ESC Cruising Programme 2008

Dear Club Members,

It seems that the commentary that accompanied last year’s programme was quite well received and I have been asked to do something similar this year.

As you may remember, we held a Cruising Forum at the beginning of December to share some ideas and to promote discussion about the kind of sailing that you would like to see in the programme.  As a result we have been able to put forward a varied and busy programme.  It was generally felt that we should continue with the theme of visiting other clubs – its good to socialise and its even better to enjoy the ‘club’ rates for mooring fees.  I didn’t pay more that £12 a night during the whole of 2007. However, the Forum uncovered a deal of enthusiasm to commune with nature and so we have included a few nights where the fleet will anchor-off.

With such a busy programme it seemed a good idea to spread the load between several ‘Cruise Leaders’ and develop the trend set by Richard Brown for the French cruises.  I look forward to working with these leaders and helping where I can.  There is still much to do, especially on improving communications, as I would very much like to see an improvement on last year.  Neither the Club Notice board nor the web site seem to be ideal for getting attention at relatively short notice.  I found that it was best to speak to folk if I happened to bump into them in the club, but that meant that there were many who I didn’t manage to speak to.  This year I would like to collect mobile telephone numbers and/or email addresses of anyone who has an interest in Cruising.  I can then send out alerts and last minute information.  I therefore like to invite you to either text me on 07710036008, so that I have your phone number, or send an email to me via the Club.  Let me know what cruises you are interested in, and I will keep you informed of developments through the year.

The first outing is in April with a shakedown cruise to Hardway.  The tide is essentially mid-day, but we should be able to get away as early as 10.30, as we will be almost on springs.  Nearer the time, we can decide if we wish to stop-off at the Royal Vic for a lunchtime pint and go into Hardway early evening on the flood tide, or whether we push-on and get to Hardway before the pontoon dries.

Our second outing will by lead by Martin Sciver to Keyhaven for the May bank holiday.  It seems that Keyhaven was a big hit last year and I am sure that it will be just as good this year.   We plan to BBQ on the Saturday and do our own thing on the Sunday.  The pub proved to be good last year, but cooking-on-board has become very popular and I expect that quite a few folk will want to do that.

The cruise at the end of May, the Spring Bank Holiday, will be a little bit adventurous in that it will involve anchoring off Studland on the Saturday so that we can make an easy approach to Christchurch SC on the Sunday.  This is a trip for the more experience crews.  It will be very important to make sure that your anchor and its chain and in good condition and that you are confident of your boat handling for the passage through the ‘run’ at Mudeford.

The outing in June to the Newport Festival attracted so much attention last year that it’s been included in the ‘official’ programme.  Under Harry’s leadership you can be assured of a grandstand view of the stage, but will need to be early, so the fleet will sail on the Thursday.  Any later and we will not get nearer than the Folly.

Just as soon as the Festival is over it will be time to set off under Richard’s leadership for France.   Richard is still working on his passage plan.  It’s rumoured that it will include Caen by popular request.   We all look forward to good weather and a well-order cruise.

In response to requests from the smaller boats with very young crews, I have included a visit to Ashlet Creek in July.  If you look beyond the power station, Ashlet has much to offer – Pat still remember listening the nightingale there.  The club is friendly, and supplies excellent beer and food at highly reasonable prices.  

Members attending the Forum were very enthusiastic about including a West Country cruise again this year, and I am sure that the event will be well attended, provided that the weather is right.  Early July has been chosen and Harry will be the leader.  I am sure that he will want to call a meeting near to departure to get a passage plan together.

At the beginning of last year, Harry and Graham had the really good idea of putting on a Treasure Hunt event.  Sadly the appointed day arrived, but due to a lack of publicity (my fault) it just didn’t happen.  This was very unfortunate as a lot of work went into the prep, and even more tragically the weather was perfect that day.  So, we are going to try again this year in August – hopefully all the boats will be operational by then.  It will be important to get down to Eling fairly early, 9.30ish, to collect instruction and the list of clues.  I understand that you will be busy at Eling before getting away first-float at about 1100, so don’t be late.

The Forum found no enthusiasm for Club sailing over the August bank holiday weekend this year, but I have a feeling that an informal cruise may well be arranged at the last minute, especially if the weather is good.

We have two events in September, the first under Martin’s leadership to commune with nature BBQ in Newtown Creek (much neglected by the club over recent years) and later on in the month to the fleshpots of Newport under Harry’s guidance – he knows the best drinking places. You will see that the tides for the visit to Newtown are late in the day, and so it will be necessary to get out of the creek on the Friday evening and stay on the deep water moorings so we can be away early on the Saturday.  We will then enter Newtown creek on a rising tide.  The Newport rally will be far more gentlemanly with a late morning tide.

We will finish the year with a rally to the Royal Victoria in Wootton creek, partly because we didn’t make a visit as a Club last year and part because the tides are good that weekend.  We will be just off neaps, and its more than likely that Wootton will be ‘open’ even at low water.  So, 3-hours after high water will be a very safe entry.  As long as boats leave Eling by 0900 there will be more than enough time to get there, 1330 being 3 hours after HW.  Having said that, it’s likely that Cleo will leave on the Friday and spend the day in Cowes. Other boats are welcome to join me if they can get away.

I look forward to seeing you all on the water.

Rod Waller,
Cruiser Representative.