Swallow Yachts Association
Swallow Yachts Forum => Sailing and Events => Topic started by: Jonathan Stuart on 13 May 2014, 18:10
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Weymouth Rally 5th & 6th July 2014
(Original post is included below (#post_orig_post). This post will now be used to provide consolidated information about the rally.)
Plan is to sail out of Weymouth/Portland on the weekend of 4th, 5th & 6th July and go out for dinner on the Saturday evening. We will use the slipway and facilities at the National Sailing Academy, which was the sailing base for the 2012 Olympics, and Portland marina. Although launching isn't cheap the facilities are excellent and the slipway and parking much quieter than Weymouth town slip. For those wanting to leave their boats on the water Portland Marina is next to the Academy and the staff are very friendly and helpful. I will keep my boat in the marina and will probably sleep on it.
I will confirm all costs when we have finalised numbers attending, but rates can be found on the following web pages:
http://www.wpnsa.org.uk/day-membership/
http://www.deanreddyhoff.co.uk/portland-marina/just-visiting/visiting-rates/
For those wanting a hotel I recommend the Royal Breakwater (http://www.royalbreakwaterhotel.com/). This is walking distance from the Academy and marina.
There are links to some useful websites below (#post_websites). It is worth familiarizing yourself with the harbour chart and regulations - while Portland is dominated by leisure craft this is still a commercial port and there are restricted areas. In practice you won't go wrong if you don't sail in the working areas in the south eastern corner and you don't use the south ship channel. That channel is closed but small motor boats do use it. Don't follow them! HMS Hood (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Hood_(1891)) was scuttled in the south entrance in 1914 to block the harbour to u-boats, etc. It lies 2m under the surface and there is a high voltage cable strung across the entrance, so anyone with a centreboard and mast would be on a suicide mission to try using this channel! More information to follow.
Confirmed attendees are as follows.
| Name | No. Sailing | Boat | Marina? | Sat Dinner? |
| Jonathan Stuart | 4 | BRe | Yes (F & S) | 4 |
| Peter Cockerton | 2 | BR 20 | Yes (S) | 2 |
| Andy Dingle | 1 | None | N/A | 1 |
| Colin Morley | 2 | BR 20 | Yes (F&S) | 2 |
| Michael Rogers | 1 | Trouper | No | 2 |
| John Westoby | 2 | BR 20 | Yes (F&S) | 2 |
| Reg Barker | 1 | BRe | Yes (F&S) | 2 |
| Paul Wearing | 4 | BR 20 | | 4 |
| Bill Rollo (Sun only) | 1 | BR 20 | No | No |
| Helen & Chris Ash | 2 | BRe | | 2 |
| Ken & Ann | 2 | None | N/A | 2 |
| Total | | 9 | | 23 |
Useful Websites:
- Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (http://www.wpnsa.org.uk/)
- Portland Marina (http://www.deanreddyhoff.co.uk/portland-marina/)
- Charts & Information (http://www.visitmyharbour.com/harbours/channel-west/portland-marina/expanded.asp)
- Portland Port (http://www.portland-port.co.uk/)
- Portland Harbour Regulations (http://goo.gl/n0zbgZ)
- Portland Harbour Restricted Areas (http://goo.gl/v6jTRl)
- Portland Harbour Wind Conditions (http://www.weather-file.com/portland/)
Contact Details
Sailing Academy Main office – 01305 866000 VHF – P4
Portland Marina – 0845 430 2012 VHF – 80
Harbour Master – 01305 824044 VHF – 74
**********Original Post**********
All,
I've been procrastinating for some time about suggesting a meet in Weymouth/Portland and while I don't yet have a suggestion for a particular date I thought I would throw this to the forum before we get any closer to summer!
My home-based sailing is generally out of Weymouth and/or Portland and that provides great access to the sea with the opportunity to sail along the Dorset "Jurassic" coast if conditions allow. I suggest we base ourselves out of the National Sailing Academy (base for the 2012 Olympic sailing) & Portland Marina because those are excellent facilities right on Portland harbour and quieter than Weymouth. Perhaps we launch Friday night / Saturday morning, sail on Saturday and Sunday (locations depending on weather), go out for dinner on Saturday night, have an informal race one day, etc, etc. If the weather's reasonable then in addition to sailing in and around Weymouth bay we could head down to Lulworth Cove, which makes for a spectacular sail and destination.
What do people think? If anyone's interested in this then I'm happy to organise. I could potentially do late June / early July, and then the first 3 weekends of August.
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It sounds a great idea, Jonathan. I'm interested, subject to dates and possible other calls (family etc) on time. I could probably manage either first half of July, or August (the latter possibly getting a bit 'crowded'?).
Michael
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What do people think? If anyone's interested in this then I'm happy to organise. I could potentially do late June / early July, and then the first 3 weekends of August.
I think it's a great idea. I'm interested. I can do late June and the first weekend of July.
Thanks
John
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Jonathan,
Happy to join if dates allow.
Best wishes
Bill
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Hi, Jonathan,
I would love to come with my BR 20, if the dates allow. I could make July 4- 6th (before School holidays), 25-27th, August 1st -3rd. The National sailing academy would be a very good base with enormous slipways.
I am not sure whether I will be on my own or have a crew, but I am quite used to sailing on my own if the weather is reasonable.
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Put me for down for a berth...
Andy
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Jonathon
Depending on dates put me down as well.
Peter Cockerton
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All,
Thanks for the responses. I suggest we hold this rally on the weekend of 5th & 6th July. Can you all confirm whether you are able to attend on that weekend so we can get a rough idea of numbers? I will then contact the Sailing Academy and see what they can do for us. Sleeping in boats is obviously allowed in the marina and I believe sleeping in camper vans is permitted in the Academy. If you will require "proper" accommodation and want me to investigate the options then please let me know and I will see what's locally available.
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Great.
I will be there +/- crew with the James Caird. I will almost certainly come down Friday evening.
Pity, but a weekend is too short for me to get to South Georgia!
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Include me in (or whatever it was that Sam Goldwyn said). Terrific idea, Jonathan, many thanks for taking it on!
