Mingming Mania in Moscow
April 2012
Roger Taylor, 'voyageur extraordinaire' and an advocate of 'simple sailing', has sailed his 21ft junk-rigged Corribee 'Mingming' on single-handed voyages every year from 2006 to 2011. These voyages are the inspiration behind his books, "Voyages of a Simple Sailor" and "Mingming & the Art of Minimal Ocean Sailing". Having completed translations into Russian of his books, his Russian publishers invited him to attend the Moscow Boat Show in March...
Mike Peyton Tells his Tale
Sunday 25th March 2012
The Cruiser Class winter series of talks was brought to a splendid end by yachting cartoonist Mike Peyton giving his first ever talk. Now in his nineties, Mike let us into his sailing past and his private life. We learnt that he didn't much like being a German prisoner of war, so he left, headed east and joined the Russian Army. Post war Mike attended art school, bought a sailing canoe and started to explore the East Coast.
Diesel, Diesels and Darwin
Sunday 11th March 2012
This weekend’s cruiser talk, 'Diesel, Diesels and Darwin' by Derek Corless, did what it said on the tin and more. Derek, who is setting up a motor boat section of the cruiser fleet, described how to keep your engine happy – clean inside and out, elements of good tank design, be careful where you fill up, the dangers of various new developments in fuel and the importance of filters.
Calling All Members with Engines...
March 2012
Open Letter from Derek Corless to All Members,
Our club's website now features a page in the fleet section for Motor Cruisers and you will see that it is called a sub-section of the Cruiser Fleet. I was asked by members of the committee to form a group for motor cruisers and I felt that it should be part of the cruiser fleet. Our common interest is in journeying to interesting places, we only differ in how we do it. Sue King runs a very good cruiser section and I feel we should support her rather than be a separate group of boats.
From the Canaries to Burnham with Captain Bligh
Monday 13th February 2012
Nearly sixty people attended yesterday's talk for the Cruiser Fleet by Anne Heasley called 'From the Canaries to Burnham with Captain Bligh'. The drive through the snow did not daunt them but then, cruiser folk are a hardy bunch as Anne's talk demonstrated. Anne and Arthur brought Star Swan back from the Canaries via Madeira and the Azores, meeting old acquaintances, making new friends, having a couple of perfect sails, spotting whales and dolphins, and beating into the occasional gale...
Cruiser Talk - The Last Sailorman
Sunday 15th January 2012
Dick Durham, news editor of Yachting Monthly, talked of his time in the late 60s and early 70s, as mate on the Thames sailing barge Cambria, the last commercial sailing vessel without an engine, in northern Europe.
2011 Cruiser Annual Report
Saturday 12th November 2011
Talks through the winter season were excellent this year and very well attended. Wendy
Eagling gave us our first talk about the Endeavour Trophy, a timely reminder of what we owe
to past commodores and how they supported and encouraged sailing.
Cruisers and the David Eagling Memorial Trophy
Sunday 25th September 2011
The cruisers gathered for what was likely to be the last water borne event on Sunday 25th September. For almost the first time this year the weather blessed us with sunshine and not too much wind!
Dangerous Moonlight's Last Burnham Week
5th September 2011
Keith Heron has been a member of the Corinthian since 1973, sailing his GK 24 Dangerous Moonlight in most Burnham Weeks since then. As the years have passed, Keith and his crew have 'graduated' from the locally handicapped cruiser class to the 'white sails only' or 'no spinnaker 'class. Keith had decided that Burnham Week 2011 was to be his last but was he reading the omens right?
Mingming completes her latest Arctic Voyage
August 2011
Roger Taylor in his junk-rigged Corribee left Whitehills harbour on the Moray Firth at 1700h on Thursday 23rd June, intending to revisit Jan Mayen Island. He had been denied the sight of Mount Beerenberg, the 7000’ volcano on his last trip and yearned to see it on a clear day but was to be disappointed again...
The Cruisers Play at Home
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th July 2011
The weekend of the 9th & 10th July kept the Corinthian Cruiser Fleet based at home for two annual events - the Pontoon Party followed by the Swallowtail Race. Three boats moored onto the pontoon, Amanda Louise, Quick Reflex and Verlette, particularly welcome as it was a chance for Steve and Catherine Barham to meet the rest of us.
