Marconi Sailing Club
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2009 Burnham on Crouch Cruise
Saturday 23 May to Monday 25 May 2009
The tides dictated either a very early start to go via the Swin Spitway or just an early start to go via the Ray Sand Channel. C'est Moi and Killara 11 opted to leave early while Trumpeter, Charlotte, Southern Hey, Suruca, Varuna and Shell Seeker were more leisurely in their preparations.
A lack of wind was frustrating but this filled in later. While the Spitway fleet had some good sailing, those going via the Ray Sand only found the wind around the Crouch buoy and a fleet of racing Dragons ahead of them.
C'est Moi and Killara picked up mooring buoys off Rice and Cole while the remainder of the fleet opted for the comfort and easy of landing at Burnham Yacht Harbour. However early evening saw everyone gathered at Maurice Balfe's caravan for a enjoyable barbeque where we were joined by Conrad and Hetaher Barnard (ex club members).
Sunday was spent in leisurely mood by most but Varuna wnet up river towards North Fambridge, returning to report that there was no way the planned trip to the yacht haven pontoon would have worked as it was fully occupied. In the evening we sampled the delights (or otherwise) of the Swallow Tail.
Monday dawned grey and windles as the fleet, less C'est Moi and Killara who had departed for St Katherine's on sunday, made its way out of the yacht harbour. As we motored down river the easterly wind, bang on the nose, was definitely increasing as the drizzle began. By the time that the yellow buoy at the entrance to the Ray Sand was reached the wind was a good force five with an interesting sea running. I do not think many of us were watching the depth sounders too closely as we made our way across the shallow patch. Motoring up the channel with the wind now on our beam and an occassional force six showing on the windgauge was a wet and bumpy experience.
However on turning to enter the Blackwater the sun came out, the wind decreased and a combination of foresails with engines, foresails with mainsails with or without engines, could be seen as a pleasant sail on smooth water heralded a gentle return to the moorings which were reached by most at high water, saving the effort of hauling the tenders up the hard.
All in all an enjoyable weekend but I, for one, would rather forget the passage back up the Ray Sand itself.
Report by Neil Pembleton
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Page last updated: 07/06/2009 17:06:04