Chichester Yacht Club Magazine February 2020 | Page 13

Harbour Cruises With Chris Lane As the days grow longer we all start looking forward to the coming sailing season even though those days still look a long way off with many of us still with winterised boats or maintenance works ongoing. Here Chris Lane explains his all-section harbour cruises designed to give those with smaller craft a great day out on the water exploring Chichester Harbour For as long as anyone can remember, the Yacht Section has offered an extensive Cruising in Company programme which encourages members to visit places in the Solent and farther afield - including France and the West Country. However, we have been overlooking some of the interesting destinations much closer to home which are in easy range for all sizes of craft. So, for 2020, the Yacht “Cruise in Company” programme now includes a series of Harbour Day Cruises, all within Chichester Harbour – open to Motors, Yachts, RIBs and Dinghies. They are particularly but not exclusively aimed at those mem- bers with smaller boats, or those wishing to build their confidence, sailing in company with other club boats over short- er distances. For these one-day cruises exploring some of the farther reaches of Chichester Harbour, the plan is to meet at the Club at 9am to decide on the destination and then motor/sail in convoy at no more than five knots. Likely destinations may be East Head, Thorney Channel, Emsworth and then anchor and rafting up for lunch before returning to CYC. We might even finish the cruise at the club bar! The dates selected – half at weekends and the rest midweek – are when HW occurs early or mid-morning to enable the fleet to go down on the ebb and return on the flood. Precise details of destination will be decided on the day and will take into consideration weather conditions and the preferences of the majority of skippers taking part. The dates are all in the 2020 programme and on the CYC Yacht Section Website for booking – the first one on Saturday April 4 th . So, come and join us on our amazing home waters…all sections wel- come! The sun will surely shine all day and the seals will be out too… If members wish to know more, do come along to the “What’s New in Yachts Cruising” session at 10.30 on Sunday March 1 st or contact me by phone or e-mail. Chris Lane – Crabber 26 Lowenna 07951 621598 [email protected]. 13