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| "Men Wanted For Hazardous Journey. Small wages, bitter
cold, long months of darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful.
Honour and recognition in case of success"
- Sir Ernest Shackleton's newspaper advertisement for his 1914 expedition to Antarctica |
The events planned for the 2008 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 Gallery.
Events marked SSD are especially Suitable for Smaller Drascombes.
This year we have split the events 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 Bob Jack.
| This list was last changed on 7th July 2008. |
| DRASCOMBE ASSOCIATION EVENTS | |||
| Date | Event/Venue | Organiser | Details |
| May 10 - 11 SSD |
St Mary's Loch | Charles Willoughby | Our usual start to the season - sailing with altitude in the Scottish Borders and the hospitality of the SML sailing club. £3 fee payable to "Scottish Drascombes" |
| May 17 - 18 |
Stonehaven | Trevor Harvey | The best time and the best way to visit the "sea bird city" south of Stonehaven with good food afterwards. £3 fee payable to "Scottish Drascombes" |
| May 24-26 (BH) |
Craobh Haven | Graham Russell | A return to this favourite location for the May Bank holiday and a week's cruise afterwards. £3 fee payable to "Scottish Drascombes" Rally Details are available in a word document for you to download. |
| May 28-29 SSD |
Pitsford Lake (Northants - mid week) | Peter Rhodes | We are guests of Northampton SC who will provide bar, showers, meals, slipways, pontoons, camping etc on this easily accessible nature reserve and reservoir. Fee £20 per boat. |
| May 30- June 1 SSD |
Orford (R Alde) | Jeremy Russell | Details are still fluid but possibly a limit to the number of boats that can be accommodated, so an early indication of genuine interest is highly advisable. If conditions allow, we may go up to Snape Maltings. Suggested reading 'Regatta' by Libby Purves. |
| June 6 - 9 |
Rosbeg (near Dawros Head) CoDonegal | Rob Henshall | Details of launching, hotel, camping and facilities from organiser. Sailing programme dependant each day upon weather; however guaranteed spectacular coastal scenery, wildlife and craic! |
| June 7-8 SSD |
River Severn | John Christie | Launch at Upton on Severn Marina. Cruise the River Severn in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. Overnight on board, camping or B&B. BWB licence required - details on registration. Nice easy cruise in company. The intention is to navigate the whole of the navigable river in annual stages over the next few years. |
| June 8-15 |
Solent Cruise | Peter Tiplady | A cruise in company around the Solent Harbours with some nights in harbour and some in quiet anchorages. Passages afloat interspersed with chances to explore ashore, mostly on the Isle of Wight. Live-aboards only. |
| June 15-20 |
Moray Firth Cruise | John Cartlidge/Ian Hampson | Harbour Hop Cruise Avoch to Potsoy for live-aboards. Overnight at Nairn, Lossiemouth, Findochty, Portsoy. Join us from any harbour along the way to the Portsoy festival. £3 fee payable to "Scottish Drascombes" |
| June 18-25 |
Plymouth to River Dart feeder cruise | Simon Farley | A cruise from Plymouth to Dittisham on the River Dart for live-aboards (cabin or open). Experience nature & boating activities of the beautiful S.Hams Devon coastline & rivers in company with locals & experienced visitors. Newcomers most welcome. No fee. |
| June 20-22 SSD |
River Dart Based at Dittisham | Simon Farley | An opportunity to explore this beautiful river, possible motor/sail to Totnes &/or Dartmouth. Limited camping (no vehicles) with prior arrangement at Dittisham. Parking and launching restrictions at Dittisham, but recommended launch site available up river at Blackness Marina, (book in advance). River & mooring fees to HM patrols. Friday night BBQ at Dittisham river side. No fee. |
| June 21 - 22 |
Lydney | John Christie | Two day up river cruise on tidal Severn Estuary from Lydney. BBQ and party Saturday night. Sleep aboard or camp. Skippers should have some tidal water experience. Ring for a chat if unsure. |
| June 27-29 |
Bucklers Hard (Beaulieu) | Richard Jacobs | Excellent berthing on our own pontoon, close to all facilities, including the pub. Sat sail across the Solent to Newtown Creek for picnic lunch, followed by BBQ in the evening at Bucklers Hard. Sun sail up river to Beaulieu. |
| June 27-29 SSD |
Wells-Next-on-Sea (N Norfolk) | Joe Ellison | Based at Wells SC. Sailing on this coast is very rewarding with local guidance and we shall be joined by local Drascombes. |
| June 28-29 SSD |
Strangford Lough Date changed |
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. |
| June 28-29 SSD |
Strangford Lough Date changed |
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. |
