Swallow Yachts Association
Swallow Yachts Forum => Sailing and Events => Topic started by: Julian Swindell on 04 Feb 2014, 13:43
-
This year's English Raid will be in the first week of September, based at Mylor in Carrick Roads (Falmouth). Should be a good one, sailing up to Truro and down into the Helford River. Full details here:
http://www.raidengland.org/?page_id=565
Map of the proposed routes here:
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zWexiFAfmRgU.kPNGkKqk0fNM
I've already registered
-
So have I. Four Swallowboats (out of 14) so far. Another works outing? Falmouth/ Helford is a fabulous area for sailing.
-
Make that five. Definitely another works outing.
-
I've just checked, and there are six Swallowboats registered now, including, I am delighted to see, a second Baycruiser 20. Whilst the rest of you are rigging your tents, we shall be smirking quietly from our cabins ;)
-
We have enjoyed summer holidays in Mylor for the past 4 or 5 years and sailed Carrick Roads extensively and I think this is a perfect Raid venue. My favourite sailing has been done here - one day you can be quietly pottering up the tree lined waters towards Truro and the next have a fantastic sail to/from Helford. The year before last we saw two sunfishes on the Helford sail.
In fact I had thought about suggesting this as a venue for a SwallowBoats meet so it's good to see the English Raid will be there. But speaking as a grumpy young-ish man, it's a bit odd that the dates don't include a weekend and are on the first week that children are back at school.
For that reason I probably won't be able to join the Raid but will almost certainly be at Mylor earlier in the summer. If anyone else is in the same position and wants to meet for a Carrick Roads sail in July or August then let me know.
-
...........In fact I had thought about suggesting this as a venue for a SwallowBoats meet so it's good to see the English Raid will be there. But speaking as a grumpy young-ish man, it's a bit odd that the dates don't include a weekend and are on the first week that children are back at school.
For that reason I probably won't be able to join the Raid .............
True.
Not everyone that sails a Swallow Boat has a Bus Pass...and grumpy OLD-ish men, like me, can't take the Grandchildren! (..but, then, it wouldn't exactly make a cheap family excursion anyhow!)
-
I may be missing something here, I too go to Falmouth every year and enjoy the full range of the sailing area. Why would I want to pay an additional £ 200 + for a few breakfasts , is it to sail in company? I can see the attractions of that, why not suggest a more mutual time and suitable tide range for a period, over a weekend, for a longer period that would allow participants to drop in or out as they please ( not the water) .
Steve Jones BR17 Nona Me
-
Raiding is a largely social and partly competitive activity to get people together to sail in areas they are not familiar with. So if you are very familiar with sailing in Carrick Roads and the Helford River, you are unlikely to be interested in raiding there. But if you have never sailed in, say, the Baltic, you might want to join the Finnish Raid, where you will get local support, some competition if you want it, accommodation, rescue boats, launching, mooring and trailer storage all sorted out for you, plus all meals, friendly evenings and a chance to see (and have a sail in) some really remarkable boats.
The first raid I went on was in the Solent, where I went with my brand new Baycruiser. I had a far better time and learnt far more by going in a crowd of mad small boat sailors from all over Europe than if I had just gone on my own and wondered what to do and where to go.
So most of those Raiding at Falmouth in September are unlikely to be regular sailors there. That's why I am going. I wouldn't want to join a Raid in Poole harbour, because I sail there all the time. But I would love to join the Raid in the Venetian lagoon. Sailing down the Grand Canal in a crowd of small, mad boats would be wonderful.
-
On the raid dates, I don't know for certain why they have chosen the first week in September. Usually they are the first week in August. But I suspect it is just the logistics of booking about 25 mooring spaces, plus car parking and trailer storage in such a major holiday centre. And I can tell you, as I have just booked a cottage, the prices halve on the 1st of September, from astronomical to just stratospheric.
