NYC Solent Rally – July 2007

With a very mixed weather forecast, it was good to see six boats joining the rally – Capricia - Linda and Mel Wood, Sprat – Peter Dook, Damian and Mike Kearon, Moody Blue – Mike Price, Peter Rovery-Gray and Nina Heaton, Fafnir – Paddy Turner and Vida, Salido – Jane Twyman (from Eastbourne) with Jackie, Valerie and XX, and Zeta – Myself with Anne Headon, Alan Cranmer and Frank Fitzsimmons. After a final pre-rally chat over a drink on Friday night at the Harbourside, we joined our boats, ready for a 4 am start, with the aim of getting into Littlehampton at the top of the tide at 1200. With a force 5 SW, gusting 6 and a spring tide against us, the best we could manage in the end was Brighton as we realised that tide and wind were going to prevent us reaching Littlehampton in time. Mike Price returned to Newhaven as he had engine problems, and rightly was concerned about the rough Brighton entrance.

Sunday morning saw a change in the weather, with a gentle Easterly variable taking us easily down to Littlehampton. Mike Price, having sorted out the engine, made an earlier start from Newhaven and decided to push on to Gosport. The ride into the Arun was the usual interesting battle against the chop and the current, but this is part of the fun expected of any run to Littlehampton. Quite a spectator sport really for the landlubbers lining the harbour wall.

Monday. Fafnir had had some bad luck on the way down, breaking the goose-neck fitting, and was obliged to run under genoa back to Newhaven for repairs, thus missing out on the rest of the rally. Sprat and Capricia who both left early with some wind to assist them managed to sail all the way to Gosport. Tony Titchener arrived at Littlehampton to join Salido for the remainder of the week as two of the Salido ladies had to get back to work.. After an altercation with a local yacht whose skipper lost control in the strong incoming tide and came stern first into Zeta, causing a bit of hull damage, Zeta and Salido set off for Gosport. Negligible wind by then meant motoring to the Looe Channel before we could make use of our sails.

Tuesday – Very strong winds – stayed in Gosport. Visits were made to Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower, the Victory and some hostelries in the harbour area. A very pleasant evening was spent on Moody Blue with an excellent range of drinks, snacks and dips provided by Mike and his crew.

Wednesday – Gosport to Cowes. With a steady force 4 SW, and tide in our favour, we enjoyed the beat down to West Cowes. This proved one of the most interesting sails of the week, with yachts, IOW ferries, hovercraft and cross channel steamers buzzing around us. The most spectacular part for me was the approach to Cowes, weaving through the 6 metre and 12 metre racing fleets, trying not to upset the racers. One 12 metre racing yacht passed Zeta close to windward so fast I thought we were anchored up! What a beautiful sight though. Ann managed to get some good photos and video of the racing fleets, and hopefully these can be shown at one of our club nights this winter. We managed to get berths together at Shepherds Wharf – a newly developed marina with some very helpful staff and good facilities – and reasonably priced – highly recommended if you fancy a run down to Cowes. That evening we met up at the Duke of York pub-restaurant for dinner. What a disaster. We had booked earlier in the day, and at 7.30 pm it was not so busy, and so we expected a reasonable service. However, the wait for the meal became a bit of a trial, and at 9pm with still no sign of any food, we were obliged to press for service within 10 minutes or we were leaving. The food did then arrive within the deadline, but while some of us found their meal OK, others were presented with luke warm food. I think it unlikely they will get NYC custom again.

Thursday – Cowes to Littlehampton. Mike in Moody Blue was unable to spend the whole week with us and after a bit of crew swapping, returned directly to Newhaven with Frank Fitzsimmons who also had to be back early. Jane in Salido also had to get all the way back to Eastbourne so made her way on to Brighton, ready to make the final journey more bearable. This left 3 boats for Littlehampton. Much motoring, and some gentle sailing from the Looe Channel got us to Littlehampton just at high water. Time to relax again, as the forecast for Friday was abysmal again. Party time. Crew of Zeta decided to entertain, and with silly party hats and poppers, and the strains of the last Night of the Proms blaring out from the CD player, a luxurious meal of minced beef stew was downed with copious amounts of wine by 7 starving sailors.

Friday – heavy rain – a quiet day resting in Littlehampton? Not so. News of Mike Kearon’s birthday that day was leaked, and plans were put in hand (discreetly of course) to ensure a fine celebration of the event. A meal was booked at The Lemon Tree restaurant. We started with Mike’s reading of his amusing,( if slightly risqué ) birthday cards, and with some assistance from the staff of The Lemon Tree restaurant, a splendid meal was presented, followed by a birthday cake and candles that Mike had real trouble blowing out. Must be an age thing!! Threats to get his own back on us have been taken with a pinch of salt. A good end to the 2007 Solent rally.

Saturday – Home to Newhaven. We motored out of Littlehampton together at 6am, with no wind at all. However, ten minutes later a strong SSW breeze appeared, and we flew back to Newhaven, averaging over 6 knots all the way – not bad for an old tub like Zeta. Can’t accuse me of taking the scenic route any more! We arrived outside Newhaven at 1000, and all boats were home by 1030.

I have to say that I found this was a most enjoyable NYC rally. We had hoped to fit in a visit to Bembridge on the way back from Cowes, but weather had forced us to spend more time than planned in Gosport and Littlehampton, and to make the unscheduled stop in Brighton. Perhaps we can enjoy some more of the IOW harbours next year?

Nigel Cooper

Zeta

Page last updated:  06/10/2007 8:56:00 AM