How to aviod the RTIR

[PhillM]

For the last 2 years I have found other things to do and not gone sailing on RTIR day. As a novice it seems like a good idea.

This year, with the refit delays, etc, it will be only my 3rd weekend where I can sail and sail is what I want to do (weather permitting).

So, my question is, leaving the Hamble on either Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, where can I go that will enable me to get a good couple of days sailing and keep me out of their way.

Suggestions please.

p.s This is not having a go at the RTIR - one day I want to compete, but for now, I just want to make sure I don't get caught up in it - they dont need a slow MAB in their way and I dont want the stress.

 

[prv]

I don't really know as I've only done it the once, but won't they be spending most of the day round the back of the island? Start will be silly o'clock in the morning, so they'll be clear of the western Solent by the time most civilised people are out there. During the afternoon the front runners will start appearing at the eastern end.

Pete

 

[yoda]

For the last 2 years I have found other things to do and not gone sailing on RTIR day. As a novice it seems like a good idea.

This year, with the refit delays, etc, it will be only my 3rd weekend where I can sail and sail is what I want to do (weather permitting).

So, my question is, leaving the Hamble on either Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, where can I go that will enable me to get a good couple of days sailing and keep me out of their way.

Suggestions please.

p.s This is not having a go at the RTIR - one day I want to compete, but for now, I just want to make sure I don't get caught up in it - they dont need a slow MAB in their way and I dont want the stress.

I think the start is quite early on the Saturday so a gentle cruise down to Yarmouth or Lymington behind the fleet is quite possible. Just avoid Cowes.

Yoda

 

[superheat6k]

Chichester is always a good bet when the Island is a no go zone. Also Island Harbour marina might be worth a try as many are nervous of the shallow water and lock. Getting into Cowes whilst the sailing world and his wife are round the back of the Wight is also a doddle.

 

[PhillM]

Thanks guys. Sounds like a good plan.

 

[Talulah]

Agree with what has been said. However, wherever you go, get in early as everywhere is likely to be booked.
Equally, eat on board. Don't plan on eating out. All tables will be booked.
Doesn't look warm enough for a barbie.

 

[oldharry]

There's plenty of room fro evryone in the Solent usually. RTIR will be heading west from Cowes during the morning, so head east, to Chichester, Bembridge or Portsmouth. Coming in at the end they tend to keep close inshore on a well defined track that will bring them the shortest line to Cowes, unless the wind has gone NW and is heading them. In any case by then they will be fairly well strung out, and although its still a bit like the M 25, at least they all follow more or less the same track and are more spread out than at the start.

Anyway, it can be quite fun to sit at anchor somewhere like Priory Bay, and watch the huge variety of sailing craft - from the latest go fast racers, to some very pretty old gaffers, with pretty well everything in between from out and out glitz to mouthwatering classics - and all being sailed to their very best and sweating to make it to the line in a reasonable time.

 

[Ru88ell]

We were in it two years ago, but pulled out at Yarmouth as I didn't fancy 30kts+ any more. Yarmouth was empty, and when the tide turned we sailed back to Cowes down an empty Solent, fully reefed. Cowes was empty too. As others have said, don't venture out until the fleets have departed. The returning competitors are well spread out.

 

[Iain C]

We are in the last start and go at 0640, so yes, everyone will be long gone. However...bear in mind it's an hour and a half start sequence and the lead boats will be going round in under 4 hours, so you can start to expect boats starting to finish from about breakfast time!

 

[Bobc]

Scooch across to Osborne bay on Saturday, chuck your hook in, and watch the fleet come past.

Then go anywhere you like (except Cowes on Saturday night).

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Sail to Yarmouth on Friday. It is always empty the day before the race.

Watch everyone go by on Saturday morning from the end the pier, or even better, walk to the Needles.

By lunchtime the western Solent is deserted.

Head back east on Sundy. Simple.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Sail to Yarmouth on Friday. It is always empty the day before the race.

Watch everyone go by on Saturday morning from the end the pier, or even better, walk to the Needles.

By lunchtime the western Solent is deserted.

Head back east on Sundy. Simple.

Simple indeed - except that Yarmouth is going to be stuffed up with it being Old Gaffers weekend !

 

[BlueSkyNick]

I don't really know as I've only done it the once, but won't they be spending most of the day round the back of the island? Start will be silly o'clock in the morning, so they'll be clear of the western Solent by the time most civilised people are out there. During the afternoon the front runners will start appearing at the eastern end.

Pete

Apart from the big serious racers, the front runners will start appearing soon after midday - the vast majority will be coming up from the east during the afternoon.

 

[l'escargot]

This year RTIR is the same weekend as the Old Gaffers so Yarmouth will definitely be full and most probably Lymington too. Cowes and the Hamble will be full because of RTIR so I would be looking at Chi or Pompey or even Bembridge. Folly could be an option but the pub is shut.

 

[PhillM]

Simple indeed - except that Yarmouth is going to be stuffed up with it being Old Gaffers weekend !

Thats a seriously important piece of news!

I had in fact been mulling over the Yarmouth trip but with perhaps a on-ward trip to Studland, as a warm up for the hallowed Poole trip I always seem to miss, but if Lymington and Yarmouth are rammed, perhaps its not going to be this weekend.

 

[DJE]

.... so I would be looking at Chi or Pompey or even Bembridge.

Our traditional club rally on RTIR weekend is to Portsmouth on Friday night and Chichester on Saturday.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Simple indeed - except that Yarmouth is going to be stuffed up with it being Old Gaffers weekend !

Good point.

On the other hand some people like rafting up to old wooden boats, having their topsides scratched, being kept up late into the evening by awful music, paying twice the going rate for a baguette sold by a Polish bloke with a French accent, standing around in a large crowd of drunken tourists drinking weak lager, and watching other pretend that Morris dancing is interesting.

As a resident of Yarmouth I can't wait.

 

[Malabar]

Sail to Yarmouth on Friday. It is always empty the day before the race.

Watch everyone go by on Saturday morning from the end the pier, or even better, walk to the Needles.

By lunchtime the western Solent is deserted.

Head back east on Sundy. Simple.

Not this year! It's Old Gaffers weekend at Yarmouth. Try Chichester

 

[BlueSkyNick]

O

This year RTIR is the same weekend as the Old Gaffers so Yarmouth will definitely be full and most probably Lymington too. Cowes and the Hamble will be full because of RTIR so I would be looking at Chi or Pompey or even Bembridge. Folly could be an option but the pub is shut.

I am sure there are spaces in Lymington if booked in advance. Marinas don't mind if you have to cancel closer to the time.

 

[RobbieW]

.... watching other pretend that Morris dancing is interesting...

One should try everything in life at least once - except incest and Morris dancing

Back to the OPs question, beware if going for Bembridge as someone suggested - you will want to go into Bembridge on a rising tide. Given the timing of the RTIR the afternoon flood is when the bulk of the racing fleet are trying to get to Cowes from Bembridge Ledge. Coming from Hamble you will be crossing the fleet at this point, been there done that, just hope you are on starboard!