The Bognor Raid 2009 - 1st and 2nd August 2009
BSC -> BRYC: Wind S3 increasing S4. Distance sailed = 23.754mi , Max speed = 16.9mph Average speed = 11.2, Time = 2:07
BRYC -> BSC: Wind NW3 backing SW4. Distance sailed = 31.754mi , Max speed = 17.5mph Average speed = 10.1, Time = 3:05
GPS tracks from the Bognor Raid 2009 (Toby's Hobie 16)
| Inshore waters 24 hour forecast: 0700 Sat 01 Aug 0700 Sun 02 Aug | |
| Wind | Southerly 4 or 5, veering northwesterly later. |
| Sea state | Slight. |
| Weather | Rain at times, fair later |
| Visibility | Moderate or good, occasionally poor. |
| Outlook: | 0700 Sun 02 Aug 0700 Mon 03 Aug |
| Wind | Northwesterly 4 or 5 backing westerly or southwesterly 3 or 4. |
| Sea state | Slight. |
| Weather | Fair. |
| Visibility | Good. |
Saturday morning was cloudy but warm with a SF3 with SF4-5 forecast and the tide with us, perfect. The unimaginable had finally happened; a gentle reaching wind forecast for both directions. It appeared I would have no dramas to write about for 2009. I should have known better!!
Five Hobie 16s, a Topaz 16CX and a Hobie 18F rigged and were ready to leave by 10:30. As we set off the closest to excitement was a reversed rudder cam which Kevin sorted out in a few minutes. With the wind from the south we were able to point the boats straight at Bognor though that didn't stop half the fleet heading offshore for reasons that remain unclear. It was pleasant sailing and soon after leaving Brighton the wind picked up a little and the 16s were single trapezing. The coast line was flying by with speeds touching 13knts and Worthing disappearing into the distance after only an hour. Around Little Hampton the wind came up a notch and we were now twin wiring. The sky was grey and getting greyer as the forecast rain was arriving 4 hours earlier than expected and the visibility was dropping rapidly. The white roof of Butlins, which normally sits in view for hours, came and went in the blink of an eye and before we knew it we were bearing off round Bognor pier. With the tide dropping it's best to hug the shoreline here to avoid the shoal that sits off BRYC.
At 12:30 Toby and I were first to land but only 30 minutes or so separated the arrival of all our boats. The whole journey had taken 2Hrs and all on one tack! Joe Elwin gave us a warm welcome, supplied some cat traxs and with everyone pitching in we made light work of hauling the boats up the beach. Unfortunately when it came to the safety boat the winch cable detached itself from the drum and left us huffing and puffing the boat up the beach. By 2:30 BSC were showered and changed and reviving themselves in the BRYC bar; this was going to get messy! Is there a better way to spend a wet afternoon in Bognor ?? The BRYC galley opened early and provided bacon sarnies and bowls of chips to help sustain the marathon that was about to ensue. Inevitably the conversation was fairly nautical and as the evening wore on the stories became as tall as those ships. At 6:30 the galley provided dinner and I had lamb shanks that were to die for but I hear the steaks and the chops were equally delicious. I have no idea what time we went to bed but I think we got away with out any disgrace !.
Sunday morning saw some fairly spectacular hangovers emerging from the tents and the best cure is the now legendary BRYC full English breakfast washed down by copious cups of tea and coffee. We took our time getting ready and watched the beginning of the BRYC Pimm's Cup - a three race event that saw a variety of cats charging round the buoys in the morning sun and pleasant NWF3. The BSC fleet got underway around 11:30. The only drama was Graham getting trapped on a pot line that nearly capsized him but in the end only reversed the rudder cam. Graham put back to shore to effect repair and then set off east.
The NW was gradually pushing the cats off shore in order to find the compromise between easterly direction and boat speed. Gybing down wind in the light airs seemed painfully slow compared to the fast beam reach of the day before but the sun was shining and to be honest I wasn't sure the hangovers could have endured much more of a challenge but we were soon to find out. 5 miles off Worthing we gybed inshore and the wind seemed to change direction and kick in a little stronger. By the time we were tacking out to sea from around Worthing pier the NW3 had backed to a SW3-4 and the waves had started getting bigger. By Shoreham we were surfing down 1-2m waves in a strong F4. We were now reaching at over 14knts with every gust pushing the bows into the back of the next wave. This was more like it. Toby advised me not to look back which, off course, was the first thing I did. I was greeted by row after row of white capped waves charging along behind us. From the trampoline of the Hobie 16 they looked as if they had escaped from the Southern Ocean. Mark and John eventually got it wrong and went for a swim after a relatively gentle pitchpole. They were closely followed by Jim and Paul whose capsize was somewhat more frantic. Jim managed to smash his watch and Paul watched a pair of Gill Floating sunglasses doing exactly what it says on the tin. Apparently a set of retainers has now been crossed off Paul's to-do list. All boats landed safely within 40 minutes of each other. The last hour's surfing had provided an exhilarating end to a great weekend and something to talk about as we washed the salt from our mouths with a couple of beers on the BSC patio.
I would like to say a big thank you to Bognor Regis Yacht Club for making this all possible especially:-
- Joe Elwin, John (Tornado), Ken Green and the galley crew.
- BSC safety boat crew:- Ali and Grove. Thankfully your services were not required but it's always good to know you are there.
- BSC Fleet for enjoying it :- Toby and Roger (H16), Graham and Jane (H16), Jim and Paul (H16), Kevin and Cat (H16), John and Mark (H16), Chung and John (Topaz16CX), James, Nick (I'm so glad I didn't go solo on my 16) and Tom (H18F).