Organised by the Leader Class Owners Association with DCA members as guests. See Bulletin 134 for map.

As the rain had been bucketing down the day before, and the 5.55am Shipping Forecast gave winds of force 5 to 7, possibly 8, and more rain, I was doubtful whether anyone would turn up at Cobnor. In the event, although the Leader Class attendance was disappointing, there was a record turnout of DCA members, some travelling considerable distances to get there. David Weinstock had sailed his 21 foot Wharram catamaran in stages from Teignmouth, taking in three DCA meets in the process, and had come over from Wootton Creek that morning. Richard Hignett had sailed from Keyhaven the day before, Wendy Newton, the Leader skipper, had driven up from Bath.

Launching at 11am we found the wind whistling down Bosham Creek, and were all rather apprehensive. The first away, a well reefed Wanderer, shot over to the opposite bank, failed to go about and got badly stuck in the mud. Chris Holland’s Leader, carrying a fair amount of sail but expertly crewed, was next, and was soon tacking up Bosham Creek. He was followed by Richard Hignett, and by John Perry with crew Josephine in John’s heavy but fast 15 foot gunter-rigged one-design. I was fortunate in obtaining Sue Doyle as crew, she having decided in these conditions that my Leader would be a steadier sail than her little Mirror dinghy. We got away with main only, reefed down to 50%, but after a few tacks decided to postpone the scheduled sail up to Bosham and head direct for our lunch-time rendezvous, Dell Quay. At the entrance to Bosham Creek we spied Mark Tingley in his 14 foot Roamer. As we temporarily cut Bosham from our itinerary, we arrived early at Dell Quay and were barely able to scrape over the mud and shingle banks. Sitting in the sunshine, we were joined at intervals by Chris Holland’s Leader and then a Wayfarer with Bernie Potton with extra crew and a Laser 16. Nearer to high water David Weinstock sailed his cat through the crowded moorings to the beach, no mean feat considering the catamaran’s beam and reluctance to go about.

After lunch a coastal stroll and a sail up to the head of the creek on the high water, we headed back to Cobnor passing Wendy Newton in her Leader on the way up after a late start. Conditions were now more moderate and after dropping Sue at Cobnor I completed the day’s programme by sailing up to the head of Bosham Creek single handed.

Back on the campsite Geof White had arrived with his youth group, eight persons in all, with his Falmouth Bass Boat and his Tideway. Also arrived were Liz Baker and John Quantrell in Liz’s Mirror. The good weather held but the wind made barbecues difficult. However David Weinstock and Charlotte Bailey got one started in the lee of the launching ramp. After eating, a party of us walked part of a nature trail and ended up sampling the real ale at the Old House at Home. After a good sleep on the well-sheltered campsite we arranged an 11am start and the wind, although still fresh from the northeast, was quite reasonable. We decided to rendezvous at East Head so those who wanted could come straight back to Cobnor from there.

At East Head we were joined by Diana and Colin Newnes in their Walker 14, John Buckley in his Kestrel, Brian Sanderson and crew in his Lune Pilot, Geof White and his youth group and Sue Doyle. Wendy Newton and Andrew Grice in their Leaders were seen sailing direct to the next, Langstone, rendezvous. At Snow Hill Creek, Don Alexander was discovered with his Mirror 16, beneaped on the high water line. He had sailed from Warsash the day before but was singlehanded and had lost control being driven ashore, first on Thorney Island, which he got away from at 2 am and then again the other side. He needed a lift off, but that of course was easily arranged.

Colin and Diana in the Walker, John and Liz in the Mirror and I with Bernie Potton as crew sailed to follow the three Leaders to Langstone. David Weinstock sailed also but left to slip under Hayling Bridge en route to Wootton Creek as a stage in his return journey to Teignmouth. After a quick drink at the Royal Oak we set off back to Cobnor, windward work with a good sailing breeze. To my surprise John Perry overtook and led the Leaders back to the campsite in his heavy cruising dinghy, the one that he had sailed single-handed to Brittany and back the previous year.

Other boats out were Roger Gringell’s 16 foot Voyager and Dave Wilson’s 15 foot Cuddy Boat. Roger was taking his family out for the first time. His wife quite enjoyed it and the kids were ecstatic. Dave had centreboard problems, but at least had a chance to meet other members. In all some forty people attended this meet including family and friends. All that I heard from enjoyed it.