Cowes rig ?

[petery]

First year in a new sailing club and dress for the annual dinner is black tie or 'Cowes rig'. Fellow members have widely different views on the colour of trousers (cream or grey) and whether you wear a blazer or a duffle coat (sic).

What's the true story of how it originated?

Bear in mind that you're reading a post from a man who was persuaded to turn up to his first TA mess dinner in khaki rather than patrol kit - so I trust nobody on this kind of issue.

... and yes, I know that in the great scheme of things what you wear to a meal is of no great importance but what scares the s*** out of me in sailing is not strong winds and huge waves but not knowing things like flag etiquette and what to do when you arrive at a strange port for the first time.

It's a great club with lots of active sailors and I don't suppose anyone will care if I get it wrong - they'll just take me aside and quietly tell me - just like when I flew my ensign during my first club race.

BTW what's 'Cowes rig' for SWMBO.

 

[jamesjermain]

To be honest I haven't heard this expression before but I can guess what it might mean.

I assume it is what I call 'yachting best', which covers a multitude of events and can be interpeted differently depending on the occasion. In this context 'yachting best' would be reefer jacket (like a blazer but wuth black, club buttons) and dark trousers, ideally navy blue or black.

In other circumstances I have taken it to mean red trousers and blazer, smart trousers and open neck shirt and have even found jeans and a t-shirt acceptable at a prize giving at the end of a short-handed, ocean passage race.

JJ

 

[Chris_Rayner]

And there was me thinking it was a tightly sheeted mainsail, motoring to windward on starboard, and *NO BLACK CONE*.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Don\'t be silly

Cowes Rig is having a spreader end caught on the chain ferry.

 

[Footpad]

I've always interpreted it as, in order of declining formality, Shirt + Tie (club?), blazer (a gentleman avoids shiny brass buttons) and grey flannels with black shoes OR as above with biege chino type trousers and deck shoes OR for ultimate informality the tie can be left off and the collar worn open. But then what do I know and does it really matter? I suppose one should avoid causing offence even if you don't subscribe to the same set of standards.

 

[NigeCh]

Oh shit ...

I've rammed the chain ferry .... (Perhaps this post should be under/in/part_of the Confessions thread ) ... or perhaps it's best left unsaid.

 

[Twister_Ken]

>I\'ve rammed the chain ferry <

Who won?

 

[NigeCh]

It did

Do you remember the Peyton Cartoon:

Man with megaphone, "Sailing"

Man with bullhorn, "Steel"

Cheers,

Nige

 

[chas]

Re: It did

Did that in Dartmouth once - quitely sailing along minding my own business and the damned thing slipped its chains, rushed over, savaged me and before you could blink was back on its chains again.

 

[ccscott49]

Re: It did

it has a habit of doing that, got my inflatable one day the swine!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: It did

The Cowes chain ferry. In Dartmouth? Either it had been taking some powerful stuff or you had!

 

[petery]

..shiny brass buttons

totally agree about gentlemen and buttons! . . . . and thanks for your views

 

[chas]

Re: It did

Sorry. I should have explained. The Higher Ferry in Dartmouth is a chain ferry. About 115 miles from the solent, going towards America (you do, not the ferry).