats from dinghies to Class1 on the start line - an
amazing sight especially as some of the entrants were part of a visiting
Contessa Regatta. Special thanks also to the Race Team on that day and
the outside adjudicators who gave up their time to make the event run
according to the Guinness Book of Records exacting requirements. Dinghy Week brought more entries than in previous years and the
enhanced social programme and racing seemed to work well. Thanks
are due to Katie Davies and her team and to the massive support we
received from friends and parents providing safety RIBs. As always
we could not have had such a good programme without our Special
Sponsors:- Harwoods, The Delphie Lakeman Trust and the Ocean
Youth Trust. A massive thank you from all the dinghy sailors of the
RSYC.
For the first time we launched The Laser Island Youth Inter Club Team
Racing match. Thanks again to our sponsors:- SailSpy, Harwoods and
Pure Student Living. It was a fantastic day with some excellent sailing
made even better with a well deserved win for RSYC! Our visiting
teams are planning their return attacks in 2015 and this year the match
will be on Saturday 21st August 2015. It is a good spectator event
because it happens in Bouldnor Bay and the short races always provide
plenty of good close manoeuvring and changes of position.
Much time and effort has gone into training new Race Officers. Many
have done really well and will move on to become Club CROs to add
to our pool. This year, we will repeat the process and encourage more
people to have a go and see just how much fun race officers have. My
thanks go to all members who have turned out to help and assist the
running of Club weekend racing. The growing number of trained
race officers will allow more people to sail their boats and not give up
precious sailing time to officiate.
Once again the Taittinger Regatta, with co-sponsors Charles Stanley,
was blessed with fine weather. A record number of entries produced
Champagne sailing and a brilliant shore side atmosphere. My thanks
go to Jeremy Willcock, our Principal Race Officer and to Simon Hand
and Mark Hall the PROs on the two start boats. Also a massive thanks
to the 50 plus members who gave up their time to enable us to run
this regatta. The Towers Party on the Saturday night, thanks to the
generosity of Johnny Caulcutt, was a great success and enjoyed by all.
This year we hope to enhance the already well-organised event with an
on-line booking system for entries, meals and berths. More details will
be posted on the RSYC website.
Finally I wish you all a successful season in 2015; fair winds, fulfilment
and enjoyment both on and off the water.
David Fox, Rear Commodore (Sailing)
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
5
T
he weekend 25th to 27th July 2014 saw the seventh edition of the Taittinger Royal Solent Regatta and once again
the support and goodwill of our two sponsors, Taittinger and
Charles Stanley, also with our neighbour John Caulcutt, helped
make the weekend possible. We were delighted to see so
many entries and whilst many competitors return year after
year it was great to be joined by a big fleet of J24s. Perfect
weather conditions enabled over 800 guests to watch a
stunning display from Yarmouth’s RNLI Lifeboat and the
Coastguard Helicopter at the Taittinger Champagne
Reception.
Dick Dawson reports.
Mike Lilwall from Charles Stanley
Mark Calver from Taittinger
Main Photo: Light Conditions prevailed. IRC Class 4
winner Whooper built in 1939 (sail no GBR363R).
Photo by Keith Allso
6
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
RSYC Commodore,
Mark Hall
Taittinger Regatta
Total entries again exceeded 170. IRC entries remained
strong and continued support from the Solent IRC Owners’
Association (SIRCOA), meant that again, four IRC divisions
were required. This year’s event saw the largest Classic IRC
entry yet and the RYA National Handicap for Cruisers (NHC)
system was again used to create a level playing field for the
unrated and cruising entries. The new fleet of J24s chose our
regatta to run the qualifiers for the World Championships in
Germany in 2015.
An enthusiastic crew. Photo by Jake Sugden
Enjoying Royal Solent Yacht Club hospitality. Photo by Jake Sugden
Saturday dawned bright and clear, but with a light and faltering
breeze. Because of the numbers and different classes of yachts
two separate start lines were employed and racing started at
10 o’clock. The 14 classes of yachts ranged from over 60 very
competitive modern racers in the IRC divisions, through just
as competitive activity in the 30 strong XOD to the smaller
Gaffer Class. Amongst the big Classic fleet some enjoyed more
Corinthian sailing, but there was plenty of competition here,
too.
In the late morning the breeze died completely and many
competitors anchored or drifted, in blistering heat, awaiting the
promised sea breeze. It turned up as expected, but not quite
enough to enable all classes to enjoy the promised two races.
In Black Group, two races were completed only for IRC
Divisions 1, 2 and 3 and the Contessas. Most of the fleet
passed an idle hour or so kedged off Yarmouth Common.
The XODs, sailing in White Group, spent the windless and
sweltering middle of the day drifting gently, to be brought back
by the sea breeze as it filled in from the west. There was no time
to run a second race.
Relaxing aboard a classic. Photo by Jake Sugden
Racing was over by mid-afternoon with competitors returning
to the clubhouse for a well-earned drink, followed by a sailing
supper. Many then went on to the annual Towers Party where
the aim is to raise money for charity; this year the recipient
charity was the Saturday Club for Deaf Children.
On Sunday the weather was light overcast and refreshingly
cooler. The light breeze held and it was possible for most of
the classes who had only one race on Saturday to catch up with
two on Sunday. In Black Group IRC Division 4, Classic IRC
and Swan Classics completed their delayed second race first.
The start then moved quickly over to the mainland shore as the
breeze on the Yarmouth side was dying and the whole group
completed their second race.
On return to the clubhouse, hungry competitors descended on
the hog roast whilst anticipating the prize giving. With so many
classes, this took a little time, but nobody minded the wait
as the winner of each class received a Magnum of Taittinger
Champagne.
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
7
Above: Busy at the
mark. Photo by Jake
Sugden.
Above: Beeleigh
built in 1913. Photo
by Keith Allso
Right: Strega.Photo
by Jake Sugden
Left: J24s amongst
the moorings.
Photo by Jake
Sugden
Top Middle: Time
for a drink. Photo by
Jake Sugden.
Overall winner Salvo. Photo by Jake Sugden
Sunset over Pennington. Phot
o by Jake Sugden
s. Photo by Jake Sugden
Action amongst the XOD Clas
Far Left: IRC Class in light
conditions. Photo by Jake
Sugden
Left: Cheers! Photo by Jake
Sugden
Main Photo from left to right:
Gaffer class Furstin, Simba
and Windflower. Photo by
Keith Allso
8
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Taittinger Regatta
Bob Fisher, whose diminutive 1898 Fife-designed Mignon
came fresh from success at the Cowes Classics Week to win the
Classic IRC class, said: “What a super weekend the Taittinger
Regatta turned out to be. Blunted by the sponsors’ generosity
on the Friday evening, it demanded quick thinking by the crews
on both days. Light and often fickle winds require constantly
changing decisions to meet the new challenges of both breeze
and tidal streams. Those who race regularly in the western
Solent had some advantage, as the result sheets showed”.
Other notable winners included Ed Donald’s Madelaine, who
not only won the Folkboat class in our Regatta, but also the
Gold Roman Bowl in the Round the Island Race. Just as
notable was Christine and Giovanni Belgrano’s Whooper, a
1939 Laurent Giles one-off sloop. Not content with winning
the Panerai British Classic Week Overall Trophy the previous
week, rather than entering our Classic IRC class, they won IRC
Division 4, against stiff competition from much more modern
boats.
Chris & Hannah Neve’s No Chance was once again winner of
IRC Division 2, continuing an almost uninterrupted series of
IRC wins at the Taittinger Regatta. Said Hannah: “Once again
the Royal Solent YC laid on a superb event both on the race
course and at the club house. They were not helped at all by the
weather gods, who while threatening thunder and lightning,
which never materialised, still managed to produce some fluky,
up-and-down winds with massive wind shifts which made the
racing very tricky at times. It is a credit to the race team that
they managed to get nearly all the races in for all the classes and
on No Chance we enjoyed some great, close racing”.
Commodore Mark Hall said: “This year’s Taittinger Regatta
was the best ever. Huge entries, blue skies and challenging
racing. The RSYC had wonderful support from their sponsors
Taittinger and Charles Stanley and the 800 competitors partied
on Champagne, the Towers party and glorious weather. We are
already preparing for the 2015 regatta on the 25th and 26th of
July.”
Praise is always welcome, but the Regatta’s success is no
accident. Office, bar and catering staff are stretched to the limit
with days that start before 06.00 and finish well after midnight.
Race management teams commence briefings shortly after
06.00 and are joined on the water by over 40 volunteers in
Club boats and motorboats and RIBs lent by members. It is this
cheerful cooperation that makes it all work and it is notable that
participants refer to it as the friendliest Regatta in the Solent.
Perhaps the final word should go to Peter Morton, who was
overall winner in his JND35 Salvo: “Thanks for an outstanding
weekend of racing in quite trying conditions. The team on
Salvo really enjoyed the regatta (it always helps to win!); we
really should race in the west more often”.
The Club is greatly indebted to our two sponsors, Champagne
Taittinger and Charles Stanley, who brought style to the
event and to John Caulcutt, whose Towers Party gave great
entertainment to all.
Champagne for the
Independently Minded
L’Instant Champagne,
with Vitalie Taittinger.
For further information
please contact sole UK agents:
Hatch Mansfield on 01344 871800
or email info@hatch.co.uk
www.champagnetaittinger.co.uk
Vitalie Taittinger is an active member
of the family Champagne House.
Taittinger-125x185-landscape.indd 1
22/02/2012 19:13
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
9
YARMOUTH ONE DESIGN
Above main photo: Francesca crosses tacks with Pimpernel. Inset Left: Blandina took home a record number of trophies. Inset Right: Francesca in earlier days. Photos by Paul Brown
O
ur AGM in January 2014 brought a few changes to the Class with me taking over as secretary. Many
thanks to Colin Finney for the last few years and the next few
as treasurer. So many things have happened this year I have
no idea how I am going to fit them all in to one article but
here goes…
Going over the fleet boat by boat I must first start with
Francesca. Once more she has returned to the fleet this year
sailed by Alan Sheward who has proved she goes very well
even when loaded up with cans of gin and tonic. Within
the last few weeks she has been sold to Alan and his partner
James Day. This year she is being given a full make-over
including a new deck, new rigging and all paint removed,
epoxying and spray painting. We are all looking forward to
seeing her back to her former glory.
Diatom as usual was sailed by Alan Hans Hamilton and Colin
Finney. She had a very good season winning her usual few
races including, once again, the Prince Consort Race after
a fierce to and fro with Puffin and a particularly well timed
tack by our Commodore. However, Alan’s favourite race for
a bunch of asparagus was won this year by Puffin, so Alan
(a keen asparagus enthusiast) was ‘under vegetabled’ for his
dinner.
10
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Anthea was out a good number of times this year with Chris
Temple sailing as aggressively as ever. At one point he actually
came close enough to call starboard to another boat! Anthea
did win the Changeover race this year sailing Pimpernel. After a
close fought race she prevailed over Puffin.
The Class Captain was not out as often as I’m sure he would
have hoped this year, due to commitments at Cambridge.
However, when he did manage to race, he sailed Genista very
well. James Hudleston also made it to the line a number of
times this year and as ever gave Puffin a good run for her
money.
Blandina, well what can I say, I took home a record number
of wins this year including some very important races and
regattas. However, I can’t take all the credit, as the skipper of
Blandina for various races was Alex Gallimore. Alex went on to
win the Junior Helm, second place in the RSYC Regatta, the
Pimpernel Plate for most improved young sailor, the Queen’s
Jubilee Race, and to top all that the Royal Artillery Yacht Club
Regatta. This is the first time a boat other than Puffin has won
this Regatta. Alex is quickly becoming the boy wonder of the
Y Class Fleet.
Yarmouth One Design
Puffin as usual remained victorious and this year was mainly
sailed by Graeme, Steven, Matt and Jenny, due to John being
away winning races in the Med on his yacht Mariquita. It has
been excellent to see the progression of Steven Payne from
Graeme’s excellent crew to fast skipper of Puffin. She won the
Royal Solent Regatta, ably sailed by Carl Whitewood. So as
always an excellent years’ sailing for Puffin.
Magnolia joined the fleet late this year but did manage to come
to the line a few times including once sailed by X boater Peter
Mildon who managed a third place. We hope to see more of
her out on the water next year, sailed by Alex Kornman and an
able crew.
Katinka came to the line a number of times this year sailed by
Dave Hurst, Ingrid Kelly and Simon Watmo, all crew stolen
from the Folkboats. As leaky as she tends to be, she put in a
couple of very good performances of Wednesday evenings.
John Gallimore joined the Class for a few races this year, as
always filling in where there is a space and when he’s not sailing
the rest of the boats in the Western Solent. Owner Rupert
Syme even managed to sail Katinka this year, in a dying wind
and eventual race abandonment.
Pimpernel, the final Y, had a very good season coming out for
nearly every race and being rewarded by a third place over
all for the year. Young Dan Lee sailed Pimpernel in the Junior
Helm this year in horrid conditions and did his dad proud
with a second place. He has the makings of a very good sailor.
I won’t say too much regarding Pimpernel as I know she has
a separate article further in this magazine; however, I will
mention Steve Carson and how dedicated he has been to
racing her each week. He has proved to be an asset to the Class
and we are very glad that he has shown such commitment.
Thank you Steve.
This year has been one of the best years for the Y Class in
living memory. We had all 9 Y’s racing in the same race for the
first time in what we believe is about 10 years. And all boats
finished. Such a shame we didn’t have a camera organised
and ready. We had a record number of people at the Y Class
Dinner with 72 people in attendance and of course the usual
arrangement of ‘turns’ and entertainment. A note of thanks
must go to Marylou and Jeff Greenaway at this point for
presenting the Class with 4 beautiful new trophies which we
look forward to presenting next year. The Towers Party was
a great success this year and was run alongside the Taittinger
Regatta. Our chosen charity this year was The Saturday Club
for Deaf Children and the party managed to race a total of
£13,050 for them.
All in all 2014 has been an excellent year for a little fleet of
vintage sailing boats in Yarmouth and we are of course all
looking forward to another good year in 2015. If anyone is
interested in coming sailing, helming or crewing then don’t
hesitate to contact me on my email address me-suerte@
hotmail.co.uk or phone number 01983 760947. I look
forward to seeing you all out on the water this year.
Jay Smith-Dowse
River Yar Boatyard is nestled on the Western bank of
the River Yar, with the natural protection of Saltern
Wood providing a tranquil and secure location to keep
your boat.
• deep water walk ashore moorings
• dry sailing
• haul outs and summer scrubs
• antifouling
saltern wood quay, yarmouth, isle of wight, PO41 0SE
Telephone: (01983) 761000 - Email: enquiries@riveryarboatyard.co.uk
www.riveryarboatyard.co.uk
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
11
YARMOUTH XOD DIVISION
Gleam (156) and Foxy (147) during the Vernon Vase Race
Photograph courtesy Jolanta Frankowska
Spray chases Leda during the Vernon Vase Race. Photograph courtesy Jolanta Frankowska
2014
12
has been a good year for the Division with better weather enabling the most frequent
sailors to approach 50 races. Overall James Meaning and
his crew in X156 Gleam continued to dominate the local
racing, winning the George Cup and most of the other
major trophies, whilst he also improved his best overall
result at Cowes Week to 5th out of 80 competing X-boats.
Both Tom Vernon with Neil Payne and Dug Henderson
in X3 Silhouette, and Chris Trainor and Stuart Haill in
X75 Delight also finished in the top ten at Cowes. X125
Arrow helmed by Thom D’Arcy and crewed by Caroline
Underwood and several others was up with them for the
first half of the week before fading to 19th which was still
good enough for the minor award of a Lifeboat Spoon. As
a team we beat Cowes, Hamble and Parkstone comfortably
but are still behind Itchenor and Lymington. The best
individual result was Delight’s victory in the first race of the
Week.
ran a successful campaign to win the George Plate in X138
Spray in the most hotly contested series where another
four boats were within one extra good result of the win.
Henry Murray Smith took the overall Wednesday evening
handicap series in Arrow winning two out of the three series.
There was an increased participation in the mid-week races
by XODs due to a combination of more local helmsmen
such as Chris Trainor, Mike Till and Will Rome (X133
Leda) participating, and other mainland boats racing on
holidays. We welcomed back Nick China in X122 Eve
who promises to have more time with us next year and
welcomed Christoph Lees as the new owner of X163 Miss
T. X102 Whiskey Johnny proved the most adventurous
among us visiting Seaview after Cowes Week for the new
regatta in the eastern Solent before coming home. Guest
helming by Nigel Hawkes and Melinda Measor, and
attendance at social events by Chris Torrens means we
remain in contact with our previous owners.
15 local XODs raced in 2014, an increase of two on last
year, with the best turnout being 10 boats for a gripping
Vernon Vase race to the Elbow buoy by the Needles and
back, won by Thom D’Arcy helming Arrow. The first four
boats finished within 20 seconds and finishers 6, 7 and 8
were separated by less than ten seconds. Malcolm Taylor
James Meaning won the Navigation Trophy which
continues to gain interest from other parties, and Caroline
Underwood sailing Arrow won her third Ladies Trophy. The
Davies squad in X4 Westwind dominated the windwardleeward races. Sadly the Junior Helm Race was cancelled
due to adverse weather. Tom Vernon was first overall in
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Yarmouth XOD Division
From the left: X156 Gleam James Meaning, X125 Arrow Thom D’Arcy (winner of Vernon Vase), X147 Foxy Commodore Mark Hall and X115 Henry Murray Smith
Photograph courtesy Jolanta Frankowska
the Taittinger which attracted XODs from Parkstone and
Itchenor as well as Lymington. The Prince Consort was a
little different this year, not least because it no longer goes
to the Prince Consort Buoy. The Mildon family in X153
Sans Souci led the XODs past the first two marks before
running aground on the beat home. The Commodore
found time within his busy schedule to campaign X147
Foxy ably crewed by Katie Davies, whilst Nick DorleyBrown in X115 Mix and the X49 Rosalita syndicate also
managed over twenty starts.
Our social programme included the now traditional two
events at the RSYC as well as evenings at the Boathouse
and Love Shore House, but our new event in London was
also well supported and will be repeated in February 2015.
The teas in the Hudleston Bar after Saturday racing were
also better attended with the competitors being regularly
joined by Race Officers, family supporters and members
interested in crewing an XOD.
At our AGM the Division agreed to make a significant
contribution to the purchase of a replacement for
Marksman. We are particularly conscious that it is the
support from other members of the Royal Solent that has
enabled us to have yet another successful season sailing in
the West Solent. In 2015 we welcome Chris Smith who
will bring X128 Little X back to Yarmouth and we also
