Sailing & Cruising Association upcoming events

South Coast - Summer Cruise (25 Jul 2026)

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Event Organisers required! Your club needs you !!

We need members to come forward to help organise events. So if you are able to assist with this event, with full support from the Committee please let Harry (vicecommodore@gaysailing.org.uk) know. Unfortunately, without an organiser, this event will not be able to go ahead.

This event will remain visible on the calendar but registration will not be enabled until an organiser comes forward.

THE PLAN

Join us for the S&CA South Coast Summer Cruise, taking place over two weeks from Saturday 25th July to Saturday 8th August 2026.

While the main cruise period is fixed, we welcome participants to join for all or part of the journey, fitting in with your schedule.

Many of our boats will embark from various points across the South Coast, with Portsmouth Harbour serving as a key departure hub for a significant part of our fleet. From the Solent, our general course will head west, exploring destinations such as:

The charming harbours of Dartmouth and Salcombe
The historic maritime city of Plymouth
The Cornish coastline

For the more adventurous, the Isles of Scilly could be in the plan! For those fancying a cross-channel voyage, the Channel Islands (Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney) might be on the cards.

How to Get Involved:

Looking for a Berth? Connect with skippers and other crew members by posting on our WhatsApp S&CA Crew Match group. You can also reach out to skippers within the WhatsApp S&CA South Coast group.
Skippers & Boat Owners: If you're planning to skipper your own boat or have space for crew, please let us know your plans and connect with potential crew via the WhatsApp S&CA South Coast group .
Interested in Chartering a Yacht? If you're considering chartering a yacht for the cruise, please reach out within the WhatsApp S&CA Charters group.

More detailed journey plans may be shared closer to the time based on registered interest.

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GETTING HELP TO JOIN US

Crew seeking berths are initially advised to visit the club WhatsApp S&CA Crew Match group.

Land based participants are as always welcome to join, and may wish to take advantage of one of the local hotels or B&Bs in the area.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
1. Register your attendance via the S&CA website by 18th July

2. Visit the WhatsApp S&CA CrewMatch group for all crewing opportunities

3. You can bring along friends, but remember to ‘add guest’ at the point of your registration. Guests can only be added at the time of registration. If you later want to add a guest and the event did not require payment please cancel your registration and re-register adding your guest. If your registration did require payment please contact the event host.

EVENT SAFETY AND ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

We are very much a social club, but participants must please be mindful of the inherent dangers of alcohol consumption and proximity to water. There have been incidents in past events of participants consuming excessive alcohol and falling from pontoons into the water. Each of these events could, but for luck, have resulted in tragic consequences. Please be mindful of your alcohol consumption on club events, and take particular care to ensure that you can get yourself safely back on board at the end of a social evening. We need to look after each other, so if you notice that another participant is showing effects of intoxication, please make other members of their crew aware, and ensure that they are not returning to the boats or pontoons alone.

Please also be aware of the additional risks when using dinghies / tenders, which has also resulted in event participants being unintentionally in the water.

Please use the links below for safety advice from the RYA and RNLI:

https://www.rya.org.uk/knowledge/safety

https://rnli.org/safety

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

The club will endeavour to provide full refunds for event charges when cancellations are made by you through the Website and made in good time. Normally, a week before the event is due to take place will be sufficient.

If the club has made third party bookings, paid deposits or made other commitments, it may be that only a partial refund or no refund is offered.

Where a refund is requested due to dissatisfaction with third party goods or services, a refund will only be offered if such refund is also made to the club by the third party.

Newtown Creek Beach Barbecue Rally (22 Aug 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Newtown Creek Beach Barbecue Rally

Saturday 22nd August – Sunday 23rd August

Overview

Simon T has kindly agreed to lead this weekend beach barbecue rally to Newtown Creek. If you need to contact him, use the S&CA South Coast WhatsApp group where discussions on this event can take place. Otherwise email commodore@gaysailing.co.uk and I'll put you in touch.

Bring your own food, BBQ equipment and tender for the trip to the beach for the evening BBQ at Newtown Creek. It is best to arrive early at Newtown Creek from 3pm, by which time the lunchtime visitors will hopefully have started to leave, to get a mooring buoy which are available on a first come, first served basis. The Newtown Creek area is National Trust and there is a charge dependent on boat length for use of the mooring buoys.