-
I think Julian has 'explained' raiding very well. Certainly it chimes with my motivation to join in at Falmouth (which is added to by memories of a memorable sailing holiday some years ago out of the Helford River). Also Steve, with respect, in the first place one gets more than 'a few breakfasts' - indeed, if you add up the cost of all the meals which are provided, it's not inconsiderable. Then there are all the other aspects of organising a raid, succinctly listed by Julian. It's quite a list, enabling you to turn up and join in, interacting with all the other raiders and their boats, and without having to bother about all the background things which make that possible. I think that's worth quite a bit, both literally and metaphorically, so although it isn't cheap it's arguably value for money. Well, I think so.
We're up to seven Swallowboats out of 19 boats so far. Actually I think variety is the spice of sailing, and I'm glad there are 12 (so far) 'others'.
Julian, I shall make a point of enlisting your help putting up my tent.
Michael
-
I am the most inept tent putter upper in the business, so I shall be delighted to give you a hand Michael. I must confess that I shan't be sleeping under canvas, or even on board. We've snapped up one of the holiday apartments in Mylor Yacht Harbour for the week. The only way I could entice the family to come sailing with me. They will probably kick me out and make me sleep in the boat.
-
Only joking, Julian. And actually I'm camping at Mylor (I have a camping CV going way back, in at least a dozen countries) to prove to myself I'm still up to it. I just hope it doesn't rain all the time!
Michael
PS I don't believe the 'inept' re tents bit from someone who sails and fettles with such obvious distinction.
-
And now me too.. Just registered. I believe I am the 20th so it's getting full.
I doubt very much that my palatial shiny new BC23 will be ready so it'll be camping I expect.. so any advice on where to put up my £19.95 decathlon 'chuck it up in the air and it erects itself tent'!?
I'm not overly familiar with the area so am looking forward to it very much.
Regards
Andy
-
If you've registered as a camper, Andy, I think you'll find that a place at a nearby campsite has been reserved for you.
I'll probably have a similar tent (we've got Decathlon nearby in Stockport), so we could have a tent-chucking competition. All I ask is that it keeps the rain out!
One thing about that area is that it's much further away (by road) than you think. When we went to Helford, got to Exeter on the M5, thought 'we're nearly there'. Were we heck! Hours later….. Mind you, we were bound for the south side of Helford river (which is a ria, not a river), which meant Gweek (home of Water Craft, incidentally) then Helston. Falmouth is not so bad. The roads beyond Exeter are pretty good, and the worst of the holiday traffic will be over by the first week in September.
Michael
-
Whereas I understand and appreciate the sentiments regarding 'Raids'. I feel the restrictions placed on the participants ,to sail after breakfast and return for fleet dinners, do not allow the area to be fully enjoyed' more, I think ,for lakes and restricted waterways. Raids in foreign climes are different.
Amorphous mass sailing can be fun, but usually spontaneously . If racing is required, I'm sure a Rally could be set aside for that purpose.
Steve Jones BR17 Nona Me
-
De gustibus non disputandum est.
-
Qui dixerunt linguam latinam mortuam?
-
Michael ,
I agree,
David,
If you are a sawbones or gardener obviously not.
Steve Jones
-
Γιατί είναι δύσκολο όταν, με λίγη προσπάθεια, θα μπορούσε να είναι αδύνατο;
-
Love it Tony ;D
Even google translate could not help with with that. Got me good. I have no idea what was said!
David.
-
Yes thanks Tony, you have made something that was difficult to follow almost impossible!
Matthew
-
Try -
Chacun a son gout (a few accents missing)
or -
Jedem sein Geschmack
but that IS cheating, Tony, with that fancy keyboard etc of yours.
-
Luckily technology can compensate a little for my ignorance. Entering "translate Γιατί είναι δύσκολο όταν, με λίγη προσπάθεια, θα μπορούσε να είναι αδύνατο" into Google seemed to do the the trick.
Matthew
-
Latest news is that there are now 22 boats registered for the Falmouth Raid, eight of them Swallowboats and rumours that the Baycruiser 25 will be there. Also a note up on the site that they are nearly fully subscribed, so if you are interested, you need to get your skates on. Bart Jan from the Netherlands is bringing his Nigel Irens BJ17, which is a gorgeous boat. Some people even prefer it to a Bayraider 17!!!