expect to see X23 Starlight afloat again which means we
expect our overall numbers to remain stable.
Malcolm Taylor and George Alford
New wooden masts and spars made to order
One Design Sails Dealership
covering the full range
of one design sails!
Mobile: 07900925831
Office: 01983 760354
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
13
YARMOUTH LASERS
S
A good turn out for the record breaking Bart’s Bash held in quite testing conditions
ailors and sailing enthusiasts all over the world have
an opinion on what the best sailboat is for them. It is
impossible to come up with a best sailboat for all, however,
the Laser ticks so many boxes. To name just a few points, a
Laser is easily accessible, quick to rig and launch, great fun
and offers a really competitive one design sailing boat. These
features help us to provide an opportunity for ex Optimist
and Topper sailors to be introduced to the excellent sailing
facilities of the Royal Solent Yacht Club. We also get to keep
the boats in the dinghy park at the Club with our own slip.
14
pro’s Miles and Libby had a dip or two. After half an hour
on a regular spin cycle the only race was the one back to
the shore. Four out of the seven races in the first Series were
run or completed. Miles Norris was the overall winner clear
of Libby Deegan by five points; Rob Da Bank claimed a
respectable third place in his second season.
The 2014 Laser season covered the three Wednesday
evening series, Sunday racing, Sunset Series, Dinghy Week,
Summer Series and Bart’s Bash. There were also many
spontaneous recreational outings where the conditions
were just too good not to be out on the water.
The second series became known as the Sunshine Series as
the consistent Mediterranean conditions prevailed. With
the fabulous weather came some serious and exciting racing.
During Race 2 there was some consternation from the
committee boat as we managed to have three boats out with
the same race number but as always Anne Kyle had things
under control. The series was won by Harry Hall with Alex
Gallimore in second and Marco James third despite his
brother Will pitching up and winning two of the races.
The season got off well with some fabulous weather
which continued throughout the summer. On the second
Wednesday evening race the wind was starting to get up,
we were not exactly sure of the speed as the Yarmouth
anemometer had blown out but it was around 23 knots
with some big gusts. The Commodore encouraged us out
on the water but later admitted it was the most wind he
had ever raced in. We made it down to the line at Grants
where there were a good selection of capsizes. Even the old
The final series brought more of the same conditions but
with some good wind as well. Race 2 provided a great course
from Jeremy on an ebb tide with a good westerly of 16
and gusts of over 20 knots. The line was set with a western
end bias and the heavy chop made for interesting close
manoeuvring. As we sailed down from the Club, poised
on the line was Harry Hall, back for more after Series 2. He
won the race but Alex Gallimore took the series with Libby
second and Miles third.
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Yarmouth Lasers
Bart’s Bash was arranged for Sunday 21st September
and it turned out to be a fabulous and exciting day on
the water, just what Andrew would have wanted. We
set off into a North Easterly of 13 knots gusting 18 on
a strong ebb tide in quite a bit of chop and the sun was
out. It was not very far to the start which was at Grants,
with our usual ODM being Buoy 19. With nearly sixty
boats out from the Club the embargo for each fleet to
remain their respective side of Dinghy Mark 19 was
adhered to. There was action early on when Miles lost
his tiller extension with just a few minutes to go to the
start. Alex Locke got off to a flying start with Dave Coke
and Henry Marsh in close pursuit. It was good to see
those boys back on the water. More drama came when
Oscar Cordon’s boat was suddenly dismasted; our
thanks are due to Alan Mower in the Club launch for his
timely intervention. Alex Locke went on to win it, with
Alex Gallimore in second and Miles third.
The plans for the 2015 season are to provide a similar
program of racing while continuing to welcome any new
Laser exponents to our friendly band of fun-seeking
sailors. Thanks to Adam our new boatman for all his
support to the fleet.
Charlie Anderson
Empire Buildings
St. Mary’s Road
Cowes, Isle of Wight
PO31 7SX
Supply ●
Manufacture ● Install
+44 (0)1983 292022
Sales@Spencerrigging.co.uk
William Street
Northam
Southampton
SO14 5QH
WWW.SPENCERRIGGING.CO.UK
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
15
YARMOUTH FOLKBOATS 2014
W
Bossa Nova challenging Otter. Photo by Paul Brown
hat a fantastic season 2014 was for the Yarmouth Folkboat Class. There were Folkboats racing from
the very first race of the season ‘The Earlybird’ on a chilly
Wednesday in mid April, right through to the final race of
2014 on Boxing Day; in between there were over fifty race
opportunities for the Class.
At the peak of the season there were up to nine Folkboats
racing. It was great to welcome Riot back on the water
in June for the start of the second Wednesday evening
series. Matilda II put in an appearance at the very end of
the season and won the envied bottle of champagne in
the Champagne Race on the final Wednesday evening;
she then went on to compete and win the first half of the
Winter Series.
There were a number of additions to the Folkboat
programme for 2014 including races on both of the May
Bank Holiday Mondays. On the first Monday in May the
Victoria and Albert Trophy Race was introduced, where
the boats competed for a trophy donated to the Class
by Victoria Bassill. The other race was the unfathomable
Navigation Race, the Folkboats that took part had a great
time even though there were disqualifications. Hopefully,
they will have a better understanding of the sailing
instructions for the 2015 race! Having tried it out in 2014,
16
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
during the coming season we will once again run the White
Sail Series on a Sunday morning at the beginning and the
end of the season with a Spinnaker Series across the main
summer weekends. While the boats think of the Sunday
morning sessions as being an opportunity to hone their
skills as skippers and crews, there is still the ever-competitive
edge.
In addition to our own Club racing programme, Yarmouth
Folkboats have supported a number of events. These
have included the West Solent Series (incorporating the
Southern Areas) where they have the opportunity to
compete along with the Lymington Fleet. Bossa Nova, Mimi
and Ajax competed in Round the Island Race as part of the
Folkboat Class; while as you will see from Edward Donald’s
article, Madelaine took part in the race within the IRC class.
On a very blustery morning in September the Folkboats
were proud to be a part of the Bart’s Bash world record
attempt.
The trophies and prize winners this season have been spread
throughout the fleet. Bossa Nova and Mimi had their own
private competition to see which boat could turn out to
compete in the most races across the season. For all the
participants, this season’s Folkboat racing has been plenty of
fun and given a great deal of personal satisfaction to skippers
Yarmouth Folkboats
and crew as the boats have competed against each other.
The coming year promises to be just as exciting, we have
an extensive racing programme planned. The climax of
2015 will be the 50th annual Folkboat Week to be held in
Yarmouth.
If you like the idea of taking part in the sailing life of the
Club in a friendly and welcoming class and would like to
have a taster sail, help out as a crew member, share a boat
or find out more then please contact Teresa Fox – the
Folkboat Class Secretary here in Yarmouth on 01983
760628.
Teresa Fox
TROPHY WINNERS 2014
Wednesday Series Overall
Hempstead Trophy
Cloud Cuckoo
Best Yarmouth Boat in the Taittinger Regatta
Aries Trophy
1st Madelaine
2nd Cloud Cuckoo
Prince Consort Race
Tattarat Trophy Ajax
White Sail Series
Mimi Trophy
Bossa Nova
Queen’s Jubilee Race
Matilda Trophy
Ajax
Sunset Series
The Otter Trophy
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Bossa Nova
Winter Series
Cloud Cuckoo Trophy Mimi
Newest Boat
Woodpecker Trophy
Riot
Tried Hardest
Pudding Spoon
Woodpecker II
Turkey Cup
Evelyn Trophy
The Otter
Centenary Chase
Riot Trophy
Bossa Nova
Garage
TEST DRIVE
The new Citroen
Cactus
White Sail Endeavour
Ajax Trophy Mimi
Best Yarmouth Boat in Folkboat Week
Bossa Nova Trophy
1st Madelaine
2nd Bossa Nova
Long Passage West
Victoria and Albert Trophy
Bossa Nova
Navigation Race
Ajax
Spinnaker Series
Bossa Nova
AT CENTRAL GARAGE
Riverway, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 5UX
Tel: 01983 526541
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
17
FOLKBOAT
WEEK 2014
Bernard Turner reports on an
action packed week
From left to right: Crackerjack, Madelaine and Samphire. Photo by Paul Brown
T
he first Folkboat Week was held at the Royal Solent in 1966 and the Week has been held here ever since. It
follows that 2015 will be the 50th edition of the event.
The 49th edition was held in August 2014 and what follows
is a report on that. The entry list happily grew again with 30
boats in the Open Division and 10 in the Cruiser/Classic, a
total of 40 which was five up on 2013. The Open Division had
a programme of nine races and the Cruiser/Classics eight. All
races, with the exception of the second race on the opening
Sunday, were completed. Race 2 was abandoned because the
conditions were too boisterous.
Conditions on the Monday were on the brink but a fast
Christchurch Ledge race was run with an Open Division result
predictably 1st Crackerjack (Stuart and Caroline Watson with
Matthew Jones), 2nd Tak (Jeremy Austin and Ado Jardine)
and 3rd Madelaine (Ed Donald and family).
The week continued to be dominated by these three swapping
1st, 2nd and 3rd places with the occasional intervention of
Second Wind (Richard Martin) Finvara, (Douglas Peniston) and
Lady Linda (David Gredley). The Cruiser/Classic Division
was dominated by three boats and were placed 1st Mistress
(Colin Eales), 2nd Folkdance (Susan Rutter) and 3rd Jarramas
(Bernard Bull).
18
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
The week ended with Crackerjack being able to discard a 2nd
place followed by Tak and Madelaine. All the race management
was conducted by the RSYC PRO Jeremy Willcock and his
team. We are extremely grateful all of them.
On the social side there was a well attended programme each
day, supported by our sponsors, Lymington Yacht Haven,
who in fact make the whole week possible at a realistic cost to
the competitors. There were evenings of a welcome drinks
and supper on the opening Saturday followed by a pontoon
drinks and a BBQ on consecutive days. There followed the
South Coast AGM and curry supper and a meeting of the
Royal Naval Tot Club of Antigua and Barbuda. The week was
rounded off with the end of Regatta Drinks Dinner and Prize
giving on the last Saturday.
Mention must be made of the huge support given by
Lymington Yacht Haven over many years. Dirk and Sally Kalis,
directors of the company and owners of Pilgrim, placed 5th
overall in the Open Division, are pictured here.
Next year, as said, is the 50th edition of the event and
we look forward to seeing an entry of 50 boats to
match………………
Main Photo from left to right: Good Shepherd,
Riot, Second Wind and Lady Linda.
Photo by Paul Brown
Folkboat Week
Above: The Start. Lower Right: Close Call. Lower far left: Sponsors Dirk and Sally Kalis of Lymington Yacht Haven.
Lower Mid Left: Stuart and Caroline Watson with Matthew Jones receiving first prize from Sally Kalis. Photos by Paul Brown.
THE RSYC BOATS TAKING PART WEREMadelaine
Bossa Nova
Mimi
Cloud Cuckoo
YSA Ajax
The Otter
Riot
Woodpecker II
Edward Donald
David Fox
Chris Beane
Martin Le Gassicke
Tom Case
Graeme Bowen
Claire Locke
Sue Burgin
Bernard Turner
LAPTOPS...PC's...SERVERS...DISPLAYS
PRINTERS...PROJECTORS...
HP
MSI
ACER
ASUS
APPLE
EPSON
LENOVO
TOSHIBA
SAMSUNG
MICROSOFT
HP
MSI
ACER
ASUS
APPLE
EPSON
LENOVO
TOSHIBA
SAMSUNG
MICROSOFT
EDUCATION & SCHOOLS SPECIALIST
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
19
JUNIOR
SAILING
Above: Lasers preparing to go sailing. Inset: A long paddle home for Alex Gallimore when the wind drops. Photo by Peter Garlick
T
he RSYC had a successful junior sailing season during 2014. A Laser/Pico training session followed by regatta
at Easter kicked off the year. This was a joint event with YSC
and, although rather cold and blustery, it is a good way for the
juniors to reacquaint themselves with the Solent. In 2015 it is
planned to have a training day on Tuesday 7th April followed
by a race training day and mini regatta on Wednesday 8th April.
During the summer half term, the RSYC hosted the Solent
Junior Regatta at the Boathouse. This was a coached regatta
which was once again held jointly by the RSYC and YSC for
Oppies, Picos and Laser 4.7s. There were 25 sailors, all of
whom enjoyed the competitive racing and excellent coaching.
As usual it was lots of fun and very sociable. The classes were
won by Max Bradley, Sophie Whitehead and Agatha Davies.
This year’s Junior Regatta will be held on Monday 25th
May, Tuesday 26th and Thursday 28th May. Entry forms are
available from the RSYC Sailing Office.
There can be no doubt that one of the major successes of the
year has been the expansion of the Junior Laser Fleet. As a
result there was a large youth Laser fleet competing against
adults in the Sunset Series, which was won by Harry Hall
closely followed by Alexander Campbell. During the summer
holidays, together with the usual Wednesday night racing, there
were also weekly races on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The RSYC
is very committed to supporting this fleet and intends to run a
programme of Laser races again through the summer holidays
in 2015 and beyond.
20
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
The Sunset Series was closely followed by RSYC Dinghy
Week which was a great event. Excessive wind did not seem to
dampen the spirits and we saw really competitive racing from
the 40 or so sailors. In 2015, Dinghy Week will be held on 17th
– 20th August, so please contact the Sailing Office to enter.
Perhaps the most memorable day of the summer was Friday
15th August when RSYC ran the inaugural Island Inter Club
Youth Laser Team Racing Regatta. There were eight teams
of three coming from the RSYC, YSC, Gurnard SC, Royal
Victoria YC and Bembridge SC. It was a great day’s sailing, very
competitive and loads of fun. The race officers and umpires did
a fantastic job and fortunately the event was also won by the
RSYC Team 1!
As well as the above, juniors sailed in Bart’s Bash, regular XOD
and YOD racing together with their junior helm’s race and
Wednesday evening laser racing. If anyone is new to the club
and is interested in taking part in any of these events please
contact Angela in the Sailing Office.
Overall 2014 was a fabulous year for junior sailing at the
RSYC. Not only has the Junior Laser Fleet doubled in size,
membership amongst juniors has also increased dramatically.
Combined with the increasing number of junior social events,
this has made RSYC a very bustling and fun place in which to
spend time during the Summer Holidays; something which we
hope will continue in 2015.
Katie Davies
WEST WIGHT SCOW CLASS ASSOCIATION
West Wight Scows racing in the Solent off the RSYC
F
or over 90 years there has been a valued link between
the Royal Solent Yacht Club and the WWSCA. Many of
the foremost sailors of the RSYC have started their sailing in a
West Wight Scow.
Following the last WWSCA AGM the Class wish to remind
owners of wooden West Wight and Bembridge Scows, and
indeed anyone with an interest in the Class, that the Class is still
active and is a repository of technical information and advice
on wooden Scows.
This could be especially useful for those restoring and
maintaining these wonderful little boats. Between us in the
Class there is unrivalled and long experience of wooden Scows
and we are always delighted to help boat owners. We hold
full building plans and our measurer can issue certificates for
restored and new built Scows.
The association subscriptions are a modest £4 per year for
racing members and £2 for non-racing members due on the
1st of January. It is hoped to arrange a land-based Class get
together in the Spring of 2015.
If you are interested, but have not heard from the Class
recently, please contact the Class Captain, David Langford
on 760796 or by email: westwightscowclass@yahoo.co.uk.
David Langford
Scows at the Yarmouth Sailing Club
Many of you will have either sailed or seen the pretty
lug-rigged West Wight Scows sailing both off the club
house and up the Yar River. These boats were originally
built of wood, as described above, and the YSC has an
active class of sailors and restorers with full plans and years
of experience to offer to any would-be boat builders or
restorers.
New and used boats, made of easy to maintain fibreglass,
can be bought and sailed with only the minimum of annual
maintenance. They are fun to sail but have their own little
foibles that will keep you on your toes! If you fancy a try
there are scows to hire from the YSC. Go on, you know
you’ve always fancied a go! See you out on the water.
David Fox
Prestigious personalised Registration Plate
on Retention
FOR SALE
For price and further details
please ring 07912 646955
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
21
WEDNESDAY SERIES
CLASS 2 REPORT
Petit Bretonne
Zenith
O
ver the last couple of years, Class 2 has lost three of its character boats. Wellow Maid, a very nippy
prequel to the Twisters – her owners, the Hemings took her
to the Mediterranean; Iseult the beautiful vintage gaff yawl
which sometimes took on the mantle of a tourist boat, so
many people wanted to sail on her, sold very reluctantly by
the Lesters and now based in Poole; and Dirk II a similar but
younger gaff yawl whose owner, Graham Benton now works in
Bembridge and couldn’t get back in time to race with us. On
the up side, we did welcome Blue Dolphin of Cowes, a Tripp 30
built in Cowes in 1963, and owner John Poyner and family.
Last year the fleet comprised nine fairly regular boats - Acorn
of York, Blue Dolphin, Déja Vu, Furstin, Lone Wolf, Myosotis,
Petite Bretonne, Spirit of Angela, Zenith – sadly, Déja Vu gave up
after winning Series 1. On average, we had six boats out each
Wednesday and managed some good and exciting racing.
The wind and tide provided a good mix of challenging and
frustrating conditions both for the competitors and the Race
Officers. I must thank those valiant men and women bobbing
22
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Blue Dolphin of Wight
up and down in Countdown for their efforts throughout the
season. Courses set suited everyone and starts were carried out
with great precision. After-race bar chat very rarely focused on
the parentage of the Race Officers and their support crew!
On the water, it was clear that diversity in type and speed of
boat led to some very interesting racing results. Blue Dolphin,
Déja Vu and Myosotis were our faster boats; Acorn, Spirit of
Angela and Zenith were slowest with Furstin, Lone Wolf and Petite
Bretonne fast in some conditions and not so fast in others. Most
boats enjoyed a thrash across to the other side, but this was
only possible with decent winds.
Series 1 saw a tight battle between Déja Vu and Blue Dolphin.
Only they managed to finish Race 3 with the rest drifting
inexorably towards Hampstead. Race 5 saw a lone Laser stray
into the pre-start manoeuvring – not a good idea - and some
too-close cross tacking under the Club House. Acorn won this
one. In Race 7, in light winds, Déja Vu was in touching distance
of the line when the ODM was whisked away and she was
timed out. However, the Series was won by Déja Vu.
Wednesday Series
made the news in Race 4 with a direct hit on the ODM. 360°
it was which let Blue Dolphin in. In Race 5, Acorn made good
use of her shallow draft to sneak up in-shore against a strong
tide to take it on handicap over Blue Dolphin. Blue Dolphin won
this series. Series 3, Race 4 was a classic with strong winds
and judgement needed on the tides. At the head of the fleet,
Myosotis lost ground to Blue Dolphin mis-judging the tide and
Furstin overhauled Acorn at Berthon (F). Squally winds and
heavy rain made the leg back challenging – the finish line was
barely visible! Blue Dolphin was first over the line, but Acorn
nicked it on handicap. There was a good start by everyone in
Race 6 except for Myosotis who chose to ground instead. Also
notable was Peter Garrett sailing single-handed on Furstin –
Furstin is a heavy gaff rigged cutter, so this was no mean feat
to finish second. Race 7 saw Acorn mess up, not rounding the
second last mark, so spoiling an otherwise strong performance;
none-the-less, Acorn won this series.
