Cruising Fleet Report for the Sailing Committee meeting to be held at The Island Sailing Club on Thursday 12 May 2016 at 1930

The first 2016 ISC Cruising Fleet event was on Wednesday 16 April to Southampton Town Quay Marina for lunch at Fantinis restaurant nearby. Seven boats were booked into the Marina but the weather forecast for the return journey put several off & only four boats arrived, the remainder of the 32 members booked for the Restaurant arriving by Red Jet. However, everyone enjoyed their lunch with two boats staying overnight returning home on Thursday.

The Yarmouth Event began on Wednesday 20 April. Weather conditions the day before were exceptionally calm so three boats arrived a day early, with the remainder arriving in a blustery Easterly wind on the Wednesday – a total of 11 boats with 22 members including new Cruising Fleet members Ian & Judith Reynolds on “Amore of Poole” and Clive & Isabella Castle, who had intended sailing their yacht “Prime Number” up from Weymouth but arrived by train due to mechanical problems with their boat. That evening 31 members enjoyed an excellent meal at the Royal Solent Yacht Club who made us very welcome. The food was delicious and their organisation was most efficient.

The next day we walked to a Graham Ferris’s charming cottage for a very convivial lunch. Thanks to Graham for providing the venue, bread, cheese & wine. Luckily the rain held off, although the strong wind made it feel cold when not in the sun. 33 Members took part.

That evening we walked to the Yarmouth Green to see the lighting of the beacon in honour of the Queen’s 90th birthday

The ISC Cruising Fleet boats dressed overall for the day.

On the Friday 3 boats returned to Cowes but the remaining 16 members had booked a trip to Hurst Castle. The ferry “Wild Rose” took us to the castle which was very interesting and surprisingly extensive. The weather was very wet and windy but luckily we had pre-booked a ploughman’s lunch in the Castle café which proved excellent.

That evening 12 members had a very merry meal in The Bugle Hotel which included hilarious “Stanley Holloway” poetry recitals from Jeremy Thomas & Alan Gentry via their smart phones. The weather on Saturday was ENE force 4 to 5 but several boats set off for Cowes the rest returning on Sunday & Monday when the wind changed to the West. The next event is to Ocean Village Marina, a new venue for the ISC, and then on to Hythe. Geof Hughes & Linda Fisher Island Sailing Club Cruising Fleet Captains