Round Britain Cruise RBC60
The Round Britain Cruise is now complete for most of the boats, although some are still on their way to their home ports
Ramsgate saw 9 boats set off for the first leg. Next stop was Cowes where more joined the fleet. Many OGA Areas around the UK hosted celebrations in 'Party Ports' as the fleet of 15 boats passed through. They arrived at the River Orwell in perfect time for the main Jubilee Party. Open boats, local cruising boats, and members not bringng boats joined them there for an amazing 4 day party.
After the Jubilee party boats were invited to join the East Coast Cruise to Chatham before completing their circumnavigation by returning to their home ports.
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Party Ports - Find out more about what happened using the links below
Ramsgate
27th April - 1st May
The OGA60 Round Britain cruise is go!
There are few I would class as Gaffer royalty but amongst those are Jan Holden and Robert who took on the organisation this weekend. We consumed fish and chips in the delightful surroundings of a Dutch barge which is the sailing club at Sandwich. On Sunday evening Wetherspoons in Ramsgate was the setting.
The pontoon party was curtailed with the reality of a 4am start for those hoping to make Eastbourne.
report by Marion Shirley
Cowes
6th May
Plymouth
10th - 11th May
Poor weather reduced the size of the fleet, but the majority arrived safely to enjoy the hospitality of Sutton Harbour and the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, while supper was enjoyed at the Box Museum about 9 min walk away and the following day at the Pier Master’s house.
Neyland
19th - 20th May
17 boats gathered in Neyland Marina on Friday 19th May for supper in a marquee with entertainment from Doc Leaf and the Stinging Nettles.
On Saturday 20th May events on the water were followed by dinner and songs from a local shanty group at Neyland Yacht Club.
Most of the RBC60 fleet headed off early on Sunday for the Irish Sea crossing towards Arklow, while the two smallest boats in the fleet intend to head up the Welsh coast.
North Wales Area Participation
The North Wales based gaff ketch Klevia attended Nayland and Dublin Bay, joining the fleet from Milford Haven to Dublin and offered berths to OGA members. We were not organised enough to have an online form, but information on Klevia can be found here.
Oban
16th - 18th June
Over 20 boats assembled in Kerrera Marina, and their crews enjoyed a delicious meal on Friday night, followed by a recitation of "The Shipping Forecast" by Lorna Hill. The superb weather meant that everyone stayed late, sitting out on the Waypoint Terrace until past last orders.
Satuday also dawned sunny and hot, the only drawback being very little wind for the afternoon's race. It was hoped that this would set off round Kerrera, but in the event the race was shortened to down Kerrera Sound and back before the day ended with food and music in Oban Sailing Club and back at the Marina.
Sunday morning started slowly, with few making the Distillery Tour, but our parade of sail had enough wind to make progress round Oban bay before the fleet departed.
Dublin Bay
27th - 28th May
The DBOGA event hosted at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club & Marina took place in perfect weather, with sunshine and enough wind for a successful race on Saturday for boats both large and small. The evening band came all the way from Cork and filled the dance floor.
Sunday's parade of sail only made it past one bridge, but there were many interested spectators on the Quayside.
Portsoy 30th June - 2nd July
This event was not organised by the OGA but its timing would suit circumnavigators, so we included it in the programme. Onward of Ito was given pride of place in the inner harbour, with her skipper meeting Princess Anne, while Windbrekker found shelter in the new harbour for a weekend of music, sun, rain, and wind.
Contact the organisers contact@stbfportsoy.org
River Tay 15th - 16th July
Welcome to the land of Jam, Jute and Journalism (and smokies!). Most of the fleet took refuge in Arbroath and Tay Port, with 3 on moorings specially laid by the Royal Tay Yacht Club. After visiting Broughty Ferry Lifeboat station in the morning the crews got together on Saturday evening for a drinks reception on Discovery, followed by a buffet supper. Unfortunately high winds (gusting 7) meant that the regatta planned for Sunday had to be cancelled. However the general consensus was "We didn't know how much there was to do in Dundee!" and eveyone had a good time.
Ipswich and Levington - Jubilee Party
2th - 6th August
After two days in Ipswich Haven Marina and a reception hosted by the Mayor of Ipswich a fleet of over 100 gaffers moved downriver from Ipswich to Levington on Friday 4th August. The parade of sail was interupted by torrential rain, and the weather also meant all sailing events were cancelled on Saturday. However there was plenty to do ashore, and Sunday's Race only saw a little rain, although all boats were well reefed on a course that stayed in the rivers. The final party went on until nearly midnight, with a great time being had by all who attended.
Blyth
21st - 23rd July
The NEOGA had a great weekend entertaining the RBC60 fleet at the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club (RNYC) Blyth over the weekend, with events including tours of the wooden Zulu being built at Blyth and the William II. See Sailing-By for details
With thanks to all of our sponsors and supporters
