Saturday 11th and 12th July 2015.

Vessels Attending

Pegasus - Parker 325/37 Stuart Tucker 3 Persons

Betty Blue - Parker 285/6 Graham Ebb 2 Persons

Speedwell - Parker 275/28 Tim Reeder 2 Persons

Tara - Super Seal 26/105 Steve Drew 1 Person

Alchemist - Parker 275/ Dave and Sally Bishton 2 Persons

Juno - Moody 31 Mike Slade 3 Persons

Scenario 1 - Go to anchorage - Weather looking excellent for Saturday afternoon and evening. (Weather taken on 10th July)

Overnight and Sunday Morning Note: Excellent Saturday evening and we should see a lovely sunset. Prevailing wind is from the best direction WSW but may marginally increase overnight to possibly gust 20knots with very light showers 0.1 to 0.3mm by dawn. The anchorage area is very sheltered under the trees, especially from the SW, indeed it is in my view better than being in Newtown Creek which can be a wind tunnel in these conditions. However, for those who are unsure of a confortable night, please still come but move into Newtown Creek later HW 20.19 and take Scenario 2. Looking forward to seeing you all there! Don't forget your BBQ & firewood!

Sat 11 Jul (Afternoon & Evening) 25°c to 15°c - 1019mb – Sunny / Fair / clear Wind WSW - 5 to 15 knots

Sun 12 Jul (Overnight & Morning) 15°c to 21°c - 1018mb - Fair / Showers Sunny Wind WSW – 10 to possible gusts 20 knots

Rally

1. Introduction – A relocated PSSA Newtown BBQ

Dear SEALS, you are all invited to an evening BBQ with a difference. According to Crown Estates, who own the seabed, our entitlement to free of charge anchoring in the course of undertaking navigation is a Public Right and this has been recognised by our common law since medieval times. May things always remain this way!

So, if you are a SEAL member like me who does not like paying exorbitant marina charges or being innocently asked to make a “small contribution” every time you drop your hook, then this little PSSA gem is for you! It’s free, legal and everyone is welcome!!!

2. The Outline Plan

Just to the east of Hamstead Point and just to the west of Newtown Creek entrance, there is safe anchorage with excellent anchor holding ground close to the Hamstead Dover beach and it is relatively well sheltered under a tall tree line especially from the prevailing south west and west winds.

The sea bed is shingle and gently shelving towards the beach. At Chart Datum it is roughly 0.5M very close in and more than 2.0M from 50m to 100m further out. It is perfect for a Seal or Parker lift keel yacht. Additionally, Hamstead Ledge (further west) adds to the overall safety, avoids passing ships and adds to the wave shelter in this spot. Indeed, there is good wind and wave protection from East (not too lumpy), South (very good), West (very good) and North (not too lumpy). But from the North East the long Western Solent fetch makes for a possibly uncomfortable night other than in the lightest winds.

For a number of years the Eastney Cruising Association have run rallies here and with good weather all rallies have been hugely successful and fun. Arrive late afternoon (17.00pm) and choose your anchoring spot. Pump up your dinghy and come ashore with your BBQ and stuff (below). Bring the kids!

The beach is stony but does have a flat grassy area further in and, as many of you will know, it is also extremely isolated because it is difficult to reach it from the landward side without a long hike from Shalfleet.

In the evening, after our BBQ, we will light a communal bonfire on the beach, close to the HW mark so it’s easy to put the fire out without any risk to environment. To do this we need to bring our own firewood so as to protect the local nature. The firewood can be obtained from many petrol stations. Any musicians are welcome! Enjoy an evening sheltered under the trees, lots of friendship with other SEALS and hopefully enjoying sun which sets over Lymington in the summer months. Well that’s the idea!

3. Weather

Good. (Taken on 9th July)

Sat 11 Jul (Afternoon & Evening) 25°c to 15°c - 1019mb – Sunny / Fair / clear Wind WSW - 5 to 15 knots

Sun 12 Jul (Overnight & Morning) 15°c to 21°c - 1018mb - Fair / Showers Sunny Wind WSW – 10 to possible gusts 20 knots

3.1.1. Weather Scenario 1 – Weather is good, wind light from South, West and North.

Go to anchorage.

3.1.2. Weather Scenario 2 - Weather is good, strong wind from East or North East.

Go to Newtown Creek, come round by dinghy and pay.

3.1.3. Weather Scenario 3 - Weather is poor, wet and windy.

Cancel. Please watch the PSSA website for updates.

4. Navigation Information.

4.1. Tides for Portsmouth and Yarmouth.

Portsmouth – 11 July

7:56 AM BST 4.1 m HW

1:23 PM BST 1.4 m LW

8:31 PM BST 4.2 m HW

Yarmouth - 11 July

12:57 AM BST 1.3 m LW

20.19 PM BST 2.8 m HW

Sunset is at 9:17 PM BST

Portsmouth – 12 July

2:04 AM BST 1.4 m LW

9:05 AM BST 4.1 m HW

2:33 PM BST 1.4 m LW

9:34 PM BST 4.3 m HW

Yarmouth - 12 July

1:33 AM BST 1.3 m LW

8:40 AM BST 2.7 m HW

14.00 PM BST 1.3 m LW

Sunrise is at 05.06 AM BST

4.2. Waypoint

The destination is NEWTOWN CREEK entrance Outer Red Mark (50. 43.43N 01 24.54 W). The anchorage area is approximately ¼ nautical mile WSW of this mark.

4.3 Navigation Safety

Special attention shall be given to the Newtown Gravel Shoals 0.25 nm North East of the Newtown Outer Red Mark extending approximately 1 nm east of this Mark.

5. Anchorage

5.2. Anchoring

Decision to enter the Rally and anchor overnight resides with the skipper.

5.2.1. Anchor Draft and amount of chain to lay

Care should be taken to anchor your vessel such that the draft of your vessel is not less than the depth at MLWNs. Due to running tides through the area it is recommended that a boat lays more than 6 times maximum depth if using rope and 4 times maximum depth if using chain at MHWN’s plus a little extra margin.

5.2.2. Anchoring Area

Please see the attached PDF document for ilustrations of the anchorage and proposed area for the beach BBQ.

Aerial View

Navigators Chartlet

BBQ location.

6. Equipment Check

Yachts joining are requested to bring:

Boat.

a) Dinghy and outboard with a means to secure it to the beach.

b) Bags of Firewood. (Obtain wood at Petrol Stations or B&Q).

c) A bucket (to put the fire out).

d) Sunglasses, hat, sun cream and bull repellent.

e) Corkscrew.

BBQ and Fire

a) BBQ, coals, lighter, food and drink.

b) Seats and or a BBQ picnic blanket.

c) Old clothes (designer clothes and fires does not go well together).

d) Swimming costume and towel.

e) Music instruments + Music player.

f) Boules

As always, please remember to clear up your stuff and take your rubbish away with you when you leave!

7. SEAL’s joining this Rally?

Please let me know in advance that you plan to attend according to our chosen scenario.

Party leader:

Number in party:

Boat name:

Boat type and any Special requirements:

The week before the rally, I will be watching the weather and choosing our scenario. Please check for updates on the web site or call me on my mobile (number in handbook) or write to stuarttucker at ntlworld.com or stuarttucker at btopenword.com

Looking forward to your company,

Stuart – Parker 375/37 Pegasus