South West

An amazing story of one couple’s voyage from the Tamar River round Cape Horn and back taking in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, French Guyana and Cuba. John and Sue Chadwick set off in 2016 on a sailing adventure. "We weren’t pitchpoled, dismasted, attacked by pirates or capsized" John says but the story of their adventure is as gripping as any you’ll hear.

Come and join the South West Section members for a festive glass of fizz and lunch at the award winning Rockfish restaurant in Dartmouth. This promises to be a relaxed Sunday afternoon among friends with some of the best seafood in the country with time to reflect on the season past and plan for the future season.

Relive the highlights of the last year and anticipate those to come in 2020.  We'll be giving prizes for the best tales of 2019.

To mark the 400^th Anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage to America a state-of-the-art vessel is to attempt the same voyage but with no one on board. Departing from Plymouth UK and docking in Plymouth USA the boat will be crammed full of scientific test equipment and be principally powered by solar energy. A consortium of organisations is behind this ambitious project and Paddy Dowsett of MSub, the builders, will be explaining the technical, logistical and legal issues involved in this unique voyage.

The Scillies - popular and secret anchorages by the author of the Scillies pilot book Graham Adam. A new edition of the book will be published in time for the next sailing season and in this talk Graham explain what his total update and revision has revealed. If you are planning a trip to these islands then this talk should not be missed. Even if you are not planning a trip then you should still attend as you will discover some fascinating and amazing things.  There's something for first-time visitors and old hand alike.

The South West Section is taking to the lifeboats!   This will be a visit to RNLI HQ in Poole, which will include a tour of the College and a chance to take the helm of a lifeboat in the simulator.

A chance to meet other local members for an informal social evening. Come along share a drink, (there's food if you'd like it), and get to know fellow members in a relaxed atmosphere. We have exclusive use of the Jubilee Room at the Brixham Yacht Club and there's no charge. Please book HERE so we have an idea of numbers.

Tom Cunliffe is one of the most popular speakers on boating topics. His blend of authority, humour, experience and humility make compulsive listening.

His talk at Hall and Woodhouse in Portishead Marina (BS20 7FP) on Saturday 13^th. April is called ‘What boat? Where bound?, follows the hair-raising tales of pilots in Northern Europe interwoven with Tom’s own adventures in Brazil, Greenland and Soviet Russia. Part autobiographical, part historical, totally Cunliffe. The evening includes a three-course meal.

Tom Cunliffe is one of the most popular speakers on boating topics. His blend of authority, humour, experience and humility make compulsive listening.

His talk at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club on Friday 12th. April is called 'Man is not lost' - a hugely popular fully illustrated talk about the development of navigation combining yarns, solid practical information and details of how Tom 'found' Barbados after 42 days at sea without a chart. The evening at the centrally located Royal Torbay Yacht Club includes a three-course meal.

Come and join CA President, Julian Dussek, in Dartmouth where CA member and award winning chef Mitch Tonks gives over his seafood Rockfish Restaurant for the evening and whips up a special 3-course menu specially for the CA. Enjoy a glass of fizz on arrival, savour a stunning seafood-based 3-course meal (alternatives available)  and hear what plans are in store for the CA's future as it passes it's 110 year milestone. Julian will also be giving an illustrated talk on the French Inland Waterways.

Newly elected CA President, Julian Dussek, starts his tour of the SW in Bristol on 7^th. February. He’ll be talking about the CA’s plans for the future and his vision of where the association is heading. It’s an excellent opportunity to meet the new head of the CA, hear about future plans and get to know fellow CA members who live locally.

The Portishead Cruising Club is hosting the evening and as well as Julian talking about the CA one of their members will be giving an illustrated talk on cruising the Bristol Channel.