Baldrick wins the Pusser's Rum Trophy
Tuesday 5th July 2011
The Pusser's Rum Trophy is now proudly displayed on Mick King's sideboard after Baldrick's victory in the Old Gaffers' East Coast Race. Mick didn't say whether there was any rum to go with it!
Mingming and the Art of Minimal Ocean Sailing
Sunday 20th March 2011
RCYC member Roger Taylor introduced his latest book to his cruiser friends at the Corinthian, bringing a most successful winter season of talks to a close. This time, however, he abandoned the electronic approach with slide presentations and video clips and went for 'the simple sailor' option, relying on a good story, well told. His tools were his book and his voice - and we hung on his every word...
A Brief History of the Thames Estuary
Sunday 13th February 2011
The Cruiser Fleet was treated to Peter Willett's talk on a short history of the River Thames. Pete ran through a mere 10,000 years from the end of the last ice age, which presented us with our playground of the southern north sea and eastern channel by cutting the land bridge between Essex and the continent to the present day with the problems of global warming, rising sea levels and squeezed budgets for coastal defences around the Thames Estuary.
Duncan Kay and Offshore Memories
Sunday 16th January 2011
Duncan Kay's talk 'Offshore Racing' brought out both the members and the sunshine! It was standing-room only for the latecomers and members came from far and wide to hear of Duncan's adventures, especially those connected with Morning Cloud..
Corinthian Author To Take On Tolstoy?
Wednesday 1st December 2010
The RCYC has had sailing links with Russia for a while. Now those links are turning literary. A Russian publisher has approached Corinthian member Roger Taylor with a view to acquiring the Russian rights to his recently published book ‘Mingming & the Art of Minimal Ocean Sailing’.
Quick Reflex
August 2010
"It's ok, we have half a tank of fuel" he said, "but we will fill up at Eastbourne...." Famous last words uttered by Graham King as the decision was taken to motor Quick Reflex towards Eastbourne with the wind on the nose. Then the engine started to lose power...
Corinthian Old Gaffers Sweep the Board
Thursday 19th August 2010
Three small gaff rigged boats left the Crouch to take part in the 38th Swale Barge and Smack Race based at Harty Ferry - Roy Hart's Memory Greensleeves, Mick King's Memory Three Sisters and Harry Lymer's Itchen Ferry Gem with Ray Austin at the helm.
Roger is back, nursing disappointment and an injury...
Friday 30th July 2010
Roger Taylor arrived back in Plymouth 08:30 on Thursday 29th July after sixty-seven days at sea, having achieved one of his goals, to get to the west of Greenland, but deciding to abandon his second goal, to penetrate the Davis Strait as far as the Arctic Circle, after he sustained an injury when Mingming was thrown onto her beam ends by a rogue wave. Roger considered that the extra hazards of a broken rib made continuing his journey more than usually risky and turned for home on the 26th June at 60° 42’N 53° 29’W.
Latest News of Roger Taylor and Mingming
The Jester Challenge 23rd May 2010
Roger and Mingming are off on their annual voyage and expect to be at the Plymouth Breakwater at 1400h on Sunday 23rd May, to take part in the latest Jester Challenge. However, he is liable to make other plans! "If conditions are right I may very well divert to make my landfall at Cape Dyer, Baffin Island instead, thereby getting into the Arctic Circle to the west of Greenland, via the Davis Strait, and mirroring last year’s voyage into the east Greenland ice and the Denmark Strait...
Roger Receives the Jester Medal
Friday 26th March 2010
On March 26th Roger attended the Awards Ceremony of the Ocean Cruising Club at the Royal Thames Yacht Club to receive the Jester Medal which was awarded to him by the unanimous decision of the Awards Committee, for “an outstanding contribution to the art of single-handed sailing”.
Three Jester Skippers...
Sunday 14th February 2010
RCYC was honoured by the presence of not one, but THREE skippers who had all taken part in the Jester Challenge of 2008. Corinthian member Roger Taylor, who was ready to tell of his latest exploits of Summer 2009, was joined by John Apps and John Margarson who had both come to hear of them.
Orla wins the David Eagling Memorial Trophy
Saturday 24th October 2009
The Corinthian Cruising Fleet is not reknowned for strict adherence to the rules for starting proper, real races; after all, we are a Cruising Fleet. No, our approach is more relaxed and does not require the precision timing achieved by the one-designs, when the aim is to be in a position, approximately one second behind the start line as the gun goes, every sail perfectly set and going at full tilt.
