2011 RYA Sealine Motor Cruise 

First timers embark on Channel crossing...

Twenty-two motorboats of various sizes left Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, and crossed the Channel to Cherbourg at the end of July on the RYA Sealine Motor Cruise 2011.   

This year seventy per cent of the fleet were first time Channel crossers, so having the RYA and the other cruisers nearby proved a great comfort, as Iain Cosham, who was crossing the Channel for the first time with his family and for pleasure rather than business reasons explained. 

Peace of mind

“The cruise is a great event for first time Channel crossers.  It provides peace of mind having other boats around, the RYA is on hand to help with the protocols of arriving at foreign ports and it’s a wonderful social experience too.”  

The weekend had a busy start for Nick Eales, MD of Sea Start.  He tended to four boats that had overheated, but all fixed before the briefing and evening drinks reception, sponsored by Boatshed Hamble at the Royal Solent Yacht Club, Yarmouth.  

The planned Sunday morning departure was delayed, as it was decided that the sea state was too much for the smaller boats. 

Congrulations

Following a smooth to slight crossing to Cherbourg Monday morning, all first-time Channel crossers were awarded certificates to mark their achievement at the evening reception, held on the balcony of Cherbourg Yacht Club.

From Cherbourg the fleet headed out to Carteret, a small fishing village, with a cill.  With careful planning all 22 boats were brought in to Carteret, as people saw later, when the tide went out, all that was left was a trickle of water!  

Following the evenings briefing, the Hawaiian themed pontoon party kindly sponsored by Sea Start got underway.  It was at this party that Holly Cosham, the 18 month old daughter of Iain Cosham, received her certificate acknowledging her as the youngest ever first timer on an RYA Motor Cruise.  

St Peter Port in Guernsey was the next destination and with only a slight swell making the passage interesting and without too many incidents.  

Vin d'honneur

In the evening the Guernsey Culture and Leisure Department had generously granted the fleet a Vin d’honneur in the beautiful surroundings of Castle Cornet.  

To mark the end of the week, a black tie supper was hosted by Guernsey Yacht Club where skippers and crews told of their highs and lows from the week.  

Waking to a grey and misty morning it was a 0645 departure for boats wishing to follow Sealine “Alpha” and Tim Pearce from TH Marine Services back to Cowes. 

Time to head home

With flat seas several of the boats joined the returning fleet as they headed to the Big Splash at Cowes, Isle of Wight.  Some people just cannot stop having fun!  

The RYA Sealine Motor Cruise is aimed at first time Channel crossers and the more experienced for them to gain confidence in both themselves and their boats and therefore extend their cruising grounds.  

A must for first timers

Iain Cosham, on his Sealine S38 called Imagine concluded: “We had an excellent week, the organisation was fantastic, and everyone got on and had a great time.  I would definitely recommend the cruise, especially for people who are thinking about crossing the Channel for the first time.”    

The cruise was sponsored by Sealine, TH Marine Services, Boatshed, Hamble and SeaStart.