Cruising Plans for 2021
There is still uncertainty regarding covid but fingers crossed and hoping for further easing of restrictions which will allow more organised activity.
Towards the end of last season we saw more cruising boats participating in racing and let’s hope that continues. We will be aiming to tailor more races for cruising boats with shorter simpler courses but centred upon just having fun on the water
We are also hoping to have a varied and interesting programme of events for all boats including Ribs and power. Ideas so far are:-
> Cruise and overnight stay at Porthdinllaen
> Day cruise in Cardigan Bay and early evening drinks at the Warren Beach Bar
> Lunch trip on RIBs to Porthmadog
> Cruise and overnight stay at Aberdaron – supper in the pub?
> Cruise and 2 night stay at Aberystwyth
> Cruise and stay at Greystones linking to ISORA. Possible involvement of Greystones Yacht Club and North Sails
Any other suggestions gratefully received - please email Rob Smith and Stephen Williams at
A "Whatsapp" chat group to enable cruisers to discuss plans etc, has been set up, email Rob or Stephen with your mobile phone number to join, or use the QR code below
RYA Cruising Conference goes Virtual for 2021
“We have a broad range of speakers and workshops lined up for the day, from cruising sailors to technical specialists and RYA experts. We look forward to sharing the full conference programme very soon.”
Booking for the 2021 RYA Cruising Conference is expected to go live in early January. For all the latest conference news visit the RYA Cruising Conference page or follow the Royal Yachting Association on Facebook and Twitter.
Cruising - Safety (article courtesy of Simon Jinks - RYA)
Fire Extinguisher
In the heat of the moment, will yours fit?
I was on board a brand new 40 footer destined for use by an RYA Training Centre for cruising courses; this was its first inspection.
The yacht was up to spec with lots of expensive and shiny new safety equipment and signage, making her look like a floating Health and Safety advert.
We were discussing whether the engine fire extinguisher would actually fire through the key-hole in the engine compartment fascia.
Unfortunately, the extinguisher did not have a nozzle or tubing to feed through the keyhole; because of its design it could not be positioned to effectively fire through the hole.
It was agreed the extinguisher had to be exchanged.
On examining the engine compartment the problem was found to be more fundamental; the hole was in the wrong place. The key-hole in the fascia was positioned so that any extinguisher fired through the hole would simply hit the engine casing, where there would be little chance of fire.
The owner was aghast; the solution was to drill another key-hole in a position where the fire extinguisher had a chance of reaching the area’s most at risk fire.
Common causes of engine fires are fuel and oils spraying onto a hot surface such as: turbo chargers, exhausts, and those made hot by malfunction, such as a pump.
The other culprits are electrical faults: alternators and starter motors generate or use huge amounts of electricity.
Extinguishers used to fight engine fires are either:
The key Brexit issues affecting the sailing community have been addressed in a recently held Brexit Special Webinar entitled "Brexit Issues for Cruisers", the contents of which was researched and presented by members of the Cruising Association (CA) Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS).
Over 300 members of the CA from 13 different countries tuned into the webinar on Saturday 5th December and there has since been huge demand for the webinar to be made available to the public. The CA and RATS are delighted to now share the webinar publicly (below), excluding the Q&A segment which attracted around 150 questions and is available exclusively on the CA members’ version. A PDF of the presentation slides is also available below.
The webinar programme focuses on the main difficulties facing cruising sailors as a result of Brexit:
Please note: The Cruising programme will be reviewed in accordance with the guidance of our Governing Body, RYA and RYA Cymru Wales, for clubs and sailors and also the instruction of Government and all appropriate Health Authorities.
You can leave all the gear aboard and come out cruiser racing. The RYA’s NHC handicap system caters for that and race control will set a separate start and course for cruising boats. The start will be 5 mins after the IRC start and the course generally shorter and simpler with the intention of all boats getting back to the marina at the same time for après sail.
Please spread the word and encourage cruising boats in the marina to turn out.
Paramount is the intention just to enjoy sailing and winning is not all. Cruiser racing is not about standing on ceremony and harsh interpretation of the rules but about the joy of sailing. For that reason there will be a prize for the second to last boat so there is always a reason to keep going and finish the course.
The Club is trying to organise a cruise to Greystones in conjunction with Greystones Sailing Club for the Bank Holiday 8/9/10th May. It is also the 75th anniversary of VE Day and the UK Government made the change to the Friday rather than the usual first Monday in the month in recognition.
Also an informal cruise to the Isle of Mann TT’s Saturday 30th May to 12th June. If you have never been the atmosphere on the island is great and you will be amazed at the speeds achieved on normal roads by the motorcycle riders. (Please note the TT is Cancelled due to coronavirus)
Cymraeg