Charlie Anderson driving Peter Garlick (right), our long-term RIB driver
and photographer. Sadly Peter passed away early in 2015
Series 2 saw Myosotis come into her own. In Race 1 she led
the way round, taking advantage of Blue Dolphin’s relative
inexperience of local conditions. But in the end, the tortoise
prevailed over the hare and Acorn took it on handicap. Race
2 belonged to Blue Dolphin and in Race 3, Furstin decided to
start from Black Rock which sort of wrecked her chances!
Zephuros on one of her rare appearances, won. Furstin again
Blue Dolphin was the overall Class 2 winner with just two fewer
points than Acorn. Acorn did win the prize for the most races
won in the season.
Altogether this has been a great season’s racing with several
boats taking line honours and handicap wins. We’d love to see
more boats taking part – it’s sort of competitive, but mainly fun.
If you would like to discuss entering, by all means talk to David
Fox, our Rear Commodore, sailing or give me a call (760349).
Michael Craig
G
IN
AL EN S
C I V OR
F I Y E NS
OF SDA PO
S
NE G
ED IN
W RAC
Yarmouth
The Square
Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
PO41 0NP
Tel: 01983 761005
yarmouth@spencewillard.co.uk
Cowes
Number One The Parade
Cowes, Isle of Wight
PO31 7QJ
Tel: 01983 200880
cowes@spencewillard.co.uk
Freshwater
Avenue Road
Freshwater, Isle of Wight
PO40 9UR
Tel: 01983 756575
freshwater@spencewillard.co.uk
Selling & managing
the finest properties
across the Island
www.spencewillard.co.uk
Associated with
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
23
TEAM RACING 2014
Above: Laser Team Racing. Photo by Nicky Henderson
A
fter many months of planning and a very successful
Dinghy Week, the RSYC held an Inter-Club Youth Team
Racing Championship, sponsored by Sailspy, Harwoods and
Pure Student Living. Having experienced a very breezy week,
the competitors and race committee alike were happy to see
the wind had died down to allow for some very good Laser
team racing. The RSYC were able to put forward three teams, whilst the
YSC put forward two. Also joining us were Gurnard Sailing
Club, Royal Victoria Yacht Club and Bembridge Sailing Club.
Racing began just after 11:00am and we never looked back.
RSYC 1 proceeded to the final where they faced an equally
undefeated YSC 1. Meanwhile, in the final of the Plate, RSYC
2 faced YSC 2, having seen off Royal Victoria and RSYC 3
respectively. As the first of the three matches of the final began,
the breeze started to die off. Luckily the teams were able to
complete one race, which saw RSYC 1 defeat YSC 1 in the
Cup, and YSC 2 defeat RSYC 2 in the Plate. Unfortunately,
it was clear that the conditions were becoming increasingly
difficult, and after witnessing an almost comic beginning to the
second race of the Plate final, the race committee abandoned
racing for the day,
As a result, RSYC won the Cup and finished 2nd in the Plate.
The teams consisted of Helen Sceales, Jack Davies and Charlie
Davies in RSYC 1; and Stuart Sanders, Francesca Blest and
Theo Seely in RSYC 2. Regardless of the final positions, all
teams enjoyed examining the various Go Pro camera gadgets
on show in the Sail Spy van, and received some fantastic stash
from Harwoods!
Speaking to opposition teams, all of them said that they had a
truly superb time racing and looked forward to the event next
year.
Charlie Davies
24
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
WINNERS OF THE LASER TEAM RACING WERE
Overall Winners of the SailSpy Trophy were
1st RSYC Team 1
2nd YSC Team 1
3rd Bembridge Sailing Club
Plate Winners
1st YSC Team 2
2nd RSYC Team 2
3rd Royal Victoria Yacht Club
MJNSERVICES
BART’S BASH
Above: A total of 15,000 plus boats took part in Bart’s Bash
Below Centre: Ben Ainsley presenting Simon Stewart with the Bart’s Bash Gold Medal.
Sailing Photos by Paul Brown
T
his time last year the words Bart’s Bash drew blank looks and cries of “What’s that?” In a nutshell this event and the
foundation were set up in memory of sailing legend Andrew
“Bart” Simpson who was tragically killed during a training
session for the America’s Cup. Donations from this event are to
be used to help transform the lives of young people via sailing.
It turned out to be the world’s largest sailing event, a confirmed
Guinness World Record, and brought in over £366,000 for
the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation. The RSYC raised
over £1,500 in sponsorship, with particular thanks going to
Simon Stewart for his sterling fundraising efforts. Ben Ainsley
presented Simon with the Bart’s Bash Gold Medal
at the London Boat Show (Simon says it is hanging
alongside all his other “Guinness World Medals”! It
is a very lonely medal!) In total 700 clubs in
68 countries around the world took part on
Sunday 21st September 2014. The Guinness Book of Records’
requirements were very exacting, with the
need to measure accurately the minimum
1,000 metre course on the water and get
all competitors across the single start line
at 11 am. In addition, we needed video
footage and still photographs of the start
and finish, with several non-club members
and non-participating people to validate
the results. Originally I thought we would
struggle to get the minimum 25 boats out
on the water as it had to fit around our
regular Sunday sailing and the visiting
Contessa fleet – a tall order!
Bright sunshine and breezy conditions made for a memorable day
But over the weeks, as the event came closer, awareness and
interest grew so that we ended up with 59 boats on the start
line, ranging from Laser dinghies to the 75 foot sail training
ship the Donald Searle! After a competitor briefing and much
bended knee begging for no-one to be over the line at the
start, the countdown began. From the race box the
sight was spectacular as the fleet headed for the start
with only a small amount of shouting for “rights” as
the clock ticked down. Relief ! The gun went
and no-one was over. My lucky day! Congratulations must go to everyone who
turned out, especially those not used to
racing and a big thank you to those people
who gave up their time to help run the race
and verify our entries.
Alexander Locke came first in a Laser
4.7 (879th out of 15,000 plus boats). Alex
Gallimore came 2nd in his Laser and
Raymond Rouse 3rd in Blanco a Contessa 32.
It was a really fun day, raised money and the
BBQ afterwards enhanced the whole event.
What more can you want from a very windy
September morning. David Fox
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
25
26
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
HARBOUR LIGHTS AND LOWS!
However long the journey, however many miles, it is the last few yards that can be the most crucial.
Can you confidently and safely bring a boat alongside and secure it to a dock? That is, without yelling, swearing,
jumping, boat hooks, dock helpers, or embarrassment! More importantly, could anyone else on the boat do it
instead of you if, for whatever reason you were not able to do it yourself? Members of your family or friends on
board - or could it be you just don’t want to let them!
Over the past year we have given tuition to many boaters’ family members who were not usually allowed to
handle the vessel once they had arrived in the harbour! For most of them it took only a few hours of training to
gain the confidence and competence they needed for close quarter handling and coming alongside.
As a result of being allowed to practise docking procedure they won’t now get caught out by a gust of wind or
the tidal flow. The cleat will not be too far away for your crew to reach safely and the boat will come to rest gently
alongside the jetty.
Some people assume that because they can drive a car they should be able to drive a boat. But boats aren’t the
same as cars! A boat is never in a fixed location; it’s always moving or drifting and the drive system and steerage
is at the back end instead of the front. This is why young people learning boat handling before they can drive
a car get the hang of it much more quickly; benefiting from the fact they do not have any preconceived ideas!
Remember, the minimum age for the Level II RIB course is only twelve (although they are restricted from being in a
boat without an adult until the age of sixteen). We can provide courses for half term breaks
and during school holidays.
Also for the experienced boater we provide all the necessary paperwork and passes
for travelling around Europe. If you intend to be cruising the coast or on their waterways you may get a slapped
wrist if you can’t show your licence.
John Burgess
TRAINING AND TUITION
THE CLUB PROVIDES TRAINING, INFORMAL TUITION AND ADVICE
FOR BOATERS OF ALL AGES AND EXPERIENCE
In addition to the regular RYA courses the Club also provide;
The CEVNI test required for using canals • and
waterways in Europe.
Assessments for the ICC or International
• Certificate
of Competence.
Safe harbour and one to one close quarter • handling
tuition.
All of these activities can be conducted on
your own boat or the Club RIB
In the first instance feel free to arrange an
informal chat to discuss your requirements.
CONTACT JOHN BURGESS,
Chief Powerboat Instructor
and RYA Principal, RSYC
Telephone; 07770 315533 or
email; sailing@royalsolent.org
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
27
ABERDEEN ASSET
MANAGEMENT
UNDER 25 TROPHY
J/70 Jugador racing at Cowes. Photo by Rick Tomlinson
T
his trophy is awarded at Cowes Week to the best-
performing boat across the entire 1000-boat regatta made
up exclusively of sailors under the age of 25.
In 2014 the trophy went to brothers Jack, Freddie and Charlie
Davies with Tim Carter and Harry Houlding, representing the
Royal Solent in the J/70 Jugador.
Crews entering for the Under 25 have their entry fee covered,
as well as receiving complementary sailing gear. The Davies
brothers were able to fight off strong challenges from numerous
very strong Under 25 teams, including that of previous winner
Andy Shaw’s XOD team on Phoenix.
Not only that, but helmsman Jack Davies received the Cowes
Week Young Skipper’s Trophy on the back of his team’s
performance through the week.
Naturally our team was happy to talk to your Editor and Jack
told me “I’m thrilled with how we’ve performed as a team this
week and I’m delighted that our achievements as a young team
have been recognised. Winning these competitions which
extend across the whole regatta of over 40 different fleets and
classes is a huge milestone for us. Our main strengths this week
were good and reliable boatspeed, backed up by solid crew
work and strong tactical decision-making”.
Team Jugador finished 3rd overall in the J/70 class after a
week’s racing, with highlights being race wins on Tuesday
and Wednesday. Jack told me “It was a tough long race on
Wednesday, but crossing the Shrape Finish Line in the lead was
a really special moment for us, especially given that we’d started
the final leg in third”.
28
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Jack Davies (left) and his victorious crew with the Aberdeen Asset Management Under 25
trophy. Photo by Rick Tomlinson
This is the second time Jugador has finished on the podium in 2
years of competing at Cowes Week. A successful Cowes Week
haul for the team runs alongside other good results this season,
including 3rd place at the J-Cup in Hamble, and 1st place at the
Royal Southern July Regatta.
Freddie Davies remarked that “the J/70 is a great class to be
racing in at the moment. The boat is great to sail, and racing is
competitive but still well-spirited. The class is growing quickly
and new boats are on the race course at every regatta.”
Younger brother Charlie Davies, who joined the team as
tactician for the final four races of the week said “we’ve been
sailing together for quite a few years now, so we tend to get
along better and have fewer arguments than we used to. Still,
when things are going badly things can tend to get a little
heated, but we’re working on that!”
It is likely that Team Jugador will be one of the youngest teams
at the upcoming 2015 J/70 World Championship in La
Rochelle, France and we wish them the best of luck.
Dick Dawson
BLAZE
INLAND
CHAMPIONSHIPS 2014
Myles Mence. Blaze National Fleet Start. Photograph by Ian McLukie
Myles Mence had been a keen sports boat sailor for some time, but tends to hide his light
under a bushel. Here we can see just how good he is in challenging conditions!
T
he Blaze Inland Championships were held at Northampton SC on 18th and 19th October and the forecast was southwesterly 20 to 30 kts. There was no limp wristed cancelling races;
they all started on schedule and ran their full length; if you weren’t
happy (or wrecked) you could always go in.
By the third race the breeze had increased with gusts exceeding
28kts and the fleet started to thin out. Where possible one played
the shifts, wary that tacking had become a tricky manoeuvre. It
was beginning to be a race of survival. Rob Jones’ (Warsash SC)
kicking strap broke allowing Myles Mence (Royal Solent YC) into
2nd place. Ashore the fleet gratefully retired to hot showers and
the most enormous portions of curry provided by the excellent
catering ladies at Northampton SC.
Sunday morning and the relentless wind increased, gusting over 30
kts. The fleet started to thin out, with helms suffering gear failure or
just plain exhaustion from multiple capsizes. The conditions were
truly demanding, as together with keeping the boat on the plane on
the wind one had to react to each gust by playing the sheet; the race
became one of endurance.
During the 6th and final race the gusts down the run were at times
astonishing but thankfully the course had been changed so that a
gybe was not necessary straight after the bear away and one had
time to pick the moment. Triangle, sausage and at the end of the
second triangle the Race Officer decided that it was time for lunch
and shortened course. We headed in tired but satisfied, it had been
a good scrap.
Myles Mence
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
29
KING LOUIE 2014
SEASON ROUND-UP
I
n many respects, 2014 was a mixed season for the King Louie Racing Team; it could not be described as having any of those
‘Yeehaa moments’ of unforgettable screaming reaches and runs
that J105’s are renowned for where you just hang on for dear life
– bow spray obliterating the crew and no forward vision.
The overall story of the 2014 season was more a game of chess
plus technical skill at keeping the boat moving forwards and
attempting to outwit the competition - J105’s are not known for
being competitive in light airs against other IRC rated boats.
We can’t say we shone brightly in local club racing – either at
Yarmouth or Lymington; bluntly we didn’t!
We can’t say that Cowes Week was one of the most successful
Weeks we have ever had; it wasn’t although our crew social life
was just as hectic but we sorely missed not racing on Thursday
and Friday due to lack of wind on both days. Moral of the story is
don’t allow the crew to hit the “dark and stormy’s” too early in the
Week!
There is a saying “every dog has its day” and for us, the Round
the Island Race was King Louie’s 2014 day. With a forecast of
no breeze at all till late afternoon, when leaving the dock at first
light there was an over-hanging thought amongst us all that
the likelihood of reaching St Catherine’s was very slim – and
Bembridge buoy probably non-existent. So just in case we did
have a full tank of diesel to get us home if all else failed!
With nothing to lose, a high risk starting strategy along the Island
shore together with use of our Code 0 spinnaker to Hurst – back
up again at the Needles thru’ to nearly St Catherine’s – all paid
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RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Clockwise from top left: Blasting downwind, Perfect conditions during the 2014 season,
Occasionally heavy weather kept us on our toes!
huge dividends. The drift along the south side of the Island was
slow – so very slow; yes, it was warm – yes, it was light to a nonexistent breeze and yes, many competitors threw the towel in.
Perseverance paid off together with some fantastic chocolate
brownies and our regular crew humour and jokes courtesy of
Jem, Gra-ham, Martin and Charlie. It was not until we were
well past Bembridge buoy that the late afternoon sea breeze
finally kicked in that gave us a reasonably fast sail back to the
finish to gain a class win – but it had been one of our slowest
circumnavigations of the Island in over a decade.
No round-up of a sailing season is complete without mention of
our crew; Fiona and I are so fortunate in having a crew that have
sailed with us for many seasons, and yet they still keep coming
back for more!! As well as the jokers mentioned above, we
have regular guest appearances from Liz, Ken and John who all
manage to bring some much needed sanity on board – and boy,
do we need it!
As the Irish would say “Great fun – great craic” and we can’t wait
to do it all over again this summer!
Malcolm Thorpe
Left: Light Weather during the Round the Island Race
Above: Victory for Madelaine at the Round the Island
Race prize giving with the Gold Roman Bowl
2014 - MADELAINE’S
MEMORABLE YEAR
M
adelaine had a memorable 2014, with both my daughters Madelaine and Isobella sailing more this year than ever
before. Isobella sailed all eight races of the Solent Circuit at the
end of the year and both my daughters were thrilled at Folkboat
Week to come second in the crews, and ladies, races by literally
seconds! Sailing with my daughters was the biggest highlight in a
year that had a few.
Looking back at the pictures from the Round the Island Race it
seems remarkable that a 2 ton Folkboat finished the race at all in
such fickle and light airs. To do it in just under 12 hours and win
the coveted Gold Roman Bowl was very special. Many crews
on the way round were diving overboard to cool down from the
sea gremlins that we saw setting in on boats as their wind faded.
Thankfully Dan Rigden and Robert Reed stayed on board to
keep Madelaine going – they are both great company and the best
amateur navigators and sail trimmers I have sailed with.
When we finished the race family and friends were waiting at
Shepherds Wharf to welcome us home as the provisional race
winners. Even then we did not believe it until the last boat had
crossed the finish line at 2200.
At a lively ISC prize giving, Ben Ainslie said to Liesa who was the
first up on stage: “Well done an amazing achievement” to which
she responded “thank you but you will need to speak to my
husband about that!”
At the Taittinger week-end I raced with Liesa and my daughters
and to our surprise we won the Folkboat Class as Crackerjack
was unable to race on Sunday after another light airs Saturday.
We really enjoyed the racing and social atmosphere of this
increasingly popular event, catching up with friends at the Club
after the racing on Sunday.
Cowes Week gave Madelaine good racing and great partying
for what has become a must-do event for our family and good
friends the Reed family. We all enjoy the format of Cowes with
long races each day which are set up, down and across the shores
of the east, west and central Solent. There is something special
about cheating the tide by being the first with a draft shallow
enough to tack across Lepe Spit or running home under Cowes
Green. There is an opportunity for everyone to race on board
during the week and the Red Arrows and fireworks on Friday
night are always a special finale. We were pleased to show that
a Folkboat can still win its class, IRC 7, at Cowes. We met a
German Folkboat team who sailed in the ISC Handicap Class
who were fulfilling the owner’s lifetime ambition to race at
Cowes Week – happy days.
This was quickly followed by Folkboat Week which we returned
to three years ago. It is a great way for us to race together as a
family, with some help from friends when the wind gets up. We
are already looking forward to the 50th Folkboat Week in 2015
and are hoping to be one of fifty Folkboats on the start line and to
welcome Columbine and Christine back to read her poem in this
special year for the Folkboat family.
At the time of writing Madelaine is out of the water at Folkboats
UK and is having a well-deserved rest after a very memorable
2014.
Folkboats Forever! Ed Donald
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
31
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32
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
MARIQUITA WINS RÉGATES ROYALES
AND PANERAI TROPHY 2014
Mariquita is the last remaining 19-metre yacht from the early 1900s. Just
a step down in size from the fabled big class of the 19th century, she is
still a very large yacht – nearly 100’ on deck and 125’ over spars. She
is perhaps one of the most beautiful yachts in commission anywhere
in the world. Member John Caulcutt’s campaign of Mariquita on the
Mediterranean circuit over the last two years culminated in victory in
2014.
I