Michael
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Jonathan
Would have liked to have come, but am in the NE of Scotland that week - so no can do.
Regards
Gareth Rowlands
Gwennol Teifi S17
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I'll actually be in the UK that weekend Jonathan, so that's all good.
'Er indoors is away dancing so I'll be crewless - but that may be better for accommodation as I can doss down somewhere without the trappings that the distaff side seem to require..
Speak soon.
Andy
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Looking good for me as well Jonathon
Peter Cockerton
Let me know what digs you find
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Thanks for the updates. I have modified the original post in this topic to include a list of the confirmed attendees and a note of whether you require me to find you accommodation. I will investigate accommodation and look at plans for launching & sailing, etc, and will update the topic soon. In the meantime, anyone else who wants to join us should add a post to this topic and I'll add your name to the list.
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Should have added that I'll need accommodation of some kind please.
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Thanks Michael, I will include you when looking at accommodation options.
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Yes please Jonathan. We'd like to come - two of us in a camper van.
Thanks for arranging all of this.
John
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Thanks John, that's good news. When I speak to the Sailing Academy I will check the arrangements for campervans.
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Dear Jonathan,
regrettably I cannot do 5 July. I may be able to do the Sunday. No requirement for food/accommodation etc - if it works I'll do an early start and come straight to Portland.
Best wishes
Bill
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Bill,
Sorry to hear you can't join us for the weekend but hopefully we'll see you on the Sunday.
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I would like accommodation for two, if that is possible. My 12 year old grandson, Hamish, and myself. We are happy to share. My wife says she may also come depending....! i will worry about that on the small chance she does want to come. I young guy will be happy to sleep on the floor.
Hamish is a very accomplished sailor, polite and civilised. Very relaxed in adult company and will talk boats as well as the best of them.
Thanks for doing this. It is much appreciated. If you cant find anywhere I will fix it for us.
Count us in for any entertainment.
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a very accomplished sailor, polite and civilised
It sounds like Hamish might show me up ;)!
I will include you when looking at accommodation.
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I would like accommodation for two, if that is possible. My 12 year old grandson, Hamish, and myself. We are happy to share. My wife says she may also come depending....! i will worry about that on the small chance she does want to come. I young guy will be happy to sleep on the floor.
Hamish is a very accomplished sailor, polite and civilised. Very relaxed in adult company and will talk boats as well as the best of them.
Thanks for doing this. It is much appreciated. If you cant find anywhere I will fix it for us.
Count us in for any entertainment.
Colin
No 2 grandson Jake 11 yrs old is coming with me so i'm sure they can "hang around" together when not sailing. jake is a proficient dirt biker but has a keen interest in sailing. Always on the helm unless i can prise him off.
Looking forward to the trip.
Peter and Jake
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Hi Jonathan
I wish to join the merry band at Portland. I will be sleeping on my boat. I presume there is enough room for Cars and Trailers, or do we split them for ease of parking? Can we travel down on a Friday and launch the boats? My wife Rosalind may come but would require B&B. I am sure there will be a lot in the area. This sounds like and idyllic spot.
Does that make two BRe?
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I don't know about two BRes - but it does make two boats from Hereford, I think.
John
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Reg,
Good to hear you can join us and, yes, that is now 2 BRes including mine.
If we sail out of the Sail Academy, which is my plan, then there's loads of space for cars and trailers and they can remain hitched. Launching from there is more expensive than the Weymouth slip but parking and logistics is much easier.
If you are sleeping on the boat then I recommend putting it in Portland Marina, which is adjacent to the Academy. The cost is £18/night but the facilities are excellent. If you want to slum it then you can probably sleep in the boat on its trailer. If that's your plan then I'll check with the Academy whether they are OK with this.
There are plenty of B&Bs in the area. The ones most local to the Academy look more "functional" or you can drive 5-10 mins further and be in the proper Weymouth "seaside" B&Bs. I am investigating options (although probably won't have anything to report until after Sail Caledonia).
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Hello Jonathan
We'd like to come. There would be 3 or 4 of us (Paul, John & Miriam and/or Krissie) and we'd be camping. Do you know anything about Pebble Bank camp site? It's expensive but seems very nearby.
We would need to drop the boat off at the Sailing academy on arrival or we'll have to pay for it on the campsite. That said, would it be safe to leave the boat there (with engine) overnight?
Will we need our own charts for the weekend?
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Hello Jonathan
We'd like to come. There would be 3 or 4 of us (Paul, John & Miriam and/or Krissie) in a Bay Raider 20 and we'd be camping. Do you know anything about Pebble Bank camp site? It's expensive but seems very nearby.
We would need to drop the boat off at the Sailing academy on arrival or we'll have to pay for it on the campsite. That said, would it be safe to leave the boat there (with engine) overnight?
Will we need our own charts for the weekend?
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Paul,
Good to hear you can join us! Personally I would be happy to leave a boat + motor at the Sailing Academy. There is perimeter fencing and secure gates and while the gates are sometimes open during the day I think it is all secure at night.
I don't know Pebble bank camp site but I'm happy to check it out while looking at accommodation. I will be doing that in early June so let me know if you want me to have a nose around. Another option you could look at is:
http://www.swallowsrestselfcatering.co.uk/index.html
You shouldn't need a chart but it wouldn't hurt to check one before sailing. There is a free online chart at Visit My Harbour that's definitely worth reviewing:
http://www.visitmyharbour.com/harbours/channel-west/portland-marina/
On the whole you're either in water with plenty of depth or you're not, and where there's plenty of water there aren't any underwater hazards to catch you out. Steer clear of the west side of Portland harbour because it is deceptively shallow. Also don't stray too far south along the Portland coast unless you know the tides otherwise you'll end up in the Portland race!
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All,
Attention everyone requiring accommodation!
