I have included notes on weather conditions experienced, because it is so important to bear in mind that Solent weather patterns are complex and variable and, with wind over tide, boisterous conditions can be experienced even when the forecast is good.

Wootton Creek — 22 May

Fine weather with light breezes resulted in a good turnout of members, 16 in all at the pub. This included Hugh, who had sailed over from Itchenor on his sailboard! On Sunday, the forecast force 3 turned out to be at least force 5 at the creek entrance, too strong to row against and with little room to tack out against the young flood. My boat made it under a mainsail reefed to 50% and no jib and, once out of the creek, it was a lively run back to the Hamble. It is important to be prepared for such conditions.

Lymington (Oxey Lake) — 18 June

Not, in fact, a lake, but a tidal inlet. A brisk NE wind was a great help to those sailing from the Hamble or Chichester. 8 boats attended and 14 people in all met at The Chequers in the evening. In the morning an early start was necessary to avoid grounding at low tide and several of us breakfasted a little way offshore in a flat calm. A very light breeze then came with the flood, which got the fleet away, but those of us who went to the Wight side were soon becalmed again. After the forecasted force 2 had eventually materialised there was a sudden savage squall which came without warning out of a clear blue sky, lasted about 3 minutes and went as suddenly as it came.

Hamble River — 23 July

The forecast was for winds gusting force 7, so I launched at Swanwick where it was fairly sheltered and sailed up the lovely Hamble River on the tide, returning to the Jolly Sailor on the ebb. No other DCA boats were there, but a total of 6 members called in at the pub. On Sunday, it was blowing just as hard, but I stripped my dinghy and set off downriver fully reefed, to practice my heavy weather sailing in open water.

Cowes — Folly Inn — 6 August

Superb weather, just like the old cigarette advertisements, although a calm period delayed some of us. Keith Buckley, over for the daysail only, sailed in ahead of me, but did not recognise any members. In fact, there were 12 of us all told when we sat down for drinks. (We must make ourselves more recognisable at rallies!). This rally, being held in Cowes week, enables members to view the assembled shipping, which this year included a Baltic topsail schooner, a square-rigger from Gibraltar and 3 Thames sailing barges.

Fowley Island (Chichester Harbour) — 27 August

The forecast was strong winds and rain, but nevertheless the DCA flag was on the island before morning high water. Liz Baker and John Quantrell then arrived and held the fort while I went down channel, looking out for other members. I found Phil Nash in his Potter, but I then went ashore on the East Head Nature Reserve before returning with the new flood to Fowley. The newcomers were (deliberately) on the mud, waiting for water to enter the lagoon, so I was the only one afloat and able to go to our shore rendezvous at the Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club. On the way back, rowing in the moonlight, the great rafts of wild duck on the flooded saltings made a wonderful scene.

As we turned in, however, the peace of the night was suddenly shattered by several boatloads of inebriated young gentlemen roaring in with their outboard motors. They kept their ‘ghetto blaster’ type radio blaring away until 3 am, causing 2 of our boats to up anchor and leave for quieter anchorages (Bank Holiday is not the best time for a Fowley rally). What amazed me was that most of the drunks were away again at 7 am! Sunday provided splendid sunny sailing after a dull start, once again giving the lie to the wet and windy forecast.

Keyhaven (Hurst Spit) — 17 September

The Keyhaven rally traditionally includes a barbecue and this time it was enlivened by copious draughts of Japanese sake, generously dispensed by Colin and Dianna. The DCA fleet included a Cornish Shrimper, a Foxtrot, a Drascombe Lugger, a WW Potter, John’s junk-rigged Dabber, Peter’s lovely little rowing dory, my Leader C/R dinghy, young Derek’s Torch and last, but certainly not least, Liz’s Mayfly with our (all the way from Cheshire) editoress crewing. The tides were right for the Needles passage and the morning forecast promised a NW breeze, so two of us decided to return by going south of the Wight. I was able to ‘thread the Needles’ although even at nominally slack water it was like sailing up rapids with the bow dipping under even in force 2/3. Colin and Dianna, of course, had to take the Shrimper outside the Needles Light, but even so, their red sail was in sight all day until we went our different ways. Rounding the island is a great experience, with lovely views of unspoilt coastline, but it is not for inexperienced dinghy sailors.

The pattern at South Coast rallies is about 50/50 light cruiser/racers to traditional type heavy dinghies. The light C/Rs tend to sail the greatest distances, often without motors and, surprisingly, to outnumber the traditional boats in heavy weather! There is, however, a problem with the less experienced skippers undertaking Solent crossings.