Marchwood Cruise 26 - 27th July
Published 10:34 on 21 Aug 2025
The weekend of 26th to 27th July arrived, it was time for our annual summer cruise to Marchwood YC.
The member run Yacht Club is located at the top of Southampton Water on the River Itchen, and is interestingly close to the container port. The location gives great potential for entertainment as tugs fuss the huge vessels through 180 degrees and into their berth. It is certainly no Newtown Creek, but it has plenty of interest of a more industrial nature. From the incinerator dome to the huge pile of rusting scrap on the quayside over the water, during the day it is one huge man made potpourri with the jewel of Marchwood YC shining in its midst, and at night it looks magic!
With the willing help of the OOD, the full quota of 15 CYC yachts gathered on the club pontoons during Saturday afternoon. Early arrivals were treated to viewing a container boat manoeuvring, lucky them, we missed it!
The weather was on the cloudy side but the wind enabled most to sail all or part of the way, albeit beating. It is almost impossible to have favourable tide all the way on this passage, but tide for most of the way is pretty good.
By early evening the sun came out as promised in time for the pontoon party with the obligatory Jane's dip before we headed up to the clubhouse for our pre booked dinner. In contrast to our club, Marchwood is entirely run by the members with no paid staff, the Commodore cheerily serving behind the bar and clearing glasses. The bar prices as a result are quite an attraction! Time for a drink and a chat before we enjoyed a 3 course meal in the club dining room, all prepared and served by cheery Mairi and her family who undertake the club catering as a franchise.
As we walked back to the pontoons, the kind brush of darkness had blacked out the industrial surroundings and allowed the twinkle of ship and dockside lights to set a magical scene.
Those returning to Chichester made a fairly early start on Sunday morning with most enjoying a good sail all the way back and up into Chi harbour on the tide. With not too much activity on the water, it allowed us to have a fun sail up to Birdham before dropping our sails.
Seeing those on the cruise enjoying yourselves in each others' company was a great payback for the small effort required to organise the cruise, so thanks to those who came, we enjoyed your company.
John & Jane
First Light