n 2013 we finished joint second in the Panerai Big Boat Classic Series and realised that we needed another half
knot of boat speed to have any chance of winning the series.
Mariquita, like so many of the Classics, has a huge wetted
surface area, so much of winter of 2013 was spent longboarding and fairing the bottom as well as spraying the
antifouling where previously it had been rolled.
After winning three out of the first five regattas of the 2014
season we went into the last regatta with all to play for: on
points either Moonbeam 3, Hallowe’en or ourselves could have
won; it was a tense moment!
For the first race there was favourable bias at the pin end of
the line, but would the advantage gained be sufficient
to get you across the front of the fleet when tacking
onto port to lay the weather mark? We didn’t
think so and thus started on the committee
boat end on starboard, but thankfully right
on the gun and with full boat speed.
The remaining fleet were pinned beneath us
and could not tack until we did. We took them
all past the lay line and rounded the windward
mark well in the lead. Top: John Caulcutt (left) at the helm. Above: The Panerai presentation ceremony at Cannes.
Main Photo: Mariquita racing in the Mediterranean. Photos by Ben Wood
Our form thankfully continued throughout this allimportant regatta enabling us to win both the Régates
Royales at Cannes and the overall Panerai Big Boat
Series 2014.
For 2015 we will have Mariquita back in home
waters and I very much hope that Club
members will want to join us for what
promises to be another great season.
John Caulcutt
33
JOHN
CAULCUTT
John Caulcutt (right) with main sheet man Tubby Brook and tactician David Bedford aboard Mariquita in Cannes
John Caulcutt is well known – as owner of the Towers he is the Club’s next door neighbour - but it is
perhaps not generally appreciated just how much he has done. Here he gives a very quick summary of
his boating background, culminating in victory in the Mediterranean Classic circuit last year. At the time of
writing John has been nominated as “Person of the Year” in Classic Boat Magazine’s 2015 awards. By the
time this magazine is published the awards will have been made. We wish John the best of luck.
The early days
Growing up in a small community is special for anyone and
even more special if that community is Yarmouth and you have
a love of the sea.
When I grew up, the moorings ran west to east between the
RSYC and North House jetties. I was taken sailing by Denis
Cross in his Scow Skylark and I was about 9 when I wanted
one of my own. My American grandfather offered to put up
half the money (£50) if I could earn the rest, provided that I
called the boat Uncle Sam. For the next two years of Easter and
summer holidays, I rowed around the harbour in our family
dinghy to go shopping for visiting yachtsmen until I had saved
£50 and an order was placed with Williams at Sunbeam Yard,
Cowes for West Wight Scow number 314. How proud I was
and for the next two years I spent pretty much all of my holiday
time sailing Uncle Sam. Today Uncle Sam still lives on, having
taught my daughter Sophie and my nephew Rupert Syme, the
rudiments of sailing.
One Easter holidays, Jason Cross bought an Enterprise dinghy
and sailed past the Scow fleet as if it were all moored up! I
persuaded my step-father Patrick Egan that he wanted an
Enterprise too, or should I say 50% of mine. My suggestion of
Pocket Rocket as a suitable name was dismissed and Enterprise
5199 was named Zita after his mother. The Enterprise Fleet at
Yarmouth was a strong one with fierce competition, certainly
a high enough standard for me to win the Southern Area
Championships in Portsmouth.
34
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
My early attempts at the helm with Charlie Atrill
The Olympic Classes.
Then came the big leap to a flying Dutchman (K71-Shady Lady)
and to a succession of Olympic class boats.
Peter Jennings started the Yarmouth Soling Fleet and a number of
us followed suit. Mine was called Blow Job although it was always
reported in the yachting press as simply Soling 103.
Whilst the Soling Class taught us all about big fleet racing and we
took part in the National and European Championships, it was in
the Star Class with silver medallist David Howlett (more recently
Ben Ainslie’s coach) that I got near to my goal of representing Team
GB at both a summer as well as a winter games, having made the
Bobsleigh Squad with my brakeman Richard Minchin at Innsbruck
in 1976.
John Caulcutt
The 80ft Maxi Maxima in which we had several wins in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean
The Ultra 30. The most fun high performance boat I have ever owned
had this old East Coast Smack called Mayfly which we (Graeme,
Martin and myself) bought for £300 and we ended up some years
later building Rolling Stone in a barn in Freshwater which was to
become our travelling home for the next two years, spending most
of our time in the Indian Ocean or Caribbean.
Below: Psychedelic Surfer, The first Atlantic 21, the design of which is still used by the RNLI today
Offshore Sailing
I was lucky enough to do my first Round the Island Race with Max
Aitken on his schooner Lumberjack when I was just seven and he
later asked me, when I was 17, to do my first Fastnet on his new
yacht Drumbeat.
Offshore sailing started to become very much part of my life and I
feel fortunate to have spent my 18th year in the US sailing aboard
such Classics as Ticonderoga and Escapade. During subsequent
years I had the privilege of doing an Admiral’s Cup, two Sydney
Hobarts, a Transpacific, six Atlantic crossings and numerous
Fastnets including crewing on Leopard, which broke the record in
2010.
The first RIBs
In 1969 Graeme Dillon and I, now in our early twenties, entered
the first Round Britain Power Boat Race in an inflatable called
Psychedelic Surfer, built by students at Atlantic College. We were the
smallest boat entered with the lowest horsepower but despite this
we finished 11th out of the 41 starters. Psychedelic Surfer became
the first Atlantic 21, the design of which is still used by the RNLI
today and we were awarded the RSYC Gold Lace Bowl for our
efforts. This encouragement laid the seed for other RIB adventures
including the London - Monte Carlo race in 1971 with Graeme
and Martyn Collinson as well as the next two Round Britains
where in 2008 we were the first outboard boat to finish.
Offshore Cruising
It started in a pub on the Winchester by-pass where we used to stop
on Friday nights on the way down from London. The landlady
The Ultra 30’s
Definitely the most fun high performance boat that I have ever
sailed. Seven were built and all were sponsored as part of a yacht
racing series for BBC’ s Grandstand programme which travelled
round the UK to various venues. In effect they were larger versions
of the Sydney Harbour 18’ skiffs but even less stable, but they
improved our swimming if not our sailing as we spent so much
time upside down!
The Maxi’s
Maximiser was in fact a mini maxi at 72’, but we just had the best
time not only in the UK but in the Mediterranean and Caribbean,
at one time holding the record between the Canaries and St Lucia.
Maxima was just that bit bigger at 80’ and had started life as
Martella. Several people from the Club joined me for bits of this
1998-2000 adventure. Graeme Dillon, James Meaning and Vicki
Tribe to name but a few. We got line honours in The Round the
Island race and won several regattas in the Med and Caribbean.
I am not sure why I sold her and bought an America’s Cup Yacht
instead but I guess we all make mistakes! High Voltage was originally
built for an Italian America’s Cup Challenge, but we did the
2001 Jubilee Regatta in her as well as being part of the first ever
America’s Cup Class regatta held in the UK since 1851, right here
in Yarmouth.
Going full circle.
It seems only right to complete the circle and be back in Classic
Yachts once again! I bought Mariquita, a 125’ 1911 William Fife
design in 2012 with my partners Stephen Hemsley and Jamie
Matheson. In 2013 we finished joint second in the Panerai Big
Boat Classic Series and in 2014 we won.
For 2015 we will have Mariquita back in home waters and I very
much hope that Club members will want to join us for what
promises to be another great season.
John Caulcutt
See the accompanying article about Mariquita on the previous page – Ed.
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015 35
John
Flanders
Early days, a young John Flanders takes the helm
John and Jean Flanders with Lord Mountbatten
X138 Spray in which John had many racing successes
in the 1960’s and 70’s
J.F.H. Flanders
was Commodore
when I joined
the Royal
Solent Yacht
Club in 1981
and had been
Vice Commodore
and Rear Commodore
(House) before that. I quickly
found that he knew our boat Lone Wolf when we
first bought her into the harbour in 1983. She had
belonged to his uncle Joe Mew in the 1930s, and John
remembers sailing her with his father when still a
youngster.
Many years have elapsed since, but John is still a
frequent presence in the Club and now has the
distinction of being our longest serving member – a
total of 78 years to date.
36
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
I
t must have been sometime in 1932 that his parents bought him, aged 10, a brand new West Wight Scow. Podge, Scow
number 35, cost 27 pounds and 10 shillings. A new Ratsey
sail cost £2 and 10 shillings; they were then considered much
better than the Cranfield and Carter sail at 30 shillings. He was
off but not going very far, as his parents sold Podge later that
year after he had capsized whilst gybing at the corner of the
River Yar. Perhaps he was too young.
They lived in Eastern cottage and early memories with boats
consist of the HamFlan tub club where Ron, James and Eileen
Hamilton and John built their own boats out of old doors or
anything they could lay their hands on. These were moored
under the jetty of the adjoining White House until the wash
from a passing Royal Naval destroyer sank them all.
The next memory is of the Dirty Shirt races in the Yarmouth
Carnival in the harbour sports that were then held off the
Common. When a little older John sailed Scow number 1, Dr
Drummond’s appropriately named Pill Box. His parents then
bought Pill Box from the Doctor and he was seriously off on his
racing career. It was another Doctor, John Kiszely, who together
with Harold Hayles, much later persuaded John to buy Ariel,
XOD 37.
John Flanders
The next phase was the YODs, Diatom, number Y2, which was
a family boat that was sailed before the war and Pimpernel, Y11
after 1945. Also after the war, the family owned a number of
boats, perhaps the most memorable being an 8 Metre June. 8
Metres had no engines and tacking up Yarmouth Harbour was
fun, but unfortunately would not be possible nowadays.
After an obligatory “child break”, a hut at Compton (now long
under the sea) it was time to start with boats again. John bought
and converted a harbour launch, Marie Elaine and spent many
happy hours in the harbour and beyond with the young family.
Back to Dirty Shirts but a generation later.
John and wife Jean owned three X boats - Ariel, Spray and
Skiffle. Ariel was the first XOD bought at the end of 1966. He
admits to being surprised not to be last in his first three races in
September of that year. They had some success with her in spite
of her mast being like a tree trunk.
After one full season, in 1968 he bought Spray, X138.
Yarmouth had a successful fleet and they had many happy
hours racing against Doctor John Kiszely, Harold Hayles, Harry
Minchin, Colin Campell, Ian Alford and many others. In 1974
and 1975 Yarmouth Division won the Phillipson Shield for the
best division at Cowes.
The high spot was four consecutive firsts in Cowes Week.
Unfortunately they were over two years and they were never to
win the coveted “Captain’s Cup”. Fourth was the best result.
Then came Skiffle. To quote Richard Field’s Encyclopaedia of
X Boats. “Quite what decided John Flanders from Yarmouth
to buy her in 1977 was not known because she did not seem
to win races in the Cowes Division, but he did. For him she
performed absolutely beautifully, in fact embarrassingly
so. In his first season in 1977 he sailed forty-three races (at
Yarmouth) with twenty-six first places, eight seconds and four
thirds…”
He sold Skiffle at the end of 1979. They both stopped racing at
that stage and John served as Commodore of the Club from
1981 to 1983 and then as a trustee for a further 20 or so years.
1983 was time to start again and when Sir Spencer and Lady Le
Marchant bought Tortoise X165, it was a further opportunity
for John to race again. Jean did not race at this stage, partly
because of increasing rheumatism and also possibly because
a past experience in Spray of falling overboard mid race. John
doesn’t agree with the latter supposition, because as he says, he
did pick her up!
John raced happily and successfully with Cindy together with
Gil Calder until the end of 1987.
Now he is fortunate to be the longest standing member of the
Yacht Club, 78 years a member and still enjoying a regular
drink in the bar with friends on a Saturday lunch time.
Dick Dawson, with grateful thanks to Michael Flanders
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RSYC MAGAZINE 2015 37
MEMBERSHIP
SECRETARY’S
REPORT
2014
was an outstanding year for the Club in terms of membership with 121 members joining and
total membership standing at 1,019 by the end of the year - the
highest for 5 years.
The Royal Solent prides itself as a club with a friendly ambience
and we recognise that it is important for all new members to
receive a warm welcome and an easy introduction to club life
through one or more of the many channels open to them; be
that Scottish Country Dancing, Wednesday Evening Racing or
simply taking advantage of the Club’s superb bar and dining room
facilities to socialise. In recognition of this, several new member
initiatives were introduced last year. For example, in October we introduced a monthly ‘New
Members’ Happy Hour’; four were held last year to which we
invited members who joined in 2014. They were hosted in turn
by our Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore (Sailing) and Rear
Commodore (House) who did a commendable job of welcoming
the new members, introducing them to other members and
talking to them about the variety of groups and activities that the
Club has to offer them.
In addition, as a large number of new members are always gained
through member referrals, our ‘Recommend a Friend’ reward
scheme was introduced as a means to thank referrers, encourage
38
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
further referrals and encourage new members to come along
to the Club. Through this scheme last year, £20 lunch/supper
vouchers were sent to those who joined in 2014 to entice them to
dine with their proposer and meet and socialise with other fellow
members in the process. We do hope that all new members and
their proposers will participate in this ongoing scheme and enjoy a
lunch or supper and a bottle of house wine on the house.
To further encourage referrals, members may sign in any one guest
up to seven times a year, which is undoubtedly a great way for
newcomers to be introduced to the Club and to experience what it
would be like to be a member.
The Club has a dynamic and busy programme of events and
activities on offer throughout the year. The programme is
crammed with onshore activities, particularly in the winter
months, such as Scrabble & Backgammon, Wine Society,
Bridge, Scottish Country Dancing, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Film
Nights, Talks and Golf. In the summer there is also a more active
programme of events on the water – Wednesday Evening racing
for the sailors and the Cruising Group for those who don’t own a
boat or don’t sail or simply wish to experience a pleasant day out
on the water aboard a motor cruiser or sailing yacht. Members
can also sign up to our Crew List, take an RYA Powerboat Course
through the Club and become involved in Race Officering - please
contact the Sailing Office if you are interested.
Membership Secretary’s Report
A key annual event for both member recruitment and member
engagement is our Open Day, which will be held this year on
Saturday 2nd May 2015. This is a fantastic opportunity for
potential and existing members to find out more about the Club.
Representatives from all the different groups and societies will
be on hand to showcase their activities and answer questions,
and we will of course be hoping to hand out application forms to
prospective members who will also be welcome to lunch at the
Club. Any members who would like to come along to lend a hand
at this event would be most welcome indeed - please contact the
Front Office to register your interest. As well as enjoying a full programme of events and activities,
RSYC members also enjoy the benefits of a recently extended
clubhouse in a superb beachfront location; with its stunning sea
views, two bars and dining rooms, dinghy park and mooring
facilities. Members also benefit from reciprocal membership with
over 50 Island, national and international yacht and sailing clubs,
including several in London.
Prospective members are always welcome to visit the Club during
office hours (9am - 5pm Monday- Friday, 9am - 12pm Saturday)
and, circumstances permitting, take a tour of the facilities prior
to applying for membership. Membership packs are available
from the Front Office and bars, and our Application Form can
also be downloaded from our website. Our Vice Commodore or
members of his Committee are on hand to meet those who don’t
have any members to propose or second them. Applications are
reviewed by our General Committee at the end of each month
and those with pending applications are very welcome to use the
Club in the meantime. Claire Hallett
THE COMMODORE & FLAG OFFICERS WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A VERY WARM WELCOME
TO THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL SOLENT YACHT CLUB:
Miss Marina Adams
Miss Maya & Master Theo Andersen-Payne
Mr Donald & Mrs Janet Appleby
Mr Phillip & Mrs Suzanne Atwell
Mr Stephen Billett
Mr Anthony & Mrs Heather Blee
Mr Paul Brown (Re-instatement)
Mr Michael Burton
Mr Bruce & Mrs Jill Butler
Mr Malachy Butler
Mr Phillip & Mrs Vasanti Capewell
Mr Brett Capewell
Mr Nicholas & Michele Charrington
Mr Andrew Clarke
Miss Lavinia Coke
Mrs Linda Connaughton and Olivia
Mr Graham Cooper
Mr Andrew Cotton
Mr James & Mrs Susan Craven-Smith (Re-instatement)
Mr John Derry-Collins
Mr Oliver Dewar (Re-instatement)
Mr John Dexter
Ms Carol Donnelly
Mr Graham & Mrs Lynne Dytch
Mr Patrick Farrell
Mr Graham & Mrs Lynn Fell
Mr Rudi Fortson
Mr Jonathon & Mrs Sarah Freeman, Arabella and Luca
Mr Simon & Mrs Annette Gibb
Mr Anthony Gibbs
Ms Patricia Gibson
Mr John & Mrs Jane Gray
Ms Madeleine Green
Mr Keith & Mrs Nichola Hale, Austin, James and Charlotte
Mr Phillip & Mrs Birgitta Hancock, Emilia and William
Mrs Helen Hindley and Lauren
Mr James Hoare
Ms Penelope Holland (Re-instatement)
Mr Geoffrey Horsnell
Mr Alexander Hudson (Re-instatement)
Mr Mark James
Mr Peter Lemonius & Ms Linda Keighley (Re-instatement)
Mrs Sue Kent
Masters Charles, Peter & William Kingston
Master Samuel Mabey
Dr Alasdair MacLean
Mr Giles & Mrs Chloe Maltby, Oliver, George and Frederic
Mr Mark McDonald
Master George Miles
Mrs Jean Moore
Mr Chris & Mrs Claire Moulder
Mr Edward & The Hon. Mrs Diana Nicholson
Mr Anthony Parry & Ms Jan Hingston
Master Brendon Penn-Whitehurst
Miss Isabelle & Master Charlie Peplow
Mrs Diana Peterson-Edwards
Capt. John & Mrs Linda Pottinger
Masters Tom & Jack and Miss Emily Ralls
Mr Jonathon & Mrs Louise Roche
Mr Alan Roffey
Mr Alan & Ms Sue Roffey-Jones
Mr William Rome
Mr Jamie & Mrs Chantelle Rountree, Wilfred and Arthur
Mr Michael & Mrs Barbara Sharratt
Mr Malcolm Sibley
Mr Christopher Smith
Air Vice Marshal Anthony & Mrs Sarah Stables
Mr Stephen & Mrs Wendy Stromberg
Mr Raymond & Mrs Dawn Tanner
Mr Sebastien & Mrs Mary Taylor
Mr John Veal
Mr Peter Wadley
Mr Ian & Mrs Jane Wallace
Mrs Michelle Whitehurst
Mr Duncan & Mrs Aly Willard and Rupert
Ms Jane & Mr Simon Willson
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
39
WEDDINGS AND
EVENTS 2014
2014 has been another outstanding year for functions at the Royal Solent.
With record numbers for film nights, gentlemen’s lunches and scrabble
plus a ghoulishly good Halloween party.We have hosted over 50 prestigious
dinners & lunches for visiting yacht clubs and classes plus 23 corporate
functions ranging from gourmet client lunches to fun team building BBQs.
The Club was honoured to provide the seaside setting for the weddings of
four lovely couples. Each wedding was specifically tailored to the couples’
bespoke requirements in terms of location, layout, décor and menus to
ensure each couple had the perfect day.
Edward & Rebecca Jennings
Tony & Lucy Price
Date: Saturday 17th May 2014
Date: Saturday 30th August 2014
Number of Guests: 133
