Drascombe AssociationEvents 2012
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| "Nice? It's the only thing," said the Water Rat Solemnly, as he leaned forward for his stroke. "Believe me, my young friend,
there is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
"Simply messing...about in boats -- or with boats... In or out of 'em it doesn't matter. Nothing seems to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy……." - Kenneth Graham - Wind in the Willows |
The events planned for the 2012 season are listed below. The contact details of organisers are shown in DAN. If an event is "greyed out", then you've missed it! But look out for the writeups on the Articles page and photos in the Galleries.
Events marked SSD are especially Suitable for Smaller Drascombes.
The events are split into three sections: rallies organised by the Association, events organised by our Dutch colleagues (NKDE), and other non-Drascombe events, likely to be of interest to Drascombe sailors. Note that names alongside non-DA events are Drascombe contacts not event organisers (unless stated).
You must complete an Application Form if you wish to attend
an event. Application forms are supplied with the DAN. Members will find a link
to a downloadable version of the application form in the members section of the Forum.
(You must be logged in
Send the completed form, with your registration fee (if one is specified), to the organiser whose name appears against the event. Members will find a link to a list of organisers with their contact details in DAN and in the same place on the forum as the application form. If you would like some more information before deciding to attend any of the events all you need to do is to contact the organiser concerned - they will be glad to hear from you.
The committee encourages any Association member to organise
additional rallies and will provide assistance if required. Please contact Jack O'Keeffe. 
A newly (2010) produced guide to rallies is available for attendees and organisers to download.
List of 2012 Events
| Drascombe Association Events | |||
| Date | Event/Venue | Organiser | Details |
| Feb 18th Shorebased | Malahide YC | Jack O'Keeffe | Meet in Malahide YC 3.00 pm. Review plans for 2012 and any DA business. Philip Watson (Watson Sails) will will answer your questions about getting the most from a Drascombe rig - Please send (anonymous)questions to Jack O'Keeffe beforehand. Buffet dinner in the clubhouse at 6:30 pm €25 pp - please book before Feb 11th. Special deal - luxurious Grand Hotel double B&B €110 single B&B €90 - including pool etc. Book before Feb 15th |
| March 10th Shorebased | LIVERPOOL | Chris Beeson | Once again, the Association's Annual General Meeting will be coming to Liverpool. Those who came last year will be pleased to know that the Liverpool Quakers will be hosting the meeting again, and the Racquet Club providing the evening meal. Those who had the opportunity to explore some of the city's attractions found that they could barely scratch the surface of what's on offer, from the rich maritime history to the extensive opportunities for retail therapy. Mark the date in your diary now. There'll be a booking form for the meal in the Spring DAN; but in the meantime it would be helpful for planning if you could send Chris an email if you're intending coming to the Racquet Club. |
| May 04th to 07th (PH) SSD | CHICHESTER HARBOUR | Dick Pizey | Venue - Chichester Marina Costs - £ 45 regardless of boat Inc launch and recovery, parking for car and trailer, 3 nights mooring on pontoons as well as showers/ toilets on site. SSD suitable - camping, caravans and B&B available locally |
| May 05th & 06th SSD | St MARY'S LOCH | Charles Willoughby | A return to this popular venue, St Mary’s Loch Sailing Club, high in the Borders Hills. |
| May 18th & 20th SSD | RUTLAND WATER | Julian Merson | Weekend sailing/rowing on Rutland Water. Launch at Rutland Watersports
Centre on the North Shore - see www.boatlaunch.co.uk for info. Camping
