title
Cruises 2010

Here are some of the highlights of this year's cruising activities:

Dinghies to Snape Bridge

When I walked the dog at 7am on Saturday in the pouring rain I could not believe that anyone would turn up to go sailing at 900hrs, as the forecast was for more to come. I arived at the club at 8 expecting to cancel, but had not been there many minutes when the first sailor turned up! Within a few minutes we had a few more and safety boat crew so it was on.
Five dinghies set of in the rain in a SW F3 and made good progress up river, all went well. As we started to negotiate the twisty channel between Iken and Snape the mud very quickly slowed any boats that went off channel. Soon after 1100 we had all five dinghies and the two safety boats tied up to the quay at Snape, and we were eating our picnics and the fruit cake that Bridget had brought.
As high water was about 1130 at Snape we soon got under way for the trip home, which proved interesting! The wind was shielded by the trees, and sailing was slow, the water retreated very quickly and the mud started to apear everywhere. The less experienced sailors were glad of a tow in places, and the VC Cruising was very nearly embarassed when the dory needed a lot of pushing and pulling to free her. Once clear of Iken the trip home was more straight forward and everyone returned to the club safe and happy.
Thanks to Dawn, Gabriella and Peter Samuels and Oliver Cullen for their efforts on the safety boats. Paul Eaton

Weekend Cruise July 17th

After a windy week, Saturday started with a westerley F5. Six Slaughden boats converged onto the moorings at Wrabness, to swell the numbers at the Suffolk Offshore Cruising Association summer rally.
This popular event is hosted by Philip and Chris Bays at their beach chalet, and once again we enjoyed their hospitality and each others company. The trip there was a lively beat down the coast, with one sailor falling and badly bruising ribs! Once into the Stour there was little shelter and the river produced very choppy wind against tide conditions, so even when moorings were secured the boats bounced about so much that sea sickness claimed at least one victim. With the turn of the tide and the evening calm, things settled down for a quiet night.
Most boats left fairly promptly on the Sunday morning to make the homeward journey with a strong following wind. Well done to the crews of: Avocet, Bydand, Enterprise, Galatea, Heidi 11, and Irene. Woodwind diverted to the Deben for a quieter time, being single handed.

Cornwall Log 8-23 June

Click here to read about the exploits of the intrepid half dozen members who towed their boats to Cornwall for an extended "sail in company"... now with detailed route map in glorious technicolour.

Day Sail June 5th

The Dinghy and Cruiser day sail to North Weir Point was a very successful day, with glorious weather and light favorable winds.
Although several dinghies, dayboats, and two cruisers were sailing from the club in that general direction, a hardcore of four dinghies, and Enterprise with their crews made it all the way to the shingle banks for their picnic. Every one was enthralled with the magic of the river mouth on such a warm calm day, a complete contrast to the threat it can be under more adverse conditions. It was the first time most of us had set foot on these extreme ends of the Orford Ness with their sheer shingle ramparts that fall so steeply into the water.
For the return journey the wind had veered enough to the East to mean that only a few tacks were needed at the north end of Orford, and all boats returned home without incident. *Photos in the 2010 photo gallery*

Spring Bank Holiday

Five boats took part in the Bank Holiday Cruise... Moonshine (Janette & Michael's new boat) is now safely in the river at Slaughden after a very exciting sail round from the Deben and a couple of interesting (i.e. scary) nights at anchor in Butley Creek in storm force winds with the other SSC cruisers (Enterprise, Irene, Galatea and Whisker) *Photo in the 2010 photo gallery*