Cruise Reports
useful reports of previous club cruises, rallies, and meets
Cruising Winter Lectures
Click HERE to read more on the Weekend Cruise to Portland Bill 4th - 6th June 2021
Click HERE to read more on the Cruising Rally to Bembridge 18th - 21st June 2021
Click HERE to read more on the Day Cruise to Cowes on Traflagar Day - 21st October 2021
Click HERE to read more on the Day Cruise to Bealieu River on 24th November.
10 yachts and 1 motor launch set off for Bembridge from Lymington on the bright and breezy morning of Friday 24 July. With a SW 3-4 from astern we almost goose winged up to Cowes, then passed Wootton Creek and Ryde to No Man’s Land Fort where we altered course for St Helen’s fort and the ever-changing winding shallow channel into Bembridge Harbour.
Salty having set out at the ungodly hour of 7am arrived first at 12.30 to discover Duver Marina is undergoing major improvements. Much more dredging has been done. There is no more rafting out to 4 or 5 yachts. Instead new finger berths with electricity and lighting have been installed with more being added each day. The shower and toilet block has been completely revamped. All showers/toilets are now Unisex and showers have an en suite toilet to themselves. More new basins have been installed for washing/shaving. During the rest of the afternoon the remainder of the Rally arrived and took their places on the finger berths.
At 6pm some of the crews met informally, suitably “Socially Distanced”, for personal drinks and nibbles on the tables near the office before going off to their individual suppers. One crew decided to explore the Brading Haven Sailing Club for supper since we were originally booked to have a formal dinner there for VE Day Bank Holiday in early May. It has a much less formal atmosphere than the older Bembridge Sailing Club with excellent views across the harbour and good seating outside. The drinks were good value and the food excellent and at a very reasonable price.
On Saturday it drizzled and rained and rained and drizzled so most crews stayed on board though some hearty souls walked to Seaview where for them the sun shone. We were due to have our Rally BBQ at 6pm. Amazingly at 5.30 the clouds disappeared, the sun came out and our 11 crews (duly “Socially Distanced”) took turns at cooking on the 2 large gas BBQs by the marquee which the kind staff had installed 2 sides so we were shielded from the wind and rain if it came. In fact, shortly after most of us had left, the heavens opened and we had a short sharp torrential downpour. The Rear Commodore Finance was caught half way down the pontoon and sprinted back to the marquee arriving soaked to the skin!
Sunday was at least fine with several yachts leaving early as the forecast was again for Westerlies gusting 25-28 knots. Those who left on the ebb tide mid- afternoon had to contend with gusts of 33 knots and with wind against tide it was decidedly bumpy. Arll returned safe and sound. Several not needing to get back to Lymington on the Sunday either stayed in Bembridge or spent Sunday night in the shelter of Cowes before venturing forth though Monday’s forecast was for even stronger winds than Sunday.
Overall, a most enjoyable and successful rally.
Nigel Lang, vice-Captain CsC
Crackerlack, Ruby Tiger and Late Again made the passage out and back to Studland Bay in winds of 18-20 knots WSW, as forecast, passage times about four hours out, three back. An exciting shakedown after lockdown eased, with a good deal of sun. The bay had plenty of wind in it with the W component, so not inviting for attempting socially distanced beach picnics as originally hoped.
An unexpected highlight was the Marines doing parachute 🪂 exercises into the bay, dropping gear and people from a roving Hercules, and a large boat which appeared to be submersible. The huge parachutes carrying it refused to collapse on contact with the sea, and skittered some distance into a fishing boat, whereupon it sank. As we left a recovery exercise was lifting it from its sandy grave.
George Trevelyan, Captain of Cruising
With the official Cruising division’s June day meet to Seaview cancelled due to lockdown restrictions, some cruising members chose to sail to Osborne Bay. With winds of between force 2-4 from the SE moving to the south in the afternoon everyone had a great sail. 15 boats made the passage with the Appleyards on ‘Meerkat’ joining us from their Gosport mooring. Most boats anchored for a picnic lunch on board in the unseasonal cool conditions before picking up the first of the ebb tide back to Lymington.