accommodation/B&B or liveaboard. Maximum of 12 boats rafting up - first
come first served. Others can be accommodated if willing to launch and
recover each day. Likely costs will be launching, overnight charges.Probable BBQ on Saturday evening. Strictly NO ENGINE rally, so participants will need a good set of oars in case the wind drops. See FORUM |
| May 19th & 20th Liveaboard | BRISTOL CHANNEL | John Christie | Down channel overnighter cruise on the Severn Estuary from Lydney Yacht Club, under the two Severn bridges and destinations to St Pierre, Cardiff and Thornbury. Barbeque and party Saturday night. Skippers should have some tidal water experience, but the conditions are no more challenging than the Solent. Sleep aboard or camp. Luggers and above. We have had Scaffies join us. Full briefing notes provided. If you wish to discuss sailing in the area please ring John. Unique opportunity to sail in company on this great stretch of water. Cheque for £3.00 payable to organiser |
| June 01st to 9th Liveaboard | WEST COAST | Tom Colville | Meet up in Salen (Loch Sunart) on Friday afternoon/Saturday morning 1st/2nd June. Sailing in Loch Sunart over the weekend. With a longer cruise out to Mull perhaps Coll, or Muck etc between 4th -9th June. Returning to Kentra (Just 2 miles north of Salen ) having rounded Ardnamurchan point. |
| June 02nd & 03rd Liveaboard | RIVER AVON (Warwickshire) | John Christie | Inland cruising. Upper part of the Warwickshire Avon. This river is very beautiful. Evesham to Stratford on Avon. We will launch at Bidford on Avon. B & B or live on board or camp. An Avon Navigation licence will be necessary. Please obtain well in advance. Full details in rally instructions. Luggers and smaller are minimum fee. Cheque for £3.00 payable to organiser |
| June 06th & 07th SSD | PITSFORD | Peter Rhodes | The fifth annual Pitsford Rally, incorporating Robbie's Race (for the Robbie Henderson Memorial Trophy, presented by Churchouse Boats) will be held at Pitsford Water, Northants, on Wednesday and Thursday, June 6/7 2012. The fee has been held at £30 per boat |
| June 15th - 17th SSD | CARLINGFORD LOUGH | John O'Shea | Carlingford Lough Rally to be based at Carlingford Lough Yacht Club on the northern side of the Lough just outside Rostrevor.
Friday 15th June, Welcome and launch. BYO Barbecue. Saturday, we will explore the islands and sheltered bays of the Lough as weather and tides permit, possibly observing the large seal population. Social night with club barbecue on Saturday evening. Sunday, more sailing on the Lough with extras.
Camp in the club grounds, live aboard or stay in the local accomodation. Hill walking in the Mournes may tempt some to bring their hiking boots and spend another day or two in this Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty. see video linked t CLYC site. See Forum |
| June 17th to 22nd Liveaboard | CARLINGFORD - STRANGFORD | Meet in Rostrevor after the Carlingford Rally. Potential stopovers include, Annagasin, Dundalk, Kilkeel, Annalong, Newcastle, Dundrum, Killough, Ballyhornan and Kilclief. Live aboard, camp ashore or shore support. Not suitable for smaller drascombes. Transport to collect cars and trailers will be provided. | |
| CANCELLED June 22nd - 24th | Kingsbridge/Salcombe | Lynne Barnes | Cancelled - sorry for disappointment |
| June 22nd - 24 SSD | STRANGFORD LOUGH | John Stanage | Based at East Down Yacht Club and enjoying a spectacular setting of tidal inlets and islands in a lough of outstanding natural beauty, ideal for Drascombe sailors and their families. Barbecue and music at the EDYC midsummer event. |
| June 23rd & 24th SSD | LYDNEY Y.C. | John Christie | Come to Lydney for our Annual Rally linked to the Lydney Music Festival. Either lock in for the weekend or trail sail from the slipway. Very early booking is recommended. Cheque for £3.00 payable to organiser. |
