South Coast Adventures 4 - losing out to Dame Ellen

[Cloona]

When "the Bruv" put us up for the Round the Island Race and paid the money I was a little sceptical but now that September is here it remains a highlight of the season.

It started with a good enough sail over to Cowes. A bit of a bash to windward, and spilling the main in the gusts, but with Dad onboard and the boat going well and the knowledge that there would be some time for beer in the evening - it was a happy day.

The early start was superb with the excitement and expectation crackling quietly in the pre-dawn

and soon enough we were away with "Bruv" clearly looking just a bit anxious.

The start was a wonder of its own with the phalanxes of sail forming up and rushing the line and soon enough our class was away. The red sails are us.

As a small yacht with triple keels, going to windward on the leg towards Hurst, saw most of the fleet go past us - and of course we managed to lose our pride and joy - the brand new handheld VHF - overboard it had splashed as we had struggled to get the outboard in. Regardless we made good time with tide under us and were soon able to get the required pictures for a very easy Wheres This ?

After this we had the long reach towards St Catherines where we were joined by a Fulmar for a bit, and overtook a couple of stragglers. We stupidly sailed through the overfalls rather than standing off the point but Cloona looked after us and we crossed Sandown bay in good time. At Ryde we made our only sail change of the day as the freshening breeze had the "bruv" enjoying a bit of pitching on the foredeck as the genoa came down for the jib.

The toes spoil this piture but the days sailing was excellent in a steady 4-5 with Cloona enjoying herself most of time -

We got back to Cowes in less than my best possible predicted time of 12 hours and I was proud enough of my little boat as we motored back towards the most excellent Cowes Yacht Haven -

Our finish time was 11 hours 38 minutes and we were racing against Gypsy Moth IV - and indeed even Dame Ellen had managed to defeat us. Of course we have quibbles with the
Handicap.

 

[stevemeakin]

Well done you - great to see a Deb still sailing strong. My granddad had a deb and sailed it over to Ireland a number of times. One time whilst sailing across he couldn't work out why she was so slow........a plank was laying across the keels. With this removed progress was significantly improved!

 

[Cloona]

do you know where he sailed from ? or have any pictures ?

the most famous Debutante, "Sea Dart", ended up in the Carribean - but i am not that ambitious altho' they are good seaboats -

 

[stevemeakin]

He sailed from the River Axe in Weston-Super-Mare. I'm afraid I don't have any pics.
Her name was Lotus and she was a registered ship for many years. He sold her to a chap who took her out once and scared himself in a bit of a blow and so she was hauled out and rotted for many years. I had dreamed of restoring her but unfortunately she was burned before I had chance which was a huge shame. I have ended up resorting a Stella instead! I do see them up for sale every now and I really wish more people would take them on especially if budget is limited as they are as you say great sea boats. My Granddad was a very accomplished sailor both in terms of racing and cruising and said they were one of the finest small ships he'd sailed. Good for you sailing her in the round the island - I'm sure she looked after you well and certainly she would of held her own, she was designed as a racer/cruiser!