Cowes Torquay Cowes or Hurst Torquay Gurnard?

[joliette]

I don't know if any of you guys were among the disappointed crowd gathered on Cowes Parade this morning, awaiting the start of this year's race which had been moved down to Hurst? I am unsure of the reasons for this but was disappointed that the event organisers didn't make more of an effort to communicate with the many enthusiasts who turned out to see the start. Perhaps next year's event should be retitled the Hurst - Torquay - Gurnard, which doesn't have quite the same ring to it but at least reflects reality!

 

[jhr]

I do think they need to get their act together about this, if they ever want to restore the CTC and associated events to their former glory. I went out to watch the start of the CTC last year; it seemed to have started off Cowes (when it was advertised to start half way between Newtown and Yarmouth), and was significantly later than the advertised time.

These events are difficult to organise and I don't want to denigrate the efforts of the many volunteers who give up time, effort and often lots of fuel to marshal the events and ensure that they happen, but any more disappointments like this and the renewed interest in this, the greatest of offshore race events, will be dead in the water.

We were down at the beach at Boscombe yesterday, and saw some of the boats taking part in Sunday's event go by, but it wasn't exactly exciting viewing. I'm being a nostalgic old fart now, but I have thrilling recollections of watching some of the starts in the 60s and 70s, and the current event is a pale shadow. It's better than nothing at all, of course, but it could be so much more.....

 

[epervier]

I do think they need to get their act together about this, if they ever want to restore the CTC and associated events to their former glory. I went out to watch the start of the CTC last year; it seemed to have started off Cowes (when it was advertised to start half way between Newtown and Yarmouth), and was significantly later than the advertised time.

These events are difficult to organise and I don't want to denigrate the efforts of the many volunteers who give up time, effort and often lots of fuel to marshal the events and ensure that they happen, but any more disappointments like this and the renewed interest in this, the greatest of offshore race events, will be dead in the water.

We were down at the beach at Boscombe yesterday, and saw some of the boats taking part in Sunday's event go by, but it wasn't exactly exciting viewing. I'm being a nostalgic old fart now, but I have thrilling recollections of watching some of the starts in the 60s and 70s, and the current event is a pale shadow. It's better than nothing at all, of course, but it could be so much more.....

Can't add a great deal to what you say other than agreement, or is it just grumpy old fart syndrome?

 

[henryf]

We were out on the water and just missed the start of the ctc. Well I think we did - there were some rooster tails and a few boats in race livery milling around in the distance? Suddenly there was a line of cpc boats coming towards us as we cruised gently towards Newtown Creek and we were tempted to join in because they were going so slowly!

I think a lack of safety boats was the problem for the rather odd start. Our biggest disappointment had been not being able to get moored up in Cowes on the Saturday so we never got to see the pits and soak up the atmosphere. We managed to get in on Sunday by sneaking on a mooring past the chain ferry and water taxiing back to town. We braved the weather on foot at Egypt point to see Fabio cross the line. You would have to say well done to everyone who made it there and back in very testing conditions.

The pit layout when we did finally get there was good in that you could see boats without needing a pit pass, but why put safety marshal boats on the outer pontoons rather than the race boats that people come to see. Some lovely machinary from a bygone era with the historic racers, when men were men and boys drank Watneys party 7 packs!

I was a little sad to see the Embassy boat left to it's own devices trying to get into the marina on a engine that clearly didn't want to potter at tick over - it was designed to scream it's nuts off after all. Was there not a single rib available to help competitors back onto the pontoons. The story of British sport outside the premier league I suppose!!

The beer tent was the place to be after the race to hear what went on and rub shoulders with the drivers and riders. Yes, it was great to see the boats roar off in unison across the entrance to Cowes with Red Jet 1 leading the way back in the day, and the P1 meeting held off Gurnard was a fantastic spectacle a few years ago but let's not take things away from the boys and girls this year. It just needed some way of catering for boat owners who wanted to see the boats from the water then make their way ashore into the pits.

I may volunteer as a safety boat next year to get a berth!

