Boat Show Cruise September 2019

Its is a simple task get in the boat sail to East Cowes go to boat show. Nothing quite works like that and this was my third attempt. In 2017 I had no crew, in 2018 I had crew and we spent the night on board. In the morning it was a steady force 7 forcast up to 8. So went for a little jaunt around Weymouth bay and back home. Went to the boat show on the Friday by car.

I better explain that in August 2016 after about 20 years of not sailing we had a rush of blood to the head and bought a boat and in October 2016 Pilli was launched. We spent the next couple of years sailing in and around Weymouth Bay. After my first year I joined the Portland Yacht Club and they organise a cruise to East Cowes to vist the Southampton Boat Show each year.

It's September 2019 I had my brother as crew and the weather was good. Jean Clair and Pilli set off first with Sea Squared following behind when emergency altenator repairs were completed. Jean Clair left Portland with Pilli following close behind. It was a beautiful sunny day but not a lot of wind so it wasn't long before we started the engine and motor sailed.   As we were approaching The Needles the wind perked up and we turned the engine off and progressed at a rather leisurly 4 knots. A good time for a drink and lunch. I had prepared lasagne for lunch the day before and we reheated it and had a delicious lunch with a drop of wine to wash it down.

Passing The Needles

The wind lightened and progress became rather slow and so it was back to motor sailing. As the sun started to set it was obviously G&T time.

G&T O'clock

We arrived at East Cowes following Jean Clair up the river at dusk. Good timing, it was slack water and it was easy slip into our allocated berth. Time for a beer and some food. But not before watching Sea Squared slide into the berth just behind us.

Pilli with Sea Squared behind and Jean Clair on the opposite pontoon

We had a couple of days to spare before the boat show opened. So one day was spent wandering around Cowes and the next going with the Sea Squared crew to Osborne House. The staff at the marina lit the barbecue in their tented enclosure on Thursday night and we all met for food and drink. The tented area was great especially as it was not a warm evening. On the Friday we caught an early ferry to the boat show with the tickets Dean & Reddyhoff give to their berth holders. When we were suitably tired we met many other berth holders at the Dean & Reddyhoff stand for chat and refreshments. Very nice.

Boat Show Panorama

At the end of the day it was a hop onto the ferry and back to East Cowes. That evening six of us hopped into a minicab and went to The Breeze Restaurant at Island Harbour. Surprisingly not very busy but good. The next morning it was again a sunny day with not a lot of wind and we headed home.

Jean Clair, Sea Squared and Pilli heading home

Once out of Cowes we set sail and headed for Portland. As our journey progressed the wind faded away and first on went the engine and we motor sailed and by the time we reach St Adhelms Head the sails had been furled and we all motored. Sea Squared led the way around the inside route. As expected it was a bit bumpy.

Rounding St Adhelms Head

Once we were round the head a little breeze appeared and we variously sailed or motor sailed back to Portland Marina. All in all a very enjoyable trip.