Sue Sutherland, Cruising Sub-Committee
Yarmouth Day Cruise with lunch at the Red Lion Pub in Freshwater Village
The weather was looking decidedly iffy as gusts of F7 to 8 were being predicted. However, the storm clouds passed early Tuesday morning leaving a clear blue sky for our ‘ruffy-tuffy’ sailors. However, a decidedly cool wind blew from the North West F3, which pushed 9 yachts and 1 motor boat towards Yarmouth in bright sunny conditions. One hardy soul was seen to sail down to Sconce Buoy, turn, and then ‘goose-wing’ back to Yarmouth.
Boats arrived in Yarmouth around 11 am to pre-booked berths. We gathered at 11.15 in the Harbour Masters Office and walked, as a group, to Freshwater Village via the old Railway track that runs along the eastern side of the River Yar. (For some this was a new experience and much enjoyed).
45 members and friends enjoyed lunch at the Red Lion, Freshwater, some complained they had too much to eat! Others, thought it ‘out classed’ the New Inn at Shalfleet, (our usual stop for the first event of the year). In the bar, a good voice was heard singing ‘happy birthday’ to Bob Woolley who was ‘Cabin Boy’ for the day on Trilogy, with Neil Morris.
Winter showers arrived shortly after 13.30 so some opted for the bus back to Yarmouth Harbour which ran every 30 minutes. All boats left in the rain to arrive circa 16.00 hours at Lymington.
Conclusion: All appeared to enjoy the sail and ‘stomp’ to Freshwater, and lunch – the event should be considered for next year and/or perhaps a summer trip - an informal cruise/race from Hampstead Ledge to Sconce Buoy and into Yarmouth?
Derek Barnard
Event Organiser, Cruising sub Committee
The venue for February’s day cruise was Bucklers Hard with lunch at the Master Builders Hotel. A total of 9 boats and 5 cars with 41 crew attended the event
The weather on the day was colder than had been forecasted and the sun failed to make an appearance for the return journey, however a few yachts managed to raise their sails for a short time on the way back to Lymington.
Despite the less than ideal conditions, members had an enjoyable day with an excellent meal at the Master Builders Hotel.
Tony Hughes, organiser for CsC
The spring tide was one of the biggest of the year, so we hoped it would help to make a fast passage from Lymington to Marchwood and back.
Unfortunately the forecast wind on the day was extremely light, almost non-existent, which some feared might be a problem for deep keeled boats wanting to get back to Lymington before the tide dropped too low. To add to the discouragement, the air was cold, damp and misty, the expectation (correctly) being that it was unlikely to improve. Nevertheless, 11 boats (4 sail and 7 motor) made the journey, with several other Members travelling over by road.
41 persons in all met up at 12.30 for lunch. Cheap drinks and a warm cheerful atmosphere at the bar were much appreciated and all seemed to be going well- until a power cut in the kitchen stalled the arrival of the prompt lunch that had been requested. There was then a slightly nail biting wait to see if all would be well for the sailors keen to get off quickly. Luckily, all was okay in the end and the general consensus seemed to be that the club and clubhouse were most welcoming, the food enjoyable, and that another visit should be arranged sometime next season.
I don't think any boat managed to sail very much- Dugong was seen bravely trying to sail down Southampton Water, but how far they made it I have no idea. The motor boat Yolanda we were in didn't bother to hang about to find out!
Carolyn McCafferty,
Cruising sub Committee
Following the closure of their main club facilities in Southampton, RSYC have moved the centre of their operations to Gins. A renovation programme commenced in the late Autumn. RLymYC were the first rally to attend since the club reopened to members at the end of March. The club had stipulated a maximum of 60 attendees.
Sign-up for this event was initially quite slow but a late rush meant we were somewhat oversubscribed before the numbers could be closed.
We started with 69 prospective attendees in 16 boats plus 3 cars.
The previous day had been glorious but Tuesday 9th dawned grey and overcast with a light variable wind and a forecast of rain. This together with the cold and one or two boats being incapacitated by winter lay-up or collision(!) quickly reduced the number of boats attending to 11. Numbers held up reasonably well with a final total of 62 people making it all the way to Gins including 19 people arriving by car.
Out in the Solent the wind had freshened and the yachts enjoyed a reasonably quick sail into a F4 North Easterly.
