Classic_Boat_2016-06

Scratchell’s

Bay Shanklin Bay

Bembridge

ledge

Ryde Sands

Norris rocks

Hurst

Narrows

Start

Cowes

St Catherine’s point

The Needles ISLE OF WIGHT

ROUND THE ISLAND IN SEA JAY

This year will be our fifth race, writes Barry Pickthall. With the

exception of 2014 when the winds failed halfway round, we have

completed every one in incrementally better positions. The race

starts from Cowes on Saturday July 2 and we hope to improve

on our 3rd placing in class within the classic boat fleet. It is

great fun; there is great camaraderie among crews and great

competition. If you have not done it before and have a classic

yacht of any kind, I can only recommend it. Many classic yachts

have won the race on corrected time, but for the vast majority, it

is the taking part that counts. There will always be others

around you, with similar boats or levels of experience, to

provide some gentle competition.

The start

With so many boats taking part, the start can seem daunting,

but the fleet is split up into manageable classes and it doesn’t

matter if you are late crossing the line. You gain far more from

finding clear air and making most of the strong tidal stream. At

the start, this is always running westward, with the greatest

current in the deepest channel between Prince Consort buoy

and Gurnard, giving you a 2-3 knot advantage over those

starting further out in the Solent.

Quickest route

Being diamond shaped,

the quickest route around

the Island is invariably the

shortest, so stay on the

rhumb line when the

stream is favourable. If it

is an upwind start, be

prepared to avoid yachts

on port tack; there is a

good chance that either

they do not know the

rules or are stressed and

will do something

unpredictable. Far better to duck a transom or two rather than

force your right of way if this helps you stay in fastest tide.

Hurst Narrows

At Hurst Narrows, the tidal stream can push Sea Jay along at

10 knots or more, so here more than anywhere, it’s important to

stay in this fast moving conveyor belt of water.

Needles

At the Needles, the tide kindly turns eastward, and the big

question everyone asks is ‘inside or outside the wreck’? Sea Jay

draws only 4ft, so there is only one answer, for the inside short

cut allows us to overtake a good many boats. For us, it is not

the wreck of the Varvassi, but Goose Rock just NW of the

lighthouse and the ledge right under the lighthouse that raises

our blood pressure. There is always someone ahead running the

same gauntlet, so we tend to stay directly on their track ready

to change course should they crash! If you have doubts, then

round outside of the wreck, giving it a wide berth.

Scratchells to St Catherine’s Point

Once round the Needles there is normally still a bit of foul tide

running westward and the temptation in light winds is to get right

in to Scratchells Bay. But beware: it can be difficult to get out,

since the cliffs are massive and what wind there is leaves the

surface several hundred meters offshore and climbs over the chalk

and can leave you becalmed. Our tried and tested tactic is to stay

on the rhumb line to St Catherine’s Point, the halfway mark, where

you can expect some wind acceleration and increase in wave

height. The waters are normally flatter 200m offshore so this is a

good place to plan a gybe,

Shanklin Bay

If the winds are westerly, don’t get suckered into Shanklin Bay but

stay on the rhumb line to Bembridge Ledge. If the wind is easterly

then there is often more pressure south of the rhumb line where

the tidal stream is also more favourable.

Bembridge Ledge

When approaching Bembridge Ledge buoy, there is often

acceleration in the wind so a tight rounding is important to secure

a good lane away from the mark. Invariably, the tide is about to

turn at this point but with

a westerly breeze, keep to

the rhumb line for it is not

until approaching the

Forts that the tide begins

to have a big effect, and

good transit will avoid you

being pushed down tide.

Shallows of

Ryde sands

You are now sailing

against the tide so

working the shallow

waters off Ryde Sands is

key, taking care to avoid sailing inside the sand bar hook. These

sands always catch out several crews who must then sit out waiting

for the waters to rise and miss dinner. Once beyond this channel at

the eastern end of the Sands, work the shallows, watching the echo

sounder. We usually scrape the bottom a couple of times here, so

the crew have to be ready for some quick tacking.

Home straight

Now on the home straight, it is a case of continuing to play the

shallows, keeping clear of wind shadows inshore and the rocks

that stretch from Norris Castle along that shoreline. With two

finish lines set, check which one your class must pass through,

record your finish time and the sail numbers of the yacht ahead

and astern and report these by mobile phone to the race HQ.

Once ashore, remember to submit your declaration, claim your

pewter mug, relax in one of the many bars in town and compare

the story of your race with others.

It is as simple as that! – Good luck!

Round the Island Race tips