Events in reverse order, latest first

Burns Supper, 26th January 2008

See report and gallery at www.rcpyc.shutterfly.com

Cruise report on the Nouveau Beaujolais Run
Friday 16/17 November 2007

An excellent turnout of fifteen yachts made the crossing to Boulogne: ‘Augustina’, ‘Blue Point’, ‘Clarky 2’, ‘Crystal Star’, ‘Les Jours’, ‘Magic Moments’, ‘Maid of Unst’, ‘Moonlighter’, ‘New Limit’, ‘Nordlys’, ‘Nice Lady of Purbeck’, ‘Panteleon’, ‘Savoire Vivre’, ‘Star in the Wind’, and ‘Tally Ho’. ‘Tamesis’ started but returned to Dover, whilst the skippers of ‘Lunasea’, ‘Miss Julep’ and ‘Sarva’ had work commitments, and ‘Corbis’ was abandoned for the comforts of ‘Crystal Star’.

Most of the sailors started early on Friday morning, for the last of the tide, with a cold light northerly wind which made the decks slippery with frost. Once out, the choppy seas slowed most of us too much for the shipping lanes, so we started our engines. However ‘Savoire Vivre’ made good headway under spinnaker for over one and a half hours. About midway, we froze under the long dark clouds of a cold front. The wind increased, backed round to the south-west and the seas heaped up. Foresails blossomed, grabbing the wind, and the fleet’s speed increased past the Basser de Bas North Cardinal. And then, the cheeky ‘Tally Ho’ roared by, waving jubilantly, and entered Boulogne just ahead of us.

Boulogne Marina was packed with small fishing boats, which had been ousted from their upstream moorings for pontoon repairs, but the marina officer managed to pack us all in, even the mighty ’Clarky 2’.

This weekend was also the local Festival of the Herring, so we were welcomed into the Yacht Club Boulonnais, not only by their Commodore, but also the aroma of fresh herring grilling on the barbecue for us. At the presentation, two Folkestone yachts (who had migrated to Dover for the winter), were welcomed, ‘Nordlys’ and ‘Nice Lady of Purbeck’. The fastest crossings were, of course, ‘Tally Ho’ and then our lovely new ‘Maid of Unst’, which had slowed to appreciate the scenery. With engines in use, the PY (Primary Yardstick) handicaps could not be applied; moreover, most yachts have become so expert at predicting times of arrival that only a hair’s breath lay between them. As a result the Shaker Trophy and an engraved tumbler was awarded to ‘Star in the Wind’ for a good crossing time of 4h 25m and an engraved tumbler was also presented to ‘Magic Moments’ as a valiant runner-up. 

After the awards, the fittest sprinted up to the steep hill to the Restaurant de la Haute-Ville in Boulogne’s old walled town and the rest conserved their strength and took taxis. This ancient restaurant did us proud in a special room for thirty-six hungry and thirsty sailors.

On Saturday morning, with the local press taking photos, the YC Boulonnais made their generous traditional presentation of many cases of Nouveau Beaujolais together with bags of crusty baguettes and a large tray of ripe camembert. Their Commodore explained that, sadly, only two of their yachts would be able to sail to Dover owing to the gale forecasted for tomorrow’s return. We left around midday and found a strengthening SW wind and steep swells, so it was a lively and fast crossing for us all. Accompanying us was a 6m racing craft from BYC which intended to return late in Saturday evening to avoid Sunday’s gale. After a demanding sail, skippers, crew and companions retired to the RCPYC in anticipation of another famous Nouveau Beaujolais Night with the Boulonnais YC, to whom we owe our sincere thanks, for their generous hospitality.

Hilary Graves, Rear Commodore Sail

SUMMER CRUISE
Chris Wastell. September 2007.

The forecast for the first week in September was for quiet winds from the North. Great, that would do. September the first was fine quite warm with fair wind from the Northeast. With 45 miles to go we left Dover at 06.00 and after a slightly rough sail entered Eastbourne at 15.10. Finding the entrance remains slightly difficult because the critical Martello tower, with the weakest ‘strobe’ in Western Europe, lost in the obscene, repetitive, boring financially driven, development of Eastbourne Marina. Sad because the Marina itself is a model of what marinas should be. Wonderful facilities. Oh that the French could learn from them. And the cost, wonderfully reasonable with the Trans Manche discount. There we met with the ebullient Dave and Lynn Ford, Janet, Sandy, John and Jonathon aboard the wonderful Sarva. We ate aboard, so Jimmy and I had spaghetti Bolognese with copious red wine.

07.30 next morning through the lock for the 65 mile trip to Fecamp. Wind up to 5/6 and rough. Jimmy was glad that Crystal Star was well found and able, easily to cope (he decided to buy a bigger boat). Beating quite hard, we were lucky that the tide lifted us into Fecamp by 20.15 with just 1.6m indicated, water in the entrance. Greeted there by the indefatigable Hilary Graves indicating a free pontoon. We were so grateful for her delicious pork and mushroom with lashings of Cotes du Rhone aboard New Limit. How nice it is to be met on the pontoon after a long sail, with sympathetic help with warps.

