What’s in this newsetter:
Cruising Community Communications
We will be making changes to the way that we connect and share information with members of the club who are interested in Cruising or wish to subscribe to the newsletter. It is hoped that this will prove to be more effective and efficient in letting everyone know what is happening.
With effect from 10th June the following changes will occur:
- WhatsApp RSrnYC Cruiser Group will change from a chat channel to an announcement Channel and be renamed RSrnYC Cruising Announcements. This will be used to ‘broadcast’ upcoming events and key messages together with links for more information.
- WhatsApp RSrnYC Cruising Rallies. This will be used to coordinate each of the rallies that Cruising organises. Members may wish to join for individual rallies and then leave or place on ‘mute’ or remain in touch with what is happening on all rallies.
- WhatsApp RSrnYC Cruising Community. This is a new channel that aims to connect RSrnYC members wherever they may be cruising. It can be used to post updates on where you are, ask questions of cruising members and coordinate meetups outside of the formal rallies organised.
In addition to the WhatsApp Groups we will publish a quarterly newsletter on the Club Website. An email will be sent out to connect you to the newsletter. It is felt that this will reach more people and enable a better layout and more detailed updates to be provided without having to go to multiple locations for information.
As always the Cruising Committee would welcome your feedback.
Cruising Log Trophy
The Reed Challenge Trophy is awarded annually to the best log of an event or cruise undertaken by a RSRnYC member. There is no fixed format. It can be in the form of a written log, on-line blog, video blog. There is no stipulation on the format. It should be entertaining to read and contain useful information and instructive information that other members would find of benefit.
For 2024 we will also have a prize for a log submitted by a family member under 16 of a RSrnYC Member.
The logs are a valuable source of information for other members and my cruise of Brittany this year is based upon information from the 2023 winner Dot Jones.
Logs will be displayed and stored in the Chart Room and available for other members to use.
Closing date is the end of November 2024.
2024 Rallies – Easter, Solent Cruiser Race and Mystery Rally
Easter Rally
Despite the weather there were a large number of participants – 21 boats and 53 people at various times. First night was in East Cowes for a Safari Supper, then down to Lymington before finishing for Easter Sunday Lunch at the RSYC – Gins on the River Beaulieu.
Solent Cruiser Race (Early may Bank Holiday)
We had a large number of entries this year together with a spectators area in Osborne Bay for those that wished to watch rather than race! After Saturday’s racing supper was organised at the Royal London yacht Club and on Sunday evening at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. Post race prize giving and sandwiches were in the Clubhouse on Monday. Many thanks to Rebecca Butler for organising. Congratulations to Ayaya 1st place, Finesse 2nd place and Dido 3rd place. Special mention to Rob Campbell in My Tern who completed single handed.
Mystery Rally (Late May Bank Holiday)
The participants in the Mystery Cruise gathered in The Clubhouse on Friday for supper and a decision on where we would be going. With fair winds to Chichester we moored to a buoy off Itchenor for a Safari Supper after having had a walk ashore to look at a magnificent gaff cutter being rebuilt by one of the Club’s members having sailed it from Inverness earlier in the year.
Summer Rally 2024 (13th July – 25th July)
The rally this year will take place from St Peter Port to N Brittany and back to St Peter Port. There will be an informal start to the rally from Yarmouth for those that would like to cross the Channel in company.
The detailed programme is below. We have a lay day in most locations which provides the opportunity to explore towns and beaches. Each evening there will be either an organised meal or a pontoon party.
There is a limit on places. We have 8 yachts booked and there are 2 places remaining open. Booking details can be found at – https://bit.ly/3w19u7i Any questions to Mike Lithgow milithgow@me.com
There will be a pre-cruise virtual briefing that will take place in early June and announcement on WhatsApp and the Club Website.
| Date | Start Point | Finish Point | Tides | Distance |
| 13-Jul | Yarmouth | Alderney | HW Portsmouth 0450 BST
HW Dover 1700 BST |
Needles – Braye 60nm |
| 14-Jul | Alderney | St Peter Port | HW Dover 0530 BST
HW St Peter Port 1240 BST |
Bray – St Peter Port 25nm |
| 15-Jul | St Peter | Lay Day. | Recover and prepare for crossing to Lezardrieux | Herm |
| 16-Jul | St Peter Port | Lezardrieux – Check in Port | HW Dover 0730 BST
HW St Peter Port 0210 BST HW Lezardrieux 1515 CET |
50nm to marina and 41nm to entrance to river |
| 17 Jul | Lezardrieux | Lay Day. | ||
| 18-Jul | Lezardrieux | St Quay Portrieux | LW Lézardrieux 1115 CET
HW St Malo 1740 CET LW St Quay 1150 HW St Quay 1740 CET HW Dover 1030 CET |
20nm |
| 19-Jul | St Quay Portrieux | Lay Day. | ||
| 20-Jul | St Quay Portrieux | St Cast | HW St Malo 0700 CET
LW St Malo 1350 CET HW Dover 1210 CET |
26nm |
| 21-Jul | St Cast | Lay Day. | ||
| 22-Jul | St Cast | St Malo | HW St Malo 0840 CET
LW St Malo 1430 CET HW Dover 1340 CET |
10nm |
| 23-Jul | St Malo | Lay Day. | ||
| 24-Jul | St Malo | St Peter Port | HW St Malo 1010 CET
HW St Helier 1030 CET HW Dover 0240 CET HW Dover 1500 CET |
55nm |
Mid-Week Rally to Poole (6th August – 8th August)
Booking and details of this event can be found at https://bit.ly/3TICRUP
This is highlighted as the Rally is linked to taking a ferry across to Brownsea Island to the Open Air Theatre for a performance of Macbeth. These tickets have to be booked separately via https://bit.ly/4a0iYyr As this is the last the Open Air Theatre will operate tickets are in high demand. RSrnYC members are encouraged to book as soon as practical. Of course you are welcome on the rally and not opt in to the performance in the evening. For further details contact Dudley Stock dudleycstock@gmail.com
Other Mid-week Rallies
For those that prefer to cruise when the Solent is not quite as busy and linger in locations to explore for a couple of days with evening BBQs or Suppers together. Start on a Wednesday and finish on a Friday.
Wed 19 – Fri 21 June
Newtown Creek Rally – maggiewiddop@btinternet.com
Wed 24 – Sat 27 July
Bembridge Rally – joint rally with Motor Boat. Come for midweek or weekend, or both. maggiewiddop@btinternet.com
Ladies Afloat
These are Friday outings each month from June through to September, the next date being June 14th. These outings are open to any lady member who would like to enjoy a very happy day out in company. You don’t need to be experienced at all and we only go out in good conditions. We start with a chat in the Club upper bar or on the deck where we plan our destination. Then, during the morning, we sail to an anchorage or mooring somewhere in the Solent, where we enjoy a splendid lunch & refreshments (kindly provided by the Ladies) before sailing back to the Club, returning around tea-time.
Furthermore, while this is certainly not a training exercise don’t be surprised if your skipper offers you the opportunity to participate in the running of the boat, whether it be helming, sail trimming or mooring. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can simply sit back and enjoy the view & enjoy a good natter – no pressure, just good company.
We just need to know one week in advance if you would like to attend so that we can recruit volunteer skipper/owners.
There is a Ladies Afloat WhatsApp group which we use for communication so that boats and food can be coordinated.
Sailing dates:
Lunch ashore date:
- Thurs 24 Oct
