Autumn Cruise - A Kombonation of Rum and Merlot swap Cherbourg for the Solent
Published 09:54 on 11 Oct 2025
Kombo and Rum Runners original plan was to resurrect the abandoned Cherbourg trip but this had to be altered due to the forecast of light winds. So, a run down to Dartmouth was posited but getting back might be tricky so in the end Kombo (Mike and Paul) and Rum Runner (Gaz) joined Merlot (Bill & Lorraine) with a planned destination of Newtown Creek on the Isle of Wight. Departure was Monday 27th September @ 07:30 with a forecast of ultralight winds, but once out into the bay a north easterly meant sails could be hoisted. With a fair tide, progress was steady and we all cleared Lulworth ranges before the 09:30 deadline. Due to decreasing winds headway slowed as we reached St Aldhelms Head, so engines had to be relied on to continue onward to the Needles.
Entering the Solent the tide had turned but our destination was within reach so we followed Merlot into the beautiful National Trust nature reserve of Newtown Creek. Buoys were plentiful out of high season and we all ended up fairly close. An evening of relaxation and wildlife watching ensued. This is one venue I shall certainly revisit, but again out of season, as I imagine it gets pretty busy in high summer. The morning dawned with a sea mist and dead calm, the only punctuation to the surface water being an endless parade of jumping sh together with a hungry Kingfisher; it was a place to get the binoculars out and just relax. Drone pics do not do it justice.
Plan for day two was to head to Yarmouth and we set o around 10:30 on a glass calm surface arriving at midday. Our arrival coincided with a very busy harbour so we had to stand o and await harbour master instructions. Yarmouth is a pretty little town, one I frequented many times in my youth and thankfully it seems to have retained its character, yet kept up with the times. Everyone did their own thing in the afternoon and we all met up for drinks and a meal out as the evening progressed. It was a thoroughly sociable and enjoyable event and with plans for the next day concluded we walked back to our respective chariots.
Wednesday morning saw everyone up bright and early for another 0730 departure and a short hop to Studland Bay. Weather was fair, with a light southerly enabling good progress to be made under sail, until the winds deserted us on the approach to Poole Bay. Once at Studland we picked up the Eco buoys and the brave amongst us (Lorraine) had a quick swim before lunch afoat. A run ashore courtesy of Mike meant we could visit Joe's Café followed by a short walk around the lanes.
Thursday 2nd October morning was misty and we had to depart under engine at 08:00 until clearing Durlston Head when we were able to hoist sail and set a course to clear Lulworth range. The clearance was a none too restrictive 50035N so rounding St Adhelms Head we could keep a course of 2700, passing Atomic Buoy on the way to Weymouth. Conditions were perfect with a favourable tide and southerly wind and we entered Weymouth Harbour at 12:30. Merlot and Rum Runner proceeded to the waiting pontoon for a 14:00 bridge lift whilst Kombo headed to his mooring. A thoroughly enjoyable trip in great company and had it not been for the approach of Storm Amy I would have probably lengthened it. Hopefully another impromptu Autumn and even Winter outing will occur and I shall be signing up.
Gary (Gaz) Evans
Last updated 12:05 on 11 October 2025