Can you give me your thoughts please on what sort of place you would like to stay in? To be blunt, I need a steer on what's important out of cost, closeness to your boats or a pleasant location. The Sailing Academy is between Weymouth and Portland and the nearest B&Bs are close, cheap and functional. Or you can go a bit further afield, e.g. closer to Weymouth, to get something nicer. Peter Cockerton has also mentioned he would be happy to share a self catering place, which again offers a trade-off between costs & location and this could be a cottage somewhere scenic or there are caravans for hire (with sea views!) just down the road from the sailing.
My starting point in my research was local B&Bs, e.g. http://www.beach-house-bandb.co.uk/index.html. That one appears to have rooms and it works out at £35-£40/night B&B. Great spot at the back of Chesil beach and only 1 mile from the boats but the area is not as pretty as, say, something near Weymouth seafront or in a country village.
Given the wide variety of options it would be good to get a steer as to what you would like so I can narrow my search. Thanks.
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Jonathan, sorry to mess things about. Having said I need accommodation, circumstances have changed because my wife Judith and I will be on holiday (just arranged) in Dorset, between Corfe Castle and Studland, for a large chunk of July including that first w/e. That means I can 'commute' daily, leaving the boat at Weymouth, and so I won't after all need accommodation. Judith may join me for one of the days if the weather allows 'fair weather' sailing!
I would like to bring my boat over on Friday evening and (encouraged by your positive remarks about it) leave her at the Academy for Fri and Sat nights ie. during our Meet. My needs, of course, are just for boat + trailer parking and a slipway.
Michael
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Michael,
Sounds good, thanks for letting me know.
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Any way of finding out whether Ben Ainslie will be around on his home waters at Weymouth that w/e? I think my wife would have an extra incentive to join us if there was a chance of a glimpse of the Great Man!
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Well funnily enough my kids met Ben Ainslie there 2 weeks ago at the opening of the Andrew Simpson Foundation's new training centre. So you never know!
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good to read all your blogs. I have two comments.
Firstly I had my BR20 at the National Sailing academy time last year. It is certainly as safe as any Marina. There is plenty of space for cars and trailers, the launching ramps are perfect. So it is a very good spot.
Secondly accommodation. I am not too worried about price. Convenience and comfortable would be priorities.
Many thanks
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Thanks Jonathan
Yes, please have a peek at the campsite. The Swallow one looks good too so I'm sure one or another will be ok. I'll get charts, the link shows quite a lot of notes and that'll be easier to decipher on paper. Thanks for the warning about the tide.
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All,
Nikki here, Jonathan's wife. As Jonathan is currently in Scotland with Sail Caledonia he's asked me to post an update!
Having had a look at accommodation in the area the suggested hotel is The Royal Breakwater on Portland. Full details can be found at http://www.royalbreakwaterhotel.com/index.html
They currently have rooms available (twin ensuite £65 / single ensuite £45 B&B) however they do get booked up so if you need accommodation I'd recommend booking ASAP. The hotel primarily caters for fishing/diving/sailing groups so is functional and clean rather than luxurious. Most importantly, it is also very close to the Sailing Academy where the boats will be based.
If the Royal Breakwater is full then I'd look at the Beach House B&B as mentioned in a previous post.
Also, I will arrange a table for dinner on the Saturday night at the Harbour Lights Restaurant which is at the Sailing Academy/Marina. If you would like to join us please can you confirm attendance.
Many thanks
Nikki
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Two places for the Saturday evening meal please, Nikki. I'm confident of being able to persuade Judith to come, whether or not B A is sighted.
Michael
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Nicki
Put me down for two places please for the evening meal, i'm being looked after by grandson Jake ( 11 year old for this outing), will Poppy and Olly be coming.
I have booked into the Royal Oak in Weymouth so that 's sorted, £110 for both of us for the two nights.
Peter Cockerton
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Hi Nicki
Can you reserve two places for the evening meal for Rosalind and me. Thank you.
Do I need to booked a space on the marina for three nights as we are sleeping on board.
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Thanks,
I have just booked us into the Royal Breakwater for Friday and Saturday night.
Please book Hamish and myself in for saturday dinner.
Are there any plans for Friday evening meal?
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Colin
Also now booked into the Royal Breakwater for Friday and Saturday, so will be eating somewhere Friday night.
Peter Cockerton and grandson Jake (11 yrs old)
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I have booked my wife Rosalind into the Hotel. I am booked into the marina for three nights. I am committed.
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Hi Jonathan/Nikki
Please would you book four of us for the meal on Saturday night.
Thanks
Paul
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All,
Thanks for the various updates and I have added everyone to the booking for Saturday's meal.
For those interested in using a campervan at the Sailing Academy, they are setup for this because they have people staying in campervans when they host national sailing events, etc. There are electric hookups and the academy building has showers, loos and a cafe, etc. The campervans are parked on a hard standing, not a nice grassy area, but they are in among all the boats so you are very much "on the spot". Cost is £18/night. I thought that was quite expensive given that we're already a customer of the academy and will have bought temporary membership and launching fees, etc, but I don't think I will be able to negotiate them down. If you want to use a campervan then you have to book online. You can do that via the following link and that also provides more information for campervans:
http://www.wpnsa.org.uk/overnight-campervaning/
I will post full details about location and timings nearer to the 4th July. As things stand we have a number of boats arriving on the Friday, most of the rest on Saturday and one joining us just for the day on Sunday. I will let you all have the code for the Academy's security gates but if you arrive during office hours then it's best to go to reception first and check-in with them before going in to the "compound".
I don't have any firm ideas about where to sail and I suggest we see what the weather's doing and what we all fancy. Again, I'll update this before the sailing weekend once the weather forecast is known. At that time I'll also confirm exact timings and meetings places, etc. I'll put all that information in the first post of this forum topic and also add a new post to let you know I've made those updates.
Some peple have asked about using the marina (http://www.deanreddyhoff.co.uk/portland-marina/). Launch and recovery is very easy at the Sailing Academy so I suspect most of you will want to do that each day. But the marina is immediately next door and recommended if you want to avoid daily recovery or want to sleep in your boat on the water (both of which apply to me). Cost is £1.95/m/day all-in. If you're undecided then that's not a problem because you can just ask for a visitor berth on the day and they should have something - just call them on 08454 302012 or VHF channel 80.