| July 1 - 10 |
South Brittany Cruise | Steve Maynard | From Benodet towards Morbihan in time to trail back to the Brest Festival (see separate table). Self-sufficiency, informality, and independence would be paramount for participants |
| July 5-6 SSD |
Coniston Water, Lake District | John Rigby | Good for first-timers, no tides, no charts needed. On Saturday night, BBQ at the Sailing Club; bring what you want to eat.Inclusive fee £23 per boat. |
| July 19-20 |
Largs followed by Clyde Cruise. | Stuart Patrick | We are re-establishing a regular annual Clyde gathering and cruise. £3 fee payable to "Scottish Drascombes" |
| July 26-27 |
Findhorn | Ian Hampsom | The regular weekend on Findhorn Bay and outside, courtesy of the Boatyard. £3 fee payable to "Scottish Drascombes" |
| Aug 1-3 SSD |
Walton backwaters | Jeremy Russell | Required reading: 'Secret Water' by Arthur Ransome. This is a delightful return to a former age (once free of the modern lifestyle & cost of Marina-land) in an area of sheltered tidal water, saltings and traditional boats. If land based accommodation is required an early booking is advisable. |
| Aug 1-3 SSD |
Lough Erne (N Ireland) (date confirmed) | Des Brown | Based at LEYC, details on request. With many islands, inlets and surrounded by hills and woods, the Lough is perfect Drascombe territory. Ideal for a family holiday for all boats and experience levels. |
| Aug 7-10 |
Baltimore, Eire | Jack O'Keeffe | Drascombe sailing for all levels - barbecues, picnics, exploration among the hundred islands by day & music & fun ashore each evening. The best rally of all! For more information visit www.drascombe.ie |
| Aug 9-16 |
Kilchoan | Bob Heasman | (after regatta shown in separate table). A move of our West Coast day sailing week to follow the regatta & allow exploration of Loch Sunart, the Sound of Mull & possible day trips to Coll or Muck. £3 fee payable to "Scottish Drascombes" |
| Aug 20-27 |
Chichester /Solent to Poole Feeder Cruise | Adrian Kneller | Flexible itinerary for up to 8 days, to suit participants, cruising the Solent and Dorset coast plus Poole harbour. Weymouth a possibility. Starts from Chichester, Gosport, Ashlett or Keyhaven. |
| Aug 23-25 (BH) |
Poole | Stewart Brown | Launch from public slip at Baiter Point on Fri. / Sat am. RV will be set up for later arrivals. Sailing in or outside Poole harbour, over-nighting wherever tide & temperament dictates. A night at anchor at Redend Point off Studland is possible. Only suitable for live-aboards self sufficient in fuel, food, water & WC. |
| Sep 8 - 15 |
Plymouth-Falmouth-Plymouth Cruise | - | CANCELLED |
| Sep 13-14 SSD |
Itchenor, Chichester Harbour | Richard Goldsmith | Day sailing, explore the sheltered waters of Chichester Harbour, barbecue and possible barn dance in the village hall. |
| Sept 19 - 21 |
Avoch, Beauly Firth | John Cartlidge | Our now regular autumn visit to the Beauly Firth for sighting of dolphins, red kites and ospreys. £3 fee payable to "Scottish Drascombes" |
| Sep 27-28 |
River Hamble ("October 1st") |
Stewart Brown | The end of season day sail that has evolved into a full but informal rally based at Warsash. Come for a day or the full duration, with or without your boat. Please register. |
| Oct 4-5 SSD |
Loch Lomond | Niall Wardrop | Welcome to our final sail of the year, suitable for all types of Drascombe on this favourite Scottish Loch, enjoy the autumn colours. £3 registration fee payable to "Scottish Drascombes" |
| Nov 15 |
Scottish End of Season Gathering - Scone, Perth | Bob Heasman | Join us to review the year and plan the next along with good food at the Aviator Bar. £10 deposit to "Scottish Drascombes" to secure place. |
| DUTCH DRASCOMBE RALLIES | |||
| Date | Event/Venue | Organiser | Details |
| April 26-30 NKDE |
Feeder Cruise to Ascension Rally - Lauwersoog | fschaake@wanadoo.nl | (live-aboards only). Prior to the Ascension cruise the feeder cruise starts from Lauwersoog. Gently finding those sea legs again & recovering ones breath from trimming your ship for which there was so little time last year! |
| May 1-4 NKDE |
Ascension Wadden Journey | fschaake@wanadoo.nl | (Live-aboards only) From Lauwersoog. For those wishing to make their 1st journey on the salt waters of the eastern regions of the infamous & beautiful Waddenzee. More sands than water, more shallows & less mileage than the western Waddenzee but just as spectacular with must-see's Willemsduin, Simonszand, Alexabaai, het Oerd, de IJzerbult and the Smeriggat (the Dirty Hole). |
| June 15-22 NKDE |
Limfjord, Denmark | Klaas Hoogewerff | Like ten years ago we are once again exploring a most picturesque & varied sailing district in Northern Denmark. It is a mostly shallow and reasonably sheltered area whatever the wind direction. Distances are short. Anchorages aplenty. Perfect Drascombe territory. Extension of rally on individual or group basis is recommended. Start from Virksund. |
