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Crab and Lobster Cruise Report
On Sunday September 28th, Pagham Yacht Club held their annual cruise to the
Crab and Lobster. The club has permission to make this trip once a year and it
gives the members an opportunity to appreciate the nature reserve at close hand.
This year we had the pleasure of being joined by four boats from Bognor yacht
club, all from the cadet section. The Pagham fleet managed 19 boats, from
Toppers, Solo, Wayfarers, Laser, Osprey and a Hobbie 16, with a good section of
sailing skills. The youngest sailor was 8 years old and the oldest sailor (well
that would be telling); 3 safety boats accompanied them.
The sail in through the harbour mouth presented a few challenges, with its
turbulent water and frequent sudden eddies. Once through into the open water,
the narrow channels and shallows, not to mention the reed banks, soon sorted the
men out from the boys (or should I say the boys out from the men).
Some of our more experienced sailors had fun in the channel, with one Laser
sailor (I promise not to mention any names), giving the waiting crowd and local
inhabitants an expert lesson in capsize recovery.
Whilst enjoying beverages, the Solo decided that it would slip its moorings
as it didn’t want to wait for its sailor, and tried to make the return trip
alone. This was soon spotted by the on lookers and the rescue boat made a good
recovery.
The sail home was a quick affair with no mishaps, except for the cadets
sailing the Osprey who were trying to copy the Laser skills in capsize recovery.
They also had problems on landing their boat back at Pagham, which has earned
them the wooden spoon award, which is fiercely fought over each year.
With the boats finally beached at the yacht club slipway, the scramble up the
shingle to the club bar was reminiscent of the D-Day landings.
It was agreed by all those who took part, that it was one of the best cruises
for many years and next year can’t come soon enough.
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