Cruisers Elect New Fleet Captain
Saturday 3rd October 2009
The RCYC Cruiser Fleet held their AGM and welcomed the Annual Report given by the Fleet Captain Mike King. However this title was to be held by Mick for just moments more as the next item on the Agenda was the election of a new Fleet Captain.
Roger and Mingming make a Safe Return
The Voyage lasted from 26th June until 12th August 2009
After forty-eight days at sea (by my reckoning), Roger Taylor brought Mingming safely back to Whitehills harbour on Thursday 13th August, having achieved all the objectives of this particular voyage. It was not without excitements, (over and above the fact that he is sailing singlehanded in a boat almost devoid of the latest technology and instruments) in the shape of pods of killer whales and a close shave with a Russian factory ship...but his adventures are best told in his own words...
The Cruisers run for a Curry
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th June 2009
The now annual Brightlingsea Curry Run brought new meanings to the phrase 'Cruise in Company'; five boats attended, two went a day early, one left an hour before the other two, who left together but went by differing routes... oh well, the journey back would be different.
Voyages of a Simple Sailor
Wednesday 3rd June 2009
Roger Taylor published the tales of some of his sailing adventures last year and the book is selling well. 'Voyages of a Simple Sailor' has been hovering at or near the top of the Amazon sailing narrative bestseller lists. Last week it was simultaneously #1 in Canada, #2 in the UK and #19 in the US.
It makes exciting reading - it comes recommended!
Mingming's Next Voyage
Monday 1st June 2009
This year Roger Taylor will start his annual voyage from a more northerly point rather than setting out from Burnham. By this means he hopes to achieve more in the six weeks available to him. He plans to set out from Whitehills on the southern shore of the Moray Firth and head for Jan Mayen Island.
Old Gaffers' Rally
Sunday 3rd May 2009
It wasn't just the usual Dragons, RCODs, Elites etc that started from the RCYC Racing Line on Sunday 3rd May, Bruce and his team provided the start signals for around 15 Old Gaffers as they held their Crouch Rally.
In recent years we have had around five to eight boats attend the rally but this year the promise of fair weather brought out around 20 boats ranging in size from a 19ft Shrimper to a 50ft Colin Archer!
Welcome to Quick Reflex
Sunday 5th April 2009
The three Kings and Gerri Blake met at the Mayflower Marina in Plymouth on Sunday 5th April 2009 for the delivery trip of Quick Reflex to the RCYC. It was an idyllic day and they wandered along the coastal path, licking ice creams and watching nuclear submarines, negotiating Plymouth Sound. What a difference a day makes!
Cruiser Class Captain's 2008 Report
Friday 28th November 2008
My first thought looking back at the sailing season of 2008 was to say, what a wash out! This was the first season I have known where I had to abandon my boat where she lay due to high winds and rain, not once but twice, but who argues with force 8/9 on the nose, even in the Crouch...
Racing in Star Swan
15th -17th August 2008
Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta, Yarmouth
This wet and windy summer was not good for cruising so when Anne and Arthur Heasley on Star Swan discovered there would be a class for Classic Swans ( those designed by Sparkman and Stephens) at the Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta in August, it seemed an event designed for them, especially as it was sponsored by Taittinger Champagne.
Roger and Mingming return to Plymouth
15th July 2008
Mingming and I arrived back at Plymouth on Thursday 10th July after a 16 day passage from Praia da Vitoria. Winds were F6+ for about 11 out of the 16 days, but were favourable, hence the relatively fast time.
Playing with Submarines
July 2008
Last year Anne and Arthur Heasley on Star Swan were boarded by armed customs men as they arrived in Falmouth from the Azores. This year they approached along the coast from the east but still met armed defences.
Mingming arrives!
Sunday 22nd June 2008
Roger Taylor and Mingming arrrived 1064BST 21st June in harbour at Praia da Vitoria. Roger is reported to be in splendid form and Mingming is immaculate...
Voyages of a Simple Sailor
Jun-08
RCYC is proud to announce that Roger Taylor has turned his adventures at sea in Endeavour II, Roc and Mingming into a book called, "Voyages of a Simple Sailor".
Although the official publication date is not until June, copies are already available. There are order slips in the office but it's probably easier to order online via Roger's website www.the simplesailor.com The books are usually dispatched the same day.
STOP PRESS Colin Jarman in 'Sailing Today' has given Roger's book an outstanding review: "This one volume contains three of the best written accounts of voyages and seagoing
under sail that I have read in many a year."