| July 2-6 NKDE SSD |
Dutch Scaffie Circle - Het Zwet | nscg@drascombe.nl | Sheltered sailing for small & larger Drascombes amidst famous Dutch reclaimed landscape with big skies, reeds & bugs. In the middle between Amsterdam (famous for it's canals - not to be visited on this occasion) & Alkmaar (famous for the cheese markets - ditto). |
| July 11 - 20 NKDE |
Michelin Cruise - Baie de Somme - Le Hourdel - France | drassas@zonnet.nl | Between Calais & Le Havre lies a sandy bay with tidal differences up to 11 meters. Small villages where fishermen land their catch on the beach, reasonably sheltered, a moored French Lugger has already been spotted by Google Earth! |
| Aug 30- Sep 4 NKDE |
Zeeland feeder cruise | feeder@drascombe.nl | Zeeland - Grevelingen (live-aboards only). Lots of options for all types of water (salt, drying out, islands) with visits to lots of beautiful Dutch historic cities & culinary delights. Local knowledge will guide the fleet to those areas of outstanding beauty that the locals normally only keep to themselves. |
| Sept 5-7 NKDE SSD |
Zeeland NKDE Summer meeting, Zeeland - Grevelingen | zomer@drascombe.nl | Annual informal meeting of all types of Drascombes. There will be camping facilities or the possibility of a B&B, anchoring in shallow waters and on the Saturday a dinner & all the rest. Please enlist for the use of the slip & joining the meal. |
| Oct 29 - Nov 2 NKDE |
Harlingen Traditional Winter Weekend (TWW) | tww@drascombe.nl | from Harlingen - Nieuwe Willemshaven. (freeze-aboards only) The 15th TWW on a grey, sludgy and mostly windy and cold Western Waddenzee. Upon reflection always a wonderful experience to take you through the winter. This year the new moon guarantees a dark earth with wide, wild gurgling waters below the keel. |
| NON-DRASCOMBE ASSOCIATION EVENTS - names are Drascombe contacts, not organisers. | |||
| Date | Event/Venue | Contact | Details |
| May 24-31 Non-DA |
Sail Caledonia - Caledonian Canal | Drascombes welcome - contact info@sailcaledonia.org for details, costs etc. | |
| June 18-25 Non-DA |
Milford Haven (Sea Fair Haven) | Gareth Rowlands | See www.seafairhaven.org.uk which now includes the programme. Contact Gareth for application form for the event camp site. |
| June 21-22 Non-DA |
Port Soy, Traditional Boat Festival |
Mike O'Hagan | Drascombe class - See main rally list if coming on Drascombe cruise. If coming to the event only, contact organiser at contact@scottishtraditionalboatfestival.co.uk More details on the festival website about events and activities. |
| June 28 - 29 Non-DA |
TEIFI BC Regatta (Cardigan) | Gareth Rowlands | Combined Regatta & Coastal Cruising around the Teifi Estuary & Cardigan Bay using the Teifi Boat Club (TBC) facilities. Friendly / informal regatta event for day boats on Sat followed by BBQ at the club. Leisurely coastal cruising on Sun with sandy beaches & dolphin spotting opportunities, arriving back at the TBC on evening tide for early evening meal before departure. Child friendly club! Local B&Bs / camp sites. £5.00 registration using DAN form. |
| July 11-17 Non-DA |
Brest International Festival of the Sea | Peter Tiplady | See www.brest2008.fr/en/index.php?lang=en |
| July 19 - 27 Non-DA |
Bristol Channel Grand Cruise | John Christie (organiser) | Lydney YC invites adventurous Drascombers to join them for the 2008 Summer Cruise. Live aboard or camp. Smallest boats will be Wayfarers. Cruise the North Somerset, Devon & South Welsh coasts in company. Very flexible itinerary; dependant on weather. Ring for a chat if unsure. |
| July 25-Aug 15 Non-DA |
Scillies Camp | Paul Finlay (organiser) | (Pelistry Farm - St Mary's) - Book for 1, 2 or 3 weeks, each week starting Friday. All tents & cooking equipment are provided, you don't need any camping gear, with the beach next the campsite. A great sailing area with plenty of islands to explore. Bring your own boat as deck cargo on the Scillonian or hire a Drascombe there. Book very early as limited spaces. |
| Aug 7-8 Non-DA |
Kilchoan Regatta (North of Mull) Date Changed | Bob Heasman | Come and take part in this local regatta where Drascombes are most welcome, then stay on for the following week (in separate table) |
| Aug 9 - 11 Non-DA |
Looe Round the Island Race Date changed |
Steve Schlemmer | Informal attendance at this delightful event hosted by Looe Sailing Club. Special Trophy for first Drascombe over the line. Suitable for all Drascombes either launching at Looe or sailing down from Plymouth. Contacts are for information about other Drascombe attendees. |
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: