Celestial navigation can be a very intimidating subject for cruising sailors.
Luckily on Monday 6th June we had Captain Jeff Werner with us to help demistify celestial navigation and to provide another packed out Cruising Group Meeting with an introduction to theory and practical instruction on this topic.
Jeff has been a yacht captain for almost 35 years. He is a US Sailing celestial navigation instructor and has completed just under 100,000 miles of passage making under sail. As a certified instructor for the RYA, US Sailing, MCA and the US Coast Guard it's fair to say Jeff really knows his onions!
Regardless of the instruments and techniques used throughout the ages, Jeff says there is one constant: It’s all about altitude!
On Saturday 11 July over 15 boats (including some friends from the National Yacht Club) enjoyed a perfect day anchoring off Red Rock on the south side of Howth Head. There was plenty of sunshine in a cooling sea breeze and many took the opportunity to enjoy a swim before lunch. As the current was quite strong ropes and fenders were wisely deployed to assist the swimmers getting back on board! Culinary prowess was also in evidence judging by the many photos posted of the sumptuous lunches that the fleet were enjoying. As ever huge thanks to our Admiral Gerry O'Neil and Aideen Sargent for all their hard work in putting together another great Armada.
Another big shout out to Susan Kavanagh and Sarah Twomey for coming up with this initiative which was aimed at skippers who might be interested in refreshing their knowledge of passage planning or new skippers/crew interested in finding out more.
There was a well attended briefing by Susan Kavanagh on Thursday 16th July in the Boyd Room where Susan went through the main issues to be taken into account in planning the passage - not least how best to navigate the tricky channel into and out of Malahide.
On the day of the passage the fleet met for a final quick briefing from Susan at a very buzzy HYC (which was hosting the Optimist Leinsters) before departing. The weather was challenging - a strong Northerly wind against a flooding tide with big waves meant that all boats had to make their way to Malahide under engine. Those boats without a spray hood got quite a drenching! Their reward though was a beautiful sunny layover in Malahide with enough time for a quick ice cream a nd coffee before making their way back to Howth. The ebbing tide with the following wind made for a very pleasant trip home under sail.
Article kindly written by Don McAleese
_________________________________________________________________________________
Please note some changes!
Our Annual Awards dinner has changed to December 12th as Santa has had to change his plans and we need to make room for this VIP guest to HYC.
On Saturday 25th July we will sail to the National Yacht Club for our annual National Yacht Club Brunch
July 25th – National Yacht Club Brunch
August 1st – Loughshinny
August 1st - the Bray Air Show coincides with this outing, which is absolutely fantastic from the water.
August 15th – Skerries
August 22nd – Killiney Bay
September 5th - Three Bridges - Cruising Association of Ireland
As we are on a summer recess the Cruising Group will reconvene for our next meeting in September. Have a fabulous summer everyone!