Number of Guests: 82 + 100
evening guests
A marquee spanning the lawn
and dinghy park was the
stunning setting for Ed &
Rebecca’s big day. The weather
was perfect for the bride and
groom to arrive via the Club’s
jetty on board our launch Alpha.
After dining on a trio of locally
sourced sausages and mash, the
guests took to the dance floor
complete with a starlit ceiling
within the marquee.
A vintage lilac VW Beetle
transported Tony and Lucy from
the church to the Club and a
drinks reception on the lawn in
glorious summer sunshine, which
preceded a traditional roast dinner
and a trio of miniature desserts.
The wedding party danced the
evening away to music from the
bride’s favourite local band, The
Hanging Baskets.
Lee & Phillipa Morrell
Date: Saturday 19th July 2014
Number of Guests: 87
+ 27 evening guests
Alasdair & Fran Maclean
Date: Saturday 6th
September 2014
Number of Guests: 64
Lee & Phillipa chose a vintage
themed wedding, inspired by
the groom’s love of books.
Vintage cameras, books and
clocks decorated the tables
alongside scrabble tile place
names whilst a photo booth
entertained guests during the
evening.
The Club’s lawn was the
perfect seaside setting for
Alasdair and Fran’s Blessing in
front of friends and family. A
traditional piper, arranged as a
surprise for the groom, piped
the happy couple to the
ceremony. The wedding’s
nautical theme complemented
the setting perfectly and the
sun shone throughout.
We wish all four couples a very happy married life together.
40
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
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RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
41
SECRETARY’S JOTTINGS
T
his year has seen more changes in the Club’s permanent staff than normal. Personnel in the Front Office remain
unchanged with Claire Hallett as the Membership Secretary,
Lucy Case looking after Events and Janet Pitman beavering
away in the Accounts Office.
On the sailing front it has been all change. Nicky Henderson
passed on the Sailing Secretary’s baton (or should that be
tiller?) to Angela Cordon in the spring and Nick Waters, who
has been the Club’s boatman for more than a decade, left to
drive lorries although he still helps out on an occasional basis
when his driving rota permits. Ivan Jones took over from him
for the summer period and then handed over to Adam Preece.
Upstairs, the Steward, Mick Fletcher, left in the late spring after
eight years of sterling service in post. He handed over to Rob
Jackson for a short time but come the autumn the decision
was taken to reorganise the way in which upstairs operations
were conducted. Instead of confining her talents to the kitchen
Vicky Tribe has been made House Manager, responsible for
Bar and Catering. She will still continue to cook but after
Christmas will direct her focus more to the Bar than was
previously the case. Tom Cripps (formerly Branagh) continues
in his capable way in the kitchen and after his impressive
efforts during the summer, Scott Henderson has recently been
appointed as the Bar Steward.
There have been many part-time staff who have worked in
the clubhouse, particularly during the summer months. We
were sorry to lose Louise Kirby from behind the bar when she
decided to head off to Australia but were glad to find willing
replacements in Emily Chambers, Laura Coles, Henrietta
McClean, Ethan Kalaker and Lavana Schoberg. Others who
helped out in the summer included Marco Mills and Conor
Berden. In the kitchen, Jason Taylor has proved to be a stalwart
as our main KP and has been helped out by Stephanie Waller
and Val Burnett.
Are these faces familiar? RSYC Staff members in disguise
RSYC Boatman, Adam Preece in his other role as a volunteer lifeboat crewman
The invaluable and indomitable Mary Smith continues to
make her presence felt as the Head Waitress and supervises her
grand-daughters, Ash and Sacha, as well as Alexandra Schenk
and Brooke Drake. Finally, mention should be made of Natalie
Sibley, who has been our cleaning lady for the past fifteen years.
To conclude on a lighter note, morale was high at the annual
fancy dress staff party. Can you identify the appropriate
members of staff (top photo)under their disguises?
Hamish Fletcher, Club Secretary
42
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
New RSYC Sailing Secretary Angela Cordon
RACING PIMPERNEL
AGAIN
FOR THE FIRST TIME
IN FOUR YEARS
A
fter co-owning and racing Magnolia, a Yarmouth One Design, for four years with first Sean Mylchreest and
then Nick Ramsey, Ray Kershaw and I purchased Pimpernel YII
from Pauline and Steve Bailey who were purchasing a Folkboat
(I can’t think why).
We raced Pimpernel for several years and achieved some decent
results in the glassware department but despite our best efforts
missed out on the silverware. Unfortunately, Ray had a
rear-end shunt whilst out driving suffering whiplash injuries
which necessitated operations so we decided not to race her
until he’d recovered so we put her in the “Y” Shed.
I spent two seasons crewing on various XOD’s in several races
and enjoyed venturing further afield to Southampton Water in
two back to back races which were unheard of in the stately Y’s.
During this time I had learnt of others who wanted to race and
were also good helmsmen (Steve Carson and John Gallimore),
so we teamed up and raced Francesca or Blandina for the season.
After three years out of the water I decided it was time to
put Pimpernel back in the water so with help we set about
the annual task of a wooden boat-owner, rubbing down,
filling, sanding, painting, varnishing and antifouling. The first
launching wasn’t a total success as she was taking in too much
water (sinking) and had to be retrieved and returned to the
shed for a post mortem.
Not being a professional boat builder I had used the wrong
marine filler and it had kept the planks apart rather than just
filling-in the gaps, which meant taking her round to Robbie’s,
Blue Sail Marine for some proper attention, which entailed
refilling and scarfing-in of the planking. The rudder stock also
needed replacing as it was rusting badly.
After a hurried but thorough paint job she was ready for the
2014 season, which if you remember was either too little or too
much wind, but Steve and I competed in every possible race
and achieved some good positions. In the first race we beat
several other boats including Blandina despite some members
betting that “she’ll sink” or “won’t even make the first mark”.
Above: YOD’s rounding Harbour East buoy with Pimpernel in front
Below: The mast showing the remainder of the tenon
During the early races we pointed well but despite our best
efforts found that during strong winds we were finding it more
difficult to point compared to some of the leading boats. We
also suffered a couple of gear failures such as the kicker
pulling out of the boom and the spinnaker pole
downhaul snapping at the wrong time.
When Pimpernel was brought
ashore and the mast lifted we
noticed that the tenon at the foot of
the mast had split. We were left with
about 3 cms of wood on which the mast
balanced allowing the mast to twist too
much and therefore lose power. We had noticed
that the shrouds were getting slightly too loose but put it
down to the bottle screws unwinding.
At the annual YOD Dinner and Prize Giving we were
continually mentioned as “in third place ... Pimpernel,” but no
prizes for third. A New Year’s resolution is to do better this year
so watch out for some silverware polishing, Steve .
Unfortunately Ray Kershaw, although improving, is still unable
to race. We send our good wishes to him.
Tony Knaggs
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
43
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44
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Harwood Cowes Yachting ad 2.indd 1
14/10/10 14:27:00
OCEAN YOUTH TRUST SOUTH
Divided into watches, the crew carry out all the tasks needed
to operate the boat – hoisting, lowering and trimming the sails,
handling shore lines, steering and helping with navigation, as
well as cooking and cleaning. Above all they will learn to work
as a team, sometimes in adverse conditions, always under
expert supervision to ensure safety.
John Laing in the Solent.
Photograph by Marion Heming
For the boys and girls embarked it can be a real challenge, often
helping them to develop self-confidence, even as a teenager
recently claimed, “a life-changing experience”. Another recalled,
”I helmed the boat around the Needles, an experience I will
never forget”. The sense of achievement is often immense.
The Island Support Group works to identify young people
from the Island, often with no prior sailing experience, who
are keen to try ‘big-boat’ sailing offshore. Berths normally cost
about £350 for four days and we raise funds so that where there
is a need we can help parents with this expense. For this reason
we would like to add to the number of our supporters who pay
a small annual donation.
Peter Coke
T
he unmistakable red hull, a common sight in the Solent, belongs to the 70’ ketch John Laing, owned by the Ocean
Youth Trust South. This is a charity which exists to provide
adventure at sea for young people aged between 12 and 25.
The boat takes a crew of 12 youngsters for voyages, usually
lasting between three and seven days, with an after guard of
professional skipper and three qualified adult mates.
DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:
Brian Mead 01983 760161
Marion Heming 01983 760221
Peter Coke 01983 760138
FYTbus
LOCAL FIRST
Would you like to help
improve the lives of less
advantaged people in West
Wight?
The clothing accessories and gift boutique by the sea
If so, your local Community Minibus Scheme would love to
hear from you...... In the 3 years FYTbus has been on the
road, we have provided over 50,000 passenger journeys on
our scheduled routes and excursions.
We have volunteering opportunities for drivers and
passenger assistants (for whom we offer training on the
island), helpers for our garage at Thorley Manor, or at our
charity shop or office in Totland.
Our volunteers are a great bunch of people and there’s
always a jolly, social atmosphere when you come aboard.
Can YOU spare a few hours to help your community, and
make a difference to someone’s life?
If you would like to join our happy crew, why not
contact us:Wight Community Access - FYTbus,
Winchester House, The Broadway, Totland Bay, PO39 0AX
Tel: 01983 752917
Email: info@fytbus.org.uk
/bluebythesea
www.bluebythesea.co.uk
Tel: 01983 760362
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
45
WELLOW MAID
- A CORSICAN ADVENTURE
By Richard & Marion Heming
The first part of this adventurous cruise
was described in last year’s magazine.
This log of the second part has once
again deservedly won the Morva Cup.
D
uring the summer of 2013, we took our Vertue, Wellow Maid,
through the French canals and laid her up afloat on the island of
Porquerolles, off Hyeres. On 30th April 2014 we rejoined her and found
her in good order so the only things to do were the usual fitting out
chores. We did this in an excellent yard in Hyeres and after a few delays
were ready for sea again by the end of May. We finally said our farewells to
Porquerolles and sailed for the neighbouring island of Port Cros by way
of a shakedown sail. We anchored in the beautiful bay of Port Man in the
company of The Golden Hind replica. After a peaceful night we set sail for
St. Tropez.
There was no room in the harbour so we anchored in the bay just
outside. We were given a slot in the harbour the next night and after a
brief shop for stores we set sail for Calvi on the north coast of Corsica
about 100 miles away. The forecast was NE force 2-3. Perfect. We saw a
few dolphins, always a welcome sight but the wind died and we motored
until late afternoon when the wind picked up and increased rapidly until
MAIN PHOTO:
Marion at the helm on one of our few good sailing days.
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
Wellow Maid our 5 ton Vertue was launched in 1950. Here
she is in Portofino, Italy. En route to San Tropez. Dolphins
always a delight to see.
46
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Wellow Maid
by 8pm we had to get the main down and tried sailing under
working jib but even this became too much so we decided on
bare poles. The seas were enormous and we were making very
little speed and way off course, so we motored for the rest of the
way. The crossing took 31 hours and was most unpleasant. To
gain some reassurance we asked the Corsican coastguard for
a radio check. We were loud and clear and were then asked to
contact a yacht and relay to the coastguard. We could not raise
them. We then heard that another yacht was in trouble and
the injured crew were asked whether or not they wanted the
rescue services to try to save the yacht. Not what one wants to
hear in bad weather in a very small boat! Wellow Maid behaved
perfectly; her crew were very tired by the time we reached
Calvi. We later learnt that the French forecast for the Ligurian
Sea is unreliable and one should use an Italian one. Had we
known that, we would never have set sail as the Italian forecast
had issued a warning.
Corsican weather can be very unpredictable. We gathered
that the 2014 summer had, up until then, been the worst ever.
Things did not improve and the wind, especially, continued
to blow from the west. Since many of the anchorages on the
west coast of Corsica are open to the west it made the choice of
where to stay very difficult and we ended up in marinas more
often than we had hoped. However after a couple of days in
Ajaccio, we did find a pleasant anchorage in Campomoro Bay.
It is very well protected from all directions except the NE and
well worth a visit. We met a very jolly boat called Archangel
and on the third night they came aboard for drinks. We had
heard that the weather was deteriorating but decided that
we were well-protected. As the wind increased from, yes, the
NE, I decided to move to a more sheltered part of the bay. It
was deeper than I would have liked but it was less windy. The
anchor held. Next morning we called up Archangel and learnt
that they had dragged and hit rocks to leeward of them. A
Norwegian boat came to their rescue just as the lifeboat arrived
and they were pulled off. Had we stayed where we were they
would have taken us with them on to the rocks with terrible
consequences. Archangel was later hauled out, and, fortunately
the damage was minimal.
On 6th July, the wind abated and we set off for Bonifacio. In
the event the wind was too light to be usable so, once again
we ended up motoring. We were secure in the harbour by the
evening. On the following day it was blowing once again. A
German boat, trying to moor close to us was abandoned by the
berthing staff before he was ready and he was blown on to us.
Marion was on deck at the time and instinctively tried to fend
off 12 tons of boat with the result that she was pinned against
our boom and broke a right rib. This was a serious setback but
in the event the wind blew for another 9 days and there was no
chance of us moving during that time. The wind abated on 15th
July and Marion felt well enough for a bit of gentle sailing so we
set off on the next leg.
We decided that, having come so far, we would like to at
least touch base on Sardinia. Our nearest port of call was La
Maddalena, an archipelago of small islands and rocks off the
north coast of Sardinia. We teamed up again with Archangel
and anchored in quite beautiful clear blue water in Porto Palma.
Leaving this bay we passed the southernmost part of the trip at
latitude 41.09.99 N. We anchored later that day in a small bay
for the night. But suddenly the wind swung round and put
some nasty looking rocks under our lee so it was time to move!
We sailed on up the coast of La Maddalena and went into the
delightful harbour of Massimo instead.
Bonifacio Harbour, Corsica.
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015 47
Wellow Maid
Next day we headed off to the east coast of mainland Corsica. This was
one of the few gorgeous sails we had. It was a broad reach with one reef
and the No 2 Genny and Wellow Maid fairly roared along. That night we
found a lovely anchorage in crystal clear water.
We had decided to go up the east side of Corsica and cross to Italy to
avoid the long passage to France from northern Corsica. Porto Vecchio
is a biggish harbour on the south east corner of Corsica so we headed
on up there on 19th July. Unfortunately we were, rather abruptly,
refused entry into the marina. This was a nuisance as we needed stores
and the weather forecast was poor. We anchored in Stagnola Bay in the
Gulf of Porto Vecchio and had a reasonable night leaving the following
morning. Unfortunately the wind was NE not SE as forecast so we
returned to Stagnola. This was a near disastrous decision. During the
night the wind increased dramatically and, despite reasonable shelter we
dragged anchor. The mate was the first to realise the problem and woke
the skipper. It was too late and we touched bottom at around midnight.
We were unable to get clear even with full engine power and there was
nothing for it but to call for help. After what seemed a very long half
hour, the local lifeboat arrived and very skilfully pulled us off and took
us to their ‘casualty buoy’ where we stayed for two nights having been
refused entry to the marina again on the grounds of being full up.
In the 50 years that we have had Wellow Maid, this was the first time that
our anchor has dragged. Another boat dragged shortly after us but we
managed to wake them with our foghorn before they went aground.
Eventually we were allowed into the Porto Vecchio marina to recover:
not a very welcoming establishment and we heard later that others were
of the same opinion. We left as soon as we could for Solenzara where
we arrived at 5pm after having motor sailed most of the way. Our log
says ‘nice people but rather strange town!’ We had been told that the
east coast of Corsica is rather dull. We disagreed. We found it pleasant
and hospitable (except for Porto Vecchio). Our next port of call, was
Taverna, another rather odd place and described in the pilot book as a
forgotten town having grown up around a new marina but few people
visit it. We quite liked it.
On 25th July we left Taverna for Bastia, in contrast an old very pretty
port. It was one of our few gorgeous sails in a light easterly (for once)
with full main and No.1 Genny. Bastia is a lovely town and well worth
a visit.
From Bastia they called in at the Island of Capraia and thence to Carla di
Medici on mainland Italy, then they had several stops on the way
back to France, where they visited San Remo,
Menton and Monaco
– Ed.
48
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
We left Monaco with a pleasant northerly breeze. We were so glad to
be sailing again. It lasted 25 minutes! Once again, we motored the rest
of the way to Antibes where we met up with our younger son and his
family again. Antibes was an important stop for us as we could also
meet up with a French family whom we had met in Corsica and had
been emailing one another since then. We wanted to have Wellow Maid
out of the water to have a look at her following our grounding and also
to re anti-foul. There is a large yard at Antibes but they do not have a
four wheel hoist. In order to use their crane the runners and back stays
had to come off. Unfortunately, the man disconnecting the backstay,
was standing on the bumpkin and undid the bottle screw with the
inevitable result that, when it reached the end of its thread, the bumpkin
broke and he, and the remains of the bumpkin, ended up in the water.
This was akin to sitting on the branch of a tree and sawing it off. The
yard obviously did the repair but it delayed us another three days. At
least we had the opportunity to confirm that there had been no damage
to her following the grounding. We finally got away from Antibes
on 21st August and in terrible swell motored to La Figueirette. This
proved to be a small, most attractive marina where we were made most
welcome and had one of the few decent meals ashore. The once much
admired French cuisine seems to have been replaced by the ubiquitous
pizza and not much else.
We left La Figueirette early with a view to getting as close as we could
to Porquerolles where the family were staying. It was an important
moment for us as, just off Cap Camarat, we crossed our outward track
some 72 days since leaving. The mate reflected that this was the same
time that Ellen MacArthur took to circumnavigate the world! That
night we anchored in The Baie de Bon-Porte in good shelter from
a westerly wind. We awoke to a grey day and a forecast of Force 8
westerly in the afternoon. We left early to get the best of the day and
decided to head straight for Porquerolles. As ever, we engined into a
force 3-4 westerly and got in half a hour before the wind really picked up
and stayed that way for the next few days. It was August 23rd, some 73
