As we continue to navigate our way through the choppy waters of COVID-19, I hope you are all managing to stay safe and well. Some of you may not have been able to get out on the water this year, whilst others will have enjoyed local cruising and perhaps some racing at the recent Hamble Classics and Cowes Spring Classics.
Speaking of racing, congratulations to the BCYC yachts that triumphed at the aforementioned Cowes Spring Classics. Michael Briggs’ 1904 Fife Rater Mikado won the Bermudan Yachts class and Sandy Fielding’s Spirit yacht Strega won the Modern Classics class.
We have shared some summertime anecdotes from BCYC yachts below, and we are always interested to hear from our members if you would like to share news of racing, cruising, maintenance or anything in between! However your summer has panned out, I hope there have still been elements of relaxation in amongst the challenges we are facing.
Finally, I am delighted to say organisation for the 19th British Classic Week has begun in earnest. If you don’t have dates for next year’s regatta in your diary, then now is the time to book in 17 – 24 July for a fantastic week of much-needed racing and camaraderie in the Solent. Keep an eye on the regatta website and social media pages for details.
Best regards,
Jonathan
REGATTA REPORTS
Hamble Classics
Report by Jonty Sherwill / Images: Rick Tomlinson
The stormy weather did nothing to dampen enthusiasm at the 5th Hamble Classics Regatta hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club even with the entry of 43 yachts whittled down to just 30 racing. On Saturday full racing had to be cancelled due to strong winds in the Solent. Instead an all-in handicap fun race in Southampton Water was offered with eight boats taking up the challenge.
PRO Peter Bateson set a two-lap course from Fawley Deep to the Netley buoy. The three Spirit 46’s were soon streaking ahead but after 85 minutes of racing it was Simon Osgood’s Nordic Folkboat ‘So!’ that saved her time by almost four minutes. Second on handicap was David Grylls' 'Helen of Durgan' three seconds ahead of her Spirit sistership ‘Dido'.
The forecast for Sunday was a steady 14-20 knots from the west so Peter Bateson on the Red Line and CRO Stephen Parry on the Green Line set up a mile or so apart. While the gusty and shifting breeze held up on the Brambles Bank, the inshore fleet experienced squalls and near flat calms during their races.
On the Green Line David Aisher’s ‘Thalia’ sailed the course as the lone old gaffer, In the Regatta 2 Class Simon Osgood’s Folkboat ’So!’ won overall from Mark and Liz Rushall’s ‘Ragdoll’ and Jonty Sherwill and Vicki Weston’s ‘Cockleshell’, all on equal points.
The Concours d’Elegance Awards were supported this year by Joseph Perrier Champagne. Michael Briggs’ 1904 ‘Mikado’ and David Aisher’s 1888 ‘Thalia’ were judged the most authentic yachts, best GRP boat was Simon Osgood’s 22-year-old Nordic Folkboat ’So!’ and top prize for both best Spirit of Tradition yacht and overall Concours d’Elegance winner to club members Daniel and Suzie Anthony for their immaculate Spirit 46 ‘Dido’
Onshore the requirements of social distancing meant the usual post-race camaraderie was limited with no Elephant Boatyard sponsored Rum Party. The club delivered an excellent bar and dinner, and the mood was upbeat with many participants grateful that the event was taking place at all. One comment sums it up: "For many of us it will probably be the only occasion this year that we experience a bit of competitive sailing and the opportunity to push the boat a bit harder than normal. Very well done."
Cowes Spring Classics
Report by Martin Nott / Images: Chris Brown
Cowes Spring Classics, rescheduled from its original May date, took place over the weekend of 4-6 September.
The regatta for classic yachts was sailed in perfect conditions, with sunny skies and a good breeze. Excellent race management by Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club ensured the 21 boats entered had a good time on the water, while socially distanced on-shore events contributed to the relaxed atmosphere.
