Some pictures from the Weymouth Cruise. (click on each photo for a full-screen version, these may take quite a few seconds to load depending on your connection speed so please be patient.....)

The first long distance run of the season. Would the weather hold?  Would we get back? Would we need the sun block?  All questions being asked by the 12 boats who had intimated their desire to head west and overnight in Weymouth marina. All looked good and the go-ahead was given on the Friday night. Saturday dawned and the weather was perfect, blue skies and sunshine, seastate moderate and the wind puffing at about force 4.

 Timing was very important given the overfalls at Anvil Point and St Albans Head. With this in mind the fleet gathered off  Yarmouth with the intention of making way at 11.30 : and it almost came off! Given that boats were coming from different start points the arrival off Yarmouth was reasonably on time and the fleet headed off finally at about 12.00. Having just passed though Hurst, one participant developed a problem with their canopy and having stopped the engine it failed to start. This delay meant that our timing to get through the overfalls was being compromised. Despite the seastate now making life a little uncomfortable, we pressed on as fast as was safe - we had to make the overfalls at St. Albans Head by not later than 13.00 otherwise the trip would have to be aborted. It became a race against time and we just made it the last of the boats going through as the water began to get a little excited. In addition to making this deadline two boats, “Lanair” and “Mr Max” joined the fleet out of Poole Harbour.

We had been advised that live firing was taking place from Lulworth gunnery range. The range safety officer unfortunately split the fleet and tried to send part of it six miles out to sea. However after “negotiation” the fleet was allowed to carry on. Given the circumstances it was decided that lunch, which had been planned to take place in Lulworth Cove was postponed, and we all headed towards Portland Harbor were safer, more convivial surroundings were to be found.

Following several hours soaking up the rays we headed towards Weymouth marina. A fascinating little jaunt up through the center of the town, which was preparing itself for the England v, Germany match. The Berthing Master at Weymouth Marina, Stuart Godman was on hand to greet us and rafted up two abreast, the fleet got busy washing off the salt and making plans for the evening. The town was very busy, so getting seating for 20 + people together was nie on impossible so we all did “our own thing” but meeting up for a few grogs at various stages.

Sunday morning broke to full sun, blue sky but a menacing easterly wind, which would mean that the trip back would involve having the wind on the nose all the way. With the town bridge opening at 10.00 the fleet made haste to catch this event - as did it appear the rest of Weymouth Marina, the queue to get through the bridge was almost as bad as the traffic on the M25! Having cleared the entrance we set off for home and it soon became evident that it would not be a smooth ride. To give a little respite we popped into Lulworth Cove and took a little light refreshment. Ian Poole on Mr Max had thrown an alternator belt and decided to swim across to inform us, I think he regretted that move even in a wetsuit!

On leaving Lulworth, the wind had got up significantly and some of the smaller boats were struggling. We moved to line astern with the smaller boats riding in the relative flat of the larger boats wash. A brief stop was required again as Brinsmead decided to go fishing! She caught a net!  We still had to clear those overfalls! Made it! The going was heavy and it was decided that having left “Lanair” and “Mr Max” to go into Poole Harbour, the rest of the fleet would head to Alum Bay to gain shelter from The Isle of Wight. We did not get very far with this plan. By now we reckoned we had a Force 6 straight on the nose and it was just too uncomfortable to continue.

Lunch was taken in Studland Bay while we waited to see if the wind would drop. There seemed to be no change in the conditions and under Colin Harris’ guidance it was decided that we would make our way back by following the coast, a longer route but less likely to be hit by the ravages of wind and tide. So began the procession, only those who were there that day can appreciate the conditions and it was becoming a test of endurance, it wasn’t unsafe, just uncomfortable and not the kind of conditions to go out in, but being there was certainly adding to experience and confidence in ones boat. We hugged the coastline all the way back to Hurst. The gap between the point and the Isle of Wight was the most calm we had seen all day, but no sooner had we passed through here then the sea built up again. At Yarmouth the fleet broke up with crews heading back to their respective havens.

We had traveled some 130 nautical miles and it was an enjoyable and eventful weekend. The sun block was very much in evidence and our experience in some very interesting conditions added valuable knowledge. Under Colin Harris’ expert leadership we all got back safe and sound. I for one slept very soundly that Sunday night.