Finally, I promised I would check out Swallows' Rest camp site and I will do that this week and post here what we find.
I think that covers everything. I will post detailed information nearer the time but please let me know if you have any comments or suggestions in the meantime.
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BTW, to my knowledge there are 4 young-ish children attending (7, 9, 11 & 12). To enable them to attend the Sat evening dinner, and without them being too tired the next day, I have booked the table for 19:00. If anyone thinks that is too early the pls shout. The restaurant is 1 min walk from the slipway / boat storage and 10 mins walk from the Royal Breakwater hotel, so hopefully this allows time for a beer before dinner.
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That is fine by me (us). We like to eat early so no later than 7:00pm. If we have been fighting the winds and waves we will be starving.
I hope the weather is going to be like the next few days - perfect.
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Jonathon
No problem for me on meal time great to see four "young ones" sailing with use, soon be able to have a special race for them if numbers increase.
Peter
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Thanks for organising this Jonathan and Nikki.
We are planning to join you all for the weekend. We'll be arriving on Friday. We will either stay on the boat in the marina or in our campervan - we'll decide nearer the time and book accordingly.
Please can you book us in for the Saturday evening meal.
Looking forward to seeing you all,
Helen and Chris
BRe Skylark
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Helen and Chris,
That's good news and it will be good to see you both again. I've added you to the meal booking, etc.
Jonathan
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All,
If you are planning to come to Weymouth then please read on because I need some decisions from you! I need to know:
1. Do you want to keep your boat in the marina or store it on its trailer at the Academy each night? (See below for full background to this, but for 20' boats the cost is the same and I suggest we use the marina).
2. What you do want to eat on the Saturday night (menu attached)?
That's the short version. Here's the full update & background...
I spent this afternoon at Portland while Oliver (son) was sailing there. The Sailing Academy are expecting us and, subject to space, they should be able to allocate us a dedicated area for rigging, etc. The Academy's standard charges ( http://www.wpnsa.org.uk/day-membership ) give you temporary membership and provides full access to their facilities. However, I have asked for a reduced rate for those who will keep their boat in the marina and thus won't require repeated use of the slipway and the Academy's facilities. They agreed to that and while the cost will be dependent on how many boats want this arrangement I assume it will be approximately the £15.75 Launch/Recovery fee on their website. That means for those attending for 2 or 3 days with anything bigger than a Trouper it is now the same cost or cheaper to use the marina rather than launch/recover each day and store the boat overnight in the Academy.
I then spoke to the marina and negotiated a 5% discount if 5 or more boats use the marina - standard cost is £2.95/m/night. I felt flushed with success until I realised the discount was worth 90p per night per boat! If a group of us wants to use the marina then they should be able to put us together on a group of finger pontoons.
Unless you want to launch/recover each day then, given the costs are the same, I recommend using the marina because the facilities are excellent, it is even more secure than the Academy and, of course, gives immediate access to the water. I think it would be great to have the boats all moored together at the marina. If possible please let me know whether you want to use the marina or will recovery your boat each day and store overnight at the Academy. You can decide on the weekend, but it would help if I can confirm rough numbers in advance.
While at the Academy I asked whether the £18 charge for campervans still applies for those who have also paid for day membership. That was on the basis that I think you're paying for the facilities twice. Unfortunately there is no discount for day members. Therefore, for anyone considering whether to sleep in a campervan at the Academy versus on your boat in the marina I would definitely opt for the latter. The marina's facilities are better - the Academy's showers/loos are like sports centre changing rooms whereas the marina is much smarter - and you save £18/night.
To whet your appetite I have attached 3 photos taken today from the Academy cafe's balcony. These show the Academy's slipways, the marina, Portland harbour in the background and then the open sea and coast beyond that. Let's hope for weather like this but with a tad more wind!
On the Saturday night we are eating at Harbour Lights restaurant. This is immediately next to and overlooks the marina. I spoke to the restaurant today and we agreed that it would be best if you could all pre-order food. This isn't essential but if most of us can decide food orders in advance then that should make things run more smoothly on the night. Attached to this post is a PDF of their menus - there is an à la carte menu and bistro menu (you can mix the two). Please send me an email or forum message with your orders.
I promised Paul that I would check out the Pebble Bank and Swallows' Rest camp sites. Both look OK if not inspiring. You drive through a housing estate to get to Swallows' Rest and that feels a bit odd! The camp site is a well maintained field that has great views over Chesil Bank to the sea. Look behind you and you see that estate but the views on the other 3 sides make up for that. The land around the camping field is a bit scrubby but as a place to camp it's OK and the closest to the sailing. A photo is attached of the Swallows' Rest field. Pebble Bank is a larger and smarter site. It is mainly a site of static caravans but also has a touring field. The area around the site is a bit less scruffy than with Swallows' Rest although you are surrounded by static vans. Neither would be my first choice for a camping holiday but they look fine if you just want somewhere to camp when not sailing.
For those staying in the Royal Breakwater hotel I took the opportunity to walk there from the restaurant. It only takes 8 minutes and is flat so if you want a drink I recommend you leave your car at the hotel or marina/Academy (free and plentiful parking at both) and walk. I will provide a map nearer the time!
So, I would be grateful if you could let me know the following, if possible by Saturday 28th June:
1. Assuming the costs are as described above, do you want to use the marina or store your boat on its trailer at the Academy each night?
2. What you do want to eat on the Saturday night?
Let me know if you have any questions but I will be providing more details during the week before the rally.
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Dear Jonathan,
Thank you for all this brilliant organisation.
Marina berth for me for friday and saturday. We will go back to Southampton Sunday after the meeting.
There is a very big and satisfactory slipway in the marina, which I have used before. It has good access for car and trailer. Although there are magnificent slipways in front of the National sailing academy I only saw people launching boats be hand and not from a trailer attached to a vehicle on those ramps.
It would certainly be good to berth next to each other.
Where do you anticipate our voyages will lead us? i like to look it all up and be prepared and get a chart. I appreciate it depends on the weather, but what is your best plan at the moment.