Particular thanks go to Sue Sutherland and Alison Towler for bringing the club rib all the way to provide a ferry service from the mid river pontoon. In the event we managed to squeeze all 11 boats onto Gins pontoon berthing 3 abreast and providing walk ashore access to the club.
The entire staff at Gins are new to post and so a special thanks go to their new general manager, Lauren and her catering team for providing a very substantial hot fork buffet luncheon. The French fries went down particularly well.
During Lunch the forecast rain set in with a vengeance. There might have been some slight reluctance to move due to the weather and the warm environment within the club but the final yacht slipped her mooring at 2.45 into a freshening Easterly which should have provided a speedy return home.
Peter Cobb
RLymYC cruising subcommittee
19 boats carrying 45 RLym members and guests enjoyed a cool and blustery weekend in Bembridge on the Bank Holiday weekend 4-6 May 2019. Most started on the Saturday early, to reach Bembridge on the flood between 11.00 and 13.00, but the smallest started very early - around 07.00!. The wind was cold, gusty and Northerly with varying amounts of East - and if some people left Lymington in a F3, by the time they reached the Beaulieu entrance they were measuring true winds of 22-26 knots, which stayed with them until the Bembridge entrance, where the breeze seem determined to drive them onto the beach in confused seas and wind behind. The result was very fast passages, very rough conditions off Cowes and the Forts, plenty of water on decks, but very few tacks, as there was enough N in the wind for most to hold their course close-hauled until Gurnard, when they eased sheets and flew down towards St Helens Fort and the entrance. Over the weekend 19 started and 19 arrived safely, which was a striking tribute to the competence and endurance of the sailors.
The Harbour Master at Bembridge was hosting three other rallies over the holiday weekend, and there was the usual scrum of newly-arrived boats seeking their moorings around noon, buffeted by 20 knot cross-winds: but the shore crew were well organised and created five-boat rafts, each consisting entirely of boats in one rally, and by 14.00 everyone was comfortably settled: allegedly 140 visiting boats for the weekend.
Our rally dined well on a crab and fish menu at the delectable Bembridge Sailing Club, transported to and fro on the harbour taxi. The next day there were various groups of Lymmers exploring the countryside and shoreline between Seaview and Brading, in moderate breezes and a fair amount of sun, and the day ended with a successful barbecue in the larger of two marquees, equipped with two large grills and plentiful tables and chairs. Crews mixed happily, a lot of new acquaintances were made, and a successful evening filtered down to smaller parties on individual boats, and generally quite early bed-times.
Conditions varied on the way home, with light winds for most at the start around 11.00, but 15-20 knots from SW for the West Solent later, so a windward cruise in both directions. Of course! '
George Trevelyan,
Cruising sub Committee
There were 16 people in 5 boats.
The start of the cruise was really interesting, as this coincided with the French air traffic controllers strike which delayed some of the group who had hoped to get there earlier.
We set off with seriously high winds for the first 2 days and the short handed boats struggled to cope with the locks. The help of the other participants was really appreciated.
The first stop was at Le Somail where we met up for a meal at a waterside restaurant . After great hospitality and good company we all felt that we were at last on holiday. During the meal it was decided that each boat would go at their own pace and meet up at random en route.
The locks are oval in shape, some single , some double and when really lucky triple!
The oval shape was for strength but it made tying up a work of art.
Le boat were good with running repairs and when there were problems the boats were on their way again within 2 hours.
The winds settled down for the rest of the week with temperatures in the mid twenties , making the cruise a lot easier. Hats & factor 50 sunblock, just what we hoped for in the South of France.
Moorings were not as plentiful as we expected which restricted the choice of mooring spots but on the plus side we often met up with others of our group, which was very enjoyable.
With Friday forecasting rain and high winds some decided to reach Trebes Thursday night and go overland to Carcassonne to see the ‘Old City’
The cruise ended up with an entertaining meal at ‘le Quai’ in Trebes, where everyone swapped stories.