Anchoring in Newtown Creek is possible but you must only anchor in the main navigable channel and the lower pool.

Itinerary

Saturday 22nd August

Sail to Newtown Creek and pick up a buoy for which there are charges or anchor in Newtown Creek.
Evening BBQ on the beach.

Sunday 23rd August

Return to home ports.

Additional Notes

Crew: please use the WhatsApp S&CA South Coast community to arrange any crewing opportunities and arrange it before signing up to the event. Please include the boat you're sailing on when you book on the event.

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Notes for Skippers:
Newtown Creek can get busy in the summer so get there early. There is an alternative anchorage outside Newtown Creek where we've previously held barbecues on the beach should the main Newtown Creek area fill up.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

Register your attendance via the S&CA website
You can bring along friends, but remember to ‘add guest’ at the point of your registration. Guests can only be added at the time of registration. If you later want to add a guest and the event did not require payment please cancel your registration and re-register adding your guest. If your registration did require payment please contact the event host.

Sailing & Cruising Association

East Coast - August Bank Holiday Cruise - Clacton Air Show & Woodbridge (27 Aug 2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

August Bank Holiday Cruise – Clacton Airshow & Woodbridge

Thursday 27 August – Monday 31 August 2026

Clacton Airshow, River Deben & Woodbridge

Join us for five days of sailing, aviation, riverside exploration, and East Coast hospitality!

Overview

This year's August Bank Holiday Cruise combines two East Coast highlights: the spectacular Clacton Airshow and the beautiful River Deben.

We'll watch the air displays from our yachts off Clacton seafront before making our way north to explore one of Britain's most scenic rivers. With a couple of nights in historic Woodbridge, there will be plenty of opportunity to visit Sutton Hoo, enjoy riverside walks, and experience one of Suffolk's most attractive market towns.

The cruise is suitable for yachts from Essex, Suffolk and Kent, although all passages remain weather dependent.

Clacton Airshow takes place on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August 2026, with the famous Red Arrows already confirmed for the event.

Proposed Itinerary

Thursday 27 August – Clacton Airshow

Morning: Depart home ports and make passage towards Clacton.
HW W Mersea 12:49pm 4.76m
Afternoon: Anchor offshore to enjoy the Clacton Airshow displays from the water.
Evening: Short sail to Titchmarsh Marina in the Walton Backwaters.
Group dinner at the marina restaurant or local pub.
Overnight: Titchmarsh Marina.

Friday 28 August – Walton Backwaters to the River Deben

Morning: Leisurely departure from Titchmarsh.
Passage: Northbound via Felixstowe Ferry towards the Deben entrance.
Important: The Deben Bar can only be crossed safely with suitable weather and tide conditions. We will aim to arrive around high water (HW W Mersea 13:26pm 4.97m) using the latest harbour guidance and buoy positions.
Afternoon: Cruise upriver past Bawdsey, Ramsholt and Waldringfield.
Evening: Arrive Woodbridge (subject to Tide Mill Yacht Harbour sill access).
Group dinner in Woodbridge.
Overnight: Woodbridge.

Saturday 29 August – Exploring Woodbridge

Options include:
Visit Sutton Hoo
Explore Woodbridge town centre.
Walk along the River Deben.
Visit local galleries, cafés and pubs.
Relax and enjoy a non-sailing day.
Evening meal.

Overnight: Woodbridge.

Sunday August – leave Woodbridge for Walton Yacht Basin

For those that need to go South and arrive back at their home port on a high tide:
Morning: Depart Woodbridge on a suitable tide window (HW W Mersea 14:31pm 5.26m).
Passage: Exit the Deben around high water and sail south.

Overnight: Walton Yacht Basin

Monday 31 August – Return Passage

A day on the beach at Walton before making our way back to our home ports.
(HW W Mersea 15:03pm 5.29m)

Additional Notes

Safety: Ensure VHF communication and tide planning for Deben and Orwell.
Land Options: Non-sailing members can join at Titchmarsh, Woodbridge or Walton for social events.
Weather Contingency: Alternative land-based activities if conditions prevent sailing.

