Dinghy Cruise to Itchenor Sunshine, Sailing and Cake

Published 17:42 on 27 Apr 2026

The weather was beautiful, the wind was just about perfect, and the tide had the good manners to arrive in the middle of the day. All that remained was to gather a handful of dinghies and some suitably adventurous (or perhaps optimistic) souls to sail them down to Itchenor.

This was the first outing of the season for the Dinghy Cruising section a chance to get boats back on the water and remind ourselves how it all works. We were delighted with the turnout: seven boats and 18 sailors. The fleet was an eclectic mix three Wayfarers, a Pacer, a Cornish Cormorant, a Leader II and a Wanderer proving once again that dinghy cruising is as much about character as it is about craft.

As ever, a good portion of time was spent admiring each others boats, swapping stories about how we came to own them, and comparing rigging systems with varying degrees of confidence. Sleek racing setups? Not really our style. Our priorities are a little different mainly ensuring the sails remain attached and that theres sufficient room for the picnic, extra layers, emergency snacks, and possibly more snacks.

Of course, we do take our sailing seriously in our own way. Even for a relatively short passage, theres plenty to think about: tide, wind, traffic, and the general unpredictability of Chichester Harbour. We gathered at 10:30am for a briefing ahead of an 11:30 launch part headcount, part planning, and part group discussion on what the wind might or might not do (with a healthy range of opinions, as always).

We were very grateful for the presence of the safety boat, helmed by Greg and crewed by Andrew a reassuring sight for some, and a welcome backup plan for others. With that, the fleet launched and set off for Itchenor.

A lively breeze carried most of us briskly down towards Chichester Marina, where we paused briefly to regroup and ensure no one had taken an alternative interpretation of the route. Pressing on, the wind became increasingly fickle as we neared Itchenor, leading to a mix of drifting, determined persistence, and the occasional discreet tow or deployment of an outboard. Meanwhile, the club Wayfarer, sailed by Adrian, Sophie and Zachary, quietly got on with it and completed the entire journey under sail setting the benchmark for the rest of us.

Eventually, we all made it, tying up at Itchenor Sailing Club where lunch was very well earned. A friendly chat with ISC Commodore Roger was an added bonus, and a reminder of the welcoming nature of the harbour sailing community.

The return trip was a different story altogether. With the wind now firmly on our side, we enjoyed a brisk and at times exhilarating sail back up the channel. Boats that had been gently meandering earlier were suddenly showing a surprising turn of speed. We arrived back at Dell Quay slightly later than planned, but in high spirits after a thoroughly enjoyable day.

And then, the final reward: the galley was still open, and cake was available. This, it must be said, is a key consideration in all passage planning.

Our next cruise is to East Head on 25 April, and were looking forward to building on this great start to the season. Whether you have a boat or would like to crew, do come along its sociable, its rewarding, and theres usually cake involved.