Over 150 aspiring cruisers set to attend annual WCC Bluewater Weekend

by World Cruising Club on 5 May 2016 Over 150 aspiring bluewater cruisers are set to attend World Cruising Club's third annual Bluewater Weekend hosted at Berthon Marina in Lymington on 14-15 May. They will have the opportunity to climb aboard a variety of ocean sailing boats, mingle with experienced cruisers and get expert advice to help set sail with the right boat, training, and equipment. Designed to make visitors think about all aspects of living the bluewater dream, the two day free to attend event combines a boatshow, seminar and sailor rendezvous all in one.

During the weekend a selection of bluewater boats will be open for viewing, hosted by experienced offshore sailors, all of whom have sailed transatlantic or further afield. Moody S38 Mad Fish, returns to the docks for visitors to look around, with owner Russell Hawkins and his family on hand to answer questions and share their experiences after completing Atlantic circuit in 2012 together as a young family. They left the UK in August before taking part in the ARC and after cruising the Caribbean for the season, returned to the UK with the ARC Europe 2013 via Bermuda and the Azores.

With over 21,000nm under her keel, Bowman 42 Indra is a tried and tested bluewater cruiser and also returns to Berthon Marina with host and owner Graham Searle for a second year. The comfortable ocean going yacht joined ARC 2010 and ARC 2013 and Graham cruised the Caribbean with her extensively.

Two boats on show which boast Baltic adventures amongst their cruising heritage are Simon Ridley's Hanse 370 Gertha 4, and Shenanigan, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42i owned by Michaela Parker and Brian Tweedie-Smith who both sailed to St. Petersburg and back in the summer of 2015 with ARC Baltic. Prior to cruising the East Sea, both accumulated several thousand ocean miles proving the production boats certainly aren't just content to hug coastlines.

Mañana is a 1999 Malo 36 and will be hosted for the weekend by Alastair Forbes. Although not new, and small compared to a typical ARC boat (usually 45ft-50ft in recent years), the boat has been fully refitted with an Atlantic crossing in mind, and is well equipped for blue water use. She has a brand new rig, twin spinnaker poles and a forestay prepared for downwind sailing with poled-out twin headsail and a detachable inner forestay, a storm jib, and a trysail with its own mast track.

Alastair has considered his power generation options and fitted solar panels and a wind generator. The gantry also provides davits for the tender and she carries a suite of Raymarine instruments including radar. Plenty for those stepping on board to take a look at and consider fitting for their own cruising plans.

In addition to these boats a selection from the Berthon Brokerage Collection will be open for inspection. From ARC veteran Hallberg Rassy 39, Anika to the luxury, faultlessly maintained Oyster 72 Bill and Me, visitors to the Bluewater Weekend will be to compare boats to suit all budgets and design preferences. Included amongst Open Boat selection from Berthon is Warrior 40, Chiscos, a speedy ocean-crosser who's extremely well equipped for bluewater sailing with a capacious three-cabin interior layout and large, safe aft cockpit, and a centre-cockpit, drop keel Southerly 420 named Blue Dolphin who is equally capable of offering a comfortable craft to explore idyllic cruising grounds for those looking to liveaboard.

September a m is a stunning example of the British built indulgent bluewater cruising yacht from the Discovery yard. She is the first Discovery 55 to have the more open salon layout and has just taken her owners on an Atlantic Circuit.

During the weekend other boats from the Berthon Collection are available to view on request, as well as a chance to explore the boat yard facilities offering all aspects of yacht refit and refurbishment.

Balancing out the dockside chat will be a speaking programme led by industry professionals which has proved extremely valuable and motivating for visitors over previous years. On Saturday topics including Rallies and Routes: what, where, when and how, Training for Cruising, and Bluewater Cruising Techniques will serve to inspire those planning their adventures. New for 2016 is a special ARC Briefing with detailed information on the route south; weather; communications and how the rally works aimed at 2016 entrants, but useful for anyone looking to join the rally in the future to attend.

Rounding off the speaking programme on Saturday, bluewater cruising gurus Rod and Lu Heikell will share tales from Our Cruising Life - an inspiration for anyone dreaming of distant shores. Sunday's sessions will cover practical steps to achieve the dream such as What to look for in a Bluewater Boat, Refitting for Bluewater Cruising and Sails and Rigging Seminar.

The two-day event is free to attend but visitors will need to pre-register beforehand. The flexible programme means people are welcome to attend for a few hours or the whole weekend. Those wanting to get more out of the social experience can attend an optional Caribbean Buffet on the Saturday night. Charged separately, it's the perfect opportunity to get in the mood for the ARC's infamous St. Lucian welcome parties.