[All photos by Ian & Glenda Nevill - Hover over for description, click for larger version]

A promising forecast of Westerly F3-4 veering NW dropping to F3 inspired a good turn out for the event. Three local Wanderers were joined by three other club boats and two visiting Wanderers from Bewl Valley. David and Jenny, Wanderer sailors from Herne Bay, planned to sail out and join us as we passed their club.

Steve and Garry realised one of the merits of owning a Wanderer when they could find no safe place for their lunch onboard their Osprey and enviously eyed up our rear locker where it was stowed along with ours.

To make the most of the ebbing tide we were afloat and on our way by 10:15 giving us just over two hours to make Reculver before the tide turned. Leaving the Oyster Buoy, which marks the deep water entrance to the harbour, to starboard we headed out to avoid Whitstable Street, a large shingle peninsula which is exposed at low water. A gentle F1-2 Westerly breeze made it a pleasant run to Reculver, however as we were sailing close to the shore enabling us to enjoy the coastal scenery, it was necessary to gybe a few times to miss, Studhill Bay shallows, the remains of Herne Bay Pier and the infamous by as yet unseen Black Rock!

Arriving at Reculver at low water we anchored in the lee of a rocky groyne to the East of the imposing Towers. By this time the overcast skies had given way to sunshine and we shed some of our wet weather gear before settling down to a leisurely picnic lunch. Afterwards, the group took the opportunity to take a short stroll up to the Towers, toilets, information centre and ice cream kiosk.

As we regrouped the wind was gathering in strength so several boats prudently decided to reef before setting off on the long journey home. The tranquility of the run down was transformed into an exhilarating (F3-4 gusting 5, wind against tide) beat back to Whitstable. Steve’s kicking strap gave way under the strain but he efficiently used the cunningham to make repairs.

At Herne Bay, David and Jenny waved goodbye and returned to their club. John and Mark finding the conditions difficult (first sea cruise) sensibly decided to follow them in as did Tim and Viv (fairly new to sailing). The rest of the group pushed on towards Whitstable while Gavin and ourselves went ashore to check on the situation. We were grateful to Herne Bay SC members for their hospitality and arranging transport to WYC to collect trailers for the two boats. I decided to catch up with the rest of the fleet with the use of our engine while Gavin sailed back although by now even he had reefed.

WYC bridge crew and race officer were in contact with Herne Bay, Hampton Pier and Tankerton Sailing Clubs as their rib rescue boats were reporting on our progress as well as keeping an eye on their own club racing. As arranged, the last leg of our voyage was overseen by Whitstable’s new rib which gave the crew a chance to give the engine a long blast.

All Wanderers and friends were safely ashore by 17:00 and after a revitalising hot shower and drink the eight and a half-mile beat home didn’t seem quite so bad after all. Garry, who had never been in a dinghy before, enjoyed it so much he has signed up for a course with the local sailing school.




Ian Nevill (Wanderer 1098)


Boats and crews attending the cruise:-

W463 Chris and Theresa Partington
W980 Dave Hewett and Loraine Kindley
W1098 Ian and Glenda Nevill
W1282 Gavin Barr and Val Stewart
W1405 David and Jenny Hogben
W1526 John Redshaw and Mark Leonard

Osprey Steve Fawke and Garry Apps
Laser 2000 Tim and Viv Valentine
Laser Stratos Richard and Daniel Earland

Report by Ian Nevill August 1st 2004
Photos by Glenda & Ian Nevill W1098