Avoiding Cowes Week races

sgr143

sgr143

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We're planning to go Portsmouth -> Yarmouth or Lymington on Monday morning. Normally I'd go pretty close to Cowes entrance on such a trip, but I'd rather not get caught in the thick of Cowes Week! I don't know what and where the racing courses usually are, but would I be likely to be well out of their way if I stuck fairly close to the Lee-on-Solent shore and went North of the Bramble Bank ?

Steve
 
You may find racing fleets anywhere in the Central Solent.
It's quite common for the marks around Lee/Soton Water/Lepe areas to be used a lot.
Unfortunate timing of HW, the W going tide is pretty much while the racing is busy!
 
lw395 said:
You may find racing fleets anywhere in the Central Solent.
It's quite common for the marks around Lee/Soton Water/Lepe areas to be used a lot.
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That's why I normally sail midweek!
Unfortunate timing of HW, the W going tide is pretty much while the racing is busy!
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Just so. Well, we'll avoid the start and finish lines and otherwise be a slow moving obstacle for the racing fleets...
 
I have sailed through Cowes week a couple of times only and didn't find it a problem. Most of the courses are outside the main buoyed channels, and where they cross it is fairly easy to predict where the boats are going. A large boat class passed us and one or two other cruisers at one point but they were well spread out and we didn't get in anyone's way, helped by the fact that they were going a good deal faster.
 
You have as much right as them on the water.
I used to race quite a bit and have seen bullying by crew members of cruising boats until one cruiser skipper paid one of our rather vocal (shall we say crew) a visit on the pontoon.
I remember it well the 6’5” skipper towering over said crew member finger pointing and expressing how upset and intimidated he felt.
Said crew member apologised as I suppose self preservation kicked in.
 
robertj said:
You have as much right as them on the water.
I used to race quite a bit and have seen bullying by crew members of cruising boats until one cruiser skipper paid one of our rather vocal (shall we say crew) a visit on the pontoon.
I remember it well the 6’5” skipper towering over said crew member finger pointing and expressing how upset and intimidated he felt.
Said crew member apologised as I suppose self preservation kicked in.
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Interesting....if your gobby crew member had been correct regarding his collision regs/the 'incident', he could have given the chap a lesson in what he'd done wrong and how to keep clear next time!
 
robertj said:
You have as much right as them on the water.
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Indeed. Though I can make life easier for myself by keeping clear of densely-populated areas (a motto for life generally as well as sailing?). The only time I've ever got yelled at by a racing sailor was on the outer approach to Chichester harbour, when I found myself surrounded by racing dinghies; one of whom, overtaking me close on my lee side, accused me loudly and at length of "stealing his wind".
 
You have as much right to be on the water as they do, but it can be hard work keeping abreast of your colregs commitments with so many boats. Passing Cowes either before the first starts or after most of the boats have finished is perhaps the most pleasant option.
Shame the tide is almost completely wrong for that!
I'd probably stick to the fair tide in deep water, then most of the racing boats in the channel will be going the same way and be overtaking you.
 
We will aim to get a very early start (ha!) and so be past Cowes before 10. We will then arrive at Lymington or Yarmouth with plenty of time to stroll up and down the prom with an independent air, etc. Of course, plans are one thing, actually getting up to put them into action can be quite another...
 
I've been in and owned a lot of racing dinghies and never shouted at anyone; it's that sort of idiot who gives dinghy sailors a bad name, and one of the main reasons I always have fast boats but like to sail them to places where I want to be, not around in circles following some novice loudmouths' idea of a course.
 
I still feel a little ashamed of the occasion when I was hailed with a diffident cry of "excuse me , we are racing "and I replied "so are we, and we are not last"
 
Before the start, we made way, east to west, through the Fastnet fleet last weekend such that we could anchor at a good vantage point to watch them leave through the Needles Channel. From Portsmouth, we took the north channel towards Soton, to avoid Cowes. It was very busy but everyone seemed to be in good spirits and observing ColRegs.

Watching that number of boats in close proximity was a sight to behold albeit my phone camera skills leave a lot to be desired.

IMG_0919.jpg
 
I would suggest your wear your ensign to signal that you are not racing. Try to stay clear of the start/finish lines. But you don’t need to change your plans overtly. In fact, just be a predictable cruiser. Mostly the racers will stay out of your way. Follow collregs properly and don’t be a “rabbit in the headlights”. Then all will be fine.
 
Errr, ' ensign to show you're not racing ' ?

A new one on me though I don't go for serious races any more - sounds awkward if racing offshore or cross Channel.

Most racers I know do fly an Int code pennant designating their class / group on the backstay above the ensign.

In the good old days before electronic wind indicators it was a square burgee to show you were racing, triangular if cruising.
 
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DJE,

thanks for that.

There's a great deal there I'd argue with as ' doesn't happen in real life ' and seems more like one RYA bloke chatting at a club bar but it's interesting to see that take on it. :)
 
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