'Pegasus' our new 7.8m Ribcraft rib has now been delivered to Southampton.
She took to the water over the first weekend of March for her shakedown and running in period. She is now fully coded for 10 persons MCA Cat 3 (20 miles offshore). We would like to extend a special thanks to Ribcraft for delivering her on budget and on time. The new Suzuki V6 250hp four stroke is performing as expected returning excellent performance coupled with low fuel consumption. Along with her sister ship which is due to arrive shortly, 'Pegasus' is the boat to been seen aboard this summer.

'Pegasus' has been fitted out to the highest standard including Garmin colour chart plotter, DSC VHF radio, stereo, fuel management system, long distance 270ltr fuel tank, seating for 10 persons, twin bilge pumps and stainless steel flag poles.

Thursday 15th September until Sunday 17th september

The Little Britain Challenge Cup Committee have an announced a change to this years race format, spreading the racing over three days. The main effect of this will be that the Thursday race will no longer be a "practice" race, but one that counts towards the overall points.

Last year well over three quarters of the fleet started the Thursday race. There will be thus be four races, bringing in one discard if all four races are sailed. This means that if an entrant has completed all four races they will be able to discard their worst race result. If only three races are sailed all three will count. All four races will be of equal status.

The City of Portsmouth is preparing a huge welcome and events programme for the seven teams competing in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006.

Saturday 25th February - First charter of the season 2006

Having made my way down to the rib at 9.00am to prepare her for the charter. I took time out to question “why am I doing this “ ?? Skippering a RIB usually entails sunshine and the welcome arrival of the odd bit of sea spray for cooling purposes. By 9.05am my feet and hands were numb, it was showing 1.0 degrees C and a forecast of North Easterly’s force 3-4 increasing 5 by lunchtime, still at least the sky was blue !!. The guests arrived at 11.00 (Eddie and Simon) to celebrate Simon’s 60th Birthday, and in the shelter of Ocean Village Marina appeared very keen to “get out there” and have some fun.

We set off bound for Cowes, Simon at the helm, by Calshot we were testing our Musto Foul weather gear to the limit having been lashed by a force 5 cross wind. Drenched from the outside but dry from the inside we arrived safely in Cowes for a very welcome coffee/hot chocolate break at the Anchor Inn, luckily the table by the log fire was free for us. Having thawed out explained to the other patrons that in fact we were not mad and that boating in the winter IS fun we set off again for The Hamble for Lunch, this time heading straight into the Force 5 NE wind and 3-4 foot swell. Again the boat behaved impeccably and we remained comfortable if not again a little wet.

The Lunch at the Bugle in Hamble seemed to take on a similar theme to the coffee break in Cowes, we asked on several occasions why we were out to sea on one of the coldest and windiest days of the year. We tried to explain that it was not for charity, not a dare, we are all of sane mind and actually it was fun.We returned to Ocean Village late afternoon all feeling like we had achieved something that day, we had proved that Ribbing in any weather is great fun. Simon had really enjoyed his 60th Birthday and by his own admission said that it had been a Birthday he will not forget.

As for me I was cold and wet but had had a great day with some great company, Skippering is still a great job !!!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like further information on the above or on any other Solent based event.

Rib & Yacht Charter Solutions Limited
Telephone - 01342 300236 E-mail - info@ycsolutions.co.uk