The 2026 Solent Tour August 10-16
Published 17:39 on 19 Sep 2026
A highlight of the Club's rally program, for the second year running, was the Solent Tour. A multi-destination rally taking place in August and running from Monday to the following Sunday.
This year's schedule started at Newtown Creek, followed by Marchwood, Gins, Cowes and Island Harbour, giving members the chance to dip in and out depending on their own schedule and choice of places to visit. Between 8 and 10 boats arrived at each destination, split in the case of Cowes between East and West. A total of 15 member boats were involved overall. For a full list of the boats go to see boats.
Newtown Creek
A very pleasant sail to Newtown Creek today. Plenty of space for everyone. A lovely peaceful spot. We hoisted the battle flags, had lunch on board and inflated our dinghies for the beach BBQ. Madness was visited by a merman requesting a pint if lager and a packet of crisps! Some of us took our dinghies to 'Bon Ami' for pre BBQ drinks before we all met up on the beach. Brian and John had their BBQs ready and the cooking commenced. More drinking and eating! A lovely gathering. Looking forward to the next five days of the HYC Solent tour.
Jackie
Marchwood
The Voyage: Day 2 and 3 of the Haslar Yacht Club Solent Tour Rally
The conditions going to Marchwood from Newtown Creek were choppy with wind against tide, force 4/5.
The navigational instructions issues by MYC were very accurate and helpful and we all rafted up successfully. As we did so, we noticed that a seal had taken up residence underneath the pontoon where it studiously ignored all the noise and attention it received.
The Verdict
The rally was a resounding success. We enjoyed fantastic sailing, a brilliant clubhouse supper, and a healthy dose of naval history. Marchwood proved that while it may no longer be the largest explosive depot in the Kingdom, the hospitality there is still dynamite. Thank you to Jem for organising the trip and to Alan Saunders from Marchwood for his help and his informative tour of the club premises.
The above is just the intro and verdict from Anne's report. For the full report please go to Marchwood report.
Anne SD
Gins
Thursday 13th August found many of us waking up in Marchwood Sailing Club with the hustle and bustle of the freighter terminal happening on the other side of the river. My good friend Ashley and I were crewing for Jonathan Clare on Blue Moon and we had enjoyed the company of 6 other boats from HYC.
It was time to move on and our next destination was Gins on Beaulieu River. After first motoring down Southampton Water it was time to put the sails up and, as so often happens, the wind was right on our nose so it was time for some zigging and zagging. It was particularly enjoyable watching the progress of other HYC boats doing the same thing.
By the time we got to the mouth of the Hamble it was also lovely to see Zig Zag, with an all-female crew that Gay had assembled, making her way to Beaulieu too. The wind had eased by the time we approached the entrance and, with a careful eye on depth, we had a lovely sail over the bar and into the river itself. It was very peaceful just sailing along without the noise the engine running.
Mooring up at the pontoon was not quite as peaceful as there were a few yachts already there from the Royal Southampton YC that we had not expected but we managed to raft up on the outside of the other boats and this suited our planned early departure the next morning. Then we could relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the area.
A pontoon party was held, very enjoyable chatting and meeting new people then it was off to the Clubhouse for our evening meal
Jem
Helen and Stewart decided to join the fun by road and added the following:
Having made the difficult decision not to join the rally on our boat, due to the extreme heat and having our young pup with us - we arrived at Gins Farm to the sight of Haslar Yacht Club members crossing the broad walk and making their way to the Clubhouse.
What a beautiful an evening in a most idyllic setting. Drinks flowed with lots of laughter and tales of the passage from Marchwood down Southampton water and up the Beaulieu river. It was great to catch up with old friends and meet new faces.
The conversation spilled out onto the balcony once dinner was over and the conversation continued under the moonlight. Those lucky enough to be on their boats returned, some hoping to catch a glimpse of the forecasted meteor shower, whilst we headed back home in our car.
What a great night, only one of what seems to have been an excellent Solent Rally week. We would love to join it if it is repeated next year.
Helen
Cowes
The choice of marina in Cowes saw a break-away group set up in East Cowes, with Vin Rouge arriving on the Thursday, joined by some of the fleet skipping Gins.
On Friday the last 4 boats made their way from Gins to Cowes YH and we all joined up for the evening meal at Coast.
The day began like every classic Haslar Yacht Club rally: coffee strong enough to wake the dead, breakfast inhaled at record speed, and the usual predeparture dance of ropes, fenders, and mild confusion. Then off we went to West Cowes - although with the lack of wind, it was less sailing and more leisurely engine powered sightseeing.
Later, we headed to Coast for dinner. The food was delicious, the conversation top tier, and after the meal the group split: some returned to their boats, while others ventured out for a nightcap at the local pubs, bravely exploring West Cowes nightlife one drink at a time.
The above are extracts from Shirley's report. For the full report and photos please go to West Cowes.
Shirley
Island Harbour
Our final destination of the tour. A short trip up the Medina river but to a locked marina. Saturday 15 July was peak spring tide, high water around 2 pm and free flow into the marina expected around 1pm. Everyone set off hoping to arrive for free flow, some a little early and onto a very fast running tide. We all arrived safely and the marina did a great job in allocating berths all together.
The remainder of the afternoon saw a little(!!) social drinking following which some retired to their boats to eat and sleep. The hard core moved over the shoreside near the harbour office for a BBQ and to watch a scenic sunset over the west side of the river.
Lots of fun locking out on the way home on the Sunday morning. Some of us went into the lock and came out on free flow!
Stephen
Our many thanks to Jem and Brian for all the hard work organising this exceptional event.
For all the photos go to the gallery.
Last updated 13:41 on 29 September 2026