Sandy Fielding’s Spirit yacht Strega won the Modern Classics class, Sue and David Pennison’s Golant Gaffer Satellite won the class for gaff rigged yachts. The class for larger Bermudan yachts was won by Michael Briggs’ 1904 Fife Rater Mikado. The winner of the class for smaller Bermudan yachts, and the regatta overall was Chris and Victoria Preston’s recently acquired 1924 West Solent One Design Suvretta. The Spirit of the Regatta Award was presented to Stephen Brookson and his SCOD Firecracker.
Co-organiser, Martin Nott commented: “We were delighted to be able to hold the regatta, albeit at a later date, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support and enthusiasm of our sponsors, owners, crew and all our suppliers who helped make it happen. We’re looking forward to planning next year’s regatta which will be held 14 - 16 May. ”
Cowes Spring Classics is organised by Mary Scott-Jackson of MSJ Events and local boat builder Martin Nott.
REPORTS FROM THE FLEET
WHOOPER
Whooper is now in fantastic shape, we have treated her to a full 80yr service, the ‘big one - and now she is fit to get to 100, my main objective. Everything that could be taken apart has been removed. Stripped all hardware including the tabernacle, taken apart, serviced, reconditioned, renewed, and re-bedded properly. The Blake head is now a proper ’throne’, fit for royalty. Dismantled the interior to expose all the planking and structure to look for any damage or issues after so many years of hard racing abuse. Any loose paint has been scraped-off, previously accumulated workmanship imperfections sanded-off, in all bilges, deck and hull areas, and topsides planking, and a more contemporary, brighter off-white, replaced the 80’s magnolia.
Down to bare-wood on all inside and outside bright-work, spars, fittings, and full new cycle primer+7 coats of varnish. Gone ‘full-bling’ gloss everywhere, she looks incredible down below. Fortunately found no underlying issues.
We managed four very nice day-cruising outings on Whooper so far, and raced round the Island in perfect conditions, particularly suiting us, chuffed to come in 2nd Overall, and have some great photos!
I prepared Whooper for Hamble Classics and Cowes Spring Classics, and whilst I was required at Ineos base before and during, plus we had our son’s 30th celebrations, I managed to fit it all in. We also managed 3 weeks cruising with family in Italy, and hope to be able to do two-three more in September straight after the ’spring classics’, if so we'd lay-up Whooper then.
Gio and Christine
SUNMAID V
We have all missed our Solent racing this year but decided to have a week in Cowes in July and day sail Sunmaid V giving me the opportunity to take my wife Mary sailing and others new to the sport. We enjoyed brilliant weather with 15 to 20 knot sailing breezes every day which would of course have made for a great regatta week!!
We looked at the possibility of doing the Cowes classic weekend in September but unfortunately didn't make it.
Laurence and Mary
LAUGHING GULL
I launched Laughing Gull in the end just 4 weeks ago as she was drying out quite badly although I had not intended to...it is now of course fantastic to be able to do some sailing in what is, I guess, now late season. We went to Cowes towards the end of August and visited the Hamble classic event simply to spectate - and the Cowes event too in early September. I had thought about going to the West Country at the end of the month and will wait on the weather.
We have been traveling again for work and I was in Italy last the other week and it is much the same as here and although the airports try to separate/distance you, we had 3 flights arrive at once and 'bingo' lines of people trapped close together in narrow corridors at Pisa airport waiting at passport control...it is a strange new world at the moment and let's hope we can all keep moving forward.
Barney
LUTINE OF HELFORD
We made our way back from a week in Devon at the end of August. When we left we expected a nice North westerly, but ended up motor sailing to Weymouth and on to Dartmouth. We met up with Stuart who has just bought a beautiful Spirit 50.
Two nights in Dartmouth with time for some exploring and on to Salcombe where we stayed 3 nights. One day sail for lunch in a bay and a coastal path walk. Met up with old friends who have a house down there and then made our way back to Portland and the Solent. Lovely weather swimming off the boat but not enough wind for me!