Monday September 3^rd was rest and relaxation in the delightful little French seaside town of Fecamp with a super meal in the evening at ‘Le Progressive’ on the front overlooking the harbour.

Tuesday September 4^th 07.30 start again for the 31 miles to Dieppe. Wind now in the North, so a beat. What a cracking little boat New Limit is, much faster than us and better on the wind too – rats, I know, we will cheat, use the engine and motor sail. Through the pier heads at 19.10, here we met up with Ken Dupuy and Dave Green on their way to Cowes and lunch at The Squadron. Lovely evening with Sarva and New Limit.

Wednesday September 5^th, rest, relaxation and refuel day in Dieppe. The home of Benedictine and the incredible architecture of the factory. The roof-wow! Club dinner at one of the restaurants on the front with superb fish.

Thursday September 6^th 07.30 through the pier heads for the 53 miles to Boulogne. However you do this there is always one whole adverse tide to cope with and on this occasion the force 3 wind stubbornly on the nose. Having entered Boulogne from both directions in the past I was surprised at how difficult it was to see the entrance as we approached in pitch dark at 21.30 with French fishing boats trawling across the entrance. Port control retrieved the situation with a very crisp response to our request to enter. Cassoulet aboard Crystal Star with a 2005 chateau bottled claret sealed the day.

Friday September 7^th was a shopping day in Boulogne and meeting up with Andy Bassil, Dina and Bob Slaughter. Evening dinner at Chuck Wagon with France Argentina rugby

Saturday 8^th 08.30 out of the harbour for a thoroughly enjoyable last leg to Dover. Half mile visibility at first in fog that persisted for most of the way. Thank Heaven for radar.

Back after 221 miles and a very enjoyable cruise.

JOYCE MARTIN CUP
Competitive Cruise to Boulogne
Saturday 23rd June 2007
CRUISE REPORT

With a changeable forecast on the horizon eight skippers decided to brave the elements and make the crossing. Winds gusting to 35 knots at times made the journey very quick and extremely exhilarating.

Two boats were sailed across single handed – New Limit with Hilary Graves at the helm and Less Jools with Andy Bassil helming.

The runner up who received an engraved glass was Glyn Meredith on Maid of Unst, and the winner of the Joyce Martin Cup was Andy Bassil on Les Jools, who also received an engraved glass.

YCB had arranged a disco and BBQ in the evening and invited us all to join them, this turned out to be an excellent evening with many sore heads in the next morning. In all a brilliant weekend.

Participating Boats-:
Charise
Blue Point
Kariba Breezes
Les Jools
Maid of Unst
New Limit
Parabola
Pantaleon

PAUL IVERSON CUP

Competitive Cruise to Calais 7^th April 2007

CRUISE REPORT

A glorious sunny day arrived for this year’s Competitive Cruise to Calais for the Paul Iverson Cup

Three club boats took part, namely Full Moon. New Limit & Merganser. The trip over was in near perfect conditions with a gentle North East breeze of about 12-14 knots. This was enough wind to even get Full Moon’s rig up and at one stage she was doing 7 knots with minimum engine revs.

Usual busy shipping lanes kept the crews alert and all three boats arrived more or less together. The elapsed times were submitted and the results were given out at the Calais Yacht Club where prizes were presented by Vice Commodore, Chris Dutfield. The results were as follows:

3^rd place with an elapsed time of 35 mins was Merganser
2^nd place was New Limit with an elapsed time of 14 mins.
1^st place went to Full Moon with a difference of 5 mins.

Club members who had made the trip to Boulogne were also there and this made for a very social evening with an excellent meal at Le Detroit restaurant

The trip back to Dover the next day was equally pleasant and it was agreed that a good time was had by all and we look forward to the next event

SEAN TALTY TROPHY
Competitive Cruise to Boulogne 24^th March 2007

Our first competitive cruise of this years sailing season was looking to be well attended with perfect sailing conditions forecast early in the week. The weather did deteriorate towards the weekend and we ended up with North Easterly winds 5 to 7, which made an exhilarating crossing. With an original planned complement of seven boats taking part, only three with a total of 14 crew braved the elements. Bernard Sealey at the helm of Karibia Breezes won first place and was awarded the Sean Talty Trophy together with an engraved glass, and runner up was Glen Springett on Augustina who was also awarded an engraved glass.

Boats taking part:-Augistina, Karibia Breezes, Maid of Unst

Burns’ Night 2007

An excellent evening of Food, drink, and pipe music was enjoyed by over 50 members and guests. The McSween haggis was formally addressed and surgically slaughtered by Benj, followed by a richly informative toast to the Immortal Memory of the bard by the eponymous Cameron McSween. The Commodore toasted The Lassies, with much obscure ornithological reference, and the Hon Sec, Lesley, responded in verse. More music from our superb piper, Rick, here for a second year, and then to the bar for some for further samplings of the ‘wine of the country’, and home to prepare for the inevitable hangovers, and rest up until next year.