| July 04th - 06th SSD | CHICHESTER HBR (CREEKS) | Jeff lander | "Up the creeks" rally to sail up as many drying creeks as possible around HW within the harbour . Anchoring overnight Wednesday and Thursday in creek behind Hayling Island Sailing Club with access to facilities (including toilets early via keypad) Accommodation available at Hayling Island sailing club for non live aboards so suitable for small boat drascombes. |
| July 06th to 08th SSD | CONISTON | Chris Beeson | Lake District - good for first-timers, no tides, no charts needed. Swallows and Amazons ambiance. BBQ Saturday night - bring your own food, bar at the sailing club. Inclusive fee to be confirmed but will be payable to Chris Beeson. See forum |
| July 06th to 8th SSD | TEIFI ESTUARY | Gareth Rowlands | A weekend's cruising on and around the Teifi Estuary and adjacent coastal waters in West Wales, sailing from the Teifi Boating Club. A mixture of challenging tidal and sheltered estuarine waters make this a popular event. Outboard motors essential. Early start on Saturday makes Friday evening arrivals advisable. Rally fee £7.00 |
| July 13th | L FYNE FEEDER | Stuart Patrick | Feeder sail from Largs or Rosneath on Friday 13 July, to Loch Fyne rally. |
| July 14th to 22nd SSD | LOCH FYNE | Stuart Patrick | Based at sheltered marina on Loch Fyne. An ideal opportunity for smaller (and larger!) Drascombes to explore this scenic area which features in the “Para Handy” books. Followed by week’s cruise (not SSD). Feeders from Largs and Rosneath on 13th. |
| July 21st &22nd SSD | WALTON BACKWATER | Julian Merson | Launching and berthing at Titchmarsh marina. Costs tbc. Saturday evening
meal. Titchmarsh marina is a perfect venue with a good slip, offering
access to this unique cruising area, comprising sheltered, tidal waters,
creeks, wildlife and picture-postcard views. Essential background reading
would be Arthur Ransome's Secret Water. See FORUM This rally is suitable for all Drascombes, and for both new and experienced sailors. |
| Aug 08th - 12th 2012 | BALTIMORE Rally | Jack O'Keeffe | Forecast date for the Biannual bash at Baltimore. The international Festival of Longboats will be held in Bantry a week beforehand, so a feeder cruise from Bantry will be part of the plan. |
| Sep 01st & 02nd SSD | LYDNEY Sharpness Ring Trip | John Christie | Sail/motor to Gloucester on a Spring tide. 28 miles to Gloucester in about 5 hours! People waving at you from the bank! Lunch at Gloucester Yacht Club. Cruise the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal back to Sharpness (4 hours). Plenty of time for dinner! Hop 1 mile over to Lydney in the evening. Safety boat in attendance. Suitable all Drascombes. Masts must be dropped near Gloucester. Full information available from John. Please book early. Cheque for £3.00 payable to organiser |
| Sep 01st & 02nd SSD | LOCH LOMOND | David McWhirter | An opportunity to cruise on some of Scotland’s best inshore cruising waters with the option of sleeping onboard while moored among the numerous islands, to camp in secluded bays or to stay at the formal campsites or hotel / bed and breakfast accommodation around the loch. All boats with engines using the loch need to be registered – cost £5 – which can be done on arrival. Launch fees of £15 (covers 1 launch and 1 recovery) are applicable at National Park slipways – campsites and private slips along the shore may have other charges. This is a great venue with numerous sailing options to suit the weather See FORUM |
| 7th to 9th September | BROADS | Peter Waller | A rally on the Yare river to co-incide with spectacle of 50 traditional broads yachts on passage race. Plans in progress - more detail to follow. |
| Sep 14th - 15th SSD | FOWEY | Lynne Barnes | Fowey estuary and nearby coast. Pontoon berths available for early bookings - camping & B&B nearby |
| TBC Shorebased | SCOTTISH YEAR END | Niall Wardrop | November Scottish Year End shorebased details TBC. Check website or contact Niall Wardrop |
| Dutch Drascombe Rallies | |||
| Date | Event/Venue | Organiser | Details |
| March 24th Shorebased | DEN HELDER | Margot Schaake | Saturday, March 24th - 1400 NKDE Spring Meeting Den Helder - Royal Navy Yacht Club Defence Hydrographic Service keynote, NKDE awards, info on Ascension Smiscruise, spring Croatia flotilla etcetera 1800 hrs Royal Navy meal |