-
Love it Tony ;D
Even google translate could not help with with that. Got me good. I have no idea what was said!
David.
That's odd, David.
i got it from Google Translate in the first place!
-
I tried it again in google and it worked Tony. Just difficult - not impossible!
Shame about the boat above mftr name. It would be sure to encourage "salty" comments out here.
David.
-
Entries are up to 26 now, with 12 Swallowboats. Those include Baycruiser 25 "Muddy Waters", which I certainly want to see close up. I can't afford a 25ft boat, I'm not sure I would even want one, but a Baycruiser I could stand up in would be a joy. A large cabin boat is hardly a typical raid boat, but I know they like to have a few larger, engined boats in the fleet, who can lend a hand and give a tow to some of the smaller boats, if they get becalmed or overwhelmed. There are at least two sub-four metre boats, and most have no engines, relying on oars alone. So the rescue ribs and a couple of "big buddies" might be quite welcome getting back from the Helford river if the wind dies down (or blows up). Interesting that to date there is not a single Drascombe entered. They used to be regarded as quintessential raid boats, but perhaps no more.
-
As one of the prospective tiddlers (boat-wise), I am touched and reassured by the concern for our welfare. Actually, small boat or otherwise, being towed for whatever good reason, I suppose unless having one's life saved, involves loss of nautical face. Still, there are rows of potential galley slaves aboard Molly (oh, not a sensible remark: Geoff actually reads this blog).
I am struggling with the temptation to buy an engine I can't afford. It would be a Torqeedo, and getting back to Mylor from Helford if the wind died would be an excellent test of its potential range. What I'm actually hoping for is a southerly-ish F5 on that day, so that I can put a reef in and plane all the way back, making the Bay Raiders/Cruisers have to empty their tanks to keep up!
It's a great fleet for the Raid, and I'm looking forward to it.
Michael
-
Torqeeding back from Helford ,against wind and waves,on one battery...you'll be lucky to make the "Seven Stars" in Flushing.Hinc illae lacrimae.
-
You misunderstand (I think), Johan. If there is wind, I sail, not motor or (at present) row. And waves go with wind. If, on this forthcoming Raid, the weather is unpropitious for getting to Helford and/or getting back, I dare say there will be a plan B. Over the past ** years I have, I hope, learned to sail reasonably prudently.
Anyway the Torqeedo is a pipe dream at present (except that I don't smoke) because I can't afford it. Incidentally, my boat weighs about 75kg all up, and seems to have an efficient hydrodynamic underwater shape: it shouldn't take THAT much pushing through the water -- ?
Michael
-
Michael.
I have a 3.5 tohatsu 2 stroke (long shaft) that gets very little use, you would be very welcome to make good use of it on the raid, if it is suitable for your Trouper..?
I'll probably be chucking it in the back of the car and bringing it as a 'spare' in any case.
Andy
-
That's extremely kind, Andy! But please don't bring it specially for me. With any outboard, I have an unresolved problem after I moved the built in outboard well arrangement in the after deck of the Trouper to the midline (it was on the starboard side) to accommodate my arrangement for the mainsheet. I really don't know what's needed for the clamps etc on an outboard. I'll have to snoop round to see what will or might work. Maybe I'll have a clearer idea come September.
I don't mind rowing, honestly!
Michael
-
Number of entries now 29 and, Julian, no 28 is a Drascombe.
I suppose it's a bit like how many patients you book for a clinic session - you put in a few more than you can comfortably cope with, on the basis that a few (at least) don't turn up, which is usually the case. However it gets a bit uncomfortable on the occasions that they do all show. There was mention of max numbers both of boats and people (I note that this has now gone from the website), and I suppose that the latter is probably the most critical in terms of organisation. If there are, in the end, nearly 30 boats, we aren't half going to make an impression when we all turn up somewhere, e.g. in the Helford River.
Michael
-
Michael.
I have a 3.5 tohatsu 2 stroke (long shaft) that gets very little use, you would be very welcome to make good use of it on the raid, if it is suitable for your Trouper..?
