Round the Island Race

Friday 20th June:
I'll start with an apology, this is out of sequence and a few weeks late. However the disarray is a result of the amount of sailing that I've been fitting in recently.
I had booked Thursday and Friday off in order to get there early enough to grab a berth.  In the end I spent Thursday on the boat with James, going to Studland, and set off for the Isle of Wight early on Friday.
The forecast was for barely any wind at all for the whole weekend, Saturday being particularly quiet.  I was beginning to think that it probably wasn't worth going over.
The trip over on Friday was actually really nice and suited Ciao Bella really well.  There was a light North Easterly, emboldened by the sea breeze which let me close haul along Bournemouth seafront, only having to tack out to avoid Bournemouth pier and then again for Hengisbury head.

Bournemouth pier on the nose :)

As the conditions were so good I tried a little sea fishing, propping the rod in my flag staff socket and towing some mackerel feathers... unfortunately I snagged a lobster pot and the rig snapped at the handle before I could get to it.  There'll be a fisherman wondering what he'd done to deserve winning a crap old rod like mine.  Hopefully he will recover it and dispose of it properly.
Across Christchurch bay and the auto-helm was pressed into action while I heated a tin of bangers and beans... I was entering a highly competitive race and I needed athletes food.

As I approached Hurst I heard my name being called, Martin, the club commodore was passing in 'Silver Lady' with beer in hand... he was clearly in training as well.  By now the wind has turned to a westerly and I was able to pole out the genoa and goosewing through the channel.

Back on the Folly pontoon

I was at the Folly by mid afternoon, surprisingly there was plenty of room; I was half expecting to have to go up to Newport.  The ferry's to the pub and Cowes where free for this weekend which was a pleasant surprise.  After a rest and cuppa I scuttled off to the pub, had a quick hello to Joe, who was scrubbing 'Derwyn' on the beach in front of the pub, then settled down with a pint of Goddards while I awaited the arrival of Cap'n Liam of Peggotty.

The view across with 'Derwyn' H22 being scrubbed on the beach

Liam scrubbing Peggotty

Friday evening was spent holding a rope for Liam to hang onto while he snorkeled under Peggotty with with a yard broom.  The highlight of this was when he surfaced with his whole head covered in weed... I nearly fell in laughing :).. Sorry Liam.
We also swapped Liams enormous 9.9hp outboard for my somewhat smaller 6hp.  The idea being that we'd be able to raise it clear of the water, the rules don't allow engines to be tilted so Liams would still be in the drink even with the bracket raised.  The bad news was that after going through the pain of swapping the engines, mine still wouldn't clear the water line.  The Folly was rammed with no chance of being served this side of christmas so we took a drive upto Newport for some nosh in the 'Bargeman's Rest'.  Plans were drawn up for the morning and Liam returned me to the Folly.
Saturday 21st June:
Up with the sparrows and Liam and crew came to pick me up from my pontoon.  It start to get busy as we motored down the river, by the time we were at the entrance it was hectic.

Heading towards the start

Looking back into the Medina

Top crew ready for the race.

 With very little wind and a strong tide it was difficult to keep ourselves the right side of the start line, Liam pointed the boat east to fight the tide as much as possible, with seconds to go he spun it round and we were off.  We made a reasonable start and stuck with the fleet but it was slow going,, more of a drift than anything else.
To help reduce drag we lifted the engine off completely and stowed it in the cabin.

and they're off

We picked boats around us that we thought we could compete with, we did pretty well.  The one which seemed to be pulling us along was a small red boat with a junk rig, sometimes we were quicker, sometimes they were.
The tide was starting to turn as we went through Hurst, It was a real slog up to the Needles.  As we were beating towards the needles, we were hoping that we'd be able to get the cruising chute out when we turned but even so time was running out.
The Shingles bank claimed a few unwary competitors.

We'll have no jokes about women drivers.

   

Just to be fair.. Some chaps on the same bit of gravel :)

at the needles.. still in the race.

At the needles Liam made the inspired desicion to call it a day.. The fleet were still beating into wind, even though they'd done a U turn, towards a mass of hanging sails in Compton bay. We had to be at Bembridge in four hours and that was just not possible.

change of plan.. back to the Folly

The ride back to the Folly was ace... we finally got to use the cruising chute and flew back, able to keep up with much bigger boats.

Cruising chute up... chugging back down the solent.

Taking it easy

Better than being becalmed at Ventnor

Back at the Folly and we tidied up, swapped engines again and made our way to the pub for some food.. All the tables had reserved written on them names and times... 7:30 was popular but most would not turn up as they were still coming past Ryde long after their reservation had gone.

An iconic boat

After Liam had trundled off I caught the ferry down to Cowes to soak up some of the atmosphere.  I stayed til about 10:30 then caught the Ferry back.. As we plodded up the river we went past a yacht after yacht that were just getting in. One was called Shamaya, she was at the needles the same time as us.. glad we retired.
1584 entered, 596 finished with the fastest time just under 9 hours... not really challenging Ben Ainslies time from last year.

Sunday 22nd June:
Another early start to catch the tide back to Poole.  The wind was none existent in the morning so motor sail was the order of the day.  By lunchtime the sea breeze had filled in and I was scooting along Bournemouth bay.  2pm and I was back at the club.  Martin had got there just before me and had set up the remains of his barrel of beer on the beach, offer to all and sundry... would have been rude to turn down his offer.
All in all not a very successful race but a great week end.
I have to congratulate another club member, Quentin,  who managed to come away with some silverware and came 20th overall in his J24.