Hamish and I are looking forward to it all.
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Jonathan, you're going to a huge amount of trouble on behalf of all of us going to Weymouth. V ery much appreciated!
I'm a bit befuddled by the marina v academy issue (that's my fault, not yours): but I would like to recover my little boat each evening (it's a doddle to do that), so I'll be academic please.
The menu - I've looked hard, and a pdf attachment doesn't seem to have reached my screen. Could you try sending it again? Do you want my email address for that? - mghrogers'AT'doctors.org.uk
Michael
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Colin & Michael,
Thanks for your replies and I have noted your requirements. It really is no trouble to organise this. I was at Portland on Saturday anyway and had 3 hours spare while Oliver was sailing. It was nice to have something to do and it minimised my time in the chandlery and kept me out of the bar!
Michael - I think when you click the PDF link it will download to your PC rather than display. You should then be able to open it from there. I will email you one shortly but let me know if you don't receive that.
If anyone else wants a menu emailed then let me know.
The Academy slipways are huge but as Colin suggests you are not allowed to use these with a vehicle. Could be an opportunity for Michael to show off though! The slipway for vehicles is also big by normal standards and can cope with 2-3 vehicles in parallel. I will distribute a map before 4th July showing the layout and what slipway to use, etc.
Re sailing plans, I have 3 basic routes depending on the weather:
1. If wind is too light, too strong, the sea is too lumpy (it's usually fine is normal sailing winds unless there is a SE blow) or time is limited I stick to Portland harbour. This gives a nice sail for a couple of hours and is always more interesting than I expect. I tend to see the harbour as the place I sail through to get to the sea, but it's better than that. Might be a good sail on the Friday afternoon if time is short.
2. Weymouth bay. Draw a line from Portland harbour's east ship channel to White Nothe (approx. 50° 37.5' N 2° 19.5' W) and north of that is my view of an extended Weymouth Bay. Lots of nice sailing here and where to go depends on the wind, sea, boat traffic and mood. If you've not seen Weymouth before then head in close to the beach and you get the best view of the Georgian seafront (close enough to see the architecture, far enough not to notice the amusement arcades, etc). Head further east to quiet sections of beach to beach the boat. Or further east to see the quieter coast of Osmington & Ringstead (not too close because there are reefs here).
3. Coastal cruise. Weather conditions permitting, my favourite cruise is to leave the harbour by the east ship channel, head towards White Nothe and then sail ESE along the coast for as long as time allows. This is a World Heritage coast and as you would expect the scenery is fantastic. On a good day you should get to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. The latter makes a great lunch stop. If you haven't taken lunch and can get to shore then you can buy cooked crab that were caught just outside the cove. But to get to Lulworth & back requires either a full day or the right wind to get you there and back quickly without the sea becoming too lumpy. Tide isn't usually an issue because the inshore stream here is not too strong.
My suggestion would be to sail Portland Harbour on the Friday afternoon and one each of the other routes on the Saturday and Sunday. Having a group of boats get to Lulworth would be fantastic but other than the weather this depends on how soon people can launch on Saturday or have to recover on Sunday. What do people fancy?
Another nice sail is probably to head south to see the Portland coast. But I avoid that because I don't know it and there is a lumpy tide race to the east side of the isle in certain conditions in addition to the better known one off the Bill.
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Apologies, Jonathan. The pdf file (menu) disguised itself as a heading for one of the photos and I didn't spot it (thicko, Rogers!). We will peruse this and let you know.
Where to sail - it's clearly your home water, and as far as I'm concerned we're in your experienced hands. Your suggestions sound good to me. It would be great to get to Lulworth, but that would presumably depend on weather - and tides? (Also might be a bit ambitious for my little boat, though she's speedy downwind if there's enough of a blow. Perhaps I should settle for meeting the big boats as they come back?!) It does sound as if Lulworth might be for Saturday or not at all? Perhaps a decision needs to be made nearer the time when the likely weather is available. I for one would not mind at all making a really early start on Saturday if that would make it feasible. It would work up a good appetite for the evening nosh.
Bring it all on!
Michael
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Michael,
Weather is the key factor. Tides are not too much of an issue because inshore this section of the coast doesn't have strong currents and it's neap tides that weekend. I just checked my GPS for my last sail from Portland to Lulworth (and back!) and the stats were: 22 nautical miles, 5 hours moving time, avg speed 4.5 knots, max speed 7.1 knots. We also need to bear in mind that some boats aren't arriving until the Saturday morning. I'm not sure yet when people plan to arrive but it would be nice to sail together and not just meet up at the end of the day!
So one possible plan could be:
Friday: Portland harbour (is anyone arriving in time to sail on the Friday?)
Saturday: Coastal cruise (target Lulworth, conditions permitting)
Sunday: Morning race in Weymouth Bay then general cruise in the bay or head to a visitor mooring in Weymouth for fish and chips?
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Hi Jonathan,
I am trying to keep up with all the posts as I was away sailing on Bala. You have been very busy and thorough.
I had booked myself on to a marina, I say “a marina” as when I enquired about a slipway, I was informed I would have to use the centre’s slipway and they only crane boats in. But Colin mentions the marina slipway? Are there two marina’s?
I would like to be together and part of the party on the marina.
Although leaving Friday morning, as we will be coming from Hereford, I cannot judge what time I would be arriving, but hopefully after lunchtime. Therefore a sail for me may be out of the question.
I will have to let you have the menu choices later.
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Hi Jonathan
My partner and I have just attended the Bala weekend and found it very informative and incredibly friendly. (I'm building a BR 17) We would like to offer our selves as crew if anybody wants us and would love to join you all for dinner on Saturday night. We have found a B&B on Portland and have booked in for the Friday and Saturday nights. Could you let me know if it's ok to join up with you guys for the Saturday & Sunday please
Ken & Ann
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Ken - That would be great and you are very welcome. I will add you to the Saturday night booking and I look forward to meeting you on the weekend.
All - We can probably play it by ear as to who Ken & Ann crews with, but is anyone short handed such that you would like extra crew?
