Cowes - IOW

Pete7 · 21 August 2007, 11:39

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 · 21 August 2007, 13:32

We shall be there to see some serious powerboats!

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

Tony

Biggles · 21 August 2007, 14:22

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

NautiAndNice · 21 August 2007, 15:04

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 · 21 August 2007, 15:16

Quote:

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 ...

Quote:

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 · 21 August 2007, 16:35

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 · 21 August 2007, 17:21

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 · 21 August 2007, 18:07

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 · 21 August 2007, 18:17

Quote:

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 · 24 August 2007, 14:17

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

Simon Hawkins · 24 August 2007, 15:51

With the weather forecast saying it is going to be a warm weekend with little wind it will be very busy on the water. Those of you coming over please take note of the notice to mariners for the weekend. Their are restricted areas to be avoided, which please do as would not want to come and get any of you from the water.

For those of you who have not been before the P1 boats come up on you at a very quick rate.

Simon

genoa · 24 August 2007, 16:43

Just been out there today and there was plenty of action including 3 helios filming it all!
The Team sunseeker boat were looking v pleased with themselves waving a big chequered flag ....
You don't want to find yourself downwind of that lot when they are idling! YUCK!!!

Andy · 24 August 2007, 19:00

I was out with Ricky, and the marshalls don't seems to know what.s going on. In my view it was one of the worst marshalled races I have seen. The race also seemed very disorganised at the finish line.

BUT, its always amazing to see these boats, you can hear them well before you can even see them!!! Awesome.

I have pics from today, they will be out soon ....

Last years pics may be seen at

http://www.badviz.com/Galleries/P1%2...2006/index.htm

JABS · 24 August 2007, 20:49

Great day today with flat seas and a couple on intere
sting engine failures.

You can listen to race control on VHF 74 and to a commentary on 87.7FM

We will be out Saturday, but no F1 running scheduled.

Thorness bay is perfect!

Tony

Roy Smith · 24 August 2007, 21:25

We are out tomorrow Saturday for the Racing.
Any tips for the best viewing area

slimtim · 24 August 2007, 22:33

Andy, Good to see you and ricky. You should have come down to the needles. There was a little gaggle at the Bridge buoy and a couple of marshals. I was able to tuck up into by the bridge buoy and get shots as they came round. They were passing perhaps 20m away and in the case of Hot Lemon, a little close for comfort! I think his spray hit my boat

Some smart driving though, he cut through on the inside quite nicely, but made me soil my pants! Shame the pic is slightly out of focus, in situations like these I wish I had the new D3

I'll put more pics up on my site after the weekend. I think I'll be out again on Sunday to watch the powerboats.

Andy · 24 August 2007, 22:47

Tim,
I agree shooting them on the turn would have been better, we caught them side on. With the clouds and lack of waves there is little drama to be shot or big air .... and the photos lack energy - dull!

We lost 1k engine revs off our top end, on the way to the needles. As we wanted to see the finish line we stopped at hirst castle as we could make it back from there to the finish even with our reduced performance, before the big boys made it around the island. I got to get it fixed for Sunday. We plan to get out then to take more pics.

Lets hope Sunday there is a chop and its sunny!!!!

A few of my pics are here:

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=21081

slimtim · 24 August 2007, 22:59

Yeah, I know what you mean. I've been doing a job photographing someones kids racing in a 29er dinghy. Grey, dull and no wind...great. I figured the only way to get anything half decent out of a bad situation is to get them on the turn. If you don't mind, I'll throw some pics up on your thread. I'll look out for you on Sunday. Sometime we should hook up for a beer, wouldn't mind having a play with your canon and Ricky's Nikon 70-200

slimtim · 24 August 2007, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Smith

We are out tomorrow Saturday for the Racing.
Any tips for the best viewing area

Thorness bay is usually a good spot, at the western end of the loop. Much quieter and can sometimes get a bit closer to the action.

chisteve · 25 August 2007, 18:02

We were out watching today - fab and very quick boats !

One scary moment when one of them lost it on a corner came out wide and through us spectators - behind all of the marshalls ! full on fantastic weather for it

Steve