Dear Madam,

It is with some trepidation that I venture to comment on a cruise account, which has won for its author both the Naylor Noggin and the Frank Dye Viking Longships Trophy. I feel however that a cruise worthy of such praise will inevitably be read as setting a standard of "how it should be done". 0f course it does not set out to do this. Hence this letter must not be taken as a criticism, but rather suggesting (constructively I hope) an alternative approach.

The first point concerns "more sailing, less camping". In the past, meetings at the Running Horse have spent a great deal of time discussing how to live comfortably and conveniently on a small boat. It is the ability to really live on a dinghy that distinguishes cruising from day sailing. If this level of organisation is reached, then little time is wasted, particularly if compared with trying to find accommodation ashore, a process which must waste time and tides - even when it's possible at all.

The second point also hangs on this matter of organising the boat. On reaching the Western end of the Solent on first day, the boat put into Keyhaven, just as the tide was about to turn in her favour, giving a very good chance of getting to Poole (or beyond) that evening or night. This seems to be in opposition to the declared intention to get in as much sailing as possible, but stems perhaps from a lack of real cruising facilities in the boat. The additional point worth noting is that night sailing can often be a very efficient way of coasting in summer due to the establishment, soon after dark, of the night breeze. This blows steadily offshore, giving a reaching wind and smooth water.

Before the wrath of other members, (including Peter Clutterbuck!} descends upon me for telling them how to run their cruises let me add that this is the last thing I want to do. The basic point of cruising is the freedom to do just as you please.

I await the second installment with great interest. R F Long