Netherlands Cruise, September:

Bad weather frustrated most of the boats in this event, only 2 actually reaching the Netherlands (by setting off a week early!). Nevertheless a good time was enjoyed ashore in Belgium by the crews of five club boats. Reports and pictures will follow, when participants have recovered sufficiently!

BASTILLE WEEKEND
14th – 15th July 2006

Having been invited by the Secretary of the Société des régates de Calais to join them to celebrate Bastille Day, members were really looking forward to the trip. The potential was 20 boats from RCPYC with 45 crew to sail across on the Friday, but unfortunately the weather turned out to be the opposite of that predicted and north easterly winds of 35 plus knots put paid to those intending to sail across. Fortunately though a total of eight boats went over mid week and coupled with those who made the journey by ferry and train meant that we had a presence of 32.

The hospitality given to us was splendid with a superb buffet and wine. Everyone had an excellent time and it was agreed that this was to become an annual event.
A similar problem with the weather caused Saturdays sail back to be delayed for most boats until Sunday, which meant our reception was only attended by a few. Lets hope the weather is kinder to us for next year’s event

.

JOHN DAVIDSON PLATE
PAUL IVERSON TROPHY

Over the weekend of 27^th and 28^th May the competition for these two trophies was held but resulted in a very poor response from members to compete. Only three boats turned out for the events despite the weather being favorable.

John Burrows on Water Wraith won the John Davidson Plate.
Glen Springett on Augustina won the Paul Iverson Trophy.
Both skippers were also awarded an engraved RCPYC glass.

Boats competing: Pantaleon, Water Wraith, Augustina

Commodore’s BBQ 20th May

GRAY CUP

Competitive Cruise to Dunkerque 29th April 2006

Cruise Report by Keith Gallagher

Our third competitive cruise of this year’s sailing season went extremely well. Three boats made the trip to Dunkerque and moored in the new marina Grand Large which offers a 50% discount under the Transmarche scheme.

The weather was very changeable with light winds to start increasing for a really good sail then gusting to 30knots decreasing to very light for the end of the journey, with rain at times. A perfect meal was had during the evening in a small old restaurant established over fifty years ago.

The Gray Cup was awarded to Alain and Sue Galleni on Parabola, with Chris Wastell on Crystal Star being runner up. Both Skippers were also awarded a RCPYC engraved glass.

Boats competing: Crystal Star, Parabola, Pantaleon

St George’s Day Lunch 23rd April

EMDEN CUP

Competitive Cruise to Gravelines 14^th April 2006

Cruise Report by Keith Gallagher

Our second competitive cruise of this year’s-sailing season went extremely well. Three boats made the trip to Gravelines and found the marina and this small French village very friendly and welcoming.

The weather was not particularly brilliant, with the cold and rain setting in towards the end of Friday. Two boats made the trip over two days, first sailing to Dunkerque on the Thursday and then taking the tide into Gravelines on the Saturday. An excellent meal was had on the Friday evening and presentation of the trophies took place.

The Emden Cup was awarded to our Commodore Chris Wastell on Crystal Star, and the 1972 Celebration Plate was awarded to Hillary Graves on New Limit, together with our RCPYC engraved whisky glass.

Boats Competing:-Crystal Star; New Limit; Pantaleon

Visit of Royal Navy Sunday 26th March

Officers from HMS Kent and RFA Wave Knight were entertained by the club with a buffet lunch. The personal Standard of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports was worn at the masthead of the Club.

The Commodore made an address and the club President, the Admiral the Lord Boyce, presented the Captains of both ships with engraved glasses on behalf of the Club.  Both Captains made reciprocal presentations to the Club on behalf of the two ships. The Captain of HMS Kent, which is the official link ship of the CInque Ports, also accepted an invitation to become the link ship to RCPYC, and hoped he and his crew would be able to maintain contact with the Club. The function was also attended by the Mayor of Dover, by Sir John Trelawney, and by other local dignitaries, and was well supported by members of the Club.

SEAN TALTY TROPHY

CRUISE REPORT
from Keith Gallagher

Our first competitive cruise of this years sailing season was hampered by the forecast of bad weather with predicted South Westerly winds of force 5 to 7 possibly gale 8 in the Dover straight.

With an original planned complement of four boats taking part, only one on a last minute decision took part. Glenn Springett at the helm of Augustina braved the elements and pushed on for what was to be an excellent crossing, and a most enjoyable evening in the Boulogne Yacht Club. The return journey was made in extremely poor visibility with fine rain and fog hampering the final ten miles into Dover.

The Sean Talty Trophy is therefore awarded to Glen Springett on Augustina, together with an RCPYC engraved whisky glass.