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Notes for Skippers

Your host will be Jonathan Harbourne
Any questions, please email eastcoast@gaysailing.org.uk
Itinerary is flexible—members will have time to make suggestions and changes.

Voyage Briefing

Monday 24 August, 7–8 PM
Get all your questions answered before we set sail.

Notes for Skippers
Your host: Jonathan Harbourne
Questions? Email: eastcoast@gaysailing.org.uk

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow sailors, share stories, and make lasting memories. Don’t miss it!

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GETTING HELP TO JOIN US

Skippers seeking crew, and crew seeking boats/berths are initially advised to use our WhatsApp channels. If you are unsuccessful contact the event host eastcoast@gaysailing.org.uk.

Land based participants are as always welcome to join for the evening meals.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

Register your attendance via the S&CA website by 1 March 2026.
We have at least a couple of boats already that will require crew – please register or email us, or use the WhatsApp channels so we allocate space.
Upon approach, skippers will be required to contact the harbour/marina by VHF for specific berthing instructions (please state you are part of the Sailing & Cruising Association (S&CA) Rally.
You can bring along friends, but remember to ‘add guest’ at the point of your registration. Guests can only be added at the time of registration. If you later want to add a guest and the event did not require payment please cancel your registration and re-register adding your guest. If your registration did require payment please contact the event host.

EVENT SAFETY AND ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Please also be aware of the additional risks when using dinghies/tenders, which has also resulted in event participants being unintentionally in the water.

Please use the links below for safety advice from the RYA and RNLI.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

If the club has made third party bookings, paid deposits or made other commitments, it may be that only a partial refund or no refund is offered.

Where a refund is requested due to dissatisfaction with third party goods or services, a refund will only be offered if such refund is also made to the club by the third-party.

Sailing & Cruising Association

Updated 2026 Treasure Hunt (29 Aug 2026)

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Musicals Treasure Hunt - New Date!

Bembridge Harbour Saturday 29th August

Organisers, Jo Fraser & Liz Wall, cordially invite you to the re-arranged Treasure Hunt on Saturday 29 August 2026! We are sorry that the 6 June event had to be cancelled but hopefully the weather will be kind to us this time.

The theme is still Musicals. So, choose your favourite musical and dress up your boat, yourselves and anyone you can grab hold off for a weekend of fun and frolics. There will be clues, games and, of course, prizes!

For those members who have not been on a club Treasure Hunt before, each boat decides on which musical they want to showcase and dress up as characters in that musical. There will be a prize for the best costumes (not necessarily for the most expensive!) as well as a prize for the best dressed boat. During your passage over to our final destination, there may be clues to find and tasks to complete.

The final port of call on the Saturday will be Bembridge Harbour followed by a BBQ in the marquee at Bembridge Harbour. As berthing space is limited in Bembridge Harbour, skippers are encouraged to book with the Bembridge Harbour Authority (https://www.bembridgeharbour.co.uk) as soon as possible. There is a 5% discount on overnight rates for online booking and a further 5% for rallies. For those who booked a berth for the weekend of 6 June, you will be able to use your credit on this booking. There is the option of booking for one or two nights if you want to stay and enjoy the delights of Bembridge on the Sunday.

When booking your berth online on the Harbour website, please use the Rally Code SC298 During the online booking process, Rally skippers will be asked to select either the Duver Marina Rafting Area (along the main Duver pontoon) or Duver Marina (finger pontoons). Please select the Rafting Area so we are together. Boats over 18m LOA, multihulls, and boats with a beam over 4m will need to book through the Berthing Office (Tel: 01983 872828) as they cannot book online. Please book your berth as soon as possible.

In order for us to know numbers, please also register on the events page of the S&CA website or app. Each boat will need to bring their own BBQ food to cook on the BBQs provided by Bembridge Harbour.

If you would like to participate but haven’t got a boat, please contact the organisers as well as the What’s App Club Group for South Coast or Crew Match. Alternatively, why not charter a boat with other club members?

We look forward to welcoming you to a Musical extravaganza to remember!

