Skippers and Stowaways Day-Sail Weekend

Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May 2025

HW Portsmouth 11:39 hrs. BST, HW 4.3m

Following the success of last year's inaugural event ........ we're gonna do it again!!!!

To All Stowaways ................

Sponsored by Paul Armstrong, this is a novel way to increase the opportunity for Volunteer Skippers to share their knowledge and boats with GCCC Stowaways for a day, and for our Stowaways to gain sailing time and experience in a club, sharing atmosphere. It also creates new networks for the rest of the sailing Season!

So far ..... 

• 8 Volunteer Skippers have offered boats for the weekend (thank you!) giving us something like 25 Stowaway places
• 12 Stowaways from GCCC have so far committed to the date. This means we have plenty of spare places .... so Book Now!!!

The broad outline plan for Saturday:

• Meet in Portsmouth area, both at Haslar and Gosport, at 09:00
• On board for a Safety briefing, prepare boat, plan and discussion for the day
• Sail to Osbourne or Stokes Bay (wind dependant) for lunch at anchor
• Sail back to Portsmouth harbour
• Debrief, clean and put boat to bed
• Skippers and Stowaways visit local hostelry for beers and food

Rally organiser: Paul Armstrong

ONLINE Registrations are NOT needed, but if you wish to be involved as a Stowaway, please read these details below, answer the questions, and respond to Paul Armstrong directly.

GCCC Skippers and Stowaways Day Sail Weekend – Stowaway Questionnaire

Stowaway Name: …..……………….…….….

Partner Name (if applicable): ………..……………..….

• 1.    I want to be a Stowaway for this Event:     Yes / No
• 2.    I would prefer to do the Saturday:  Yes / No         or  the Sunday:   Yes / No
• 3.    I would like to be involved in the future as this date doesn’t work for me:   Yes
• 4.    I’ve changed my mind, and I am not in a position to be a Stowaway any longer:    Yes
• 5.   If you wish to add any comments, please do so here: …………………………....

Please fill in your responses to the 5 questions above (and add any comments), save it to your computer, and then email it back to:  paularmstrong2023@outlook.com

Please complete and return your response ASAP.

Thank you very much ……!!!

The Folly Inn

Saturday, 24th May

HW Portsmouth 09:34 hrs  4.3m

Whilst this is a bank holiday weekend, the rally is only intended to be held on Saturday, into Sunday.

• Berths booked on the Folly walkashore pontoon for Saturday night only.
• Dinner reservation at the Folly Inn at 19:30 hrs.
  
  
• Organiser: TBA

Chichester Harbour - Northney Marina

Saturday, 31st May

HW Portsmouth 15:59 hrs  4.5m

• Berths booked in Northney Marina (MDL)
• Dinner reservation at the Ship Inn, Langstone at 19:30 hrs.
  
  
• Organiser: Chris Granger

Summer Cruise - Baie de Seine, France

Friday, 13th - Saturday, 28th June

HW Portsmouth 13:55 hrs  4.4m

A leisurely 2-week (15-night) trip to the Normandy Coast.

Channel crossing to Cherbourg x2 nights.  Continuing eastwards around the Baie to St Vaast, Grandcamp, Port-en-Bessin, Courseulles, Ouistreham, Honfleur and either Le Havre or Fecamp depending on immigration formalities, from where we will depart for the return channel crossing.

Chichester Harbour - Itchenor Reach

Tuesday, 15th - Thursday, 17th July

HW Portsmouth 15:39 hrs  4.5m

• Depending on the number of boats that attend, the intention is to make use of the visitors pontoon to the east of the 'hard' at Itchenor or the swinging visitor moorings just 'off' the 'hard'.
• Dinner reservation at the Ship Inn, Itchenor on Tuesday evening at 19:30 hrs.
  
  
• Organiser: TBA

Lymington Rally:  2 nights - Dan Bran Pontoon

Nights 1 & 2 - Friday 25th AND Saturday, 26th July

Night 2 ONLY - Saturday 26th July

Friday 25th July
HW Portsmouth 12:46 hrs. BST  4.6m

• Friday - independent dinner arrangements

• Saturday - Safari Supper across attending boats

Littlehampton:  2-night rally

Nights 1 & 2 - Friday 1st AND Saturday, 2nd August

Night 2 ONLY - Saturday 2nd August

Friday 1st August: HW Portsmouth 17:27 hrs. 4.1m

Moorings booked on the Harbour Visitors Pontoon

• Friday - independent dinner arrangements

• Saturday - Dinner at Arun Yacht Club, just across the water from our moorings

Buckler's Hard, Beaulieu: 2-nights

Nights 1 & 2 - Friday 15th AND Saturday, 16th August

Night 2 ONLY - Saturday 16th August

Friday 15th August: HW Portsmouth 16:47 hrs. 4.5m

Moorings booked on the Buckler's Hard Visitors Pontoon

• Friday - independent dinner arrangements

• Saturday - Barbecue (bring your own food & drink)

Long Weekend Cruise - Poole, Studland Bay & Swanage

Plus possible extension ....

Saturday, 23rd - Tuesday, 26th August

HW Portsmouth 12:32 hrs  4.6m

Berths booked at Poole Quay Boat Haven for Saturday & Sunday nights.

Dinner booked at the Custom House Bistro for Saturday evening.

Monday night at anchor in either Studland Bay, Swanage or, if the weather is not favourable, then off Pottery Pier (Brownsea Island).

Organiser: TBA

Lymington Rally:  2 nights

Nights 1 & 2 - Friday 12th AND Saturday, 13th September

Night 2 ONLY - Saturday 13th September

Friday 12th September
HW Portsmouth 15:25 hrs. BST  4.7m

Berths booked in Lymington Yacht Haven

• Friday - independent dinner arrangements

• Saturday - dinner at nearby pub

Bembridge:  2 nights

Nights 1 & 2 - Friday 26th AND Saturday, 27th September

Night 2 ONLY - Saturday 27th September

Friday 26th September
HW Portsmouth 14:49 hrs. BST  4.5m

Berths booked in the Duver Marina

• Friday - optional dinner at Brading Haven Yacht Club (TBC)

• Saturday - Barbecue in the harbourside marquee

Yarmouth Rally

Saturday 11th October

HW Portsmouth 14:59 hrs  4.8m

Final Rally of the 2025 Season!

• Berths booked on the main walkashore pontoons in Yarmouth
• Dinner at either the Royal Solent Yacht Club (TBC), or Wheatsheaf Restaurant at 19:30 hrs.
  
  
• Organiser: TBA