Cruiser Laying Up Supper
Published 10:27 on 24 Nov 2023
With the harbour sublift having done its work depositing the majority of the fleet on the dump at Batson and with other boats at Lincombe and various points North, East, South and West, the time had come to celebrate (or lament) the end of the cruising season at our annual laying up supper.
Traditionally a particularly social occasion, this year proved no exception. Forty two yachtsmen and women plus support crew from friends and family gathered at the Yacht Club to celebrate another great season of sailing and friendship. Chef Adam produced a delicious meal and the front of house team, led by Ellie, did a great job with efficient delivery of food and drink. This was my first Supper in the role of Rear Commodore Cruising and I took the opportunity to speak of the wealth of experience which is such a Club resource: of the encouragement given to the less experienced to try new things and visit new destinations; of the inspiration provided by voyages to Ireland, France, Spain, the Scillies and round Britain and the enthusiasm for rallies, racing and good company that make the Cruiser section so vibrant.
A number of our trophies are awarded for passage races back from Rally destinations and the weather was not particularly kind this year with most races cancelled with either too much or too little wind. The opportunity was therefore taken to award trophies to those who have exemplified the qualities listed above.
Everyone was having such a good time that most forgot to take photographs. We are therefore particularly grateful to Fi Jeffries for capturing Nigels pleasure in being awarded the Clark Trophy for Endurance.
Ancient Mariner | Peter Waring | Always a battle between Peter and Carolyn. |
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Astra Cup | Crispin & Hannah Waterhouse | Winning the passage race back from the Yealm in Ganesha |
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Blinkhorn Bell | Graham Nurser | Competing single handed in the Skerries Race |
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Clark Trophy | Nigel Jeffries | Cheerfully sailing Nena in the most demanding conditions. |
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Consolation Cup | Peter Waring | Winning the Racing in the Range Series |
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Conway Plank | Carolyn Schofield | Awarded for a spectacularly hazardous and dramatic entrance to the Yealm in darkness providing cabaret and consternation to the rest of the fleet who had already wined, dined and moored up. |
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Cookham Cooler | Robert & Jane Smith | Most rallies attended. As Giovanna is a motor cruiser they also gained the Yeoward Award for fuel consumption. |
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Leopard Trophy | Charles & Lorna Cameron | Winners of the Skerries Race |
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Long Distance Cup | Rob Sadler & Sue Carr | Swift journeyed from Salcombe to Spain via Guernsey |
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Rosemary Bowl | Carolyn Schofield | First Lady helm |
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Sam Smith Trophy | Phil & Karen Coleman | Sailing Tilly, their 23 Cornish Crabber to the Fowey Rally when conditions meant many travelled by road. |
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Tsambika Trophy | Charles & Lorna Cameron | Towing in a stricken vessel. (Engine failure!) |
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U21 Trophy | Doug & Martine OMalley | No longer U21, but Doug has rationalised our on line booking system and, with Martine, organised the Dittisham & Brixham Rally |
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Vivian Trophy | Peter Sandover | Runner Up in the Racing in the Range Series |
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Cruiser Bowl | Roger & Alison Odell | Third place in the Racing in the Range Series |
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This concludes Cruiser contributions to the newsletter for this season. We are already looking forward to next year with a number of interesting initiatives planned: all of which will be duly reported in these pages. Winter maintenance and antifouling await but in the meantime we dream of calm seas, fair winds and welcoming destinations.
Graham Nurser
