UK IPOA

Round Up 2005/6

By Gordon Stollard, IP 420 Pipe Dream

 

Beaulieu BBQ
Thursday 4th – Friday 5th August

This was arranged so that members could view the grand firework display on the Friday night, the last day of the annual Cowes Week. In the event, perhaps because a mid-week BBQ was less convenient for those members not yet retired, it was poorly attended. As we left Chichester it was a dull but dry day with a variable F3 wind mainly westerly so apart from a half hour sail from Hayling Island it was motor sailing to our usual berths along the Swiftsure jetty at Bucklers Hard. Pre-prandial drinks were enjoyed by all aboard Pipe Dream except the Commodore who performed his duty task, manfully and with his accustomed skill, preparing the BBQ. At least it was fine if rather cool for the delicious meal.

The following morning some members took the delightful walk along the river into Beaulieu. We departed our various ways in the early afternoon taking the early ebb down the river. Pipe Dream turned west and enjoyed a beautiful sail in the F5 WSW wind to Hurst Castle and back before anchoring at 1800 in Osborne Bay for an excellent supper prepared by our ladies. We had ring side seats for the magnificent firework display and the subsequent late night journey back to Gosport Marina was only marred by a failure of the navigation lights and the skipper picking the wrong entrance into the marina and finding himself up a narrow blind alley as a result!

Boats present:
Akimbo, IP 420 Peter & Kim Vincent
Vivamus, IP45 Bob & Carol Harris, Bob & Caroline Stokes,
Pipe Dream, IP 420 Gordon & Rae Stollard, Maggie & Dennis Ross.

 

Commodore’s Cross Channel Cruise
3rd to 10th September

Planning a Cross Channel Cruise for several boats some weeks ahead of the event is always a challenge. You don’t know how many boats will be going or what the weather will be like on a particular day. We also wanted boats from the West Country to be able to join in. The original plan was, for a leisurely sail to Yarmouth on the Saturday, and then for an early start to Cherbourg on the Sunday. So at least the first night was booked and so was St Peters Port, on Guernsey, for 3 nights. During drinks on board Vivamus Bob Stokes presented Gordon with a most suitably inscribed drinks pennant which he will treasure! The weather forecast on the Friday evening was E F4/5 throughout Saturday and only veering slowly on the Sunday so it was decided, that as the wind was so favourable, it would be a pity not to sail directly to Cherbourg on the Saturday, so that’s what we did.

Five boats set off from Chichester on a bright clear morning at around breakfast time. Or rather four, for as Pipe Dream started her engine and switched on her electronics she was truly fired up with smoke curling from the VHF at the helm. Everything was rapidly shut down and inspection revealed that the handset cable had not survived two years of UVL. It was to take a visit to the Boat Show and a word with the technical staff to find out that, despite their brand name on the set, the very reputable “makers” had in fact imported the sets prior to 2004. It was eventually replaced FOC and they now make their own with more suitable cabling!

The conditions where indeed just about perfect and some very fast crossing times resulted. We arrived in just under 9 hours, (slow boats these Island Packets). Four boats, Pipe Dream, Manakoora, Akimbo and Vivamus rafted up together on the visitors pontoon with Soul Mate on the island pontoon. Sunday was spent wandering around Cherbourg followed by an excellent dinner at the Yacht Club (the first of many over the following week).

Monday was a late morning departure, (after hurried visits to the booze warehouse to replenish already depleted wine stocks), to catch the S going tide off Cap de la Hague for St Peters Port. We had reservations to be included in the CI Traders Guernsey Regatta. This was advertised as a Festival of Sea, Sailing Boats, Good Music and Good Food with lots of events one could participate in, though not we felt the world’s first underwater cycle race!. Again we had a glorious sail with the wind backing just as we turned the corner off the Cap so we made Guernsey in one tack, again with fast passage times. One boat beautifully positioned up wind missed the wind shift as the helm chose that moment to take a nap! The inner harbour at Victoria Marina where the festival was centred was rather busy so all five boats rafted up on the visitors pontoons outside. We had not been there long before Graham and Meredith arrived in Grateful Parrot II from Salcombe. So there we were making a great display, four IP420’s, an IP485, and an IP45 with flags a flying. We had planned to stay there for 3 nights and to participate in all the racing events but it turned out to be such a great gastronomic festival with dining in superb restaurants each evening and boat parties in between that….. The festival itself was good but we had time to explore the island by bus and do some shopping as well. There were visits to the castle, and to Voltaire’s Guernsey home. The only blemish was the very loud noise of sand blasting cleaning that started so early in the morning. What a time for this work to be done! Organisers please note. Soul Mate decided to leave early on the 7th. Grateful Parrot left early on the 8th for Salcombe, and as she was inboard of Pipe Dream, Pipe Dream too left to take the opportunity to sail through the Alligrande and Corbette passages between Jethou and Herm bound for Alderney. The rest of us departed at about 10.15hrs for Braye.

