Social Cruising Weekend June 2025

It was a weekend of calculated risks, probability swings and one suspiciously lucky set of dice.

The odds of thunderstorms on the Friday evening presented the first roll of the dice. The age old ‘should we go out?’ was a democratic process involving a coming together of weather apps, that all suggested ‘we could sneak in a couple of hours before it’s due – let’s roll'.

The odds of getting out of a tight berthing spot was the next challenge. Skipper Simon Durk unveiled a plan of certainty - motor on to an extended stern line rigged from the opposite side’s stern cleat - connected to a distant finger pontoon. Ingenious, but the probability of success was somewhat diminished when no warps long enough could be found. Instead, a more conventional approach was needed, but this too was quickly undone. Low water springs on an inside berth on the Hamble saw us stuck fast in the silt, and our two-hour window quickly disappeared.

With plans changed and dinner ready onboard, a game of Yahtzee ensued - as did the rain. We were naturally keen to see biblical level thunderstorms to justify our lack of sailing due to our silty berth – but as chance would have it - they never came. Instead, the crew hydrated whilst debating the probability of Yahtzee dice throws after endless full house rolls. Carl Abraham’s mathematical mind quickly computed the odds of throwing a Yahtzee (5 of a kind). However, Simon Webb’s two Yahtzees in quick succession, seemed to defy those odds and raised muted suggestions of loaded dice!

Saturday's weather fortunes improved, and we made for Bembridge under blue skies and a fresh breeze. We found ourselves in the middle of the IRC Nationals along the way, which boasted 50 black-sailed IRC-rated boats, just before the start for the largest boats! 

It was an impressive site as we observed their speed and slick sail changes. Thankfully Pete Dunn’s watchful lookout made for safe navigation, and we were soon clear.

Nearing Bembridge we dropped anchor for lunch, whilst waiting for sufficient tide to do battle with the sand bar and visit Bembridge harbour. With some discrepancy between the live tidal gauge and our tidal curve calculations (oh the joy of secondary ports!) – we decided to roll the dice on a rising tide. Stephen Baker’s neat helming navigated the channel with ease and there was enough water under the keel to avoid a white-knuckle ride.

With Bembridge safely ticked off, it was time for a windward thrash westward to Lymington. With winds gusting well into F6, we were glad for the early reefs (well done Skipper!) as we rounded Cowes and tacked through a sizeable chop amplified by wind over a spring tide.

With the day’s sail done, it was off to the Ship Inn for dinner and a chance to roll the dice again by finishing the previous night’s Yahtzee game. Pete shaped a course for a comeback, but it was too far out of reach, as Simon W retained his early lead to receive the win (and revived speculation about loaded dice!).

Sunday’s sail enjoyed wind and tide nudging us back homeward, but not before a short visit to Newtown Creek, to observe for ourselves reports of an emergency wreck mark. As reported, the blue and yellow buoy indicated the site of some poor mariner’s misfortune but mercifully left enough room to still navigate the creek.

Hamble-bound we were treated to the work of three tugboats guiding an enormous tanker to its berth at Fawley. We observed from a distance as the operation unfolded, but were also left wondering why some vessels seemed to be so close, as they nipped across the precautionary area with such little sea room between them and the obvious(!) – surely a throw of the dice that is not worth the gamble?

All in all - a great weekend cruising with the perfect balance of sailing and socialising – definitely scoring a Yahtzee Bonus!

Pictures: Stephen Baker and Simon Webb