Shakedown Cruise 2025
As the Cruising Secretary my aim has always been to maximise the number of vessels going and number of skippers and crew, those travelling by road and the enjoyment experienced by all attending.
Well, What a weekend!
Unless anyone knows better I think we have just had the most attended cruise in the club’s history, 14 boats left their home ports arriving in Suffolk Yacht Harbour on the Friday afternoon. The wind as usual made us motor down the Stour but we did get a short sail up the Orwell to SYH. However, Thundachild with Peter and Annette sailed all the way in their Parker 31.
Advanced booking for both marina berths and evening meals made for a hassle free entrance to berths and happily everyone remembered what food they had ordered. Yes both wine and beer flowed freely.
Saturday saw Thundachild sail off to the Deben for a Parker club event and the rest of us headed for Ipswich Beacon Marina. All had a leisurely afternoon after a little rush to arrive before the lock closed for the Beacon run. Drums for the run pulsated with the hangovers that some were experiencing.
The Lord Nelson was the host for the evening meal and again it was enjoyed by all including the staff, being appreciative of our attendance and forward meal planning.
Sunday saw two flotillas of boats one on the 9am lock out and the other at 10am. There was little advantage for those going up the Stour as we all had to wait for water to gain access to our moorings or the pontoons.
To say I’m happy with the turn out is an understatement. May the next cruise be at least half as well attended.
Antares, Apollo, Circe, Dolma, Escalon, Graylag, Makeda, Olive, Ozzie Owl, Pebble, Sheldrake, Sonic, Thundachild and Time Two
David
Sailing Secretary