Chris Sutherland, Cruising Sub-Committee
It was an early start to catch the last of the ebb tide out of the Needles for the boats heading to Cherbourg on Friday 24th May 2019 . With Rhinegold having gone ahead a day early and Pluto coming from Poole, a total of 9 boats made the crossing. Rhinegold and Champasak crossed singlehanded. With winds of 3-4 from the West, the crossings were quite quick enabling everyone to be in their berths in plenty of time to relax before supper in l’Equipage, the marina restaurant. We were made very welcome by the team in Port Chantereyne and enjoyed the new rally pontoon ‘K’ with only a couple of boats needing to be rafted.
Saturday became beautifully sunny and everyone explored Cherbourg, visiting the market, sitting at street cafes and enjoying the French atmosphere. An excellent day was rounded off with a lively wine tasting at Normandie Wines who then delivered a respectable quantity of orders to the boats.
Come Sunday, the forecast and lock gate times were beginning to look less appealing, so only 5 boats moved on to St. Vaast for the second destination of the rally. The remaining boats enjoyed another day in Cherbourg or were planning to head on further West. The 5 boats that moved on to St. Vaast all felt it was worth the trip to see this attractive harbour town. A lively Pontoon Pimms Party was held next to ‘Pluto’ on Sunday evening, followed by some excellent dining in town.
All the boats were up and away from the marina before 05.00 local time on Monday to get out before the lock gates shut on the harbour, to run ahead of a force 6 wind forecast for later in the day and to catch the tide at the Needles. All yachts arrived home safely after a fairly boisterous crossing with a NW wind gusting force 6 and crossing times of around 11 hours from St Vaast.
Bobbie King, CsC
A total of nine boats, 5 RIBS and 4 Axopars, gathered in anticipation at the club pontoon early on a bright and relatively calm morning to receive a briefing on the day from Nick Ryley, the event organiser. Forty-three people were signed up for the day. Forecast was for wind from the East generally expected around F3. A fundamental principle of the day was to be that the group would regularly rendezvous at key points around the Island and explore the interesting shallows so often overlooked when on passage.
At approximately 08.30 we slipped our moorings and headed, as a well disciplined group, down the river channel to Jack-in-the-basket for a collective photo shoot. With our first R.V. point at Alum Bay it was then time for the Axopars to open up their throttles and display their extraordinary sea keeping hull design as they disappeared into the distance.
From Alum Bay one of our more intrepid group decided to “thread the needles” in their RIB whilst the rest sought out and found the remains of the Varvassi boiler just off Goose Rock. Next stop was Freshwater Bay to be greeted by a foiling wake boarder, which looked much too much like hard work.
We then took a precautionary route to clear the numerous ledges to the East of Freshwater and an even more precautionary route to avoid Atherfield Ledge.
St Catherine’s point was taken very close in avoiding almost all of the water disturbed by the overfalls with wonderful views of the Lighthouse and Undercliff behind.
Next stop was to be Ventnor refuge. It was to be touch and go as to whether the Ribs could all get in let alone four Axopars but we were on a rising Spring tide and hoping for the best. However, our journey was interrupted by a delightful pod of dolphins just off Castle Haven Beach, so we all hauled up for a while trying to spot them.
Under the careful pilotage of Nick Ryley we entered the Ventnor Refuge to be greeted by Dave a most accommodating boatman who not only managed to fit in all the Ribs but with gentle coaxing, the Axopars too. It was quite a sight to see the nine boats tucked up together under the Fish Market and the stop provided a welcome coffee break timed perfectly for mid morning.
After an hour’s rest-up we set off once again towards Dunnose Point.
This was the first time we had been fully exposed to the Easterly wind and without the shelter of the Island the seas livened up a little but all the boats continued to make good headway. We had a rendezvous off Sandown Pier and discussed the merits of a visit into Bembridge but lunch was beckoning so we carried on to Seaview.
Nick had already made arrangements for us to moor up at Seaview and lunch at the club. By now the steady Easterly and a turn in the tide had roughed up the sea quite nicely. The Seaview boatmen and boatwomen took us all in their stride and we were quickly ashore for a delightful lunch.
As we were mooring up the last of the boats a Spitfire flew low overhead. The consensus of the group was that this was just another of Nick’s excellent planning techniques.
After lunch the group decision was taken for all boats to make their own way and in their own time back to Lymington with the requirement that they posted a notification of their safe arrival on the “WhatsApp” platform that had been specially created for the skippers by Nick.
Heading back into the Solent with the wind gradually changing to a Southerly the sea was calm flat. A number of boats took advantage of the sunshine and anchored in Newtown Creek to enjoy the best of the day before heading home.
There was unanimous praise and enthusiasm for the event and a very strong conviction that another “raid” should happen soon. All skippers and crew are indebted to Nick Ryley for his enthusiasm and thoroughness in organizing the event and for reinforcing the existence of the motor boating section within RLymYC (and providing a platform for the Axopar owners!)
Peter Cobb
CsC
30 of our members were entertained by members of the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake on their boats and cruised some of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.
A wonderful and full programme had been planned in perfect sailing conditions - sunshine and winds of no more than 15 knots. We visited numerous creeks for overnight stops and swimming as well as some cultural treats enjoyed in Annapolis and Baltimore. Culinary delights included a traditional Maryland Crab feast, a hog roast in a member’s garden, accompanied by calypso music and dinners at the yacht clubs in Annapolis, the Chesapeake on the Wye river and at Gibson Island Yacht Club for our last night.
The hospitality from our hosts was outstanding, new friendships forged and everyone left with great memories.
Sue Sutherland,
Captain of Cruising
A total of 9 boats with their 33 crew went up to Cowes on a bright sunny autumn day.
The forecasted NNE wind of 8 to 11 knots actually peaked at around 24 knots apparent for the trip up to Cowes! Some very fast times were recorded and everyone was relieved that Cowes itself was well sheltered. For the return, the forecast 11 to 16 knots of wind turned out to be only 5 to 10 knots, providing a less thrilling but more comfortable run back home, pleasantly warm in continuing sunshine.
As usual, the Island Sailing Club proved to be an excellent venue for a day trip, with their traditional fish and chips or steak pie lunch going down well.
Tony Hughes
CsC
The weather turned out much better than originally forecast with light NNE winds 3-5 knots and clear skies, but the temperature was about 6-8 degrees C. With a good flood tide all 13 boats were snugly moored on Gin’s “Walk Ashore” pontoon by midday.
Gin’s staff gave us a warm welcome and their bosuns were helpful. 60 members of the Cruising Division, 12 having come by road, sat down to lunch. A “Tab” system was run based on boat’s names and worked well. The meal Gin’s produced was very good quality and plenty of it. Our Cruising Captain gave a speech and warmly thanked the staff for their support.
The return sail to Lymington was almost windless and still cold so most motored back. By 3pm it was becoming overcast and by 4.30, when most boats were back it had started to rain. A successful and enjoyable day thanks Peter Cobb’s meticulous advanced planning and Nigel Lang at the event.
Click HERE to watch the blog of the Motorboaters' Divisions Day Cruise to East Cowes and Osbourne House.
Club Activities
COMMUNITY YOUTH PROGRAMME
Our unique Wednesday Junior Sailing (WJS) programme has run for over 40 years throughout April to September. WJS offers 8-17 year olds, members or non-members, the opportunity to learn lifelong skills on and around the water.
hear what our members say
“Great night last night in particular the junior supper was a huge hit. Lots of great feedback on the lasagna, a good-sized portion, tasted delicious and well presented. Please can you pass on to the chef and his team!”
“On 3rd August we held our Red Fox Annual General Meeting and Annual Dinner at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. The whole event was a great success. Within days of appointing a new chef you produced an excellent menu for the dinner and arranged facilities for our AGM. You and your staff were always very efficient and friendly, and it all made for a very enjoyable evening. We showed our appreciation by doubling the normal gratuity.”
“We had an excellent Sunday lunch. Please warmly congratulate Darren, your new chef!”
“On behalf of myself and my family, we just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone involved in my father’s wake on Friday. It was utterly perfect, and I truly think he would have loved it. Please pass on our thanks to the lovely staff and yourself who made it run so smoothly. The weather was simply stunning, and the drinks went down a little too nicely!”
“The Burns Night was brilliant! Many thanks to yourself and the team for doing a huge amount of work to make it a great success! Everything was perfect!”
“I thought I would drop you a line to say 4 of us had very delicious sandwiches at the Club on Friday lunchtime. They were perfect for what we required – having popped into the Club for a glass of wine and a quick bite to eat.”
