Prefered date for Scuttlebutt Cherbourg Cruise 2013

[Sailfree]

Apologies for double posting but obviously the '94 Port I was drinking with cheese & biscuits last night was stronger than I thought.

Discovered I posted in the lounge instead of Scuttlebutt so repeat posting I am afraid.

Just wanted this early post to sort out a date so Fergus can book YC and Formites can put it in their diaries (even if just as a possible!)

We plan this for weekend in September with neap tides.

For September 2013 Neaps fall exactly on Weekends 14/15 & 28/29.

Smallest neap is 28/29.

Aim is to pick date that suits the majority.

These days its potluck what weekend might get the best weather.

My understanding is that the biggest problem for many is the one September weekend commitment ferrying the children & kit to Uni.

Any views on preferred date?

Once date is picked this topic will go to sleep until say June/July 2013 just that with freezing temperatures some may think it nice to have to positively think about sailing next summer!!

OK now posted in right place wheres the rest of that Port!!

 

[colhel]

Just check my diary...............

Either

 

[Seajet]

I certainly don't expect a change in date to suit me, but I'll just point out that having crossed the Channel many times - though not in recent years - I have to say I reckon September is way too late, in fact the best / only decent weather seems to get earlier in the season every year.

If I get my crew sorted out and an earlier trip looks at all likely I'll mention it here in case anyone else fancies tagging along; though I would definitely plan on having much longer available than a long weeekend - too much chance of sailing to a schedule rather than the forecast - and would probably go something like Studland to Guernsey then back across to Salcombe.

Andy

 

[prv]

I have to say I reckon September is way too late, in fact the best / only decent weather seems to get earlier in the season every year.

Not at all. The pattern the last few years has been nice late spring / early summer, crappy July and August, then nice again in September. Specifically, the last two (at least) Cherbourg runs in September have had beautiful weather with the only problem being a lack of wind.

As for the mooted dates, put me down for either, I have no plans that far ahead!

Pete

 

[DJE]

I have to say I reckon September is way too late, in fact the best / only decent weather seems to get earlier in the season every year.

While not complete *******s that certainly didn't apply last year!

 

[Seajet]

PRV & DJE,

it may have been light last year but I'm basing it on a few things inc shorter days and chance of equinoctal gales; I've spent a week storm-bound in Salcombe before now on a September jolly.

Andy

 

[jimi]

PRV & DJE,

it may have been light last year but I'm basing it on a few things inc shorter days and chance of equinoctal gales; I've spent a week storm-bound in Salcombe before now on a September jolly.

Andy

I've seen weather like that in June

come to think of it I've also seen it in July and August as well as May and erm April as well as Jan, Feb,Mar Oct Nov and Dec

 

[jimi]

The earlier w/e might be a possibility for me cos I want to get to Plymouth this year and complete my round Britain trip via Eire,NI, Scotland,Germany,Denmark,Sweden,Poland, Netherlands,Belgium and France ;-)

So hopefully could hit Cherbourg on the way back to Ipswich from Plymouth.

 

[DJE]

PRV & DJE,

it may have been light last year but I'm basing it on a few things inc shorter days and chance of equinoctal gales; I've spent a week storm-bound in Salcombe before now on a September jolly.

Andy

Looks a bit like Poole Harbour last June!

 

[bedouin]

Any votes for much earlier in the season - say May or June?

Plus side much more light for those of us who have a long crossing, and usually warmer better weather.

Down side - much more likely to clash with other sailing commitments

 

[Sailfree]

Any votes for much earlier in the season - say May or June?

Happy for you to arrange another one in the months that you suggest. I would probably try to make it.

The weather is a lottery whatever month is picked. This year it was sunny in February and we competed in Poole week in August and did 2 races out in the bay in a Wayfarer with 34kts wind and cold!! SWMBO helms and was not a happy bunny!

I just inherited the event from Tome and others and the only change I have made is to introduce the afternoon pontoon gathering so as to be more inclusive for newbees and enable everyone to mix more than is possible when seated at the evening meal. The fact that for last 5 years it has been Sunny on the Saturday afternoon has assisted its sucess.