days since leaving and having covered 659 nm. An average of a paltry
nine miles a day! So much for Mediterranean weather.
We remained in Porquerolles until 8th September and had a pleasant
sail to La Ciotat where we had left our car.
From there Wellow Maid continued up the Rhone to Valence, where Richard
and Marion left her for the Winter – Ed.
The Citadel at Calvi, Corsica.
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RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
49
2014 RSYC
MIDI CANAL CRUISE
Cokes, Leonards, Collinsons and chums
Ably organised by Peter Coke and Martyn
Collinson, our team hired canal cruisers from
Le Boat at Porte-Cassafières and cruised to
Homps along the most fascinating section of
the Canal. Here is their journal
Sunday September 14th
The long awaited and planned for day arrived. The day before we
joined the RSYC rally boat for our week’s holiday, we all met in a
hotel in Narbonne. “We” are the Cokes, Leonards, Collinsons and
Taylors (non-members of the Club who live in Street, Somerset
and also Freshwater Bay). We ate out in the town (partly in the
drizzle!) and hoped the weather would improve by the morning.
A decision was made that one couple would cook one night, eat
out the next, another couple the next and so on.
Monday September 15th
We discovered a lovely market in the town selling beautiful
fresh meat and fish and every cheese under the sun. We
stopped twice more on way to Le Boat as men needed a good
supply of wine (30 bottles, I think) as there were eight of us,
but still arrived at the Le Boat terminus in time for some lunch
and embarkation. After a long wait we boarded and were given
handling instructions followed by a small exercise to show we
had been listening! The first lock closed at 7 p.m. so we slipped
our mooring, and reached the lock with five minutes to spare.
Lindsay, our elected Skipper, executed the manoeuvre with
aplomb. We arrived at Villeneuve-les-Beziers for the night and the Collinsons produced a magnificent meal.
Tuesday September 16th
After breakfast we set off down a beautifully tree-lined canal
through a series of locks and low bridges before we reached
the fearsome “Fonserannes Staircase”, a series of seven locks
(like a staircase). This is a remarkable piece of engineering but
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RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
quite alarming to enter, with terrific torrents of water - clearly
a spectator sport as many people were watching! Taking 45
minutes to get through we then had lovely views of Beziers
in the distance. Having crossed the Beziers canal bridge we
arrived at Colombiers and decided to stay the night and eat out
as finding shops open was difficult. The weather deteriorated
around drinks time so we had to dive for cover (the only time
on the entire trip!) We ate out at Les Eclusiers and discovered
it was Martyn’s birthday. The Hastings and Waltons also
berthed here for the night.
Wednesday September 17th
Woke to a dull, cloudy day with intermittent rain. Our next
stop was Capestang, where we arrived at midday. Wandering
into town we discovered a superb market and bought delicious
ham, etc., which lasted us for days. The sun then appeared and
it became very hot, so we put the deck parasol up. Our washing
on deck could at last dry! The Taylors cooked an excellent
meal using the BBQ on deck. Some very noisy ducks round
our boat eventually ceased quacking, thus avoiding finding
their way onto our menu!
Thursday September 18th
The Scots vote on Independence today, with the results
tomorrow. We left Capestang in drizzle and wind, having
lunch on a riverbank before wending our way to Le Somail.
A few provisions were procured from a barge moored by the
riverbank. The Cokes cook tomorrow and I am getting a little
fussed as to what I am going to cook! It became very hot but
Midi Canal Cruise
Top middle: Idyllic scenery
Top: The Fonserannes Staircase
Right: A tight squeeze
Bottom: Typical scenery in the
canals
Photos by Peter & Ash Coke
didn’t last. The boat astern of us, with Scots on board, were
clearly in favour of a “Yes” campaign and were quite noisy. We
had the Hastings party on board for a drink by which time it
was blowing a howling gale. We all ate ashore served by a surly
waitress - perhaps she had split with her boyfriend!
Friday September 19th
Another dull day. We found that Scotland voted “No” in the
Independence Election, leaving the boat astern very subdued.
We moved on to Ventenac-en-Minervois where there was just
a cabin on the quayside selling cheese and vegetables, but very
little else. As we cast off Richard Leonard slipped over the stern
into the canal, providing great amusement all round. Luckily
he was OK as the canal was not deep and he has a great sense
of humour! We hauled him out and hosed him down. It was
certainly the highlight of our trip! After a brief stop at Paraza
we continued to Argens-Minervois where we moored by the
riverbank - to my delight there was a shop so the Cokes were
able to provide a meal!
Saturday September 20th
Sun! Hot sun! We were kept busy with a number of locks
before reaching Homps in time for a drink at lunchtime. We
have become expert at locks and getting through the narrowest
of bridges! This is another terminus for Le Boat but we still
have another whole day. Decided to stay the night and potter
on a little further in the morning before returning. Homps is
Top: Canal side village
Left: Lock keepers produce
Bottom middle: Typical Canal
Transport
Bottom: Cheers!
Photos by Peter & Ash Coke
a very pretty, busy place with lots of boats and things to watch. We had to put the deck canopy up because it was so hot. The
Leonards produced a delicious meal of chicken and BBQ’d
vegetables.
Sunday September 21st
We left Homps after breakfast and two hours later tied up in
La Redorte next to a café where we had lunch in brilliant sun.
The downside was that we were all plagued by flies. Sadly, that
was as far as we were going so we turned round and returned
to Homps. Boat cleaning duties then took place in readiness
for leaving in the morning. We rounded off our week away by a delicious meal ashore.
Monday September 22nd
We rose early as boat had to be handed over at 9 a.m. The
minibus came at 9.30 and returned us to our cars at Port
Cassafières. It was sad that it had all come to an end as we had
all enjoyed ourselves, with many laughs along the way. The
canal had been very pretty and we had seen acres of vineyards
and some pretty villages. There had been no serious arguments
and the weather, although iffy, at times hadn’t spoilt the holiday
in any way. I know we would all like to thank Martyn and Peter
for, firstly, discovering Le Boat and, secondly, for organizing
the week’s trip. Everything worked liked clockwork ensuring a
good time was had by all.
Peter Coke
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015 51
OUT FOR LUNCH IN 2015
One of the rare cloudy days for the Bembridge Rally
T
he 2014 sailing season was a near perfect one
for cruising and our “Out for Lunch” programme
proved it by going from strength to strength.
We started off with a March lunch when we were
entertained by my Number One Committee Member,
Dave Kennett giving a brief résumé of an RNLI rescue
when he was Coxswain of the Yarmouth Lifeboat. The
lunch was attended by over 70 members and guests.
It was a good opener for the season and was followed a
week later by our first “Out for Lunch” at the Lymington
Town Sailing Club, the first event of the year to get afloat.
A résumé of all our outings along with anecdotes would
take too long to cover. Suffice it to say that the hospitality
we were afforded in both of the Lymington Clubs and the
Royal Southampton Yacht Club, and later by Bembridge
Harbour, was superb. We lunched at the Folly Inn, the
Lifeboat in East Cowes and enjoyed a well-supported
picnic in Newtown Creek. We organised a great day out to
Hurst Castle complete with a conducted tour.
Those attending our end of season lunch were entertained
by fellow Club member Lance Cadell-Smith giving a
detailed descriptive talk entitled “The last cruise of the
German pocket battleship, the Admiral Graf Spee”.
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RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Lunch at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club
I am pleased to report that unlike the Graf Spee, the cruising
section goes from strength to strength with several new
participants now joining in on the outings. All members are
most welcome and it is proving to be a great way to make
new friends.
Our lunches have been most enjoyable thanks to the
support of our Cruising Members and at the same time,
our outings help to fly the flag of the RSYC throughout the
Solent.
The ongoing support of Dave Kennett and Pat Lester, along
with Commodore Mark Hall and our new Sailing Secretary,
Angela Cordon, have made it all possible. I would like to
thank them on behalf of all the Cruising members.
Geoff Neary
Cruising Captain
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RSYC MAGAZINE 2015 53
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OUR LIFEBOAT
YEAR
Main Photo: The Yarmouth Lifeboat The Eric and Susan Hiscock (Wanderer). Inset: Coxswain Howard Lester (centre) and on his left Maurice, Stuart, Rich and Alex Pimm in 2002.
Inset photo courtesy of Isle of Wight County Press
O
perationally, 2014 was a relatively quiet year for Eric
&Susan Hiscock (Wanderer), our Severn lifeboat. There
were 41 callouts, in which 108 were people were rescued, six
needing medical care.
Visits to the lifeboat are a popular feature of summer weekends
and in line with RNLI stations up and down the country,
our volunteers are now able to show visitors around the
lifeboat. If you are interested in a visit, please enquire at the
RNLI shop opposite the ferry terminal. The shop, with its
stream of committed volunteers, is still one of the most active
in the country. This is a vital service as the RNLI is entirely
dependent on donations and volunteer fundraising.
A notable event this year was Mark Smith’s retirement. Mark
has been mechanic on the Yarmouth lifeboat for 14 years
and the steady application of his considerable skills and quiet
humour will be missed. His successor is Richard Pimm, who at
24 is currently the youngest full-time mechanic
in the RNLI. Rich is the third generation of his
family to join the lifeboat, following his father
Stuart and late grandfather Maurice. Just to make
sure of the family commitment, Rich’s brother
Alex, 17, joined the lifeboat at the end of 2013.
Rich has been on the lifeboat for seven years and
is no stranger to turning out for a service. Alex
wasted no time in getting under way – he had his
first shout within an hour of receiving his pager.
One service stands out because it was so unusual
- the assistance the lifeboat gave to the Hoegh
Osaka, famously stranded on the Brambles bank
in January after taking on a dangerous list shortly
after leaving the port of Southampton. Whilst
the precise reason for the stranding is unclear, undoubtedly the
quick action of captain and pilot prevented a greater disaster.
It was the most dramatic rescue in his 27 years on Yarmouth
Lifeboat for coxswain Howard Lester. The lifeboat was alerted
at 9.19pm, launched just 11 minutes later and was alongside
the casualty four minutes before 10 pm. Two rescue helicopters
winched most of the crew to safety while two people were
rescued by the Calshot RNLI lifeboats before transfer to
the Yarmouth lifeboat. “The ship was quite a sight to see,” said
Howard. “The first crew member brought over by the inshore rescue
craft had fallen down a companionway and had a broken leg and
possible spinal injuries. We gave him medical attention and put
him on a stretcher put down by the helicopter, which took him to
Southampton. He was later transferred to Queen Alexandra Hospital
at Portsmouth”.
A Sri Lankan crew member leapt into the icy water, despite
being told not to jump. Once safely on board
Yarmouth Lifeboat, he too was airlifted,
suffering from hypothermia. Lifeboat crew
member Wayne Isaacson was lifted onto
the cargo ship to assist evacuation of crew
accommodation.
All 24 crew members aboard the vessel
were rescued and returned to safety. Two
Southampton VTS pilots were also on board
the ship and the Lifeboat returned to station
at 2 am.
The event was headline news and the satirists
had a wonderful time. Here (left)is one of the
kindest…..
Dick Dawson
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
55
PLAT-O TIDAL TURBINE’S SUCCESSFUL TRIALS
SME PLAT-O at Venture Quays, East Cowes
Sustainable Marine Energy have been working on their tidal turbine from their Cowes base
since 2013. During the course of 2014 they ran successful trials in the Solent, picking a
spot just off Yarmouth Harbour.
I
am fortunate enough to be the Managing Director of this young innovative company and was also one of its founders.
Both the company and I moved to the Isle of Wight in
February 2013 after we successfully secured funding to design
and build a 100kW prototype of our tidal turbine platform,
PLAT-O.
I have had the privilege of enjoying the Royal Solent’s
hospitality on a couple of occasions, during the J/105 Nationals
and the J/105 Eurocup when they were hosted by the Club. As
on both of those occasions, when we approached the Royal
Solent about our plans, we found the Club to be very receptive
and welcoming and I was treated to an excellent dinner when
invited to speak at the Commodore’s Supper in February 2014.
As a keen amateur yachtsman, both around the cans and
offshore, I want to ensure that we develop a solution to
tidal energy that both helps us meet our energy needs in an
environmentally friendly manner without impacting our ability
to enjoy the marine environment.
PLAT-O is a taut-moored platform, positioned mid-water,
utilising buoyancy to resist the thrust and drag forces induced
by the tidal energy convertors and the structure.
Our first prototype platform hosts two SCHOTTEL 50kW
tidal generators, which have a rotor diameter of 4m. The whole
platform is approximately 12.5m wide and weighs around 17
tonnes. As the platform is moored under the surface with a
56
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
minimum of 5m clearance at chart datum, it will not cause any
problem to small vessels and its position will be marked using
a yellow special mark with an ‘X’ on top, and a white flashing
light.
The tidal energy industry has struggled with high costs for
installation and maintenance but we want to demonstrate
that by using PLAT-O these costs can be reduced. PLAT-O
has been designed so that only small, inexpensive vessels
are needed for the installation thereby reducing the costs
considerably.
We have received financial support from private investors, the
Low Carbon Innovation Fund, the Angel Co Fund, and grant
funding from the Department of Energy and Climate Change,
Innovate UK, the Low Carbon KEEP Programme, the Solent
Offshore Renewable Energy Consortium and Future Solent’s
Green Growth Fund.
SME now has a team of 15 based in East Cowes, and during
the first half of 2014 we built a prototype of PLAT-O. The
prototype was fabricated by businesses local to the Solent area
and assembled at our production facility in Venture Quays.
PLAT-O was launched for the first time in June, when she
underwent a series of tests including establishing the centre of
gravity and ballasting requirements. We also submerged the
platform for the first time, to just below the surface.
Tidal Turbine Trials
The first sea trials took place on Saturday 14th November. At
dawn, PLAT-O was towed out of the Medina River and down
the western Solent towards Yarmouth. PLAT-O behaved as
expected and the towing vessel was soon up to six knots. Already
stationed on site at Yarmouth was another support vessel ready
to assist with making the mooring connections. Once at the site
PLAT-O was manoeuvred into position and the divers made the
all-important mooring connections.
One of the restrictions of working in a tidal environment is that
there are only short, two hour windows of slack tide between
the peaks of the tidal flow. So once the mooring lines had been
attached, the team had to wait until dawn the following day to
submerge her.
On the Sunday morning PLAT-O was submerged to her working
depth of 11m. A series of tests were run and once they were
complete the process of returning her to the surface commenced.
The team felt a huge sense of achievement as PLAT-O re-surfaced
and tests were successfully completed.
The SME team
We are extremely grateful for the enormous amount of support
for our work that we have received from the Yarmouth Harbour
Commission and the local residents of Yarmouth. We have found
that by being based on the Isle of Wight we have access to some of
the marine industry’s greatest talent and resources.
Our plans for 2015 include further sea-trials at Yarmouth,
culminating in an autonomous test during which PLAT-O will
be installed for a month and the power generation capability will
be tested. Unfortunately, we do not have the infrastructure at
Yarmouth to connect to the National Grid. However, our future
plans include installing PLAT-O at more tidally aggressive site
where the power can be fed into the National Grid and put to use.
During 2014, we held a visit day for local stakeholders, which
several members of the Club attended. We welcome visitors, so
please do get in touch with us if you would like to visit or if you
have any questions. PLAT-O is quite an impressive piece of kit
when you see her up close!
Jason Hayman
SME PLAT-O moorings
Yachting friendly
renewable energy
thank you for your support!
Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd, Trinity Wharf, Trinity Road, East Cowes, Isle of Wight PO32 6RF tel:01983 297145
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015 57
YARMOUTH
HARBOUR 2014
by Jeremy Butcher,
Deputy Harbour Master
A
record breaking year for Yarmouth Harbour! After a late recovery in the weather for 2013 we had a very good year,
but 2014 has been even better! Yarmouth was lucky to experience
a hot and long lasting summer and our visitor numbers for 2014
have been the highest ever. The number of overnight visitors rose
to 26,681, an increase of 14.2% on 2013 and the number of short
stay visitors rose to 5,785, an increase of 12.2%. Using our average
of four people per boat this means that the Harbour brought
nearly 130,000 visitors to Yarmouth in 2014. In November the
Mortimor family, on board their sailing vessel Wizard, were the
lucky recipients of a bottle of Champagne for being the 25,000th
visitor to Yarmouth.
The year began with very wet and windy weather and on the
14th February Yarmouth suffered one of the worst floods for
many years. High tide was at 2237 but with gale force southwesterly winds the main slip way was over topped an hour before
high water. The flood waters reached as far as Wheatsheaf Lane,
between Quay Street and Bridge Street before the water level
subsided.
Substantial efforts have been made to reduce the impact of
flooding in Yarmouth. For example, non-return valves have been
fitted to the drainage outlets in the harbour and one of the oil spill
booms has been adapted to prevent the water over topping the
main slipway and entering the Town. In the Spring we replaced
the two remaining white piles in the main Harbour with a 30m
extension to the Pink pontoon. This has proved very popular,
58
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
especially with the larger vessels that now regularly visit the
Harbour as well as vessels that are more difficult to manoeuvre,
such as long-keeled sailing vessels and barges.
Throughout the year we have reviewed our risk assessments and
standard operating procedures to ensure that we remain fully
compliant with the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC). We were
the first small port to volunteer for a Maritime & Coastguard
Agency ‘health check’. In June the MCA spent two days assessing
our Safety Management System. The results were very pleasing
and a testament to the hard work of all Yarmouth Harbour
Commission staff. The MCA stated that they were encouraged by
YHC’s general approach and attitude towards compliance with
the PMSC.
The plan to change the Western Yar Bridge to remote control was
scrapped. A new 24 year deal with Island Roads has been agreed,
with YHC continuing to operate the bridge as usual. Details on
opening times and instructions how to use the bridge can be
found on our website: www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk and in our
2015/16 Visitors Guide.
We continue to work in partnership with the RYA and the
Environment Agency on the ‘Love Where You Sail’ Project Group
to ensure we maintain our excellent water quality. Our ‘free to use’
pump out station is located on the fuel berth, just call on Ch68 for
help to use it. Work on the Green has continued with the Green
Gym organisation helping us to remove overgrown brambles.
