Cowes - IOW

[Pete7]

Cowes and the Solent might be rather busy and noisy this weekend, its the British Grand Prix of the Sea at Cowes over the coming August Bank Holiday weekend.

http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/200...46mbynews.html

Pete

[JABS]

We shall be there to see some serious powerboats!

More info at: http://www.powerboatp1.com/public/ve...events_id=4772

Tony

[Biggles]

I'm considering popping over to see this. Just chasing some crew up at the moment.

[NautiAndNice]

Seems like it's going to be bigger this year than previously. It's being advestised as a "festival" now!
Could be good though ... think most of the racing is going to be off the Parade, so good for shore viewing also.

Also, the large Heineken beer tent from Cowes Week and some of the other stalls have been left in place, so wonder if they're planning to open them again this weekend? They were pretty lively during Cowes Wk ...(I hear...)!

[BigFella]

Originally Posted by nautiandnice

Also, the large Heineken beer tent from Cowes Week and some of the other stalls have been left in place,so wonder if they're planning to open them again this weekend?

Certainly looks like it, this is taken from powerboatp1.com ...

The popular open-air bar will return to the Cowes Parade, as will the exhibition zone, prize-giving podium and sought-after corporate hospitality.

[nikster]

I will be there cheering on Gavin @ Team Sunseeker:

Gavin was my ballast/crewman in our little Metzeler with a 5hp for the Round London Rib Race in 1990 - sponsored by Heinekan - where we came 5th out of 100 only 8 retired.

We then used to race all manner of boats from Phantom's to our own design various amounts of power - various successes - various "oh sh#t this is going to hurt moments..

We narrowly missed a telegraph pole floating down the thames - then we had egg's thrown at us when we hauled the boat up at Limehouse docks...... Bill Brown, gavin's dad had tuned the engine and we could get about 15kts out of it with me on the tiller and gavin tucked in at the bow... what a weekend that was.....:-)

That was a fabulous race - we really ought to try and run that again... dear old Len - bless him...

See you in cowes if your going...

[Tim M]

If anyone has a couple of seats spare and is leaving from the Portsmouth/Southampton area I would love to go and have a look (willing to help with fuel/food/beer). Evolution will be out there with Jimbo and some punters which leaves me boatless....

[slimtim]

I should be around. A top tip...

If you want to avoid the crowds and get a better viewing position, blast down to the western end of the course at thorness bay. There are usually only a few spectator boats here and the marshals seem to be a little more relaxed so you can get closer to the action for those photos

[NautiAndNice]

Originally Posted by slimtim

I should be around. A top tip...

If you want to avoid the crowds and get a better viewing position, blast down to the western end of the course at thorness bay. There are usually only a few spectator boats here and the marshals seem to be a little more relaxed so you can get closer to the action for those photos

Shhh! Don't broadcast it ... we'll have all kinds of rabble down there now!
Seriously though, it's a good spot - good anchorages too ... just avoid the pipeline and watch out for Gurnard Ledge if the tide's dropping.
We spent a great morning there last week watching all the Fastnet boats heading off ...

[ozz]

Am in a similar position to poor Tim. My engine decided to go pop big style on the 1st day of a 9 day charter at Cowes (ouch).

Mel who runs the sunseeker race team was an absolute star and really helped me out. (as did Tim).

Would love to be out on the water on Sunday to cheer him and Andy on in the race...

Anyone got a spare seat? Will happily buy lunch and a few beers.

Cheers

Ozz