Wessex

We are happy to offer one more opportunity to get together at the end of this Winter Season. A CA Wessex Fitting-Out Lunch will be held on Sunday 7th April, 12.00 for 12.30pm, at the Royal Motor Yacht Club on the beautiful Sandbanks Peninsula, with magnificent Poole Harbour views. We will be treated to the carvery menu (£18.95pp) (beef, plus either lamb or pork) with a vegetarian option as well as optional starters, deserts, tea and coffee, and drinks from the bar; bills will be settled individually on the day.

A talk on safety at sea. Chris will cover life jackets, calling for help and what to expect if you receive RNLI assistance.

Chris Holloway has been a RNLI Volunteer for over 20 years at Poole lifeboat station and speakers regularly on their behalf.

Date and Time: Tuesday 18 March 2025. Bar opens at 1900, presentation commences 1930.

Venue: Lilliput Sailing Club, 200a Sandbanks Road, Poole, Dorset BH14 8HA.

Open to: All CA Members, prospective CA members

"Is a little knowledge a dangerous thing?" Jill Rogers will reflect on her 2019 circumnavigation of Britain, in her 25ft yacht. Jill set off from Gosport in May 2019 after only four single-handed trips out of harbour in her Sadler 25, aiming to circumnavigate Britain - which she achieved mainly solo. Since then, she has gained a Yachtmaster Offshore ticket and has sailed on a Challenge 72 as mate in the Caribbean and in the Arctic.

There is a slightly different format this year, we have two talks from CA Wessex members with the photo competition between them

  -Researching for the new edition of the RCCC Channel Islands, Cherbourg Pennisula and North Brittany Pilot Book. By Steve and Cathy Lacy

  -Photo competition

  -A Day Cruise in Company from Belle Île by Ed Creyke-Nabney

The photo competition details

Paul Lees is founder of Crusader sails and has 50 years of sailmaking experience. He is a highly experienced inshore and offshore racer. Paul will talk on how to get the best out of your existing sails, how to care for them and when it is time to bite the bullet and get new sails. Sail design, materials and equipment have changed significantly over Paul's career and he will cover some of these changes. We hope this will be a very interactive session so come along with plenty of questions.

We are pleased to welcome back Bob and Elaine Hazell for part 2 of their circumnavigation story. After crossing the Pacific in 2011, Bob and Elaine continued their circumnavigation on Pipistrelle, capturing the delights of cruising in New Zealand, their onward passage to Vanuatu, the Huon Reef, the Torres Straits and on through Indonesia to Borneo.

As requested by members in January, we have arranged a Tour of the RNLI All Weather Lifeboat Centre. This facility was purpose-built in 2015 to enable the RNLI to manufacture its own high specification, self-righting, lifeboats. Up to 12 participants will be able to see lifeboat construction work on a one-hour tour at 2.30pm.

Participants will be very welcome to join to together for a self-service lunch in the College restaurant, with panoramic views of Holes Bay, at 1.00pm. 

Date and Time: Wednesday 29 November 2023, tour begins at 14:30

This is our pre- Christmas social evening and the last event of the year.  Come along for some seasonal treats of mince pies and mulled wine and a fun photo competition with some prizes. The bar will be open for those who don’t fancy mulled wine. Here’s how the photo competition will work….There will be three categories - Nautical, Non-nautical, and Humorous. Each person can enter up to 4 images in total, across any of the categories, by bringing along prints on the night,  no larger than 10x8. Voting for winners will be by the event attendees.

Please join us for Lunch on Sunday 3rd December in the wonderful location of Parkstone Yacht Club. We look forward to a lovely occasion with all our members - whether we've met you several times before, or if this is your first time - all are very welcome, we're a friendly bunch!

Pip is based in Poole, belongs to Poole Yacht Club, and is an honorary member of the CA. After delivering an incredible performance as the underdog in the 20/21 Vendée Globe, Pip is now working with a professional team and preparing a new boat for the 2024 Edition of the race. You can read much more about Pip, her racing and her inspiring talks, at piphare.com.

After dinner, Pip will talk about her preparations for Vendee Globe 2024; the training, fundraising and support required in the lead up to this prestigious event.