Page 24 - Yachter Autumn 2024

24 ROUND THE ISLAND RACE
ROUND THE ISLAND RACE AND MAN OVERBOARD
I have been taking part in the RTI on and off for over 40 years, this year with a scratch crew we decided to give it another bash in our boat Walkabout IV, a Dufour 40.
Island back to Cowes. We were seeing 25 to 30 knots of wind on a middling reach with time for coffee and biscuits. Approaching St Catherine’s, Nigel passed the Helm back to me as he was off to make more coffee. We were trying to edge out to sea to miss the worst of the overfalls but having to go with the breaking waves as and when, so as not to get caught broadside. All was going to plan until we went down a
breaking wave, which we now believe had a step in its face, flooded the Cockpit, and we rounded up. All of
The crew of five was myself, my brother Nigel (we have sailed together for over sixty years), Tom Brown, my close friend Chris’s son, Keith Fisher, a friend and fellow volunteer from Testwood Lakes Sailability and James Robinson Ranger a friend from RSYC. We hadn’t sailed together collectively before but all at various times had with me.
The forecast was lively but not extreme, so after an early departure from the RSYC Pontoon we were away down the River
making tea and bacon butties. After a cracking start under full sail, we were away towards
The Needles progressively reefing as we went. James and Tom, the fit young men, were on the foresail tailing and winching. James rarely uses the low gear and has to be reminded when to stop!
Leading our Class on corrected time at The Needles we made the decision to carry on, reasoning it was downhill to St Catherine’s and Bembridge Ledge, then in the lee of the