Cowes Week - what's in it for a spectator?

[h4nym]

Cowes Week - what\'s in it for a spectator?

Folks

Pondering taking Cinnamon down to Cowes week... apart from all the fun with moorings / accommodation etc etc etc which I'm sure will be discussed at length - what's there to actually do for a spectator boat?

Drop the anchor and watch some sailies get wet thru your champagne flutes?

I am a Cowes newbie... so please no flaming! Just if I suggest to SWMBO that we do it, she's gonna ask what there is to do?

H

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[jhr]

Re: Cowes Week - what\'s in it for a spectator?

Yes; moorings and accommodation will be a total nightmare, both in terms of cost and availability - I doubt there will be much left with 2 weeks to go.

What's to do? As you say, you can sit on your boat, sipping Bolly and commenting on the expertise, or otherwise, of the racers. Apart from that, there's not a lot to do on the water, though it is incredibly hectic and you may discover why a lot of Solent types decide that the first week of August is a good time to be elsewhere. On shore, the atmosphere in Cowes is terrific and there are loads of social events, though blagging your way into some of them is quite a challenge ;0) . If SWMBO is into retail therapy, there are some quite classy emporia on shore, but probably only enough to occupy her for a few hours (much to your relief, probably). The Friday night fireworks are amazing, and best seen from the water, but spectating in a boat can try the nerves somewhat, as there are hundreds of others doing the same and not all of them are sober.

Personally, I'd rather be taking part than spectating. There are still some events for workaday sailors alongside the full-on stuff, though it's become increasingly corporatised over the years. I am now sounding like an old f@rt, so I will shut up.

Alternatively, come down at the August Bank Holiday weekend and watch the start of the Cowes Classic (I think it's on again this year?) Lots of very noisy and very scary powerboats making a nuisance of themselves in the Solent before heading off to the West Country and back.

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[jfm]

Re: Cowes Week - what\'s in it for a spectator?

Agree with jhr. There can be some good racing to watch on the water, eg anchor in osborne bay (East of Cowes entrance) near a racing mark and watch the yachts round it.

But you can't park in Cowes. You can drop someone off for a few mins and might get lucky on one of the public pontoons upriver, but most likely you cannot moor at all. Last year we paid £250 to berth a 40 footer at W Cowes marina where all the action is, for a 2 hour lunch stop (twas corporate money, not mine, I hasten to add), and when the minute for our departure arrived they made sure we were sent off immediately - they even asked us to leave 10mins early!

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[qsiv]

Re: Cowes Week - what\'s in it for a spectator?

If you do go - find the frequency for Cowes Week radio, at least you will be able to put the melee into some sort of context. As for moorings, I'm just booking my space - but it's for 2004!

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[byron]

Re: Cowes Week - what\'s in it for a spectator?

If you have never seen a bunch of mad racers all trying to round a bouy at the same time, all fighting for position and advantage then you have really missed an exciting sight.

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[h4nym]

Re: Cowes Week - what\'s in it for a spectator?

hmm... hearing both perspectives...
Mooring I don't think is a massive issue... was thinking of coming into Brighton or Sovereign and sailing out anyway.
Beginning to ponder maybe coming down for, say, Wednesday night and return Saturday after the fireworks.

Would that give us the bulk of the fun while avoiding the bulk of the grief?

H

<hr width=100% size=1>Life balance?