Tel: 01590 672677

Cruising

Travel in a relaxed manner afloat with our day, weekend and longer sail and motor cruises in the Solent and beyond!

Cruising with Royal Lymington Yacht Club


We offer an extensive programme of sail and motor cruising for those who prefer a more relaxed way of enjoying the Solent. A wide variety of events is planned for each month throughout the season by our Cruising Sub-Committee, including day cruises and longer cruises and meets (often over a weekend).

All members are welcome to participate in cruising events. Whether you own a sailing or a motor boat, or are keen to crew, there are frequent club cruises, events and lectures throughout the season. If you don’t have a boat and would like to join a cruise, contact the event organiser who may be able to put you in touch with someone who is looking for crew. 

Please note, we require skippers to compete an annual Consent and Medical Form: download a copy here or collect from the club office. If you would like a version in Word, please contact Peter Bell.

Find below links to useful reports from our club day cruises, rallies and meets in previous years, as well as members' logs and blogs and the resources in our club chart room.

Cruising Meets 2024  Motor Boat Lecture Videos   Cruising Lecture Videos    Cruise Reports    Members Logs and Blogs   Cruising Awards   Chart Room Resources

Sail and Motor Cruising Events

These popular monthly events are designed for sail and power (including RIBs) and are open to ALL members. They run year-round, some weekdays, some weekend, all timed to suit the tides. Most are to a pub or yacht club for lunch, typically no more than 2 hours travel each way. Usually they begin with a skipper's briefing in the club at 09:00.

If you'd like to try one of these day cruises but don't have a boat or know a skipper, contact the cruise organiser, who will endeavour to find you a crewing position for the day.

Some of our cruises are "Pop Up" - this means we will be planning them nearer the time, according to conditions. More details will be shared via the Cruising WhatsApp Group (please contact Captain of Cruising to join)


Day cruises planned for 2024:

  • Thursday 25th January - Keyhaven for sail and power
  • Thursday 22rd February - Yarmouth for sail and power
  • Wednesday 13th March - Gins Farm for sail and power
  • Tuesday 23rd April - West Cowes for power
  • Saturday June 8th - Round the Island for power
  • Wednesday 24th July - Folly Inn for sail and power
  • Wednesday September 18th - Warsash for sail
  • Wednesday October 23rd - East Cowes for sail and power
  • Sunday 5th November - Yarmouth fireworks
  • Saturday 14th December - Needles Relief for sail and power
Motor cruises are tailored to various power craft types (1 = RIB/AXOPAR, 2 = cruise speed 8k, 3 = cruise speed over 15k, 4 = cruise speed over 20k) and are held regularly. In addition, all power craft are welcome to join all our other cruising events.


Motor day cruises planned for 2024:

  • Thursday 25th January - Keyhaven for sail and power
  • Thursday 22rd February - Yarmouth for sail and power
  • Wednesday 13th March - Gins Farm for sail and power
  • Tuesday 23rd April - West Cowes for power
  • Saturday June 8th - Round the Island for power
  • Wednesday 24th July - Folly Inn for sail and power
  • Wednesday October 23rd - East Cowes for sail and power
  • Sunday 5th November - Yarmouth fireworks
  • Saturday 14th December - Needles Relief for sail and power
Our programme also includes cruises over two or more days (often called 'Meets'), sometimes held over weekends. They typically involve a pontoon party on one evening and an informal supper at a local restaurant or yacht club on another. How long you stay during these events is up to you, it's fine if you would just like to join us for one day. Whenever possible, boats are berthed close together to assist in socialising.
 
Normally over the late May holiday weekend, we arrange a long weekend Meet in Cherbourg for those cruising the Channel or West France, leaving it to individual skippers to choose their own subsequent itineraries. Thus, those who wish to meet up for meals, or to exchange local knowledge or to cruise in company, can do so. Some utilise the 'Connected Cruisers' WhatsApp group to keep in touch.

Longer cruises planned for 2024:
  • 9th - 11th May - Chichester
  • 24th - 27th May - Bembridge
  • 14th - 16th June - Portland, then South or West
  • 16th- 18th July - Portsmouth
These informal events are held mostly during the winter months, in the Club. They are an opportunity for all Members to keep in touch with what's going on in the Cruising section, to socialise and to give feedback to the Cruising Sub-Committee.

Cruising Suppers for 2024
  • Annual Cruising Dinner - Saturday 2nd March (Black Tie)
  • Informal Cruising Supper - Saturday 15th April
  • Informal Cruising Supper & Forum - Saturday 5th October
Our winter lectures take place on Wednesdays at 18:30 and are organised by the Cruising Sub Committee. Normally these take place in our Clubhouse, with supper served afterwards.

Winter Lectures coming up in 2023/24
BOOK ON MY ACCOUNT
Wed 4th October Tom Cunliffe: Man is Not Lost 
Wed 11th October Peter Ellis: The History of The NCI and the birth of NCI Hengistbury Head’
Wed 18th October Jasmine Noble-Shelley: Secrets of the Solent
Wed 25th October  Donald Begg: Ellida's Northern Voyage
Wed 1st November  Diana Fletcher: Brockenhurst WW1 Hospital
Wed 8th November  Jack Dawkins: Little Ships of Poole & Dunkirk
Wed 15th November  Dave Foot:  Trans-Siberian Railway
Wed 22nd November  Colin van Geffen: Lawrence of Arabia
Wed 29th November  Jean Carterton:  The Island of Mercouf
Wed 6th December  Charlotte Marchant:  Shell Posters of Beaulieu Museum
Wed 13th December  Phil Lawrence: Ocean Race 2022/23 - Round the World Race
Wed 3rd January  Nick Saunders: SOE and Beaulieu
Wed 10th January  Simon Boxall: Oil and Plastic Pollution
Wed 17th January  Sophie Bubb:  Her Travels
Wed 24th January  Chris Knox: Nelson and the Battle of the Nile
Wed 31st January  Junior & Youth Fleet Annual Sailing Round-Up
Wed 7th February  RLymYC Photographic Competition with Peter Bell
Wed 14th February  Nick Quirke: A Tall Ship Adventure
Wed 21st February  Peter Shanks: Cunard Voyages
Wed 28th February  Mark Smith: Operation Deadstick
Wed 6th March  Tony King: Roman Ships off the Coast
Wed 13th March  Mark Ashley-Miller: Superyachts and Pirates
Wed 20th March  Stephen Mead: A Career in Advertising

 



 
Details to follow.

Our Cruising Sub-Committee


Our Cruising Sub-Committee organises our Sail and Motor Cruising events, awards, logs and the chart room resources for members planning cruises. 

Captain of Cruising: Peter Bell ([email protected])