Skippers Choice 2024

This is apparently a new format for cruising, asking every skipper to suggest a destination port, try and get some agreement, narrow it down and make a booking. Simple !!

After a fun series of suggestions and non-printable suggestions, the first executive decision was made by me! The destination was Cowes and initial booking for the east side was made. Unfortunately, East Cowes Marina called and explained that they were unable to fit us in as they had 5 training yachts in. This is the main issue with the Skipper choice, it becomes limited as to availability of late booking for moorings etc. This led to my second executive decision and Shepards was booked. All rather simple and thanks to all the Skippers for replying to the marina and for the quick payments etc.

I enjoyed googling the eateries in Cowes and thanks again to those that made some suggestions. Including "I don't care as long as there is food", thank you Piers. My third executive decision, dinner was booked for Murrays, a reasonable £29.95 for two courses and £33 for three. Bargain.

So, we have a destination, we have moorings, we can eat, all is well.

Being relatively new to this and having the smallest and slowest boat in the fleet, and too much confidence, I immediately asked Tim for help to ensure that I ended up in the right place at the right time! (thank you for your brilliant assistance).

Nervously watching the weather, and deciphering which of my many apps to follow, I decided to make my 4th executive decision and ignore them, they were all contradicting each other anyway and moved Plover to Chichester Marina to be off in plenty of time.

Russell (my crew) and I slipped out like a ninja at 10.00 in the morning to a windy, grey morning. Gently chewing my lip, I remembered someone telling me "if the waves are 1ft in the basin they will be 6ft at Chichester Harbour Mouth" (Gordy) we bravely struck out. Luckily, we picked up Osprey shortly afterwards and followed them.

This is also where we found out that there are two vessels with the name Moody Maid as the wrong one answered my VHF calls. Getting out of the harbour was fairly uneventful but the seas were still a mite bouncy until we got further into the Solent and we had a really fun sail tacking towards Cowes with 1 reef in.

Plover behaving herself wonderfully in a good F4 and a reasonable chop. (See pic below Navionics)

Once safely in Shepards we had drinks aboard Moody Moon many thanks Piers and Chris for hosting. Enjoyable banter and mickey taking prevailed especially regarding Moody Moons crew's heroic march to find shear pins for an electric outboard. The good humour and chat continued over a very enjoyable dinner at Murrays before turning in.

Noted by Piers and Chris was that the Duke of York has what looks like a very good menu of "proper pub food with some good traditional puddings" So if anyone is in Cowes it might be worth a visit... feedback here please. I can vouch for an excellent early breakfast at "Sails of Cowes" just up from Sainsburys.

Plover left Cowes around 8.30 to a steadily falling wind, flat sea and hotter day. Arriving back at Dell Quay around 14.15. Overall a really good couple of days on the water.