2014 has seen significant changes to the YHC Management
Yarmouth Harbour 2014
In November Tim Adams was appointed CEO/Harbour Master,
replacing Chris Lisher who had given sterling service for over eight
years. Tim is fully aware and committed to the challenges that lay
ahead. The Harbour breakwater will require replacement in the
near future and with the predicted sea level rise it will need to be
raised by one metre. The pier, a Grade ll listed building, requires
major refurbishment as the gribble continues to take its toll. Both
projects will require significant strategic planning and funding.
Deputy Harbour Master Jeremy Butcher and CEO/Harbour Master Tim Adams
Team. In September Jeremy (Jez) Butcher took over from Tim
Adams as Deputy Harbour Master. Jeremy brings with him many
years of operational management. He has also been sailing and
teaching for many years and is a commercially endorsed MCA/
RYA Yacht Master and Advanced Powerboat Instructor. Jeremy
will become a familiar face as he has responsibility for the on water
operations.
Tim is also promoting the Harbour as an eco-Hub to encourage
the development and growth of sustainable energy. One such
example is Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd, who in November
deployed their tidal energy platform, PLAT-O 1, for testing. Other
initiatives are in the pipeline for 2015. Other challenges and
opportunities abound in 2015, not least the Navitus Bay Wind
Farm Project, the Marine Conservation Zone proposal and of
course our challenge to increase the visitor numbers for 2015.
To help us to achieve this and to improve your enjoyment in
Yarmouth, in conjunction with the Royal Solent Yacht Club,
Yarmouth Sailing Club and the local business community, we
will be introducing special offers and initiatives throughout the
year. We have already introduced a special offer for sailing school
vessels, so please keep a look out on our website and our Facebook
page for details of these and other great offers.
In October we presented a cheque for ££1,339.95 to Wetwheels,
the YHC nominated charity. This money was raised by YHC
staff who took part in a sponsored slim contest. The Wetwheels
vessel operated out of Yarmouth giving free trips to disabled adults
Remember, to secure your visitor berth in Yarmouth why not
and children. We also supported the RSYC with the RYA Active
book on-line and receive a 10% discount?
Marina programme. This scheme encourages people on to the
water and aims to improve their boat handling skills. YHC will
We look forward to giving you a warm welcome in 2015.
yarmouthto
harbour
rsyc events
half page
ad_Layout 1 13/01/2015 17.00 Page 1
continue
host such
in 2015.
A RELAXING WELCOME
YARMOUTH HARBOUR OFFERS SO MUCH
MORE THAN JUST A PLACE TO MOOR UP...
The friendly harbour
accessible at all
states of the tide
Moorings of all types
available for visitors
and residents
Jovial pubs and
renowned restaurants
Historic town and
heritage trail
Excellent Harbour
facilities
Discounts for
rallies
A wide variety of
events throughout the year
Access to safe country
walks and cycle rides
Helpful staff
Facilities for
the disabled
WiFi access
Fuel and gas
Craneage
Washdown facility
SUMMER
MOORINGS
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MONTHLY RATES
PLEASE CONTACT THE
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DETAILS.
TEL: +44 (0)1983 760321
Laundry
For further information see our website www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk
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TEL:+44 (0)1983 760321 EMAIL: INFO@YARMOUTH-HARBOUR.CO.UK VHF: CHANNEL 68
YARMOUTH HARBOUR, THE QUAY, YARMOUTH, ISLE OF WIGHT, PO41 0NT
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015 59
BEMBRIDGE HARBOUR
NOW THEY TELL US:THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT – THE FUTURE’S YACHTING!
Spring 2015 is literally just round the corner – winter blues are now behind us, and
boat owners are preparing their boats for another season of fun and adventure.
Bembridge Harbour preparing for the season
Like all harbours and marinas, Bembridge Harbour is no different: the boatyards are all working at full stretch to
complete their work lists – some no doubt hoping for some
bad weather so launchings are delayed a tad longer to give them
more time – but Easter is so early this year that there really is no
time to spare.
“Time and tide wait for no man” is such an apt saying; in
the Harbour we started our 2015 summer maintenance
programme back in October 2014 on purpose – our entrance
channel buoys all lifted, refurbished, cleaned and re-laid – our
pontoon piles all freshly painted with some very flash new
white top covers – our pontoons all cleaned at least twice – our
harbour taxis both serviced with paintwork refreshed – our
staff morale especially high.
Duver Pontoons
We are ready for the 2015 season and look forward to
welcoming back visitors old and new together with our
resident berth-holders.
And as soon as Easter is behind us, we have a couple of weeks
of dredging under visitors’ pontoons and elsewhere to ensure
we have the necessary depth for some of the larger yachts that
now frequent our Harbour.
As well as the Harbour’s Family Fun Weekend at the start of
August, the local Business Association is piloting a food festival
weekend in late September. We actively promote visiting yachts
and rallies to the Harbour all year ‘round and hope to play a
part in hosting visiting yachts watching the inaugural America’s
Cup World Cup series in July – our money is definitely on Ben
Ainslie!
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RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Sunset over Bembridge Harbour
Bembridge Harbour
By Easter we hope to have all the necessary planning
permissions in place to continue with our overall regeneration
plans and commence the on-shore development phase of our
programme; long overdue new shower, toilet and laundry
facilities, new combined berthing and admin offices, and
additional car parking at Bembridge marina. This will be the
final stage of our initial regeneration plans to bring the Harbour
up to present day time and to be on a par with other Solent
destinations.
Visitors to the Harbour are very important, not only to us, but
to all local businesses; hence we work with the local restaurants,
taxi companies, pubs, and yacht clubs to provide the best
possible service and encourage tourism to the Island. This is
an essential aspect to the local economy and a principal driver
within our business plan.
We also keenly promote facilities and opportunities for new
employment within the local area; as always we increase our
own labour force every summer to manage the Harbour –
our regeneration plans include some new small commercial
business units where we will actively encourage new fledgling
businesses to the East Wight.
The final element of our plans includes 14 new houses to
develop and enable us to have the necessary capital to invest in
all the activities above; they will all have spectacular views over
the Harbour and will be very special and unique in the living
space created within them.
2015 promises to be another step forwards as part of the
new era in Bembridge Harbour – we are pleased to lead this
progression and proud to be a part of this rejuvenation.
BRING IT ON – WE’RE READY AND LISTENING
ON VHF CHANNEL 80!
Fiona and Malcolm Thorpe
Illustrations
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015 61
Members’ Activities
Gentlemen’s Luncheons
These are now established events in the Club calendar,
occurring four times a year—Late October, Christmas,
late February and on St George’s Day. Normally,
between 30 and 40 members attend each event, where
much conviviality, mirth and fun is to be found.
Members can select between 2 or 3 courses, the main
course being a choice of meat or fish.
It is hoped that these light-hearted lunches will
continue to be well-supported by both existing and new
members.
We attend for a pre –lunch aperitif or two, at 1230
hrs—luncheon at 1300 hrs, and we are normally
concluding 1430/1500 hrs—so it does not take up the
whole day.
Peter Coke
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Each year, events take place in September/October and
March, all at Atherfield, where there is a good variety of
clay traps, testing for all levels of shot.
Each day can accommodate a maximum of 20 guns,
normally split into two or three teams. 80 clays
presented to each gun, over eight traps .
It is a fun morning, with as you can imagine, much
banter—concluding back at the clubhouse for a late
luncheon.
In last year’s magazine it was reported that the writer
was almost the winning shot. He was amazed at this
accolade and has to report that his current performance
falls far short of his previous sterling efforts!
The writer will now relinquish the organisation of these
enjoyable days and pass the baton on to the very capable
hands of Martyn Collinson.
Peter Coke
Tuesday Group
Tuesday Group lunches have resumed after the Christmas
break. It is good to be back to start another year. We have
been “established” since 1998 and are anxious that this
weekly event should continue. Do please consider joining
us. There are no formalities, simply arrive on Tuesday
by 12.30. Men and women, no rules, all ages, everyone
welcome. We look forward to seeing you and may the
New Year be good for us all.
Cynthia Gamwell
62
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Golf
Your club has competed with varied success this year in
its competitions, one being added , and that against The
Lymington Town Yacht Club in May.
The year commenced with the annual Royal Yacht
Clubs Golf Meeting at Brockenhurst. The previous
winners ,members of your club, but ‘swinging’ for The
Royal Thames, decided not to defend their feat of the
previous year—thus leaving everything to play for.
Messrs Oldershaw and Coke, winners in the past,
played a doughty round (Oldershaw holding the team
together) to take a credible 3rd Prize.
A splendid day was had by all, culminating in an
excellent lunch and prize giving in The Royal
Lymington Yacht Club—it is a fun day, and will next
take place on the 9th April 2015—so watch out for
notification, if you want to play—we can normally
accommodate up to 8 players.
A challenge was received from the Lymington Town
Yacht Club, for a match to be played at Walhampton
Golf Club, and then lunch at their splendid clubhouse.
The challenge being accepted, some 12 of us ventured
across the water on the 20th May-a splendid day,
transported around by our hosts, culminating in your
club, winning the now to be presented—annual trophy.
A repeat match is planned for May—but this time at
Freshwater Bay Golf Club, followed by lunch in our
clubhouse.
In early October, we hosted Seaview Yacht Club for our
annual match at Freshwater Bay Golf Club. Seaview
were the defending champions, and I am delighted
to report that your club had a much better showing,
drawing the match-so hopefully in September/October
2015, when the match takes place-we shall once again
return to our winning ways.
The Seaview match was
followed by that against The
Royal Thames Yacht Club,
on their annual sortie to this
Sceptered Isle. Though, it is
recorded that your Club had a
narrow victory, the tradition is that
this match is always a draw, in the best
spirits of the game and the goodwill between
our two clubs—so a draw it was.
A splendid lunch then took place back in our clubhouse,
where there was much conviviality and mirth. As you
will see, the RSYC has a thriving golf section, it should
not interfere with the main sailing season and is always
looking for more players.
Peter Coke
Members’ Activities
Wine society
Richard Pierrepont at the Wine Society, Photo by Diana Peterson-Edwards
The 2014 - 2015 series of wine tastings held throughout
the winter have proved to be very successful, with
excellent attendance at all meetings. A number of
regulars have come again to give us superb wines to
taste with information on their area and production and
detailed tasting notes. Most of the wines had come from
small producers rather than the bland run of the mill
supermarket offerings.
Bob Godden showcased many of the wines he imports
from small producers in France and Italy. William Phaure
gave us a fascinating selection of wines, comparing old
world with new world wines; for example a viognier from
the Colchagua Valley in Chile with a viognier from the
southern Rhone Valley in France. Majestic introduced us
to a selection of their champagnes and Richard Pierrepont
spoke with enthusiasm on his great love, Burgundian
wines, illustrated by a tasting of some favourites.
However the year would not be complete without
the famous “Call My Bluff ” evening, where everyone
is introduced to a number of fine wines that are then
described by our guest speakers; Oz Clarke (Bob
Godden), James May (Richard Pierrepont) and this year
for the first time Hugh Johnson (Roger Thomas). As
always only one of the three was speaking any sort of
sense and everyone found difficulty in picking the correct
description.
Both social events, the Christmas drinks party followed by
supper and the annual dinner, were well supported.
At the time of writing we look forward to another visit from
Matt Whishaw from Island Wines; a relative newcomer to
the Society, but quickly becoming a firm favourite.
Many thanks must go to Hilary Vernon who puts the
programme together and sorts out all the finances.
The Wine Society meets once a month from October to
March for wine tasting and a meal afterwards. Do please
sign up on the list in the lobby or contact Hilary Vernon on
01983 759299.
Pat Dawson
Film Nights
Film nights have proved to be a great success with
average attendances of over thirty. Films shown in 2014
have included: Brief Encounter, Whisky Galore, Evil
under the Sun, Educating Rita, Shirley Valentine and
Mamma Mia.
The highlight for many of the film goers was watching
Rear Commodore (House) in audience participation
mode during Mamma Mia. It certainly was a case of
“Mamma Mia, here I go again”, which made it difficult to
know where to look – at the screen or at Caroline! She
would undoubtedly make a strong X Factor candidate!
Hamish Fletcher
Backgammon
We meet on the first Thursday of every month, with the
exception of July and August, with the ‘Scrabblers’, and
have about an hours play before supper, with time for
two or three games afterwards—though some play ,
have supper and then go home—so it is not a late night,
nor onerous on the pocket !!
I say onerous on the pocket as we do not play for
stakes—however in our midst is a member of some
‘Backgammon’ standing, and he has kindly volunteered
to take those interested thru the intricacies of the
‘Doubling Dice’, when to up the stakes, and perhaps
when to withdraw! Do not be alarmed, once the
intricacies are mastered, the stakes will be in pence—
not in pounds! An enjoyable evening, all are welcome
and tuition is on hand for those wishing to learn.
Peter Coke
Bridge
Last summer, Anne Vernon was asked to organise bridge
lessons for the Autumn and Winter. These lessons started
in September with eight very keen members and has since
attracted a further four, making a group of twelve .
All are doing really well and have increased their
understanding in leaps and bounds as the weeks have
gone by. It is hoped that they will all carry on playing
at the Club and maybe take part in our needle matches
against Bembridge. So, if you are in the Club on a Monday
afternoon and hear a lot of laughter coming from the
Hudleston Bar, that will be the bridge players! Huge
thanks are due to Anne Vernon for resurrecting bridge at
the Club, so successfully.
Hamish Fletcher
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015 63
Members’ Activities
Longest-serving members’ lunch
Flowers at the RSYC
Longest serving members lunch
65 members attended this Sunday lunch in November,
having amassed between them 1,967 years of
membership.
The Vice Commodore welcomed members. He said
that Club membership was steadily increasing, but the
people who kept the Club going were those who stayed
loyal over the years. These people were the lifeblood of
the Club.
After an excellent roast lunch, some members took the
microphone to reminisce about their experiences in
the Club over the years, recounting tales of many local
characters.
The lunch closed with a toast to the Club’s longest
serving Member, past Commodore John Flanders, in his
78th year of membership.
Dick Dawson
String quartet
One Sunday morning in February the Isle of Wight
String quartet, with guest soprano Judith Hunt,
entertained over 50 club members and guests in the
Hudleston Bar.
The markedly varied programme opened with special
arrangements of Ivor Novello and Giacomo Puccini,
over which, Judith told me, her husband and leader
Sandy spent many hours during the Christmas break.
This was followed by Frank Bridge’s Irish Melody.
The central part of the recital focused on string quartet
arrangements of three well-known George and Ira
Gershwin songs, closing with the first movement of
Dvorak’s American Quartet.
The last section was Judith’s chance to shine, which she
did in songs by renaissance composers Pergolesi and
Lotti. The big surprise of the recital was Wood’s Fantasia
on British Sea Songs, complete with Judiths Prom
Concert-style Rule Britannia, into which the happy
audience entered with some verve.
Dick Dawson
64
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Anne Gradwell and her team have adorned the club with beautiful flowers
The flowers in the club have continued to be arranged
by a small group of ladies, led by Anne Gradwell, who
have given their time, foliage and at times flowers from
their own gardens. One of our mainstays Marj Stenning
has decided that after 12 years she is retiring from the
rota. Many thanks to Marj – we are greatly indebted
to her, she has arranged the weekly flowers as well as
designing arrangements for many social occasions in the
club over the years.
At Christmas many of the members joined us to help
with the mammoth task of decorating the clubhouse
for the festive period. Thank you very much - without
the additional help the huge task would have been
extremely stressful. Later this year (in December), do let
us know if you fancy joining us , we would love to have
your help.
The group has had an addition - Anne Vernon, who will
be giving her time and expertise to the rota. However,
the rota comprises only seven members, where the
ladies are in pairs on some of the weeks while others do
the task on their own. This enables the rota to be on a
five week rolling programme.
Please if you enjoy ‘playing’ with flowers do join our
group as that would help us. It is quite a task to decorate
the club house on your own as three ladies are doing so
at present.
Our thanks go out to the team who continue to beautify
the club with their attractive arrangements brightening
up the clubhouse, Sue Lindsay, Pat Dawson, Brenda
Lewis, Win Nicholson, Rosalind Neary, Anne Vernon
and Anne Gradwell. We hope that their gardens or
their neighbours are thriving to help the club have
adequate foliage for 2015.
Members’ Activities
Scottish Country Dancing
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Workshop, Servicing and Repairs
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Stuck for a winter activity? Why not try Scottish Country Dancing at the club
Do you yearn to release your inner dancer and trip
the light fantastic in traditional style? Would you
like to exercise body and mind in a relaxed, convivial
environment? If so the Royal Solent’s Scottish Country
Dancing group is for you!
We meet every Wednesday at the Club from October
to April. Sessions last from 7.30 to 9.30, and after this
the bar is available for us to unwind. You do not need to
have previous experience - we make sure that beginners
are introduced to our dances in a painless fashion, and
the ethos of the group is non-competitive and directed
towards maximum enjoyment for all. And there is no
need to bring a partner; we welcome everyone.
We work towards a programme of dances for our
regular social events. We hold our Christmas Party in
December, and in March we smarten up for our end of
season dance (known as the “RSYC Ceilidh”). Twice
a year we have a meal at the Club before dancing. And
one of our highlights is the Island Reels: a ball at the
Royal Yacht Squadron which we host every other year
and which is attended by a substantial number of fellow
dancers from across the Solent.
Comment from a recent recruit: “We thoroughly enjoy
all the time spent at Scottish Dancing. We didn’t know a soul
when we joined, but everyone was very welcoming and helped
us through our first dances. It is the best way to meet lots of
people and the Scottish Country Dancing members must be
the most friendly people we have met anywhere.”
If you would like to give our group a try, please give Nick
Measor a ring on 01983 760462, or email n.measor@
btinternet.com
Nick Measor

