Over January, February and March the CA Sections are hosting a series of one-day seminars on different cruising waters.
Members and non-members looking to expand your cruising waters are welcome to attend our one-day seminars at CA House, London. Whether experienced or new to cruising, the seminars are a fantastic knowledge resource and opportunity to meet like-minded sail and motor cruisers. The Channel Section Seminar and Celtic Section Round Britain Seminar have taken place, with the following still to come:
Saturday 18 February – CA Baltic Section Seminar
Saturday 4 March – CA European Inland Waterways Section Seminar
Saturday 11 March – CA Baltic Section Iceland, Greenland and Faroes Information Day
Saturday 18 March – CA Biscay Section Crossing Biscay Seminar
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March – CA Mediterranean Section Seminar
Report on the Channel Section Seminar
Bob and Sue Garrett, Joint Channel Section Secretaries, welcomed 60 attendees (mostly members plus a few non-members) to the Channel Section Seminar at CA House on 28 January 2023, and thanks to Sue who shares this report:
Attendees were entertained by a varied programme, opening with an invaluable presentation on the excitement and tactics of rounding the headlands and hazards in our Channel waters, which can worry those experienced and new to the area. Drawing on their considerable experience and knowledge, the presenters covered headlands including Selsey Bill and The Owers, Hurst Castle, Shingles Bank and The Bridge, then further west to Peveril, St Aldhelm’s Head, The Shambles and Portland Bill on North side of the Channel and Barfleur, Cap de La Hague, and The Alderney Race on the South side. Sources of information to use for reference were shared, along with an illuminating clip of the tidal streams around Portland Bill.
Attendees at the CA Channel Section Seminar © Sue Garrett
Next was an interesting overview of cruising East along the coast, from the Solent towards and including Ramsgate, along with information on the various marinas enroute. The presenter who has lived and sailed in the area since childhood, explained why there were so few ports and marinas along this coast, and which offered the best services and ambience. Encouragement was also given to sail through the Rampion Wind Farm1 and wonder at the magnitude of the wind turbine structures.
The afternoon session kicked off with ways to make our boats more energy efficient. We heard about one wanting to make his boat as CO2 free as possible. Amongst the other smaller changes one member made was installing additional solar panels, changing to lithium batteries and adding an inverter, so the gas canister could be replaced with an electric cooker and induction hob. Also, using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO – 100% advanced Biodiesel), which needed no adjustment to his engine and can be used and mixed with diesel if necessary. The next presentation took a slightly different approach in using a Solar Generator or power station also containing a lithium battery, which with suitable charging sources provides energy to silently replace a previously noisy petrol generator.
Attendees received an overview of the Channel Section’s 2022 rallies and a tantalizing glimpse of what is planned for 20232. Attendees then split into three groups to talk about and share observations on the differences to expect when cruising in France compared to the UK along with other useful hints and tips on making the most of visiting.
A couple new to cruising shared the concerns they had prior to their first Channel crossing compared to the actual experience of joining the Channel Section rally last year. They explained how they appreciated the support and encouragement they received from other rally participants and what’s next for their cruising plans.
The day was rounded up by Channel Section Secretary, Bob Garrett, sharing different ideas on how to make a Channel crossing more efficient, including better use of instruments, adjustments to the boat and sails and alternative ways of calculating course to steer.
Many stayed on into the evening to enjoy supper, further discussions and socializing at the CA Galley bar and restaurant.
A full report of the Channel Section Seminar will be in the next Channel Section newsletter.
Note 1: The CA’s Regulatory and Technical Services group (RATS) will be talking about wind farms at their in-person and Zoom talk at 1900 hours on Wednesday 8 March which is open to members and non-members – find out more at about the Evening with RATS here.
Note 2: The CA Channel Section Rally will take place from 11-23 June with two starting locations, either Yarmouth (11 June) or Plymouth (13 June). Open to members only, find out more and book here.
6 February 2023