Poole Party Cruise 13 - 17 July

Published 17:12 on 22 Jul 2026

Forecasts for the beginning of the week of up to a Force 7 came close to sinking the Poole Party and two boats understandably pulled out at an early stage. Winds of 28 knots blew up on the Sunday night after John and Jane Gosnells Marchwood rally with Poole cruisers taking refuge in the Hamble and Cowes nearby in readiness for Mondays trip to Lymington Yacht Haven in a stiff wind but easterly and, like the whole week, hot and sunny.

A blissful sail to Poole in the heat the next day with a gentle easterly  wind; blue sky, blue sea, no dolphins but lots of fishing buoys to dodge. Poole Boat Haven berthed us all on the same pontoon and we dined together at the Italian restaurant on the quay, Da Vincis.

Wednesday in Poole was a lay day. Some went to the beautiful Mediterranean island of Brownsea, others to Compton Acres gardens, the newly re-opened town museum, the RNLI college and Perfectly Fine on a mystery bus trip that didnt quite go as planned. Evening entertainment after a pontoon drinks party was distracted by something on the television, a football match perhaps?

There was an early start the next morning to make the most of the tide in Poole and Christchurch Bays for a very fast sail or motor back to Yarmouth, arriving in the Western Solent by 11am. The drawback of winning that tide was the need to fight the robust incoming tide in Poole Harbour, not possible for Sounio who left later on and spent the night in Studland Bay instead.

At Yarmouth we were joined on the cruise by Moody Blue for drinks in the sun at The Royal Solent Yacht Club and a splendid group dinner at the club. Friday was another scorcher with light winds for our return sail to home ports or onward cruising. 

Thank you to our fellow Partygoers: Ruby, Perfectly Fine, Raven, Sounio, Pim, Moody Blue, Quintette and Lymington visitors, First Light.

Many more pictures of the cruise on Yogile.

David and Amanda Pearce, April Folly.