I was fortunate to have a very knowledgable guide for the afternoon in the form of Barry "the badger" Deakin. The legendary (so he tells me) round Britain competitor and would be P1 champion. A dedicated sportsman he declined any attempt at alcoholic sustinance in order to keep his mind clear and fresh to impart vital knowledge, so much so that I almost feel I could win next year's round Britain race. It seemed simplt enough from the comfort of that beer tent - what could possibly go wrong.

Motor boat racing is still a sport where real people take part. You can talk to them, ask questions, even get involved yourself if you want to. Let's keep the August bank holiday alive. It's what got me into boating and I suspect I'm not the only person.

Keep smiling

Henry

 

[z1ppy]

hummm

Race instructions and courses were published on the event website well in advance.

i dont know the reasons for moving the start but i suspect it has something to do with people insisting (as they have the right to do) that they will be in the middle of the chute when 40 odd fast moving vessels in race conditions are coming through. Health and Safety may have a strong part to play!

Its a shame because the sight of them full bore would have been amazing for all to see and in a time when the sport needs plenty of support it would have helped but i dont think you can blame the organizers. We were listening to race control on channel M1 (which i might add i thought was very very well managed) and heard there were at least 6 yachts tacking through hurst narrows (as they are perfectly entitled to do) with Fabio Buzzi approaching in excess of 70 kts. Their response to the safety boats trying to protect them was "we have every right to be here" which is of course true but as event organizers, they have to mitigate and minimize risk to all users of the water.

We were out for the start down at Needles fairway mark and i can tell you it was rough as old boots!!! Wouldnt have missed it for the world tho!

will try and get some pictures sorted and posted soon.

 

[z1ppy]

Motor boat racing is still a sport where real people take part. You can talk to them, ask questions, even get involved yourself if you want to. Let's keep the August bank holiday alive. It's what got me into boating and I suspect I'm not the only person.

Keep smiling

Henry

Spot on! i remember standing on the front at cowes when i was 12 or 13 and wishing one day to be in one of them boats!!!

your right about the people tho! under all the politics they are real people with real passion for the sport! i suspect some of them thought "what the hell are we doing" as they crossed lyme bay and Torbay on sunday but they still did it and all credit to them!!

 

[Scarron]

Cowes Torquay

i suspect some of them thought "what the hell are we doing" as they crossed lyme bay and Torbay on sunday but they still did it and all credit to them!!

Too right, that's exactly what I thought having bagged a last minute ride on Sunday...

Experience of a lifetime - I think I am hooked!

 

[z1ppy]

Great boat to grab a ride on! i heard you retired off Anvil point but later saw you out by the finish line. assume it was a case of protecting the boat???

Got a few more of 747 somewhere (not as good as that one!). will dig them out when i get a second.

 

[burgundyben]

Looks like you are about to have a heavy landing....I liked what Jonathan said about the power shutting off when the props leave the water.

I see 606 Petita finished 8th out of 9 in the Poole Bay race, there might be hope for me yet!

 

[Scarron]

Great boat to grab a ride on! i heard you retired off Anvil point but later saw you out by the finish line. assume it was a case of protecting the boat???

Got a few more of 747 somewhere (not as good as that one!). will dig them out when i get a second.

If you have some more I'd love some high res copies?

What a phenomenal boat, those Cummins QSB 480s inspire so much confidence, it just does everything so well.

We knew we had a real challenge on to achieve the 6 hour time allowance, which meant we had to average over 30 knots for the 180 NM - or be disqualified! [not happy about that little rule]. We bashed across Poole bay like that but by the time we got to Anvil we had only averaged 24 knots and there was no shelter at all in close which meant that the Tommy Sopwith option of running close to the beach wouldn't work. According to others who went all the way it got worse and worse.