Mingming sails North
Sunday 17th February 2008
Ninety members and friends met to hear the third of Roger Taylor's talks about his latest voyage in Mingming his 21ft junk-rigged Corribee, when he sailed her northwards, hoping to reach the Arctic Circle. His story is already told on this website and we shared his disappointment that, having chosen a summer of successive storms and contrary winds, he ran out of the time necessary to achieve his goal. However, it isn't just the story, it's the manner of the telling and, anyway, Roger had a secret weapon.....
Dick Durham talks to the Cruiser Fleet
Sunday 20th January 2008
The Cruiser Fleet Sunday Lunches and talks just keep on getting better and better: Sunday the 20th of January saw Dick Durham amuse, entertain and educate over 50 members and guests with his well illustrated talk.
The Cruisers like a good lunch!
September & October 2007
Ever since the David Eagling Memorial Trophy was instigated in 1995 it has been traditional to sail and struggle with a quiz. We haven't missed a year which is really remarkable. But not this year. Our first attempt to race on September 30th was abandoned through lack of wind.
Mingming's Northern Voyage 2007
4th August 2007
Mingming is safely returned to harbour after 37.5 days at sea. She dropped anchor in Cawsand Bay, Plymouth Sound on the 29th July, having left Burnham on 22nd June. The voyage was not without incident!
Mingming goes North
Jun-07
Roger Taylor, sailing his junk-rigged Corribee, left Burnham on Friday 22nd June with the intention of reaching the Arctic Circle. After his experiences in the Jester Challenge last summer, he has made some modifications in Mingming but as they do not include modern communications technology, we get no news until he returns!
The Cruisers Slip Their Moorings
Sunday 20th May 2007
The cruisers got off to their usual late start with our first cruise of the year all the way to Brandy Hole Yacht Club , who once again made us very welcome and provided an excellent lunch. Five boats sailed most of the way up there and four sailed back, the Cruiser Captain, being a gentleman, refused to sail to windward which had nothing to do with his new sails that only went on at five thirty that morning!
Little Boats and Big Adventures
Sunday 18th February 2007
How do you top the story of running aground in a tall ship (Endeavour) and its subsequent total loss, then being saved and having nothing more than what you stand up in?
Well, Roger Taylor did just that at the last Cruiser Fleet lunch of this winter season.
The Saga of Eric in Norway
Sunday 15th January 2007
Sunday the 15th January got the Cruiser Fleet's social events off to a cracking start for the New Year. Eric Daniel's talk on Cruising in Norwegian Waters held those of us that rarely venture far the mud of Essex and Kent in awe.
Cruiser Lunch
25th November 2006
We had a fine turn out for the first of our off season Cruiser Lunches with fifty-one sitting down to a fine Roast Beef and Apple Pie menu.
Off to Brandy Hole
8th October 2006
The Cruiser Fleet had their final outing of the season on Sunday 8th October to Brandy Hole. Six yachts took part and two crews with two past and two present members went by wind over tarmac. A total of 23 people, which was the best turn out of the season and a credit to the SOD, Derek Stowe.
The Cruiser Fleet greets Roger
15th July 2006
Roger Taylor was an unexpected member at the Cruiser Fleet's Annual Pontoon Party.The last we heard he was out in the Atlantic.
Mingming returns to Burnham
11th July 2006
Roger Taylor crossed the start-line for the Jester Challenge in Plymouth on 3rd June, prepared for a crossing that would last about six weeks. In the event progress was slower than he had hoped and he would be entering the likely zone for hurricanes by the beginning of August. He had to make a decision before 'the point of no return'. This is Roger's account of how he came to that decision.
Ella Rose wins the Plodders' Pot
Saturday 24th June 2006
Mick King decided to race Ella Rose along the East Coast but it all took rather longer than he had imagined!
RCYC member takes up 'The Jester Challenge'
3rd June 2006
Roger Taylor left Plymouth on Saturday June 3rd bound for Newport, Rhode Island, USA, taking part in 'The Jester Challenge' in Mingming his 21ft junk-rigged Corribee.
The idea for the race came from Blondie Haslar and just five boats took part in this transatlantic race in 1960 which was won by Francis Chichester in his Gipsy Moth III.
Why the 'Jester' Challenge? That was Haslar's own boat, Jester, so-called because "she was such a bloody joke!"