Jo and Liz

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

Register your attendance via the S&CA website
Skippers book your boats in directly with Bembridge
Upon approach to Marina skippers will be required to contact the harbour by VHF for specific berthing instructions (please state you are part of the Sailing & Cruising Association (S&CA) Rally.
You can bring along friends, but remember to ‘add guest’ at the point of your registration. Guests can only be added at the time of registration. If you later want to add a guest please contact the event host.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

Skippers- please see Bembridge Harbours booking conditions.

Sailing & Cruising Association

London Social Pizza - September 2026 (9 Sep 2026)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 16:45:00 GMT

The London Socials are held on the second Wednesday of the odd numbered months and are in two parts.

For early birds, a meal at 17:45 at Pizza Express, 450 Strand, London, WC2R 0TG is organised. This is a separate event, allowing members to see who’s coming and cancel should they need to.

The booking will be made at the restaurant as ‘Sailing Club’ so please say you’re with this group and they should take you to our table.

This is followed by the London Social at Retro Bar from 7pm which is organised as a separate event.

If you need to cancel, please cancel your booking if you’re a member and if you’re not a member, please contact us: social@gaysailing.org.uk

London Social - September 2026 (9 Sep 2026)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Whether you're a current S&CA member, or thinking of joining the Club, you are welcome to join us for the London Social from 7pm on the second Wednesday of the odd numbered months. We meet upstairs at Retro Bar, 2 George Court, London, WC2N 6HH, which is just off The Strand near Charing Cross.

Our London Social has been an important part of S&CA life for decades. With many of our members living in and around London, this has been a key forum for meeting skippers and crew, making plans, and sharing sailing stories. It's a great way for prospective members to get a feel for the Club and for new members to get to know people before setting sail. You’re free to come along to this event but it helps us if you book so we know you’re coming.

For early birds, a meal at 17:45 at Pizza Express, 450 Strand, London, WC2R 0TG is organised as a separate event. If you wish to attend the Pizza Express meal, please book using the separate event booking.

If you can’t make the pizza, the Landlord is more than happy for you to bring food or even order a pizza for delivery.

For those who live further afield, if the occasional journey into London isn't practical, keep an eye out for local social events (e.g. Brighton and Bristol). If you're keen to attend or help organise a local social elsewhere in the country, please contact: social@gaysailing.org.uk

Šibenik, Croatia Sailing Charter (19 Sep 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 11:00:00 GMT

This year's charter from Šibenik, Croatia, follows on from last year's successful charter. Tom S and Andrew P are organising this charter and there is one boat booked already with interest also expressed by some of last year's skippers. Tom is taking on connecting interested crew with skippers and Andrew is helping with booking boats and itinerary planning.

The aim this year is for a two week charter September 19th to October 3rd, with a one week option from September 19th to 26th. It is scheduled to take place when the summer season has finished but the temperatures and sailing prospects are still good.

The hire base is Mandalina Marina, Šibenik which is less than an hour from either Zadar or Split Airports.

The charter would be with NCP Charter https://www.ncp-charter.com who have offered additional discounts for our group depending on the boat chosen and availability. They will also organise airport transfers if required.

Charter costs are currently quoted in the region of €1,500 - £1,200 per week for a Dufour 375. Split between a crew of four this gives a per head price of about £300. Additional costs are full yacht indemnity Insurance, marina fees, provisions and personal expenditure.

The aim is to largely stay together as a group fleet although individual crews are also of course welcome to do their own thing. The fleet itinerary will be to head south from Šibenik with a mix of secluded anchorages and marina nights in livelier historic towns. We will likely visit Split with its X Night club and the option of a gay history tour, Hvar, Jerolim 'gay' island, Lastovo Nature Park and maybe even Dubrovnik on the two week itinerary.

If you have any questions, please join the 'S&CA Overseas Charter' group in the Club WhatsApp Community and post questions there or email commodore@gaysailing.org.uk

Once you're going, please join the event so we know who's signed up.

Once a crew is assembled and boat options chosen contact Andrew Palmer to facilitate your booking and discount with NCP.

South Coast - The Folly Inn (26 Sep 2026)

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

This event is visible on the calendar with registration enabled but until an organiser comes forward, it could be cancelled.

