Portland Weekend

The Steve Brown Properties Portland Weekend – September 2010

Your PYRA committee is always looking for new and exciting venues for members to race to, so it caused some excitement when the new facilities at Portland were opened. Contact was made and an enthusiastic “Come on down” was given by everyone at the Dean & Reddyhoff Marina. PYRA was allotted exclusive use of the restaurant so it was left in the hands of the weather gods to make it all happen.

We all watched the weather pattern with interest; my first ‘look’ was Country File on Sunday – often-wrong 6 days ahead. Throughout the week things stayed settled, the only issue was ‘would there be enough wind?’ On the day of departure the answer was ‘no’, not at 11am at least - Brian and Ivor moved the start to Peveril. At Peveril the tide was beginning to ebb – big time! No matter most stayed the ‘right’ side and set off around 12 noon.

Good tide saw us off at good speed under kite until St Aldhelm’s where a few did unintentional pirouettes, those that kept on track gained some time here but there was nothing to be done but wait if caught-up in a whirlpool. Once round the headland, and safely over the ledge, the wind dropped further but almost instantaneously sprang-up again fro the southwest. Much scrambling to get genoas up and spinnakers down was evident.

The calm, almost drift, in glorious sunshine took on a different face; jackets were needed and sun hats discarded. The breeze was good, but cool; it turned the outing into a real race. The wind veered to west as we too were turning to the west, a true beat all the way. Tacking off to gain tidal advantage at the right moment was critical, whether to hold-on north-westwards, the making tack, or go southwest and more tide. Eventually everyone made it through the north entrance into the vastness of Portland Harbour.

The new facilities at Portland are superb, large finger pontoons attached to huge walkways. Oscar (our dog) was extremely grateful for not having six other boats to scramble across! After a relax (beer & wine) we made our way to the restaurant area where our Captain presided over the rendezvous. Steve Brown Properties provided prizes for anyone who had a reason to collect one, the final prize being given to the 70 year-old John McQuillan. All sang happy birthday before the party disbanded. Most members stayed on at the restaurant – good food if a little expensive – some went to the local pub, others walked for 25 minutes to Castle Cove whilst others ate on board.

The next day a jaded bunch made their way along the huge walkways to use the wonderful facilities, even the showers were free! Classes 1,2 & 5 had time for brekky but Classes 3 & 4 were off at 8.30, very sensible as it turned-out!

We ventured out of the marina for a start just outside, the course was set, Arish Mell (p) – finish, with the time to be taken at Arish Mell. Brian & Ivor had set-up the start but did not say which entrance to depart via. Apart from the multi-hulls we all (well most) went off on a fetch to the middle one, this caused some confusion and a few radio broadcasts – can we or can’t we use the middle one? No matter – we did! Almost as soon as we escaped Portland Harbour the breeze began to drop and Class 2 just managed to find Arish Mell before the wind died and the tide turned against us. Some Class 3 members made it all the way, I think everyone else’s times at Arish Mell will be used.

It wasn’t raining – what else can I say, we finished at 2pm but it was 6pm by the time we’d packed away. In the missing 4 hours we battled, struggled, fought, crawled, paddled (and any other words you’d like to use!) against the strongest ebb tide the world has ever seen! 5.5 knots against at St Aldhelm’s (my boat only goes 5.6 knots flat-out under engine!!!), 5 knots against at Anvil and Durleston. There were some good bits though; making way past Windspit, Dancing Ledge etc., talking to the climbers, the views, the sunshine, reading War & Peace…….

All in all a great weekend, let’s do it again, but can we return with more favourable current next time PLEASE!

JW

Thanks John

Did anyone take photos? Let me have the best ones if you did - Mike