Cruiser Rally to Hardway SC 26-27 September 2026

Dell Quay SC cruisers have been visiting Hardway Sailing Club, which is in Portsmouth Harbour, for many years. It is a club not unlike DQ because it is very largely run by members, but it has the advantage of a regularly open bar and many facilities including mast cranes, scrubbing piles and an exceedingly long pontoon which stretches out over 200 metres into the harbour so at the eastern end there is always some water. And being in a densely populated area within Gosport means that locals can use it as a very cheap pub.

And it was at the far end of the long pontoon that 4 cruisers from Dell Quay arrived on Saturday afternoon. At LW, particularly on a spring tide, much of this pontoon dries leaving a very soft mud which keels readily sink into. It is not known if anybody has fallen into this goo and left no trace, but it could be a way of removing useless crew? Or a bullying skipper perhaps? On this visit there was enough space at the far end of the pontoon for all our boats to berth and remain afloat.

Martin and Sarah onboard Mandalay arrived from the east having spent the night peacefully in Newtown Creek and Mike and Simon on their fairly newly acquired Jacob Faithfull meandered directly from Itchenor. Derek and Peter on board Jevon had a gentle sail from Dell Quay whilst Tim and Dick on Firebird crossed from Bembridge. The wind at best was F2 from the north, not ideal, but with the sun shining it made for a stressless voyage for all. Martin W joined the small throng on his tender complete with new electric outboard, preferring to leave his proper boat at his mooring a little downstream.

Around 6pm we all managed the long walk from our boats along the pontoon to the bar which was surprisingly empty. The club had parted company with their galley contractor, so no food was on sale and this might account for the lack of members present, although at £3 a pint it was a little surprising. Having enjoyed a little thirst slaking, the party moved on to the Jolly Roger, a nearby pub where a table had been booked and a good meal in convivial company was enjoyed.

The following morning dawned grey and was accompanied by the anxiety raising rattle of halliards on masts. An omen for a breezy sail back? With HW at 1230hrs, an early start to benefit from the last of the east going tide saw all the boats leaving at around 0900hrs. The weather forecast was near spot on and once out of Portsmouth Harbour a F4/5 from just east of south was encountered. All boats reefed accordingly and thanks to a long fetch, the wind created an unpleasantly bumpy sea. All 4 boats entered Chi Harbour within 10 minutes of each other and dispersed to their various moorings. The penultimate rally of the season was over.

Tim Applewhite, Rally leader.