Where did everybody go?

[Twister_Ken]

We sailed the E Solent yesterday (Saturday), just a gentle jog, fab weather although a knot or two more breeze would have been welcome at times. We turned at about 1630, a mile or so east of No Mans to return to Hamble. By 1730, the E. Solent was virtually empty, and by the time we got back to Hamble Point buoy (about 1930) you could count the boats out sailing on the fingers of one foot, despite the fact that it was a fine, dry, sunny evening with a topsail breeze.

Why? Is everyone so paranoid about finding a marina berth on a Saturday night that they want to have lines ashore by 1600? I can remember (swing that lamp) 20 or more years ago, a day like that would have loads of people out enjoying the sailing to dusk and beyond. Not anymore, it seems.

 

[Wansworth]

Football? Getting back in to grab the hose first?The actual sailing bit is only an excuse for going to pub,going to chandlery or just general apre-sail!

 

[Victorious]

Odd that you discribe the eve as a "topsail breeze".
I was busy making a topmast /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

As for people sailing in the evenings... those days are long gone..
If you sail late eve... All the Aquatic car parks are full and you cant anchor for the night... Cos the ACP's were built where the anchorages used to be! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[billmacfarlane]

Lying down, sweating like a racehorse, in my portside cockpit locker looking at a fuel tank fitting that leaks and caused me to feel seasick for the first time in my life crossing to St Vaast on Whitsun Monday. Boy did I have a great time.

 

[Athene V30]

Ahh, the East Coast! What's a marina?

 

[LeonF]

Ssssssssshhhhhhhhhh. can't you keep a secret ??

 

[tross]

Ah! I noticed this the other week after drift round the island race . I was gently sailing up the west solent towards cowes but loads of boats came past with sails down on engines on. The only thing I could guess that they have to be back in time for the jouney back home to london and its suburbs - the M3 does get a bit manic on sunday afternoons

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Ironically, was at anchor over the weekend in the Backwaters, expecting it to be quite busy, and was very quiet..... not more than 10 boats at anchor......

Not complaining mind..... a lovely sunset, and very very peaceful.....

 

[cgull]

I had to passage plan last week so some of my crew could watch TV on Sat night, some sort of game, theres not many TV pubs (if any) in the Helford River!

Gave me a nice peaceful hour or so alone on the boat. (found a tv in Helford river Sailing Club) Crew did complain it was only a small set

 

[ColinHuggins]

Make it six miles East of No Man's next time and come ashore for a Pimm's.

 

[Twister_Ken]

It's in the diary, next time we're down with a good bit of east going.

 

[A_7]

Le Mans?