Page 68 - Salcombe Masthead 2020

66 SYC Social Events
Summer Cruise
2019 saw 14 yachts heading west towards the Scillies with the inevitable question of whether the weather would stay clement long enough for us to get there.
Our first port was Fowey where the Club had a vibrant rally a few weeks earlier organised by Graham Nurser. On this occasion we enjoyed the usual pontoon party but then on the Tuesday many crew members travelled to the Eden Project by minibus. Jayne Knight gave us a fascinating insight into the design of the gardens and bio-domes as she had been involved since the very early days. We all then meandered around the beautiful environment keeping an eye on the overhead zip wire that connects one side of the old quarry to the other. Doug O’Malley had organised for a number of intrepid members of the group to ‘fly’ at exhilarating speeds. On our return to Fowey, dinner was enjoyed at RFYC.
Sailing on to Falmouth the following day and a get-together on the pontoon to compare notes and prepare for the activities. Thursday morning was a visit around Rustlers yard where the new 57 was about to be launched and two 44s
were in build. A fascinating insight into how quality yachts are built in this country and the history of the brand. Princess Anne is
a proud owner as well as the Parkers! In the afternoon we moved on to Pendennis Shipyard where some magnificent super yachts were both in build and being refitted. The first Oyster 125 was just being handed over and 3 other superyachts were there for us to see.
This visit was followed by dinner at
the Chain Locker where everyone was comparing notes on where and when they would move on. Inevitably the weather was deteriorating so everyone decided that the Scillies would have to wait for another year. Many decided to spend a few days in the
Helford river and others headed back east, all returning to Salcombe having had good weather, fair sailing and plenty of friendship and the odd glass of wine.
The question is ‘where to next year?’ Some say go east others say go to the Balearic Islands and some say both!! Martin Smout
A FASCINATING INSIGHT INTO HOW QUALITY YACHTS ARE BUILT IN THIS COUNTRY...