Weymouth & Portland - 26th-28th August 2022

The 2022 Weymouth and Portland KYC / LTSC Cruise

Sue and I were looking forward to this cruise / rally, but both of thought 'gosh this is a long way to sail for just a weekend.' This thought was bearing in mind that we had already sailed over 1000Nm this summer, including to Weymouth and Portland earlier in July. Anyway, as it turned out the sailing was amazing, and the trip was well worth the little bit of effort required.

We set off from Shamrock Quay on Friday aiming to overnight in Studland Bay. After a bit of motoring the wind picked up and we were on a fetch straight down the Needles Channel at + 10kn. After the Needles we bore away towards Studland. It was such an amazing day that shortly before Studland we changed our minds and headed for St. Albans and Chapmans Pool. We spent a quiet night in Chapmans Pool under a black sky full of stars.

Colin called to say he was over-nighting in Studland Bay and would see us in the morning.

Being out of the live firing season, we were for once able to sail close to the beautiful Dorset coast. We came across the super yacht Slipstream anchored outside Lulworth Cove. The people on board looked like they were having fun. At £350 per week to charter, they certainly should be!

The weather in Weymouth was fine and sunny. Very soon all the rally boats came in and moored. Much chatting and drinking of coffee and wine ensued. Malaika had broken her main halyard and this stimulated a discussion of how best to replace this as an interim measure. The plan was to all meet up for a drink in The Royal Dorset Yacht as I had arranged with them, Unfortunately, they reneged on their agreement and were closed when we got there. Bad show! We all went our separate ways to eat in Weymouth as it was difficult / impossible to find a decent venue for a mass meal.

Saturday morning dawned fine and lovely. Some went swimming, walking and shopping.

At mid-day we all set off on the hazardous trip round into Portland Harbour. Just as Malaika, Lady J and Blue Kaloo were entering the harbour, we were accosted by a pair of large dolphins. As we sailed slowly across the empty harbour the dolphins followed us. It has now become apparent that Jane Holloway is a dolphin whisperer! The two dolphins followed Malaika right up the entrance to the marina, regularly leaping out of the water to converse with Jane.

Sitting in Lady J's cockpit in the glorious sunshine drinking with other crews - such decadence!

Saturday night was spent at The Boat That Rocks. Here was live music, a long table, average food, but lots of fun.

The sail back to the Solent required a before dawn start to catch the tide. The breeze was 15kn or so on the nose. Brilliant sailing conditions, lively rounding St. Albans Head.

By the time Lady J reached North Head, the tide had turned and the wind had all but died. We did try to assist one of the Cowes Torquay racers who had broken down, but there were so many boats around we just sailed on in the end. Sue insisted on sailing all the way to Hurst Castle so the people sunbathing on Hurst Spit got a very close up view of Lady J's port side.

A fantastic weekend of sailing and socializing.

Neil Peacock

Last updated 10:01 on 30 April 2024