We took part in the Hamble Classics and the Cowes Spring Regatta and it was great catching up with our Classic friends.
James and Rachel
Images: Chris Brown Photography
CROIX DES GARDES
I took CdG down to the west country in the 3rd week of July. First night in Osborne Bay, then Lulworth Cove, Dartmouth, Helford River (2 nights), Start Point, Studland Bay and then back to the Hamble. Light N-NE for the first half of the week and light SWers for the second half. Gentle sailing and beautiful countryside. Dolphins but no other classics!
We went to the Beaulieu WBA, with Michael and quite a few others, including RTYC members. Perfect weather, although I hit a channel mark in CdG and split a couple of planks and sprung some hoodends. Not good, and to be sorted by the Elephant.
I don't want to push CdG until she's repaired.
James & Sarah
MIKADO & KINGFISHER
We had a good trip to the Beaulieu Classic rally in Kingfisher. Then a very hot trip to entertain friends at Brighton Marina.
Whilst I was aboard Kingfisher anchored in Poole Harbour at the end of August, the race crew practiced on Mikado in the Solent in preparation for the Hamble Classics where she competed in IRC with Kingfisher as her tender. Mikado also took part in Cowes Spring Classics in early September, following which the plan was to take Kingfisher up the Thames, at least as far as Henley, but this was scuppered by the closure of the river at Hammersmith so we went cruising the East Coast rivers and may include a trip around the Broads.
Mikado will probably do the Autumn series with the Chichester Cruiser Racing Club, in Sept and Oct.
August was utterly calm, too calm even for Mikado, but perfect for motoring and swimming. We even visited Chapman's Pool (just East of St Alban's Head), not even a swell.....the day before I was rowing round Old Harry's rocks in a rubber dinghy.
So, we don't regret cancelling all our foreign plans, and made the most of the warm, calm weather, trying to keep both boats busy.
Michael & Beverly
ZALEDA
Bill Hogg reports, talking with other classics owners in the River Dart there was a split decision on whether to prepare their yachts and launch after we lost the first two months of the season. In the end, possibly a majority have decided to leave their yachts in the yards. I think the inevitable decision to cancel the classic regattas (including the Royal Dart Yacht Club Classics) also reduced the incentive to launch.
However we pressed on with the maintenance and varnishing and launched Zaleda on Friday the 3rd of July which was the very first day we were allowed to stay on board overnight according to the Government lockdown regulations. Living in Gloucestershire and day sailing on the River Dart in Devon just does not work! My main maintenance task for this year was to fully restore the original 50 year old Simpson Lawrence Anchor Windlass with a paint job on the casing, new seals, bearings and refurbished electrics.
Our sailing has been very limited with day sails in Start Bay. Over the last month or so we have borrowed a paddleboard and had the pleasure of our 6 grandchildren staying on board. The weather has been generally poor with storms Ellen and Francis going through but surprisingly the grandchildren have been very active, sailing, swimming, paddle boarding, rowing and driving the outboard on the tender and generally learning the basic nautical skills.
Bill & Wendy
VENYA
Having spent the winter afloat at Suffolk Yacht Harbour it was a great relief to be allowed out when the restrictions were finally lifted in May and we were fortunate to get an early weather window to escape from the Marina and enjoy a lovely cruise up the coast to the Alde.
Over the summer, we stayed in the Alde Estuary enjoying day sailing with the occasional overnight visit to Orford.
On the first weekend in September, while many were enjoying the weekend Regatta in Cowes, the Aldeburgh Yacht Club cruisers had a passage race from the Alde to the Orwell and enjoyed a jolly party and dinner on the dock at the Royal Harwich Marina. The following day we cruised up the Deben with an overnight stay and dinner afloat, before heading home.
As long as the fine September weather continues, we will get afloat whenever possible.
Rufus & Reet