Over the years there have been various suggestions (mainly concerning alternative restaurants ) and a couple have been tried but the existing format seems to suit many so my feeling is that unless it is necessary to change I intend to follow Tome's good advice. "We pick the date and the place and its up to everyone else if they want to come you cannot please everyone!"

I do think that a number would try to make additional channel Xings and if another Formite was willing to arrange a series of Cherbourg meets I would expect a number would try to make some or all of them! I am sure Magali Harmon, whose job is to promote Cherbourg, would welcome them and I am happy to pass on to any prospective organiser her contact details. The acid test is for someone to organise another one and if it got excellent support and support for September withered then the earlier event would supercede the latter. You may also find a number keen to do either Bray or St Peter Port instead of Cherbourg?

Out of politeness to Brendan who is kindly trying organising a Mercury meet I suggest any organiser should give Brendan's date a miss and even give it some breathing space as few would want scuttlebutt meets on sucessive weekends.

WRT to the traditional September Scuttlebutt Cruise I note only 1 vote so far for the early weekend from Jimi.

 

[prv]

I just inherited the event from Tome and others and the only change I have made is to introduce the afternoon pontoon gathering so as to be more inclusive for newbees and enable everyone to mix more than is possible when seated at the evening meal. The fact that for last 5 years it has been Sunny on the Saturday afternoon has assisted its sucess.

Absolutely. Don't mess with a winning formula. Especially on the advice of someone who's never attended

Pete

EDIT: I had thought that Sailfree's response was to Seajet, not Bedouin.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Dont fix wot aint broke.

 

[bedouin]

In fact I don't think the September date was ever a deliberate choice. The first Cherbourg meet was arranged at fairly short notice IIRC and then for the next few years it was always that we got to July and realised that nothing had been organised so some kind sole would volunteer to do it

 

[jimi]

The later w/e is the university delivery trip for me

 

[jimi]

First one was actually in December ;-) and occurred over 3 separate weekends cos it was totally unc0ordinated ;-) Zefender was the pathfinder ;-)

Then TK sort of rationalised it as a good end of season jolly


actually it was October

http://www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-28871.html

 

[Seajet]

Absolutely. Don't mess with a winning formula. Especially on the advice of someone who's never attended

Pete

EDIT: I had thought that Sailfree's response was to Seajet, not Bedouin.

Pete,

I may never have attended this rally, but I've been across the Channel 24 + times at last count; I wasn't advising anyone to do anything, just explaining why I don't fancy September.

 

[Moonshining]

Looks a bit like Poole Harbour last June!

And August

 

[bedouin]

First one was actually in December ;-) and occurred over 3 separate weekends cos it was totally unc0ordinated ;-) Zefender was the pathfinder ;-)

Then TK sort of rationalised it as a good end of season jolly


actually it was October

http://www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-28871.html

That can't be it - the St Vaast meeting must have been 2002 at the latest.

Now I come to think of it the first Cherbourg trip was during the RWC 2003 - I remember Tome running around trying to find a Bar that was showing the England match

 

[fireball]

Pete,

I may never have attended this rally, but I've been across the Channel 24 + times at last count; I wasn't advising anyone to do anything, just explaining why I don't fancy September.

90% of my channel crossings have been in September ... but I'm only just into double figures ... so I can't draw any meaningful statistics from that ...
At 24 crossings your statistics are barely more meaningful than mine.

Whatever date is picked the weather is not guaranteed. It can't be. On the Scuttlebut trips I've done I have a mixture of F6 NE, F6 SW as well as the more pleasant F3-4 W - and one uncomfortable F5 W ...
As TomE said - and has been re-iterated above. The date is set by the organisers and then it is up to everyone to turn up (or not) as they see fit.
Nobody is forced to put to sea and there's always a bit of jossling around towards the end of the runup. Quite often a larger boat may take a couple of extra crew from the smaller boats if the weather is foul - and there is always a ferry !
One thing is guaranteed - those that make it will have a bluddy good time - and hopefully a couple of good sails too!

Roger - I have no preference as to which weekend ... I'll even try and make it ... didn't have the time this year