The Fife Regatta - anyone from here going?

Morning Rob,
There are no moorings (that I am aware of) which can be used by visitors but their pontoon/breakwater is great for up-to (I would say) eighteen-ish yachts (with a few rafted one out).
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk31/JMosson/ScuttlebuttMusterCWCPontoon24_04_10-1.jpg
With regards to it being 'exposed' .... the answer is 'it can-be' ..... so if it blows a 'howler' your options are Largs, or Rothesay at the Inner basin/harbour .... but you can only gain access (to the inner harbour) when the 'Cal-Mac Ferry' isn't alongside..... but they do have a red/green light system to guide you.
If you choose to use the outer-harbour, you are exposed to the hourly wash off the bow-thrusters from the ferry.
OG.
 
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OGITD said:
Morning Rob,
There are no moorings (that I am aware of) which can be used by visitors but their pontoon/breakwater is great for up-to (I would say) eighteen-ish yachts (with a few rafted one out).
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk31/JMosson/ScuttlebuttMusterCWCPontoon24_04_10-1.jpg
With regards to it being 'exposed' .... the answer is 'it can-be' ..... so if it blows a 'howler' your options are Largs, or Rothesay at the Inner basin/harbour .... but you can only gain access (to the inner harbour) when the 'Cal-Mac Ferry' isn't alongside..... but they do have a red/green light system to guide you.
If you choose to use the outer-harbour, you are exposed to the hourly wash off the bow-thrusters from the ferry.

OG.
Click to expand...

It has to be a real howler with some east in it to cause any problems on the inside of the pontoon at Cumbrae watersports center as you only have around a mile of fetch.
There are free moorings a lot closer than Rothesay. Millport Bay, these are well sheltered in most directions unless South or South west.
 
OGITD said:
Morning Rob,
There are no moorings (that I am aware of) which can be used by visitors but their pontoon/breakwater is great for up-to (I would say) eighteen-ish yachts (with a few rafted one out).
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk31/JMosson/ScuttlebuttMusterCWCPontoon24_04_10-1.jpg
With regards to it being 'exposed' .... the answer is 'it can-be' ..... so if it blows a 'howler' your options are Largs, or Rothesay at the Inner basin/harbour .... but you can only gain access (to the inner harbour) when the 'Cal-Mac Ferry' isn't alongside..... but they do have a red/green light system to guide you.
If you choose to use the outer-harbour, you are exposed to the hourly wash off the bow-thrusters from the ferry.
OG.
Click to expand...

Spyro said:
It has to be a real howler with some east in it to cause any problems on the inside of the pontoon at Cumbrae watersports center as you only have around a mile of fetch.
There are free moorings a lot closer than Rothesay. Millport Bay, these are well sheltered in most directions unless South or South west.
Click to expand...

Hi, both.
Thanks for the updates. I spoke with the watersports centre this morning and they advised that I am not able to "reserve" a pontoon berth, but I should be OK - if there aren't a whole flotilla thinking the same thoughts! We also discussed Milport, which seems a pretty good second choice. Interesting to hear your views about the ferry, and washes.
I think I'll risk the watersports centre, but keep a very keen weather-eye on the forecasts. I agree, the fetch is nothing too great, but storms can grwo from nowhere, as we are beginning to realise!

I am so grateful for all the info, from everyone on the fora, about so many topics. It's a great way of socially improving one's knowledge, and ideas. Much appreciated and enjoyed.

Robert
 
Hello all

I have assisted the small team of enthusiasts running the regatta for the last two editions, and am once again doing whatever I can to help the event go smoothly.

This is a small event, run mainly so that the enthusiasts who have invested emotions, money and stress in getting these old boats sailing and racing again, can be welcomed warmly by the unique geography and culture that built them. We have never tried to 'develop the franchise', as we feel that the event would lose it's unique feel, and at the end of the day, it is run and staffed by volunteers.

It is also run, out of Fairlie, 400 yards from the boatyard, so that locals can once again see the boats their fathers and grand fathers built, and to that extent we have never tried to keep the event a secret, we have a website we keep as up to date as we can, and an active Facebook page. But, please, bear in mind, we have no full time admin staff, no professional press secretary, and lots to do.

If anyone here gets the opportunity to visit the regatta, either spectating on the water or land, or visiting the venues by land, you should. It is an amazing sight, a piece of San Tropez just dropped into Largs, Rothesay, Tinny and Portavadie. The route for the individual races will be published soon, but the best spectating opportunities for Clyde based boats will be on the opening weekend, 29th and 30th June, and the last Friday, 5th July. We try to keep an box a couple of hundred yards to leeward of the start line clear of spectator craft during the start procedure, aside from that spectator craft are welcome to come and have a look, but remember they are quite big long keelers...
 
