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.
Mingming's Next Voyage
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
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 Corinthian 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
24-Jun-06
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!"
