Pictures of this race can be viewed on our Facebook page.
For the Gareloch OD 90th Anniversary in 2014, a race to Rothesay from Rhu Narrows was included in the celebration programme; ten Garelochs took part. The event was a success and Carol Rowe suggested we do it again this year. A date as close to mid-Summer as possible was chosen and eight Garelochs entered.
After briefing at the Club at 0900, the boats were rigged and charged with plenty of lunch for a long sail. Zoe (Reay Mackay) was obliged to wait on her Gareloch mooring for crew member Penny Davidson returning that morning from Spain; Penny’s late return prevented Zoe from joining the Gareloch fleet for the race though Zoe did eventually get to Rothesay towed by Kiri. Unfortunately the weather forecast predicted little or no wind for the day so Race Officer Neil Isaacs in Committee vessel Blue Iris (Tim and Elizabeth Henderson) decided some towing down river would be appropriate. For towing purposes, the fleet included motorised escort yachts La Cavale (David and Fiona Duboulay), St Bridget (Ian Nicolson) and Kiri (Reay and Jean MacKay) as well as Blue Iris; the Class really appreciated their support.
Off Dunoon on a lovely morning a southerly wind did fill in and a start line was established at about noon between Blue Iris and a Clyde red and white navigation mark. In fact wind strength increased unexpectedly to Force 3/4 to give a good beat for some six or seven miles to Toward. Athene crossed the start line early and had to go back. Teal and Thalia got themselves out into mid-stream whilst the other five yachts headed for the Cowal Peninsula shore looking for lifts. High tide was at 1130 but appeared to have little positive effect. And possibly a better wind mid-stream was giving an advantage so Thalia quickly established a lead followed by Teal. There was some changing of places during an hour and a half of beating and at one stage Zephyrus was in first place, though Thalia subseqently managed to re-establish pole position. At Toward, all were able to ease sails on the port tack and sail westwards towards the finish line in Rothesay Bay set up between Blue Iris and yellow admiralty buoy SM1. At one point, Catriona, Zephyrus and Teal tried using spinnakers to catch Thalia who remained first boat but were soon headed, forcing them to drop the big sail.
Finishing order 1. Thalia (2 hours 5 minutes 16 seconds) 2. Zephyrus 3. Catriona 4. Hermes 5. Teal. 6. Halcyone 7. Athene (2 hours 18 minutes 54 seconds) 8. Zoe DNC
Zephyrus was some three minutes behind Thalia but less than one minute separated second, third, fourth and fifth finishers.
On completion of the race, Catriona, Teal and Halcyone took themselves off down the Kyles of Bute for fun sailing getting as far as the Burnt Islands before returning to Rothesay. The remaining boats sailed/paddled into Rothesay Marina for the overnight stay. They were met there by Don MacLean who had pre-arranged berth bookings and who acted as an excellent harbour master.
Dinner for 33 and prize-giving was held in Harry Haws restaurant close to the sea front. Keepers prizes included some sticks of Rothesay rock.
On Sunday morning, the entire fleet set sail for home at 10 am expecting strongish southerly winds and spinnaker runs. Once again the forecast was inaccurate. Instead, we experienced northerlies and a beat back to Toward where the wind died completely. The eight Garelochs were taken in tow for the remaining ten miles passage home in light rain and low, for the time of year, temperatures.A great weekend.
Report by the Convenor (and race winner) Peter Proctor
Pictures of this race can be viewed on our Facebook page.
President: