Fastnet spectator spot.

[lisilou]

Thinking of tucking ourselves into Alum Bay to watch them pass. Any reason anyone can think of why that would be a bad idea? (obviously if the wind is right). I presume they sail straight past and don't deviate into the bay?
L

 

[Garold]

A couple of years ago we anchored in the shallow water about a mile sw of Beaulieu entrance. In about 4-5m of water.

The fleet easily sailed round us, either side.

I can only describe it as parking on the track in an F1 race. Very exciting, very close to the action as they sailed either side of us. Some even sailed so close that we exchanged banter with the crew hanging off the rails.

I understand why you'd want to anchor in Alum Bay but there's nothing to say that you can't anchor right in the middle of the Solent and get some really great photos.

I wasn't quite so cool at the time however after the first wave of sailors cut really close to us. I repositioned my anchor ball twice to make sure that it was clearly visible!

Garold

 

[Firefly625]

My brother is doing it this year, if you see an Oyster 55 called Miss Tippy (name on the boom as well as transom, white hull) and you are close enough to call out anything, shout "good luck Rocky".... (a nick name that stuck when he was helming a boat a few years back in the med which managed to find a rock at 7 knots.......)

 

[burgundyben]

I think you'll see more if you drop the hook in the anchorage to the east of Hurst you'll have the best view. Or, even better, if tide/depth allows, go into Keyhaven and pick up a bouy (HM says pick up a residents bouy and clear off if they come back), then row ashore in dinghy and walk round to the front of the castle.

 

[jac]

If you do anchor anywhere, remember that boats racing will accept a much closer distance to other boats - even if they normally cruise. SO they may get to within a couple of yards of you without worrying at all. You on the other hand may be having 15 different kinds of fit.

If you can't live with the thought of them passing at close range then Hurst may be better ( or Totland)

 

[lisilou]

Thanks guys. Hmmm, what are the chances of one of them ploughing into an anchored mobo tucked into the bay? Ever happened? Really fancy the spectacle but not so much a holing
L

 

[rhino_mac]

I race on a Tuesday night and we skim channel buoys and other (moored) boats by less than a foot sometimes. It's my first season crewing on a racing yacht and I've had several clenched toe moments while on the high side of the boat.

Every time you use the rudder you're slowing the boat down slightly (and might be compromising your direction into the wind) so the helm will only bear off if absolutely necessary (and judging the guy that caught his main on a channel marker a couple of weeks ago snapping his mast, I'd say sometime they don't even when necessary).

Worth going and seeing though I'll bet. Some of the big yachts/multihulls are fantastic and they really are at 100%.

 

[jac]

Thanks guys. Hmmm, what are the chances of one of them ploughing into an anchored mobo tucked into the bay? Ever happened? Really fancy the spectacle but not so much a holing
L

Chances are very slim -

If you're in a bay and out of a favourable tide they won't come close. If of course they are dodging a foul tide then they will be in the bay sheltering from the tide as much as possible - that said - alum bay is so off the rhum line from hurst that many will miss anyway.

Also - they know what they are doing and are ( in theory) the cream of the fleet. They will know how to manoeuvre but will be prepared to get MUCH closer than a normal boat.

IF you can live with the idea of sailing boats blasting past potentially only a yard or two away but missing then anchor somewhere like Alum bay. if your heart would fail - anchor by Keyhaven.

Alternatively - motor and keep well clear under your terms

 

[Firefly625]

Lisa

Another option is moor up in Yarmouth and walk to Fort Victoria, you get a great view from there, as I did a couple of weeks ago for RYS round the island, and there is a café!

 

[lisilou]

Ok, food for thought...thanks. I'll want to take lots of pics and knowing that me looking thru a lens combined with a rolly anchorage don't mix... a shore base like Yarmouth, close to the action might be favourable. Quite an exhilarating thought tho to be up close and personal on the water so I'll have to give all options some serious consideration.
Great pics James.
L

 

[burgundyben]

Given the tide time/height, Keyhaven and row ashore will be perfect. Pick up a buoy, no messing with anchors and no rolling about as its flat as a pancake in there.

 

[benjenbav]

I've anchored in Alum Bay before now so as to combine watching a major event and having lunch in a nice place. Great fun, but my top tip would be to get the soup course done before the spectator boats pass by.

 

[Robin]

Ok, food for thought...thanks. I'll want to take lots of pics and knowing that me looking thru a lens combined with a rolly anchorage don't mix... a shore base like Yarmouth, close to the action might be favourable. Quite an exhilarating thought tho to be up close and personal on the water so I'll have to give all options some serious consideration.
Great pics James.
L

On the buoys outside Yarmouth was good for us for the RTI Race, butwe were always miles away for the Fastnet/Cowes Week.

 

[Firefly625]

as mentioned earlier, my brother is taking part & I was just chatting to him about the weather (which is bloody awful, no wind for the first couple of days, then F6 to 7 on the nose) & various things about it and he happened to mention the fee they had to pay to take part.... for a 56ft boat £4000!

 

[benjenbav]

as mentioned earlier, my brother is taking part & I was just chatting to him about the weather (which is bloody awful, no wind for the first couple of days, then F6 to 7 on the nose) & various things about it and he happened to mention the fee they had to pay to take part.... for a 56ft boat £4000!

Not surprised by this at all. The race isn't going to run itself and when you factor in organisation, safety, publicity...and then think that that works out as a few hundred pounds per head it seems a very good value outing, if that's yer thing.

 

[Firefly625]

Not surprised by this at all. The race isn't going to run itself and when you factor in organisation, safety, publicity...and then think that that works out as a few hundred pounds per head it seems a very good value outing, if that's yer thing.

with 300 entrants... some paying a bit less (smaller boats), some paying more. I think it will be quite profitable.

 

[lisilou]

Well...looks like our plans to watch from the water are scuppered due to two stowaway pugs. Hey ho...best laid plans and all that.

 

[Firefly625]

I wouldn't worry Lisa.... you are not missing much!

 

[lisilou]

Aaaargh....gutted!!
L

 

[benjenbav]

with 300 entrants... some paying a bit less (smaller boats), some paying more. I think it will be quite profitable.

Let's say they all pay £4k. You've then got £1.2m to run an international sports event for 2,000 individual participants over a week or so. I think the RORC is going to be quite dependent on Rolex's sponsorship to get near to break-even.