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Sailing in March is always going to be potentially challenging and our two Sail Days on the 11 and 12 March proved to be so, however, students Georgie F, Jamie J, Johnny P, Gus C and James H were determined to beat the winds.

On the Saturday, the winds were a steady Force 4 to 5 and allowed the sailing team to make haste out of Portsmouth Harbour in a Dufour 365 (about 36’), stopping off at Cowes for lunch. The crew enjoyed a brief walk to stretch their legs in the town and then all sat down for hearty Chilli con Carne provided by Mrs P. After lunch, they set sail again out in the Solent with a fresh breeze and reached speeds of about 9 knots in places which is impressive. The first day ended in the Hamble and all were ready for the rest.

On the second day, the crew set sail for Portsmouth. Again, a fresh breeze and a beam reach resulted in some impressive speeds. Lunch was on a mooring in Portsmouth and as the wind was building, it was prudent to keep the sailing confined to the harbour but in so doing, they took toured the docks and saw some of the might of the Royal Navy including the newish Aircraft Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and several destroyers. Also spotted was Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory and iron clad HMS Warrior.

All had an enjoyable two days, and all did some basic navigation and seamanship, helming, ropework and sail trimming.