The club is returning to the popular Folly Inn on the River Medina.

The Folly Inn is pretty much packed every Saturday through the season with Isle of Wight locals and visiting yacht crews. Table dancing has been an attraction there in the past but there are no recent reports it still takes place.

Note there is no shore power or water on the mid-river Folly pontoons. Those needing all the comforts of home will need to bring their own electricity!

Saturday 26th September

Meet at the Folly pontoons in the afternoon.

Skippers must call the Folly Berthing Master on VHF Chanel 72 on approach for berthing instructions.

We plan to book spaces on the walk ashore pontoon with a max 12m on the walk ashore. Remaining vessels, and those over 12m will be on the mid-river pontoons, which have a water taxi available during the pub opening hours at £3pp return.

Drinks on board at the walk ashore pontoon followed by dinner and dancing at the Folly though dancing is not actually compulsory.

Sunday 27th September

Head for home ports

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Crew seeking berths are advised to visit the club S&CA WhatsApp Crew Match group.

Land based participants are as always welcome to join, and may wish to take advantage of one of the local hotels or B&Bs in the area.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
1. Register your attendance via the S&CA website by Friday 18th September

2. Visit the WhatsApp S&CA CrewMatch group for all crewing opportunities

3. Upon approach, skippers will be required to contact the harbour / marina by VHF for specific berthing instructions. (please state you are part of the S&CA/Sailing&Cruising Association Rally)

4. You can bring along friends, but remember to ‘add guest’ at the point of your registration

Note
Any questions, please message the S&CA South Coast WhatsApp group

South Coast - End of Season Dinner at Island Sailing Club (17 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

The South Coast End of Season Dinner has been reserved at the Island Sailing Club, Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Please join us on the 17th October to celebrate a year of sailing on the south coast.

Attendees are welcome to join by land or sea with berthing available at Cowes Yacht Haven.

Dinner will be served from 19:00 with drinks beforehand.

The End of Season menu:

Your host will be Steve H

Any questions, please email commodore@gaysailing.org.uk

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GETTING HELP TO JOIN US

Crew seeking berths are initially advised to visit the club WhatsApp S&CA Crew Match group. If you are unsuccessful or not in the WhatsApp group, you are welcome to contact the event host.

Land based participants are as always welcome to join, and may wish to take advantage of one of the local hotels or B&Bs in the area.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
1. Register your attendance via the S&CA website by 9th October

2. Visit the WhatsApp S&CA Crew Match group for all crewing opportunities

3. Upon approach, skippers will be required to contact the harbour / marina by VHF for specific berthing instructions. (please state you are part of the S&CA / Sailing & Cruising Association Rally)

4. You can bring along friends, but remember to ‘add guest’ at the point of your registration. Guests can only be added at the time of registration. If you later want to add a guest and the event did not require payment please cancel your registration and re-register adding your guest. If your registration did require payment please contact the event host.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

The club will endeavour to provide full refunds for event charges when cancellations are made by you by contacting the organiser commodore@gaysailing.org.uk and made in good time. Normally, a week before the event is due to take place will be sufficient.

If the club has made third party bookings, paid deposits or made other commitments, it may be that only a partial refund or no refund is offered.

Where a refund is requested due to dissatisfaction with third party goods or services, a refund will only be offered if such refund is also made to the club by the third party.

Sailing & Cruising Association

London Social Pizza - November 2026 (11 Nov 2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 17:45:00 GMT

The London Socials are held on the second Wednesday of the odd numbered months and are in two parts.

For early birds, a meal at 17:45 at Pizza Express, 450 Strand, London, WC2R 0TG is organised. This is a separate event, allowing members to see who’s coming and cancel should they need to.

The booking will be made at the restaurant as ‘Sailing Club’ so please say you’re with this group and they should take you to our table.

This is followed by the London Social at Retro Bar from 7pm which is organised as a separate event.

If you need to cancel, please cancel your booking if you’re a member and if you’re not a member, please contact us: social@gaysailing.org.uk

London Social - November 2026 (11 Nov 2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

If you can’t make the pizza, the Landlord is more than happy for you to bring food or even order a pizza for delivery.