RVYC CRUISER GROUP

The Cruiser Group is open to all members of our club regardless of whether you have your own cruiser or not. If this is the sort of sailing that interests you, and you would like to receive information regarding club rallies, cruiser events or information relevant to cruisers, get your name on the Cruiser Group email circulation list, by emailing your details to: cruisers@rvyc.org.uk.

We still do not have a Class Captain at present to organise and coordinate Cruiser Group activities. If you feel that you would be prepared to take on this role, I would be happy to discuss and provide a description of the Cruiser Captain's role with anyone interested. Until a new appointment has been made, I will continue to look after the Cruiser Group.

From: Adrian Robson, Past / Acting Cruiser Class Captain

CRUISER GROUP KEY CONTACTS

Adrian Robson - Acting Cruiser Group Captain

Hilary Martin - Permit Registrar

Mark Weeks

Contact email: cruisers@rvyc.org.uk

RVYC SPECIAL ENSIGN

All members of RVYC have the right to obtain a Special Ensign permit under the Club's Warrant if they are British citizens and own a yacht (sail/motor/RIB) which meets Conditions Governing the Issue of Yacht Permits. (Contact Hilary Martin direct or via email to the Cruiser Group.)

CRUISER GROUP RALLIES AND EVENTS FOR 2026

Easter Duck Race 12.00 Saturday 4^th April 2026

Timbrell's Quay Rally (Beaulieu) Friday 22^nd to Sunday 24^rd May 2026

The Beaulieu rally is a popular annual event. It is important to undertake this rally to maintain our privilege for mooring at Beaulieu. Choose between 1 or 2 nights at Beaulieu. I am hoping to extend this rally to the Monday with a return via Newtown or Lymington. Lead: Mark Weeks.

East Dorset Rally Sunday 12^th to Sunday 19^th July 2026

The itinerary includes Lymington, Poole Harbour, Wareham, Christchurch and return with a Western Solent stop. Lead: Adrian Robson

Lymington "End of Season" Rally Saturday 12^th to unday13^th September 2026

Hopefully, not the last sail of the season. If there are sufficient takers, a rally dinner will be booked.

REVIEW OF 2025 RVYC CRUISER GROUP RALLIES

East Dorset Rally Sunday 8^th June to Saturday 14^th June

Unfortunately, only Cassiopeia had registered for the rally to East Dorset. As it happened, even this was curtailed due to a combination of engine problems and adverse weather conditions. We did however, managed to get away on the Tuesday of that week, doing an impromptu version of a Creeks of the Solent rally, sailing when and where the weather permitted. Ports of call included Lymington, Ashlett Creek and Warsash. Conditions were better in August when a repeat for the rally was made anchoring or berthing at Lymington Town Quay, South Deep in Poole Harbour, Redclyffe Yacht Club at Wareham, Christchurch Sailing Club and Newtown Creek. The weather was much kinder this time, although there were a few occasions when motor sailing was required due to light winds. Altogether it was a good trip and a shame not to have other boats involved. We will attempt to repeat it in 2026 and hope for better conditions.

Timbrell's Quay Rally Friday 18^th to Sunday 20^th July

Yachts participating:

MyMo, Parker 27- Mark Weeks

Otter, Parker 27 - Rob Fraser

Lesa, Super Seal Hilary Martin

Sanity, Scary Trimaran Nigel Talbot

Atropos, Westerly Griffin Chris, Janette and Ivy Thomas

Jelou, Westerly Centaur - Steph & Andy Flux

Cassiopeia, Westerly Centaur - Sue and Adrian Robson

A new angle was tried for the annual RVYC rally to Timbrell's' Quay. Some people had said they would like more time in Beaulieu, so this year the rally was planned with an optimal stay of two days. The rally took place over the weekend, Friday18^th July to Sunday 20^th July. In light winds, boats arrived at different times. Cassiopeia was first to arrive on the Friday, shortly followed by Lesa. Otter surprised us with an appearance at the crack of dawn on Saturday giving Rob a very early start from Wootton Creek. Finally MyMo, Sanity, Atropos and Jelou came in on the late afternoon tide. We were delighted to see Ivy amongst the crew of Atropos, probably being the youngest member to have joined one of our rallies. That evening we managed to have our traditional buffet supper on the green at Timbrell's.

Sunday morning saw a dramatic change in the weather. There was a strong southerly F 5/6 wind with a forecast of wilder weather to come. Any ideas of extending the rally were forgotten. Lesa and Cassiopeia decided to attempt to return to Wootton Creek on the early morning tide against a strong head wind and an ebbing tide. This meant a using a combination of sailing close-hauled with assistance from our "iron-topsails".

Thanks to Mark for organising this weekend rally for the RVYC Cruiser Group. Photos of the rally are on the Club website.

RALLY PHOTGRAPHIC RECORDS

To access our photos of the above and previous rallies, use the following procedure.

1. Go to the RVYC website.

2. Login.

3. Select LINKS.

4. Select Club Photo Area (If this option does not appear at the top of the list then check that you have logged in.)

5. Click on the folder RVYC Photos Cruisers.

6. Select the folder for the year that you want.

7. Select the folder for the rally that you want.

This link may also be used to access the Wednesday Group Sailing trips.

ADULT SAIL TRAINING

If you are new to sailing and would like to get a taste of what cruiser sailing is like, then join the cruiser section of the Wednesday night Adult Sailing. The Cruiser Group supports this training providing experience on the water and basic understanding in some of the theory required to for this type of sailing. In addition we also hope to offer some longer day cruises. These will be advertised nearer the time.

RACING

Please see the Club calendar for Cruiser racing. A great way to hone your skills in making the best of wind and tide rather than turning on the engine or to have a couple of hours' sail with an objective.

Downloads

• Special Ensign Permit CONDITIONS.pdf
• RVYC Special Ensign Permit Application Form June 2021.pdf
• RVYC Special Ensign Permit Application Instructions June 2021.pdf

Last updated 17:45 on 10 January 2026