Andy
Hi, Michael,
If Andy's outboard is anything like my 3.3hp Mariner ( I think its the same engine block) I advise you to borrow it like a shot - and if it fits your transom, steal/buy/rent it from him afterward!
It's light enough to lift with one hand, starts first pull, doesn't mind which way up you store it and pushes my heavy lugger around at six knots! It'll have your Trouper up on the plane at half throttle, I should think!
-
Indeed, the Tohatsu is all that Uncle Tony describes. A belting little engine and now something of a rarity.
If I had one of your English Pounds for every offer I have had for it then it would go some small way towards financing my shiny new BC23... Even the chap who services it for me is reluctant to give it back and is always trying to persuade me to get rid in his direction.
Happy to lend it where it's needed but most definitely not for sale!
-
I feel privileged to be at the centre of a little whirlpool of excitement about a rare outboard engine, which is presumably no longer made because it's a 2-stroke. Which took me back to ancient motor mowers and very small motor bikes of my acquaintance - one of which had a separate oil tank, none of this messy mixing oil into petrol. I don't know if that became standard two-stroke practice.
Thanks again for the borrow offer, Andy, which is reassuring to have in the background. Actually I missed a trick today. I had mentioned my interest in a Torqeedo to my wife a little while back, without any reference to the price. Today she asked, 'Have you ordered that outboard yet?', to which - fool that I am - I replied, 'No, not yet, because it's a bit pricey'. Whereas I SHOULD have said, 'Gosh, no, I'd quite forgotten: I'll do it today', and then dealt with the shock-horror over the price if/when it happened. Why am I so reasonable/careful/sensible about these things? Too late to become spendthrift/spontaneous/
gung-ho, I suppose, though it might be fun. Actually my dear wife has just joined me in retirement paradise, so we really can't afford things like Torqeedos. Oh well….
-
To-day I have registered Alice Amy, so I hope to be joining the Swallow Boat Brigade.
-
Chris Wright (aka retired2sail) contributed (under Technical) about his BR17 boom. Chris, I noticed that you live across Carrick Roads from Falmouth - lucky man!! - and I just wondered whether you were aware of Raid England happening in early September out of Mylor Yacht Harbour? Any number of Swallowboats coming, but I don't think there's another BR17 (I may be wrong). Any chance you could join in, or is it not your kind of thing? There might be a numbers problem because the fleet has become huge, but it's your home waters and I don't think they would turn you away.
I have always thought that St Just in Roseland is one of the most beautiful place names in the country, further enhanced by where it is! My son lives a few miles from Nempnett Thrubwell in Somerset, which is a quaint but not beautiful name and has nothing to do with sailing.
Michael
-
Not sure whether this constitutes a raid or not , but there is an international week long event called SEFAIR, from 7th-14th of June taking place at Milford Haven, Wales.
This a biannual event, and is loosely based on the French extravaganza.
There are, I noticed, a few Swallow boats going but there is a Swallow/Bala event organised for the end of the week.
The sailing is tidal, with all that implies, but the estuary offers considerable range, and indeed comes third, in my opinion, after Plymouth and Falmouth as extensive estuary sailing.
The sail and oar fleet is based at Lawrenny, a pontoon mooring to the base pub. The cost has risen to £60 for the week, with £5 camping per night , easy staggering distance to boat/pub.
The main interest is the eclectic source of boats and sailors. There are usually 4 fleets, and a couple of combined events.
There is a down side though, you have to be match fit for the social events, in terms of late drinking and late nights!
Steve Jones
BR17 Nona Me
-
Hi, Steve,
I'm registered for SeaFair Haven again this year, too. (Details not on the "Who's coming" list yet, for some reason) . Numbers appear to be down a little this year (due to increased cost?) but a fleet of 50-60 seems likely. Not up to Morbihan standards of 1,000 + (You HAVE to sign up for that next year! Don't miss it.) but quite enough to raise the roof at the Lawrenny Arms .
Just hope my liver can take it. (Brain's Bitter isnt it?)