Light winds meant that we motor sailed and went up through the Swinge to arrive safely in Bray to pick up moorings. Alderney is always a pleasant island in good conditions and most made runs ashore and arrangements were made for yet another gastronomic evening in one the local restaurants after early evening drinks in the yacht club just to get to know one and another again!!

Friday saw a 9.30hrs departure for Poole. Unfortunately the winds were still light so again motor sailing was the order of the day. We were well spread across the ocean but always insight of each other (from the air it must have looked fantastic). The passage was largely uneventful; everybody arrived safely in what is now called Poole Yacht Haven. This time is was a trip to the local jazz cafe and back for another nightcap.

The following day Gordon left early because he needed to get his crew home. The rest of us, Akimbo, Manakoora and Vivamus departed Poole for the final leg of our cruise back to Chichester at about 9.40hrs. Again there was little wind so as we motor sailed across to the Needles. Manakoora reported his engine overheating so we all slowed down to discuss the situation. Akimbo and Vivamus offered spares at advantageous prices!! However, whatever was causing the overheating cleared and we were able to proceed without further incident. We did see The Waverley, the last of the paddle steamers, as she made her way through the Solent, what a magnificent sight of yesteryear. We arrived back on our berths at approx 17.00hrs.

To sum up, we had great sailing, great company, good food and drink and a most enjoyable time. We didn’t win any of the races but we won the cup for the best pontoon parties. It was just a pity we did not have more boats participating. If you possibly can, do go on the cross channel this year it’s a great fun week.

Boats present:
Soulmate, IP 420/102 Antony & Julia Chilvers,
Akimbo, IP 420 Peter & Kim Vincent,
Manakoora, IP 420/93 Ian & Jill Malby,
Grateful Parrot II, IP 485/3 Graham & Meredith Parker,
Pipe Dream, IP 420/82 Gordon & Rae Stollard, Richard Tebboth,
Vivamus, IP 45 Bob & Carol Harris, Michael & Becky Wilkinson

 

Southampton Boat Show Dinner
17th, September

The Southampton Dinner was held at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club. It is one of the oldest established in the country, receiving its Royal Charter in 1875. In 1885 a new and imposing Clubhouse was developed in Above Bar, Southampton, which stood until 1957 when the Club was relocated to Northlands Road, opposite the County Cricket ground. In 1964 Gins Clubhouse, on the banks of the Beaulieu River, was built as a most welcome adjunct. In 1988 the Club moved from Northlands Road to the current purpose-built premises overlooking the marina in Ocean Village. This modern clubhouse still maintains links with the past, the mahogany entrance doors came from the Northlands Road premises whilst the carved armchair now standing in the foyer was presented to the Club in 1866 having been made from 600 year old timbers taken from the old Southampton Guild Hall.

Bob and Carol Harris had a very wet sail in 40knt winds to make the Ocean Village marina at the beginning of the week. They berthed just beneath the impressive premises of the RSYC and attended to visitors on the Opal stand at the Boat Show during the week. It was typical of our Commodore to find such a convenient spot for his pre-prandial wee dram. The rest of us arrived on four wheels! The meal was excellent and we shall be returning there again this year.

Attendees:
Paul & Elaine Bragg, David & Denise Cadish, Antony & Julia Chilvers, Richard & Gill Dearsley, Tony & Chris Dickinson, Bob & Carol Harris, Ian & Jill Malby, Ross & Jane Powlesland, Clive & Anne Stephen, Bob & Caroline Stokes, Gordon & Rae Stollard, Colin & Celia Ward.

London Boat Show Dinner
7th, January 2006

The London Dinner was again held at HMS President the headquarters of the London Division of the Royal Naval Reserve. Our return was by popular acclaim and again we were not disappointed. It is a most impressive location with diners seated so close to the inspiring view of the floodlit Tower Bridge. Our thanks again for the permission granted by the Commanding Officer, Cdr. Clare Hughes, RD., RNR.

Attendees:
Derek Barlett & Gerald Fox, Paul & Elaine Bragg, David & Denise Cadish, Antony & Julia Chilvers, Chris & Jemma Cowley, Bob & Carol Harris, Tim May, Graham & Meredith Parker, Barry & Sue Painton, John & Philomena Shanahan, Clive & Anne Stephen, Bob & Caroline Stokes, Gordon & Rae Stollard, Mike & Ching Tubs, Keith & Clare Williams.