Cruising in the Solent during Cowes Week

[syc1]

I know this has been done to death on these fora, but,

I went cruising from Portsmouth to Cowes and back yesterday.

Sailed through 3 race fleets, in 2 cases I was on Port they were on Starboard, both times a gap opened up at just the right time and I sailed straight through, in the 3rd case, I was on Starboard they were on Port, clearly no gap so did a couple of big luffs to delay my arrival at the point of crossing, then sailed through behind them. Delayed me by at the most 2 minutes and I got a huge thank you from 2 of the race boats.

Went into Cowes for lunch, thought I'd have to go up to the Folly to get a short stay but called East Cowes on the off chance, 'no problem, go on the F1 hammerhead' they said.

Superb lunch in the Lifeboat for less than £15 a head.

Excellent sailing wind all day, the tide was in my favour in both directions and ~I got to see some of the Cowes week fun and games.

All in all a great day.

 

[Aardee]

Sounds like a great day. Isn't it good when the stars align and it all just seems to work out well

 

[Topcat47]

You would probably been less chuffed had you got to the Folley. The Lifeboat does good honest unpretentious pub grub and the beer's good too.

 

[PhillM]

I moved paean from ocean village to Swanwick yesterday evening. Truly fabulous early evening sail. Had two of my late teenagers on board and they did most of the sailing. Pleasure to watch.

Glad you had a great day to.

Life is too short to give up on days like these.

 

[Babylon]

How can anyone consider the food at The Lifeboat to be "superb"?

 

[DJE]

How can anyone consider the food at The Lifeboat to be "superb"?

The secret of a happy life is......








































...low expectations!

 

[Seajet]

It is not mandatory to eat or even drink in the Folly pub when on the pontoons opposite, take your own stuff or walk / get a taxi - there's a water taxi which runs into Cowes if you don't mind jostling with the hoorays.

I have found the Folly pontoons very quiet in Cowes Week, the racing types seem unaware the place exists and other cruising bods are wary !

 

[syc1]

I have found the Folly pontoons very quiet in Cowes Week, the racing types seem unaware the place exists and other cruising bods are wary !

That's why I was heading up there. Normally the big 3 marinas wont accept short stays during Cowes Week in case the race boats come back early. I was only trying my luck by calling East Cowes. On this occasion it paid off.