Cruiser Rally to Bucklers Hard, Beaulieu with BBQ Tues 16 Weds 17 June 2026

Published 13:12 on 26 Jun 2026 by Sue PEARSON

Nine cruisers with sixteen crew aboard set off from various home ports to rendezvous at Bucklers Hard for our annual BBQ. Fairwind had taken advantage of the forecast and left on Monday with an ESE breeze to overnight in Newtown and used the SWerly the following day to get pole position on the channel side of the long visitors pontoon. Those leaving from Chichester harbour and Gosport had rather bouncy conditions into a head wind gusting 25kts and most motor sailed to make it into the lovely Beaulieu River in good time.
The rally leader was left to organise the berthing with the five boats not continuing to Yarmouth and Round the Wight strategically located so they could get an easy early getaway the next day to head home.
The weather stayed dry for our BBQ and we all sat at the picnic tables outside, enjoying good company in idyllic surroundings.
Carene, Frith, Osprey and Moontide were returning east on Wednesday and they set off once there was sufficient water over the Bar for them. With the wind behind them and a favourable tide they made quick and easy progress back to their home ports. It was a different story for Roussillon, Niobe, Mandalay, Fairwind and Jacob Faithful who were heading to Yarmouth for the Round the Wight rally and met brisk conditions in the Solent. Chris continues the story….
Photo credits: Sue