ProMariner said:
Hello all

I have assisted the small team of enthusiasts running the regatta for the last two editions, and am once again doing whatever I can to help the event go smoothly.

This is a small event, run mainly so that the enthusiasts who have invested emotions, money and stress in getting these old boats sailing and racing again, can be welcomed warmly by the unique geography and culture that built them. We have never tried to 'develop the franchise', as we feel that the event would lose it's unique feel, and at the end of the day, it is run and staffed by volunteers.

It is also run, out of Fairlie, 400 yards from the boatyard, so that locals can once again see the boats their fathers and grand fathers built, and to that extent we have never tried to keep the event a secret, we have a website we keep as up to date as we can, and an active Facebook page. But, please, bear in mind, we have no full time admin staff, no professional press secretary, and lots to do.

If anyone here gets the opportunity to visit the regatta, either spectating on the water or land, or visiting the venues by land, you should. It is an amazing sight, a piece of San Tropez just dropped into Largs, Rothesay, Tinny and Portavadie. The route for the individual races will be published soon, but the best spectating opportunities for Clyde based boats will be on the opening weekend, 29th and 30th June, and the last Friday, 5th July. We try to keep an box a couple of hundred yards to leeward of the start line clear of spectator craft during the start procedure, aside from that spectator craft are welcome to come and have a look, but remember they are quite big long keelers...
Click to expand...

That's brilliant, thank you.
I hadn't realised how small your team is, and never having been before I have no idea how grand or "neat" the event is. From what you say I am even more looking forward to seeing it all. I have so much admiration for all those big old boats, and those lucky people who own and race them.
I remember Eilean from my sailing days around Falmouth in the 60s and 70s. I didn't realise until very recently that I have a WWII connection with the Fulton family, who owned her originally.
So I'm so looking forward to being there.
Good luck to you all, and I hope the weather is kind to everyone involved.
RW
 
The organisers have been extremely busy especially Alistair Houston as he has been painting furiously to achieve a collection of paintings to be exhibited at the Monaco Yacht Club and the Royal Thames this week, certainly didnt envy him his drive to Monaco over the past two days!The number of Fifes attending are swelling nicely with Kentra being prepared to go back in the water after several years lay up at Fairlie and some other "weel kent" names already on the list of entrants.
As in previous years this will be quite something to see and for those that can make it a must for this years diary.
 
Grajan said:
The number of Fifes attending are swelling nicely with Kentra being prepared to go back in the water after several years lay up at Fairlie and some other "weel kent" names already on the list of entrants.
As in previous years this will be quite something to see and for those that can make it a must for this years diary.
Click to expand...
BIG + 1
 
A taster for the Fife regatta - an early arrival out for a sail on Sunday

8858122547_9411b8466c_z.jpg


Is this Kentra, just relaunched?
 
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I remember back in 1998 seeing Pen Duick along side in Largs with her French ensign at half mast.....sadly her owner Eric Tabarly had been lost overboard in the Bristol channel whilst on passage to Largs for the regatta. If you have any interest in boats at all this is a regatta not to be missed with some beautiful old girls on display....I for sure will be there.
 
Things are hotting-up :):)
All preparations going on apace.
Mine too.
Had a whoopsie with the prop-shaft key disintegrating - boat in/out three times and 260 mile trip to FAL at Buckie for repairs and bits. Very very helpful people; highly recommended.
Otherwise stores are listed, buying on Saturday. All gear listed and checked. All charts, pilots, nav-gear aboard.

Hope to sail down in less than ten days (250nm round the Mull), so setting-off from Loch Ewe on Monday 17th June.
Anyone else going south that way? Would be good to sail at least part of the way "in company".

See you there, by Friday registration hopefully.

Good sailing and fair winds,
RW
 
Largs Yacht Haven was or is looking for berth holders who will be away so they can use their berth, they have a rent back scheme. The point is Largs may not have space if you are just dropping in on the off chance of a berth. As noted earlier pre booking is probably a good idea. I am planning on being there.
 
I will be parked in the Kyles with camera in hand.
Depending on the final itinerary and timing I might follow the fleet round into Loch Fyne.
Its one of the regular crew's birthday weekend, so there may be some double celebrating.
 
I will be there for the week, following the fleet camera in hand, I am based in Largs.
Very much looking forward to it, I have had a lot of enjoyment researching the vessels entered and compiling my own guide.
 
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