Proposed Seagull Marathon early next summer 2011 May/June

[Horsley-Anarak]

Are you coming then Andy ?

That means I will need to build another boat, If I will have to beat your fast white one.

Perhaps I had better make it more displacement so I can use it in the Lerryn race as well.

We are still trying to finalise the date, exact location, route.

The number of suitable tide times is a little limited, but we are working on it.

H-A

[rosbullterier]

Just send many dollars to the US and they will send you one, HA.
Sail is optional.

When Chuky rings the Lerryn Commodore with a question next time, maybe he should ask how they determine the best time and tide instead of - 'risk assessment'

[Horsley-Anarak]

When Chuky rings the Lerryn Commodore with a question next time, maybe he should ask how they determine the best time and tide instead of - 'risk assessment'

We have tide tables, am I being a little dense here.

H-A

[blue]

are you any nearer to fixing a date yet?---my wife is planning a trip abroad and i don t want it to clash---regards blue

[rosbullterier]

I'm worrying now . . .
- Chuky isn't ringing me anymore - are you arguing about the Hayley date?

Or else you're only telling the inner circle . . .

[Charles uk]

Andy we still haven't finalised the course & the start location yet, it's going to take a 3rd looksee.

Where we were thinking of starting is poor for parking not the best slip, & if your back late through breakdowns, however unlikely with a seagull it might make boat recovery quite difficult, imagine getting your boat out of the water at low tide where you live & on to your trailer.
That would take 4 men & it wouldn't be easy.

So we're going to have to look at a longer course, just over 20 miles, but from a slip that gives good water access, good parking, & cost effective overnight accommodation where we can make a weekend out of it.

We can't let the Dutchmen make all that effort without having a few beers & a feed afterwards with them, you never know they might be persuaded to import some exotic beers for us, they have good cheese to.

If your in a rush to find out all the answers you could load up your boat & do a recce & while your there can you check out some caravan & camping locations to see if you can get a good rate for group bookings, don't forget that we're going to have to start the coastal stretch about an hour before high tide sometime about noon on a Saturday but not during school holidays.

Let us know how you get on as some of the possible participants are getting impatient!

[Horsley-Anarak]

Went on another recce yesterday. Started from Ichenor.

Bright sunny day, bit of wind, engine on song what more could you want.

Bright blue sky, could have been in the Med.

Chased the sailboats out of Chichester, managed about 6 MPH most of the way, highest speed that I saw on the GPS was 10 MPH .

A good day for a bit of Seagulling.
Charles did bring a Curlew with him but that would not run.

Also we did a bit of jet swapping on my "race winning" century, Charles had a full set of jets with him and we managed to get another 300rpm.

Went round the top 1 hour after high, there was still loads of water.

Looks like this venue will work, Ichenor is a great start point with a massive slip and great parking.

There is a pub and loads of campsites near by. So looks like the event is on.

Charles is looking at the tide timed for a suitable Saturday, so watch this space.

This route is about 21 miles, so it well worth the effort.

H-A

[Charles uk]

After much research & deliberation we've sort of come to the conclusion that Itchenor is a far better launch venue, loads of room on the slip, better parking at only £4 per day & it's scenic not the back end of an industrial estate.

The ideal date would be Saturday the 21st of May with high tide at 15.05.
I'm going to have to go back again to sort out accommodation for our overseas visitors & any of the other participants who plan on staying overnight & turning into a social gathering, with a few beers.
Can everyone planning on coming please let us know so that I can try & negotiate a block booking with sufficient parking for cars & trailers.

We will be leaving Itchenor between 11.30 & 12.00 to get the tides & water depths right, on the circumnavigation.

Itchenor is about 10 minutes from the A27.

[Charles uk]

Spoke to Jan one of the Dutchmen & it looks like there will be a least 3 of them & 1 boat at the moment.
They're not bringing their ladies, so lock up your daughters gentlemen.
I can take one of them in my boat

So confirmed as of now

H.A. (English)
Markhld (English)
Jan (Dutch)
Charlesuk (English/Dutch)

[blue]

definitely coming---- camping probably----regards blue

[Charles uk]

There is only a limited amount of Dutch beer that Jan can import for us in a Landrover so we would prefer a higher percentage of teetotal entrants.

So to encourage this there will be no entry fee for participants who have sighed the pledge, whereas those who haven't will have to pay twice as much!

[Horsley-Anarak]

Dutch beer is no good for the Cornish if they are coming, they will need a supply of Doom Bar or Tribute.

If we get enough I may be pushed into sponsoring a barrel of local Bitter, one of my sons mates Father owns a small brewery http://www.surreyhills.co.uk/4606.html

H-A

[markhld]

Hey, Charles any alcohol bought to the event should be stored on the safety boat (with me) just out of a health and safety issue (for my health and your safety) you can be incharge of tea and coffee only

Are woman allowed ? as my misses wants to come along for the laugh

[Charles uk]

It would be a far braver man than you, that would say no to that lovely lady.

If she would like to join us then she's more than welcome & so is anyone else who cares to join us.

[Robin Anderson]

Pleiades hopes to be at anchor over the weekend on the Chalkdock Reach to the west of Itchenor. Open to boarders scrounging tea, stickies and plug spanners. Shall try to get some nice photos of the flotilla.
Could some crusty old sea dog please advise what is the correct etiquette as the vessels pass - is it a gun salute or would dipping the ensign suffice? May feel compelled to pop a few tinnies to quench the thirst of excitement as the Gulls power past on passage to the Cape of Good (Hayling) Hope.
Well done to t'committee for all the work putting this together.
Look out for us... call sign as below on VHF, or shout loudly , or wave...

Fair winds and tides.
Robin