| April 28th to May 12th Liveaboard | CROATIA | Vincent Boeschoten | Flotilla Croatia - south Kvarner - north Dalmatia option of leaving your boat in a secure spot and return for the summer holidays |
| May 12th - May 16th Liveaboard | SMIS FEEDER | Frank van Delden | Smis Feedercruise Muster at Lauwersoog - Jachthaven Noordergat |
| May 16th to May 20th Liveaboard | SMIS - FRESIAN IS | Chris Vandenbroek | Wednesday, May 16th - Sunday, May 20th Smiscruise 2012 Lauwersoog - Jachthaven Noordergat Annual Ascension Cruise, this year exploring the shallows off the eastern Frisian isles |
| Aug 25th to 30th SSD | VEERSE MEER | Michel Maartens | Dutch Scaffie Circle Veerse Meer - Oosterschelde |
| Aug 31st to Sep 2nd SSD | ORANJEPLAAT SUMMER | Margot Schaake | Summermeeting Veerse Meer - Oranjeplaat Sheltered sailing, suitable for smaller Drascombes and families, visiting the historical Meermanwharf at Arnemuiden ( link ) and optional meal on Saturday evening |
| Nov 02nd to Nov 04 Shorebased | ENKHUIZEN BOAT SHOW | Michel Maartens | Beurs Klassieke Schepen (Classic Boat Show,Link here ) Enkhuizen - Gependam Free Drascombe sailing for all interested! |
| Nov 07th to 11th Nov Liveaboard | Traditional Waddensee Winter Weekend | Antoine Maartens | Traditional Wadden Weekend Lauwersoog - Jachthaven Noordergat If the KorDaTo encounters too icy conditions this is traditional the last end of the season sail, heading for the uninhabited Rottum islands, freezaboards only! |
| Dec 21st to 23rd Liveaboard | KorDaTo | Bas Suurenbroek | KorDaTo (Shortest Day Cruise) Lauwersoog - Jachthaven Noordergat |
| Non-Drascombe Association Events - names in brackets are Drascombe contacts, not organisers. | |||
| Date | Event/Venue | Contact | Details |
| June 03rd | London | Pageant on the Thames for the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II See here including online registration (FOC) | |
| June 23rd & 24th SSD | PORTSOY | Mike O'Hagan | Portsoy
19th Scottish Traditional Boat Festival. Link here |
| July 13th - 19th 2012 | LES TONNERRES DE BREST | Fetes maritimes du Brest | The major traditional boat event - held every fourth year. Website here After the Brest festivities join the biggest feeder cruise in Europe to Duarnenez to continue celebrations there until July 22nd. |
| July 26th & 27th SSD | KILCHOAN REGATTA | Tom Colville | Kilchoan (Ardnamurchan) - come and take part in this friendly local regatta where Drascombes are most welcome, why not make a week of it and stay and cruise Loch Sunart and the Sound of Mull |
| Aug 18th | NORTH BERWICK | Graham Russell | Traditional Boat Muster. See here for a description of the 2011 event. An informal cruise to the event from Granton may be organised if the weather is fair. |
| Sep 14th - 16th SSD | ULLSWATER | Chris Beeson | Old Gaffers Association trailer-sailer autumn rally on Cumbria's most beautiful lake. Join them again for more light-hearted racing, cruising and good company. Contact Barry Healas the OGA District Officer for the Lake District directly so that he can make the arrangements for launching at Glenridding. Mobile 07876527399 Home telephone 01524276258. Email bazhealas(at)tiscali(dot)co(dot)uk |
On longer cruises it is best to plan as if you were going to make the trip on your own. Have adequate safety gear, communications, spare parts and tools to suit the itinerary. The other boats are there for company and reassurance, not to be relied upon for basic needs.
The booklet SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR RECREATIONAL BOAT USERS provides guidance on appropriate equipment and preparations. It is available from the RYA, 0845 345 0400 or the RNLI, 0845 122 6999. Both also provide other guidelines and checklists.
PLEASE tell the organiser AS SOON AS POSSIBLE:
- That you are coming and are insured
- If you need help
- If you cancel or will arrive late
- If you leave the rally early