Reg - Sorry for the verbose updates, I got a bit carried away with my brain dumps! There is one marina and they don't have a slipway. The Academy has multiple slipways and the one for vehicles, which we will use, is between the Academy and the marina and that's the one you would have been told about by the marina. All will become clear (hopefully) when I issue maps in a week or two!
I have updated the first post in this topic with the latest names and arrangements:
http://www.swallowyachtsassociation.org/smf/index.php/topic,961.msg6120.html#msg6120
Please let me know if I've got anything wrong.
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Thanks,
I have to pick Hamish up after School in Southampton - about 4:30. We will leave straight after that - say 5:00pm. It will take us about two hours to get there, so arrive roughly 7:00pm. Launch boat and then have dinner. Also need to book into hotel so no time for a good sail but may just potter around as a shake down after we launch.
Happy to take anyone along with us as long as they have some good stories and plenty of chocolate.
I have only just found the menu and with see what the boat boy wants and get back to you.
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Jonathan, re your post on June 16 -
Of course it's down to the weather, and the main thing is to get some enjoyable sailing in together-ish. I also should say that my gung-ho comment about yours truly and an early start on Saturday didn't take account of a one-car situation for the Rogers on their Dorset holiday, and I can't leave my (much) better half transport-less if she doesn't come sailing, so I may have to sample First Great Western plus a taxi or two. But, by hook or by crook, I'll be there - probably at a respectable but not v early hour.
Though this is purely personal and nothing to do with forthcoming sailing at Weymouth, your GPS data on your last Lulworth voyage interest me. On the Saturday of the Ullswater rally, the BRs, BCs and BRes, plus Cavatina, went from one end of the lake to the other and back between about 10.30 and 4.30. I understand Ullswater to be 7 1/2 miles long, and allowing for a bit of 'sailing about' at both ends we therefore covered a good 15 miles. BUT the NE - SW half in the morning was a beat into a funnelled head wind the whole way: how much would that add to distance covered? PLUS little Cavatina, for reasons I won't go into (related to my not having my radio), sailed a fair way up the middle bit of the lake and then back to join the rest, while the bigger boats had a leisurely lunch break at Howtown. I really think that must have been an extra 3+ miles -it was a long way! It seems therefore that I sailed at least 18 - 20 (non-nautical) miles in about 6 hours that day - is that likely in a 12 ft dinghy, or am I getting delusions of grandeur? We were moving quite briskly most of the time, as I recall! Does anyone have GPS data related to that day to share? (Any replies better go on the Ullswater thread?)
Michael
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Dinner on Saturday:
Skipper - No starter, Smoked haddock fillet and ice cream
Cabin boy - No starter, Sirloin steak and chips then ice cream.
Thanks
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Dinner Menu
No starter, Corn-fed chicken season fruit crumble (Granddad)
No starter, Fish and Chips, Chef's chocolate brownie, (Grandson)
Friday arrive around 6pm, put boat in academy compound and possibly rig. Saturday night marina pontoon please.
Peter Cockerton
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Thanks for the food orders.
Michael - I'm not sure of my logistics that weekend, but if we're driving to Weymouth and if you can get yourself to somewhere near Wool then we can give you a lift. Let me know nearer the time if you want a lift and hopefully by then I'll know what we're doing.
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Thanks, Jonathan. That's very kind, and I'll bear it in mind.
Michael
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Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for the further info on staying at the marina vs academy. We will now stay on our boat in the marina for the Friday and Saturday nights. Do we need to book individually or are you doing a group booking?
We will aim to arrive after lunch on Friday so we will hopefully be up for some sailing on Friday afternoon. I'll get back to you soon with menu choices for Saturday evening.
Many thanks,
Helen
BRe Skylark
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Jonathan
I hope to arrive after lunch time if not before.
I will be staying the Sunday night and travelling back Monday.
Dinner Menu
Starter:- Smoke Ham Hock Terrine, Main:- Smoked Haddock Fillet
Bistro Menu
Starter:- Soup of the day, Main:- Fish Pie
Look forward to meeting new and old faces.
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Thanks for the updates. If you haven't yet given me a food order then can I have this by the end of the weekend please so I can provide these to the restaurant?
Next week I will send you all final information about where to go and what to do, etc, so pls look out for that.
Helen - You don't need to book anything and I am advising the Academy, Marina & restaurant of numbers.
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Thanks Jonathan.
Our food order is:
Starter (one to share) - Taste of the sea
Mains - Sirloin steak with seasonal veg side but no chips
Smoked Haddock Fillet
Puddings - Brûlée
Cheese
Looking forward to seeing you all soon,
Helen
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Jonathan.
Ham eggs and chips for me please with crumble and ice cream ...
Fingers crossed for the weather .... Just seen the Country File forecast for the coming week...
Regards
Andy
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Thanks for the food orders.
We've been sailing at Weymouth this weekend and the weather has been pretty good so hopefully we'll have more of the same next weekend. I left my boat on a pontoon and it is now waiting the rest of you!
I'll send out full details of where to go and what to do, etc, ASAP.
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All,
I've just emailed a briefing sheet and instructions to everyone that has said they are coming this weekend. Please let me know if you haven't received that.
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Hi Jonathan
Ann & I would like the same for dinner crab & salmon followed by sirloin stake ( medium )
We prefer to decide on dessert after the meal if that's ok
Regards Ken & Ann
PS in case you haven't got my email address for the briefing sheets it's diver.ken@hotmail.co.uk
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Thanks Ken. I've sent you the briefing sheet but a number of people have said they haven't received it. If you haven't received a copy then please let me know.
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No-one seems to have received the briefing sheet so I have sent it again from a different email account. Please let me know if you still don't receive it.
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I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend. We certainly did and it was great to see how capable and seaworthy our boats are. I will try to write a blog entry about the weekend sometime soon. In the meantime, I have created a gallery and uploaded some pictures. Unfortunately we didn't manage to take many this weekend given the "active" nature of the sailing!
http://www.swallowyachtsassociation.org/?page_id=449&album=4&gallery=23
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Thank you Jonathan for such exemplary organisation and laying on a very good wind, and lumpy sea, for us to test our skills.
