Fast Cruise 2 - 2025/26 Series

The Little Ship Club Fast Cruise Series is a winter tradition in the Solent, established in 2006 to blend spirited sailing with friendly rivalry. By day crews test their seamanship; by night they gather ashore for good company and a hearty meal.

Post-event, we will be heading to the Max Aitken Museum, Cowes. We are also delighted to share that the

RNLI City Shanty band will be on hand to have a little bit of a sing song!

Please be generous with your contributions to the RNLI.

Bar available for drinks at 1900 for dinner at 1930

The Museum is licensed to a maximum of eighty attendees and registration will close immediately that threshold is reached. Please make sure you book early.

Times

The event may start based on whether you are on the 'Long' or 'Short' course.

Long and short course boats will start at 11:00.

Cutoff for declaring is 17:00.

Course

The course to be published 48 hours prior to the event.

Two courses are set for each cruise: 'Short' for slower boats and 'Long' for faster boats. These courses, combined with the handicap system, should result in the majority of the fleet being visible to each other throughout the course. Plus, they create an environment where boats at different parts of the sailing spectrum can compete on an adjusted time basis.

Boats rated at 0-999 sail the Long course. Boats 1000 and above sail the Short course.

Result

Skippers must provide the following information to the event officer by 17:00 hrs, or the vessel will receive a DNF (Did Not Finish)

• Start time

• Finish time

• Boat ahead

• Boat astern

NOTE: The Little Ship Club has migrated to the YTC handicap; all boats must be pre-registered and handicap assigned prior to the event.

Sailing instructions

Menu

Starter 

Chicken Liver Parfait with Caramelised Red Onion Chutney and Toasted Brioche

Or Smoked Haddock Rarebit on a Confit Tomatoes, Capers and Chives

Or Salad of Avocado, Pickled Cucumber, Peashoots with a Goats Cheese Croquette 

Main Course  

Grilled Fillet of Bass with Fennel Cream Sauce

Or Breast of Chicken filled with Cream Cheese, Garlic and Flat Parsley wrapped in Filo

Or Slow Cooked Rump of Beef with Roasted Shallots, Thyme and Red Wine Jus

Vegan Main Course

Roast Butternut Squash filled with Spiced Vegetables and Fresh Herb Tomato Sauce

All mains served with a selection of Vegetables and Potato

Dessert 

Dark Chocolate Torte with Caramelised Oranges

Or Lemon Posset with Ginger Crunch

Or Pear and Almond Tart with Vanilla Whipped Cream

A PAY BAR WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE MUSEUM

Berthing instructions

Berths will be reserved at the Cowes Yacht Haven if requested when booking. Rafting may be necessary if insufficient alongside space is available. Mooring fees to be settled directly with the marina, please ask for the rally discount (Little Ship Club Fast Cruise Rally) when paying.

Organiser-Simon Kaye/Tim Bizzey/Lewis McDonald

Duty Officer-Leigh Gibson