I am beginning to plan the Fast Cruise programme for next winter (2011-12) and would like some input from regular Fast Cruisers to plan what to do and where to go. At the moment I am only interested in possible venues for Fast Cruise destinations and the evening meal.  I do not want to have discussions about the handicap system at the moment.

The provisional dates I have come up with are:-

                      Destination      HW Portsmouth       Range       Springs/Neaps
15/10/11       Ocean Village          1350                    3.5m            S+1day
12/11/11                                      1150                    3.5m            S
3/12/11             Folly                    1720                    1.9m            N-1day
21/1/12                                        0955                    3.2m            S-4days
18/2/12                                        0845                    2.4m            N+2days
17/3/12                                        0715                    2.0m            N
 

Only two dates are fixed at the moment. The 15th October when the Fast Cruise will join with the Frostbite Rally at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, Ocean Village and 3rd December when I have already booked the Folly for the traditional fancy dress/christmas party.

I have tried to avaoid spring tides so that smaller boats have the chance to join in the fun without being put off by the strength of the tide. However, if we decide to have a cruise to the western Solent a spring tide which will start going westwards around midday on Saturday but goes eastwards on the Sunday morning is useful. The 12th November would be an ideal date to do this as it is a spring with a relatively small range.

I have put together a short questionaire here so that you can help me make next winter's Fast Cruise better than this year. I would like both skippers and crews to take part please. I plan to keep it open until the 30th April to give everyone a chance to take part.