The more I sail the BR at sea the more I realise how stable and safe she feels.
We did not manage to get many reasonable photos but I will put one or two on the gallery if I can remember how to do it.
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Jonathan
many thanks for an excellent day.
Best wishes
Bill
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Many thanks Jonathon, please do it again next year, perhaps order up a couple of slots down on the wind strength and less swell. The boat was certainly put through its paces and behaved impeccably.
The Breakwater hotel was clean and comfortable with a good breakfast thrown in which kept us going through lunch (well almost, we did break out the pork pies and ginger nuts once or twice).
The evening get together was also very enjoyable, the food and the odd pint of "Doom Barr" bitter slipped down nicely.
I reckon it built up to a F6 early afternoon Sunday, this was grandson Jake’s first outing on my boat on the sea and on the way home he asked if he could come with me next time so it couldn't of been that scary.
Once again thanks for organising
Peter and grandson Jake
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Glad to hear everyone enjoyed the weekend's sailing and we all seem to be impressed and reassured by our boats' performance. I am happy to organise this again for next year and will create a new forum post for that in time.
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Hi All
Yes a very enjoyable weekend although with my lack of experience Saturday alone wore me out and the children decided Sunday was for sleeping. Lovely to sail with you all. Not sure when we'll be on the water again - possibly September. In the mean time some lessons to put into practice for the next sea time.
Thanks Johathan
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To Jonathan and fellow mariners
What an experience! Thanks for organising the venue, plus instruction for arrival. I am also grateful for assisting and the launching and mooring my Bayraider. Saturday was a character building experience for me and my crew Ken and Anne in a force 5 and nearly topping force 6 in a heavy swell which showed how safe the boats are (although I had two reefs to everybody else’s one).
Next day was an even a bigger challenge for me as this was the second solo outing in Alice Amy. To start with there was a moderate wind and I ended up tacking back in a wind which reached force 6 (confirmed by two skippers from larger yachts on Monday before I left for home).
Shore crew, Rosalind, enjoyed the nooks and crannies of Portland, plus the castle and a trip to the lighthouse. She confirmed the Royal Breakwater Hotel was clean and comfortable and enjoyed the breakfasts and not having to make the bed! Places we dined at were mainly the Harbour Lights which was very good. Sunday we found an excellent pub, the Cove House Inn in Chiswell: the grub was good washed down by an admirable pint of ale and a half of cider.
Michael Rogers I hope has fully recovered from his ordeal.
Thanks again to Jonathan and everybody. Love to do it again, at a more relaxed pace.
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Hallo everyone!
Those who were at Weymouth already know that Cavatina and I had an adventure which was rather more than a dunking. We are both unscathed, thanks to lots of wonderful, friendly, helpful people for whom I am soooooo grateful! My special thanks to Jonathan for his support. I apologise to him and all the others for causing them all concern, and am glad to hear that good sailing was had by all on Sunday.
What happened was MY FAULT. It is a story worth telling because there are approximately 15 lessons to be learnt from it, of which I am in the process! However I am on temporary Internet time here, so I will leave that until I get home from holiday at the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Good and safe sailing, everyone!!
Michael
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Hi Michael,
Very good to hear all is well with you and the boat.
We left Weymouth feeling guilty that we had left you behind and so did not know what had happened and were not around to help you.
Perhaps one lesson we should learn is that rallys need some system for keeping an eye on each other in case of problems. I suggest a buddy system, as used in diving and climbing, would be easy to organise and work well.
I would be very interested to read your lessons from this experience. It would be very useful for all of us and hopefully prevent us becoming complacent.
Perhaps this could be a section in the forum library - how to keep safe in a Swallow boat at sea.
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Back from our holiday. OK, so what happened? Herewith a brief (I hope!) factual account. I'll do a 'lessons learned' separately, under 'General Discussion'. NB if I've got facts wrong, please correct me: I don't like exaggeration.
Saturday July 5th. The fleet, more or less under Vice Admiral Stuart, set sail from the Sailing Academy bound for Lulworth Cove. Wind SW, F3-4, sea conditions on the upwind side of Weymouth Bay very easy. A dead run across the bay, Cavatina rather more than keeping up with the bigger boats because she planes down wind. However I knew I would be sorted out on the beat home, Cavatina being much smaller than the Bay Whatsits. My personal plan was therefore to make my lunch stop at Lulworth Cove short, and set out for home port before the others.
However, by the time we got there, the wind had strengthened and there was an interesting sea running, with a few breaking crests and quite steep waves up to 1 1/2 metres or so. It was therefore decided not to land, but to beat back home. Not surprisingly, the bigger boats made faster progress. I wasn't worried, and set off close hauled on port tack, about 300 yards from the (lee) shore, one reef for comfort, Cavatina a bit slowed by climbing and crashing through the seas, but making steady progress. At about 1.30pm, I had a radio call from Joybells, enquiring about my well-being: I replied that progress was slow but sure, and we'd be back in time for supper....
My mention of food reminded me that I'd had an early breakfast. I had sandwiches and jelly babies stowed forward - unfortunately just out of reach. A combination of having to leave the tiller to grab them and failing to flick the sheet out of the (recently fitted) cam cleat as I did so resulted in Cavatina coming up into the wind and across to the other tack, at which moment a larger-than-average wave and a sudden wind gust caught her. At 45 degrees on the lee slope of the wave, her sail pinned, and my weight now very much on the wrong side, over she went. Entirely my silly fault, not hers.
She floated high because of her buoyancy and, with those waves and wind, she turned turtle almost immediately, her dagger board sticking up - but before I could grab it, it slid back into the boat, and I was left with a smooth, beamy upturned hull and no means of righting her. (Had I been younger and fitter, I suppose I could and should have at least tried to dive under the boat and retrieve the dagger board.)
