The rally held at August was a disappointment as regards the weather. Force five winds with rainy showers was enough to spoil anyone’s attempt to sail to the meeting. However a new meeting point, Ashlett Creek, within the shadow of Fawley oil refinery, was tried, and this was a success and has good possibilities for next season. Altogether nine members, including some new faces met to enjoy the usual natter and a grand spread of tea and biscuits was somehow produced in the rather extreme conditions.

South East Group

At the “Running Horse” on 19th November there was a “full house” of about 35 members to discuss the essentials necessary for starting to cruise.

Ron Long had scarcely introduced the subject of what sort of boat before a discussion arose about launching and recovering; apparently moorings are becoming old fashioned, even for heavy dinghies! It was generally agreed that a hard hard was essential, not too steep, with good access and parking handy and although the Light Craft booklet gave a useful indication of launching places it was by no means comprehensive. For the Solent area Warsash hard was recommended. Nobody agreed with anybody about the greasing of bearings, whether they should be open or sealed, how often they should be overhauled etc., but everybody seemed satisfied with his own procedure so the subject was left at that. Owner’s of cruising dinghies agreed that it was necessary to float the boat on and off the trailer and for this purpose guides on the trailer were essential to achieve the correct positioning. Being the individualist that he is, and disliking getting wet above his ankles, John Deacon’s method of recovering was entirely different. After years of practice he now pulls his boat out stern first with the car in reverse until there is enough land between the water and the boat to insert the trailer. He is probably the only member whose boat will sit upright on her keel! Chocking the trailer wheels he can then easily slide the boat on to the trailer aided by the slope of the hard. Unfortunately he has not found a rope stiff enough to use this method for launching! Complete recovery including removing heavy gear to car and taking out mast, rudder, etc. takes about an hour.

Getting back to the essentials of starting to cruise Ron listed:- gear should be adequate e.g. rigging, rudder fittings, anchor, warp, etc. for 24 hours continuous sailing. Bosun’s bag of spares and mending implements should be carried and extra food not meant to be consumed if cruise goes according to plan. Tidal information was almost essential.

Opinions diverged again when safety precautions were discussed — some members felt that too much reliance is placed on being rescued rather then never putting oneself in the position of needing rescue. This argument centred round buoyancy and flares. The “Which” report recommended as best buy Pain’s Life-boat Hand Flare lasting 55 seconds 5/3d. The use of radio weather forecasts was held to be a safety precaution but one member pointed out that a barometer together with studying the sky at dusk and dawn was more reliable!

The ownership of an awning could convert a day-sailor to a cruising man. Jack Whitby showed slides of his 11ft. Gull rigged with an ordinary army bivvy tent. It was thought most ridge tents could be made to fit over a dingy and give protection in sheltered anchorages. They give sitting head room and accommodation can be converted with bunk boards if the thwarts are too low to permit sleeping in the bottom of the boat.

The meeting proved to be a helpful pooling of knowledge and gave even those with considerable experience of cruising some new ideas.