Cruising | Weymouth Sailing Club

After a spell of such extreme weather, it was great to watch a window develop on the weather sites towards the end of last week, and with the help of Nick Frampton and Kevin Sear on the new crane, I was able to get ‘Pippa’ ready for our first Channel cruise of 2012.

Rounding the Shambles - in the 17th Century!

The latter end of the ebb and a backing forecast - what better way to make the most of the November sunshine than to spend an afternoon exploring the Shambles! I find the topography of the bank fascinating, with its strange tentacular shape caused by the regular ebb and flow of the tide over it.

Useful Information at your Fingertips

Whether you have a smart phone or not (I don't), I've come across a useful website which could save you a few quid when planning next year's destinations. The almanac section even gives ready to use passage plans, though no substitute for working through it yourself I know. Give the site a look:
http://sailingalmanac.com/

Jez Rees

Winter on the water - and in the yard

An easterly sea in Weymouth Bay is always exciting and this week's Sunday afternoon race took place in 20-25 knots of wind, with steep seas to climb over and then surf down going the other way. Four Squibs took on the challenge, along with around fifteen keelboats split between W class and IRC. Farr Out won the 'most alarming gybe' prize, though Steve Dadd in Rumrunner was certainly on the podium! Kevin Connor's RWH was enjoying the lead until the conditions found a weak link in the mainsheet fixing...

October Shopping in Cherbourg

The clock was about to go back, but the weather was still warm, so we sailed…The intention had originally been Guernsey, but a big spring tide and headwinds did not suit, so the start was delayed 24 hrs and Cherbourg it was.

View from the bridge

A recent trip to Cherbourg to stay with the Lacour family and continue my book research meant that I was able to travel back to Ouistreham with Thierry Lacour, a Brittany Ferries commandant, who invited me to make the passage back to England on the bridge of the 'Normandie' on Thursday.

It's a - buoy!

Leaving Weymouth harbour on Saturday night, I noticed a group flash 5 on the horizon which I'd not seen before.Tracking down the approximate bearing next morning, I found this large yellow buoy, at N50 35' W02 20.5'. Weymouth Bay Chart

Sunday - Summer's Swansong...

Inevitably the wind was light and fluky, giving the IRC and PY classes two beats in a row as the wind went left, and a decisive run as the wind then went right again.

Be Seen, Be Safe - A conversation with Thierry Lacour, Brittany Ferries commandant

How many times have you wondered if that big ship coming towards you in the Channel has actually seen you?

Yacht Club de Cherbourg Transmanche 2011

This year's YCC Transmanche, postponed from June, attracted a fleet of some 14 boats, in spite of a challenging forecast. Boat preparation on Friday afternoon was accompanied by the sound of the wind beginning to whistle in the rigging, though the sunshine continued to suggest that it was still summer. I had asked if I could join a crew, and had arrived by ferry in the morning.