So we packed up and came home for a beer, really disappointed but the only sensible option. Our only competitor GEE 185 took 9 hours to get back and got red flagged for all their trouble, bloody good achievement though

 

[Pennpromo]

Cowes Torquay

Chaps,
As a competitor, (in Cinzano 558), I can assure you that it was also infuriating for us to have to go in "convoy" down the Solent to then mill around off North Head. The fact that we were not allowed to race past Cowes was a real shame too.
Unfortunately as posted it's all "Health & Safety"; the powers that be, (harbour Masters), shudder to think what could happen if we were all let loose in the Solent. Probably something to do with yachties not appreciating how fast we are going.
As for Henry F being chaperoned around by Barry Deakin- good luck to you chum, Barry is a legend in his own lifetime !!!
(P.S Henry F; I presume that your Avatar refers to your profession if so, I may have had the odd car from you.)
SIMON

 

[henryf]

Hey, Barry's a good lad. He made it round Britain in one piece - I'm not saying I'd get in a boat with him myself mind

He was actually a wealth of knowledge on Sunday (I know, Barry and knowledge in the same sentence without the phrase "lack of" thrown in). He obviously knows most of the competitors and their boats and it was interesting to get his perspective on things. I hope he gets a chance at next year's round Britain. He really threw himself into the last one and I know the effort it takes to compete in something of that magnitude.

You featured well in the race Simon. Standing at Egypt point I didn't resent not being out there on the water. There's a lot of water in Lyme Bay and didn't someone mention some other race at Portland!!!

It was great to see the historic boats, I think you can relate to them easily. You know what everything does.

Yes the piccy does relate to the day job so if you have a penchant for Porsches we may well have crossed paths.....

Henry

 

[AndieMac]

That's a great shot, they must be one helluva strong wooden boat to stand up to this sort of work.

 

[burgundyben]

That's a great shot, they must be one helluva strong wooden boat to stand up to this sort of work.

That particular boat is GRP, the Spearfish is the only GRP boat they built.

But the wooden ones will take it too....

And

 

[joliette]

Chaps,
As a competitor, (in Cinzano 558), I can assure you that it was also infuriating for us to have to go in "convoy" down the Solent to then mill around off North Head. The fact that we were not allowed to race past Cowes was a real shame too.
Unfortunately as posted it's all "Health & Safety"; the powers that be, (harbour Masters), shudder to think what could happen if we were all let loose in the Solent.

I suspected that "Health & Safety" was probably the reason given for a Hurst start line. I can see how it would be difficult for the necessary authorities to collaborate to clear the western Solent for a short time to allow a Cowes start. However, I think this could've been organised but wonder if there was the will / someone to take on the leading role required to make it happen? That said, a finish line in the western Solent was permitted. I assume this was because the boats arrive individually and are therefore considered less of risk to Mr & Mrs Raggy.

This makes me wonder if there is some scope to innovate the way such events are started? At the end of the day, from a spectators perspective, the event seems to be more of a race against the clock than against a competitor alongside. So, why not start the race like a rally, letting the boats go individually or in small groups (in class) against the clock .... I wonder if anyone has ever tried this? This would give plenty of scope for building the event around the start line with a professional commentary etc, much more engaging from a spectator point of view.

Events like this are an important part of our economy on the Island. If we get them right they bring visitors in with money in their pockets. If we get then wrong they don't bother coming back next year. I don't think we got this one right.

 

[Pennpromo]

Hey, Barry's a good lad. He made it round Britain in one piece - I'm not saying I'd get in a boat with him myself mind

He was actually a wealth of knowledge on Sunday (I know, Barry and knowledge in the same sentence without the phrase "lack of" thrown in). He obviously knows most of the competitors and their boats and it was interesting to get his perspective on things. I hope he gets a chance at next year's round Britain. He really threw himself into the last one and I know the effort it takes to compete in something of that magnitude.

You featured well in the race Simon. Standing at Egypt point I didn't resent not being out there on the water. There's a lot of water in Lyme Bay and didn't someone mention some other race at Portland!!!

It was great to see the historic boats, I think you can relate to them easily. You know what everything does.

Yes the piccy does relate to the day job so if you have a penchant for Porsches we may well have crossed paths.....

Henry

Yup, I thought so, funnily enough I had a blue MK1 Exige from you about five years ago and nearly brought a 996T.
Racing was very tough that weekend, neck still very stiff.
You are right Henry you can almost relate to these big historic monohulls, I have to say that we have some particularly snarly petrol motors too.
Should be at the Southampton Boatshow next Tuesday afternoon with the race boat on the Sunseeker,(same designer), stand in the marina, at about 3PM if all goes to plan ...