Weymouth 100 - a great weekend.

28 boats and crew turned up at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy for a weekend of making new friends, renewing old friendships and having a good time, both on and off the water.

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The below is a copy of the report sent to the Drascombe Association for publication in the DAN

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A collaboration report by Tony Wood and Dick Pizey, on the Weymouth 100 Drascombe rally held between 3rd and 6th July at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, familiar to many as the venue for the 2012 Olympic sailing competition.

 

Dick…. Early in the summer of 2024 Sharon and I were discussing possible events and venues and settled on the Sailing Academy and the July dates.  As many of you know Sharon is no longer with us and I decided, as a tribute to her, to continue with the planning of the rally. The objective was to try to get as many Drascombes on the water at the same time in one place. The venue was the obvious location on the South Coast with all the facilities to host this large event. With excellent launching, pontoon, and club house facilities with space available for hard camping and parking on site. Soft camping was also available nearby. The plan was confirmed. (Note – people have asked why the Weymouth 100 – aspirational and optimistic but initially, nearly 70 expressions of interest seemed to suggest we could do it – 100 Drascombes on the water)

 

Tony ….  With Dick taking the reins on behalf of Drascombe Boats, the sailing plan was set the weekend Friday a sail away to parts local for a picnic lunch. Saturday Harbour pursuit fun race, a parade of Sail in front of the Academy for press and locals and, for those that could a sail in the harbour on Sunday.  I was asked to plan a feeder Cruise to allow people to sail down to Portland from the Solent. The application forms were sent out, all was set for an epic weekend.

 The Feeder Cruise

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 Despite a growing number of Drascombers showing interest in sailing from the Solent, the weather forecast forced many back onto their trailers. I launched and sailed from Ashlett SC, in Osprey (Drifter 22) on 27th June bound to rendezvous Marcus Niner in Sundance (Drifter Mk1). in Newtown Creek, Isle of Wight. My departure coincided with a period of strong winds.  I had set out with 13kts forecast and actual, Half way to the IOW (Calshot Spit) the wind had risen to 20kts and gusting. Time for Jib and Mizzen. By the time I reached Gurnard Ledge I was down to engine and mizzen with 26kts gusting 28kts. I pressed on, burning my fuel reserves to reach Newtown Creek. I arrived after 3hrs for a journey of 10 miles. I secured alongside Sundance on his sheltered mooring with 30kts showing on my wind-ex!

 The following two days we were nailed to Marcus's mooring. Despite optimistic forecasts the winds remained from the West, and at the Needles blowing 33kts gusting 36kts.

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 Monday 29th - dawn broke with a flat calm and we set sail in a forecast easterly, motoring out though Hurst, set the direction for Poole. We soon picked up a SE breeze giving a good angle for us. Our original plan was to anchor in Swanage or Studland Bay but both become very rolly in the easterly winds so we settled for an overnight at Goat Horn Point in Poole Harbour. With an early start that saw us though the Lulworth Firing ranges, we had a gentle sail to be welcomed in to the “Flesh Pots” of Weymouth. Sampling some great facilities thanks to Weymouth Harbour Commissioners and some great restaurants.   

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 On the Thursday we sailed into Portland to pick up our pontoons for the duration of the rally.

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 Dick….  Although the option of sailing from my home base on the River Exe in Devon was attractive, the vagaries of rounding Portland Bill meant that I could well miss on the start of the event, which would seem careless and rude, so I opted to trail to the Academy arriving about 11.30 to find several boats already in the gravel car park rigging. The number grew during the day and old acquaintances were renewed and new friends made. A local and fairly new Drascombe owner who couldn't attend the whole event even came just to see how others rigged their boats! Throughout day rigging and launching took place with much mutual assistance and advice being provided by rally members.
 

Tony….  The evening social get together was good, meeting old friends and making new acquaintances using the very comfortable bar and being served a good fisherman's supper by the Academy Staff. 

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Friday morning saw us being briefed for a two-pronged attack on Weymouth Bay for a picnic lunch. The larger boats headed to Durdle Door (approx. 6 miles), with Dick accompanying them whilst I accompanied the smaller boats on the shorter route to Ringstead Bay (4 miles). The plan was for the whole fleet too rendezvous at Ringstead for lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wind forecast was good with a max SW 13 to 15 kts. Marcus and I had seen this weather pattern before and we both left our reefs in.  By the time the first party reached Ringstead it was clearly untenable as the wind was now W 15 – 20kts with gusts to 22kts on a lee shore. The whole fleet abandoned the plan and turned for home. The wind helpfully moved more northerly causing us to sail deep towards Weymouth Beach to get an angle for Portland Entrance. That evening was self-catering and the skippers and crews visited local hostelries, or travelled further afield into the attractions of Weymouth.

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 Saturday morning saw strong winds return with harbour mouth winds of 33kts. Dick wisely called off sailing for the day. A shore-based day for everyone was the order of the day, bus passes in full use.  

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Everyone gathered in the evening for a buffet meal at the Academy. After a fine meal, Dick made a short speech, and then handed over to me to make a memorial speech for Sharon.

Simon, Lauren, Sharon’s eldest daughter and her children, had come along for the day and younger daughter, Hannah, was on a video link, which made the presentation of a Memorial Plaque to them an emotional end to the proceedings.

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Drinks and conversation, sharing memories and adventures of the weekend continued into the evening as would be expected by missing friends.

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 Dick….  Sunday morning again saw fairly strong winds, but several boats went out for a great sail in the harbour. Those that had long journeys recovered and de rigged, before departure.  Dolphin spotting had been the sport of both Saturday and Sunday with the friendly harbour dolphins ‘Dave’ entertaining us all with his antics in the marina entrance.

 

Tony….  Footnote: Sundance and Osprey had to wait till Tuesday 8th for a favourable wind to return to the Solent. We sailed 46 miles in 10 hours. A long day! not wishing to get trapped again by strangely inaccurate wind forecasts. 

 

 Dick….  I drove my car and trailer home on Sunday, returning to the Academy by train on Monday. Setting sail shortly after Tony and Marcus, on the Tuesday, I rounded the Bill in fairly benign conditions and sailed along the coast to overnight in Lyme Regis (30 odd miles), before sailing along to the River Exe and onto my mooring at Starcross YC. (24 miles)

 

Stats – 5 Drifter 22’s , 1 Drifter Mk1, 3 Longboat Cruisers, 4 Coasters, 1 Longboat, 9 Luggers, 1 Dabber, 2 Deben Luggers, I Cornish Shrimper – 57 Skippers and crew

 

Dick…. There were some lovely photographs taken that should be available on the DA website any time soon. The weekend was great fun and, I hope, enjoyed by all those who came along. New friends made and old acquaintances renewed. I hope the rallying spirt was re kindled for some and introduced to those who are new to Drascombing and, from here, we can re build the fun and experiences we all enjoyed in years before the pandemic.

 

Tony Wood (Osprey)                                                               Dick Pizey (Daislebee)