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RSYC MAGAZINE 2015 65
TROPHY WINNERS 2014
Club Trophies presented by Mary Hall at the Laying Up Dinner. Photos by Marion Heming.
Ed Donald (right)
RSYC member
Highest class place in
the Round the Island Race.
HERBERT DAVIES JUG
Peter Garlic (left)
Outstanding services to the Club
JUNE SLEEP ROSE BOWL
Peter Coke (left)
Organiser of
The Canal du Midi rally
JOHN LEONARD TROPHY
Roger Gladdish (left)
Awarded for services
to the Life of the Club
NOREEN SMITH COASTER
Marion and Richard Heming
The best kept
Cruising log trophy
THE MORVA CUP
Some other awards presented throughout the year
David Pennison (left)
Old Gaffer’s Class
CENTENARY CHASE
Ingrid Kelly on behalf of Bossa Nova
(left) 1st Folkboat
CENTENARY CHASE
James Meaning (centre)
Overall Winner
CENTENARY CHASE
Nicky Henderson (2nd from right)
Laser Class retirement presentation
Jack (left) & Charlie Davies (right)
and Helen Sceales (middle)
Overall Winners of the SailSpy Trophy
LASER TEAM RACING EVENT
TAITTINGER RSYC REGATTA
Trophies presented by Stephanie Cornelis. Photos by Jake Sugden.
Richard Haycock
CHARLES STANLEY AWARD
Malcolm McKeon
GAFFERS HOGGIT
Peter Morton
OVERALL WINNER
RSYC MAGAZINE 2015
Richard Jenner
HUNTER KEMMIS CUP
(Bob Fisher
IRC CLASSIC CRUISERS
Peter Schofield
IRC CLASS 3
Hannah & Chris Neve (right)
THORPE TANTALUS TROPHY
John Caulcutt
GERALDINE CROSS SALVER
66
Tom Vernon
HAVER’S TROPHY
Giovanni Belrano (centre)
IRC CLASS 4
TROPHY WINNERS 2014
Commodore’s Award
Gold Lace Bowl
Noreen Smith Coaster
West Wight Sailing Club Race Distinction Bowl Mariquita
Morva Cup
Wellow Maid
John Leonard Trophy Herbert Davies Jug (1st RSYC Boat in the Round the Island Race)
Madelaine
June Sleep Rose Bowl QUEEN’S JUBILEE RACE
XOD
Mix
YOD
Puffin
Folkboat Ajax
Old Gaffers Simba THE PRINCE CONSORT CHARITY REGATTA
Overall Winner
Yeoman Trophy
Excite
NHC Class
Excite
Folkboat Class
Padfoot
XOD Class
Gleam
CENTENARY CHASE
Overall Winner Gleam
Royal Southern Yacht Club Challenge Trophy
Gleam
1st Folkboat
Bossa Nova
1st Open keel Boat
Gleam
Old Gaffer’s Class
Sepia
The Secretary’s Prize (Awarded to the last Boat to finish)
Little Kingfisher
SUNSET SERIES
Black Rock Trophy
XOD & YOD Class
Gleam
Folkboats
Bossa Nova
Lasers
LASER SERIES
Summer Series Week 1
Summer Series Week 2
Sunday Series
WINTER SERIES
Blount Cross Cup
Mimi
WEDNESDAY EVENING RACING
Leveson Gower Cup Class 1
Fandango Ambitron Trophy
Class 2 Blue Dolphin
RSYC Challenge Bowl
Class 3
Arrow
Hempstead Trophy
Folkboats
Cloud Cuckoo
The Alex Leonard Laser Trophy
DNF Award
Blandina
Wednesday Evening Pot
Acorn of York
Iseult Centenary Trophy
Moon
The “B & 8” Award.
Bossa Nova
DINGHY WEEK
Pico Novice
Pico Race
Laser 4.7
Laser Radial
Best Under 16
Best Junior
Veteran Laser
LASER TEAM RACING EVENT
Overall Winners of the SailSpy Trophy, 1st RSYC Team 1: TAITTINGER RSYC REGATTA
Gandalf Classic Swan Trophy Mojitabel
RSYC Allison Challenge Bowl
IRC Class 1
Salvo
Thorpe Tantalus Trophy
IRC Class 2
No Chance
IRC Class 3
Zarafa
IRC Class 4
Whooper
IRC Classic Cruisers
Mignon
Hunter Kermis Cup
RYA NHC Div 1
Bonnie Lady
RYA NHC Div 2 Salamander
Commodore’s Cup
Contessa 32
Blanco
Burnett Challenge Cup
Nordic Folkboat
Madelaine The Gaffer’s Hoggit
Gaffer Class
Windflower
Barclaycard Salver
J24 Class
Chaotic
Havers Trophy
XOD Class
Silhouette
Geraldine Cross Salver
YOD Class
Puffin
Charles Stanley Award
Pazienza
Jeroboam of Taittinger Regatta Overall
Salvo
Nicky Henderson
Dick Dawson
Roger Gladdish
John Caulcutt
Richard & Marion Heming
Peter Coke
Ed Donald
Peter Garlic
Nick Dorley-Brown
John Caulcutt & Graeme Dillon
Tim Lee, Wilf Wilkins & Graeme Bowen
Chris Harridge
Tom Vernon
Tom Vernon
Chris Hills
James Meaning
James Meaning
James Meaning
David Fox
James Meaning
David Pennison
Hannah Matthews
James Meaning
David Fox
Harry Hall
Alex Gallimore
Ian Welby
Alex Gallimore
Chris Beane
Brendan McMahon
John Poyner
Henry Murray-Smith
Martin Le Gassicke
Libby Deegan
Jay Smith-Dowse
Michael Craig
Rodney Hogg
David Fox
Henry Kaplen
Peter Kingston
Helen Sceales
Jack Davies
Helen Sceales
Peter Kingston
Harry Hall Jack & Charlie Davies and Helen Sceales.
Ben Duxbury
Peter Morton
Chris & Hannah Neve
Peter Schofield
Giovanni Belrano
Bob Fisher
Richard Jenner
Juan Moreno
Richard Vanner
Ed Donald
Malcolm McKeon
Nick Philips
Tom Vernon
Graeme Dillon and John Caulcutt
Richard Haycock
Peter Morton
Club clothing, accessories and burgees are available for members to order via the
Front Office. Boat names can be embroidered below the insignia for just £2.50.

Crew Gilet - £36.00
Lambswool Jumper - £45.00

Rugby Shirt - £30.00
Short or Long Sleeved Polo Shirt - From £18.00

Quarter Zip Micro Fleece - £30.00

Fleece Jacket - £30.50

Women’s Quilted Bodywarmer - £38.00

Men’s Zip Neck Sweater - £33.00

Men’s Chambray Shirt - £28.00

Musto Sailing Bags - From £33.00

Thinsulate Hat - £8.00

Baseball Cap - £8.75

Cap Badge - £17.50

Ties - From £7.50

Buttons - From £7.00

Burgees - From £30.50


Child’s Hoodies - From £14.00

Child’s Polo Shirt - £11.75

Child’s Rugby Shirt - £18.00
View full details via the Member Area on our website.

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