Two other things were immediately apparent: my cheap pay-as-you-go mobile was waterlogged, and my bargain-basement VHF handheld, which had functioned fine in the dry, sank. I had therefore no means of sending a mayday or 999, either of which would have had help there in, I reckon, 15 minutes max: and no way of letting you guys know what had happened. I was slowly drifting eastwards in roughish seas, but not getting any closer to the shore. 'Oh well', quoth I cheerily to myself, 'I can clearly see people on the beach and up on the cliffs, so they can clearly see me (in fact they were standing watching, rather than walking - I reckon 40-50 people. I was a side show, apparently). One of them will surely call for help.'
Huh......
(to be continued)
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Part 2. (Technical point - I've divided this up because it occurred to me that, because I hold the record for slow typing, I might be 'timed out' before I'd finished and pressed 'Post'. Nothing would be more frustrating! Am I right, or is my fear groundless? If some such does happen, is there any way I can prevent it? Boffins to advise please.)
The next hour-and-ten-minutes was very strange. Here I was, in full view of quite a few modern, presumably mobile-phone-obsessed people, I was obviously in more than a spot of bother, and nothing happened except that the waves rolled remorselessly by, an occasional larger wave sweeping along the upturned hull and flinging a large dollop of cold salt water in my face. I stayed with the boat (= right thing to do) by clinging onto the rudder, and I moved as little as I could to conserve energy and warmth (I had plenty of layers on, and buoyancy)). Nevertheless I got slowly but steadily colder, battling also with disillusionment about the apparent unwillingness of Joe and Jo Public to help. I believe in prayer, and not just 'in angustiis', and I felt Looked After, but I did not enjoy my experience and felt quite scared at times.
At about 2.45pm two things happened. The rudder came unshipped (I won't explain how and why here), and tiller and rudder drifted off on their own. That meant I had nothing substantial to hold onto, my fingers were cold and tired, and I needed extra hands to keep everything together. I had to decide how to survive, and decided to abandon upside-down-ship and swim to the shore while I had enough energy (I hoped) to make it. Some of you are aware of how precious my little boat is to me, and to swim away from her like that was - well, difficult.
The other thing that must have happened about then was that someone at last phoned the Coastguard.
I had swum about halfway to the shoreline when a bloke in a RIB appeared and hauled me out of the water: I was VERY glad to see him!! After that, the rescue services were superb. In Lulworth Cove a Coastguard Land Rover and two capable young men took over. They decided I was cold (I was indeed) and wrapped me in warmth of all kinds. In less than 10 more minutes I was being ministered to by two angels in ambulance uniform and whisked off to the County Hospital in Dorchester, where - again - the A and E staff were great. They decided that I would live, and my wife, who thought until then that I was dining with the Fleet in Weymouth, was startled when my phone request was to be picked up from A and E! Also, Jonathan, bless him, tracked me down there; it was good to see him.
In my concluding instalment (ahem), I must tell you all about the next day (Sunday), which fully restored my faith in human nature. I can only apologise again for a) having been a mutt, and b) for any anxiety I may have caused. There are lots of lessons for me to learn from this adventure: I think I've thought of them all, and will share them (elsewhere) in due course.
To conclude this bit in lighter vein (and I do hope this doesn't cause offence to anyone) - in an A and E cubicle I was swaddled in lots of pale blue hospital blankets to warm me up, and I even had one wrapped round my face and over the top of my head. A nurse came in, gave me a huge smile, and said, 'Hello! You look just like the Virgin Mary!'
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Hi Michael,
All I can say is WOW. Thank goodness you are OK. A harrowing experience. It all happened so quickly!
David.
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Part 3. As I was whisked away from Lulworth in the ambulance, I was aware enough to overhear a radio or phone conversation to the effect that the boat involved (i.e. mine!) needed to be recovered because it was a potential hazard to other boats....
On Sunday (6th) my wife and I went down again to Lulworth quite early. Judith said afterwards that she had tried to prepare me for the possibility of a wrecked boat, but I wasn't prepared for anything really. What we found was Cavatina right way up and well above HWS, expertly made fast and apparently (and actually) undamaged. FANTASTIC!!! Later I learned that the lifeboat crew had done the honours. Almost all the bits and bobs which had been aboard (including the daggerboard) were there, but no rudder or tiller.
We went to Weymouth to collect the combo-trailer, via Durdle Door where, more in hope than expectation, we did a bit of beachcombing in case the rudder/tiller had come ashore. From the Sailing Academy I saw several Swallowboat sail plans on the horizon, and hoped it was good sailing. Back at Lulworth, while parking the trailer I explained to a young man who organised kayaking from there what had happened. He disappeared into his office and emerged saying, 'Are these anything to do with you?': he had the rudder in one hand, the tiller in the other, both undamaged. They had been brought in by kayakers! Then I met some of the Coastguards again, who produced almost everything else: the sandwiches were sodden, the Jelly Babies intact. People on the beach (including hunky Lithuanians) rallied round to help us recover Cavatina
The sum total of the 'damage' to Cavatina was - one batten slightly bent and loosened (fixed): a crack in the hardwood top of the dagger board (fixed): a broken fixing for the bitter end of the anchor warp (was unsatisfactory and needed replacement anyway), and a cut-through anchor warp: and some scratches on her bottom, one or two of which could do with (and will get) attention sooner rather than later. Otherwise she is pristine, and has been performing as usual since, including entrancing a doyen of junk boatery (who has raced ten times single-handed across the Atlantic, etc etc) who was in raptures about Cavatina's appearance and performance in Studland Bay.
That's it really. I am so fortunate to be unscathed and have an undamaged boat, and intend to apply ALL the lessons I have learned from the experience - of which more anon. Incidentally I spent time to thank all those who had rescued me, and still have some letters to write. Wonderful people!! The one rescuer who remains mysteriously unidentified is the RIB man. No-one at Lulworth Cove, or anywhere else, knows who he was.......
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Thank you for sharing that comprehensive update Michael. It was a huge relief that you and the boat escaped relatively unharmed from a hazardous situation and that we are now in a position to learn lessons form this. On that note, Michael has posted a new topic for lessons learnt and that can be found via the following link:
http://www.swallowyachtsassociation.org/smf/index.php/topic,1007.msg6565.html#msg6565