Page 32 - Yachter Autumn 2024

32 BEAULIEU PENSIONERS
BEAULIEU PENSIONERS
GO RACING TO CHERBOURG
Chris Brown and I decided, on a whim to join the elite RSYC racers and compete in the MDL Cherbourg Double Handed Race.
Barti Blue was prepared by digging out cruising chute lines and the boom preventer. Anchor and 60m of chain in the forward locker, dinghy, engine, solar cells in cockpit lockers, enough tools to repair a Battleship, full water and fuel tanks and a two kilogram lump hammer were neatly stowed.
The Start off Hamble entrance, was likely to be in light winds. After studying the wind on numerous Apps, we debated whether to go east on the last of the tide into the wind, but
having increased apparent wind and then out past the Forts or go west with wind and pick up the tide after about an hour and half. We of course choose the wrong way and foolishly, in hindsight, went west into the wind shadow of the Isle of Wight.
So, a downwind start across the southern end of Southampton’s Shipping lanes for five RSYC rated and one IOC rated yacht. We decide not to fly the cruising chute until we had started,
to save any embarrassment which resulted in getting behind a LPG tanker and significantly behind those that started with spinnakers. Barti was going very slowly in about five knots of wind. One boat unfortunately went aground off Calshot and required a tow off as he was being driven on by wind and the tide was
falling. The Hound managed to tow it off and they queried whether they should retire. I know what the Rules say. But the Race Officer did
say that if fleet agreed, he should continue as
“it was in the spirit of double handed racing”. We suggested that as he had made the effort, if fleet agreed and Race Officer concurred that
he should continue. RSYC may like to amend appropriate Rule regarding outside assistance in instances like this, where there is obviously no advantage and substitute an alternative penalty.
We drifted down toward Hurst with the cruising chute fitfully pulling occasionally. The other three boats were well ahead and the aground boat well behind at Hurst. Tide eventually pushed us down the Channel but the wind, in lee of the island was still light.