Will be flying the DCA flag ....but thinking of joining the OGA for late night shanty sessions - no sleep to be had on the pontoon when they get going, anyway, and no chance of getting them ALL arrested for a breach of the peace as the local lock-up ain't big enough. So, if you can't beat 'em.....
-
Just to re-open this thread, now the raid is just over a week away. Is anyone staying longer than the days of the raid itself? I've booked a flat in the harbour from Friday next week until the end of the raid, so we are hoping to have some pottering about before the "serious" stuff starts. Fingers crossed for the weather. My wife has forcefully informed me that if it is cold, wet, windy or just not to her liking, I will be on my own. Again. But I have got my sister and brother-in-law as back ups in the flat. I also note on Facebook that Swallowboats would dearly like to get a BC23 at the raid, as that would give them a complete line up of the Bayboats. Even the mythical BC25 is meant to be there, but not the BC26 which I think they are trying to forget about.
-
Hi Julian
I'm travelling down (it's a long way - Cornwall seems to go on for ever) on Sunday 31st, and so will be hoping to sail as much as poss on Monday, which is registration day, before the Raid proper starts on Tuesday. Unfortunately I may have to cut and run (home) on Thursday evening. This year we have three regular users of our two cars: I shall have one, and both my wife and son may need a car on Friday, work-wise. If so, a night drive on Thursday confronts me. Grrrr - or some similar suitable comment.
This gives me an opportunity to ask - where does the name 'Raid' come from in this context? Is it Nordic? Several people have asked me why it's a Raid, and I found I don't know. Help please!
Michael
-
I don't know why they are called raids. I think the first was held in France, so it might be a French acronym. But I like the idea of raiding up a river. Getting a bit beyond pillaging or any other associated activities these days.
-
I've just got home from Raid England and have been looking through my photos. The attached is what a badly misjudged start to a race looks like, from the point of view of the badly misjudging helmsman!
We were lucky with both the organisation of the raid, which was excellent in a relaxed and friendly sort of way, and the weather, which was windy enough to avoid having to row.
The race timings were adjusted for handicaps, with BR20's and BRe's being equated with Hawk 20's of various kinds. Nick Peters's BRe 'Castaway' was always out in front and ended a very creditable 2nd after handicaps. She will be at the Southampton Boat Show for those that are interested.
Chris Stanley's 'Horta', a clinker-built Tideway 14 from 1975 was overall winner. Photo below.
I'll post a gallery when I have weeded out endless time lapse pictures of the front of my boat and the back of my head.
-
I've now created a gallery http://www.swallowyachtsassociation.org/?page_id=449&album=4&gallery=24
Feel free to add your own photos. You can tell that I was impressed with the quality of the packed lunches!
-
I had a wonderful time at the English Raid. Fantastic sailing, organisation and even weather. Plus, how shall I say, an interesting "crew" for much of the time. Having arrived the Friday before, we also sailed out amongst the Tall Ships, which was a thrilling and unexpected bonus. Not many photos, but Cavatina looked wonderful, as did the Tall ships
-
Julian, for Cavatina to be bracketed together, in the same sentence, with assorted tall ships as 'beautiful' is a compliment which has me purring (ever so quietly). But I agree, the Raid was a great experience, and organised with exactly the right balance between informality and efficiency.
Can I point out to Swallow Boaters at the raid with cameras, and others, that the Raid England website also has a Gallery facility and would be very glad of your pictures. This will presumably include pics from non-Swallow Boaters, which will be worth a peek. We were in fairly illustrious company: Peter Chesworth, one of the organisers, is one of Water Craft's regular marine photographers; Andrew Wolstenholme (designer of the two Kite pocket cruisers, both of which were on the Raid and outrageously fast) was busy with his camera; and David Somebody (apologies to him that I didn't register his surname) from Practical Boat Owner was there for two days, and snapping away. I think that accounts of the Raid will appear in due course in Water Craft and PBO.
It was all terrific fun. Note for Tony - if you don't already know it, look for St Austell Brewery's 'Proper Job' - a super brew.
Michael