British International Six Metre Class Association

Logistics of Bringing a Boat to Cowes

The logistics of getting your boat to Cowes could not be easier - the Solent has one of the most concentrated areas of support organisations for yachting in the world. Local 6mR sailors will be pleased to assist where required - contact Rees Martin.

Moorings

Superb, comprehensive marina facilities provided by Cowes Yacht Haven will be available to owners, crew and media representatives. Cowes Harbourmaster. Captain Stuart McIntosh, will be laying additional moorings in the entrance to the Medina - this is an annual feature to provide sufficient moorings for the 1,200 boats that arrive for Cowes Week. A system will be established for co-ordinating mooring bookings.

Yacht Services

As a major yachting centre, Cowes is home to a large number of chandleries, boat yards, engineers, sailmakers, etc, many of them with a very long history and very experienced with classic boats - they probably built many of them. See the Cowes web site for details.

For 8mR - arrangements are being made to bring boats down from Scotland after the 8mR Worlds - contact Avia Willment.

For 12mR - Peters & May are arranging to bring boats from the America's Cup at Valencia and then on to Puerto Cervo and Cannes for the 12mR Worlds - contact Craig Stansbury, Marine Co-ordinator.

Launching your Boat

To avoid congestion and additional ferry costs, it is recommended that yachts be launched from the mainland and sailed or towed to Cowes. We have four recommended mainland boatyards who are fully conversant with International Six Metres and can if needed, provide towing facilities. The yards are some five kilometres of sheltered sailing to the Cowes marina complex.

The Elephant Boatyard: named after the "Elephant", Nelson's flagship at the battle of Copenhagen in 1786 which was built in Bursledon, this yard has been at the head of the Hamble, on the old shipyards of Bursledon for over 50 years and is home to a number of local 6mR boats both for yard services and to compete against the owner.	elephant_at_landsendrd.freeserve.co.uk
Hamble Point Marina: a major, modern, full-service marina facility at the mouth of the River Hamble, with easy access to the world famous waters of the Solent, a magnet for competitive sailors from around the globe, it's a favourite with racers and cruising yachtsmen alike	hamblepoint_at_mdlmarinas.co.uk
HYS (Port Hamble): Hamble Yacht Services (HYS) is a well established full service yacht repair and refit facility, with a world wide reputation accrued from providing a professional service for both yachts, cruising and racing and motorboats alike	sales_at_hambleyachtservices.co.uk
Universal Marina: also on the Hamble, the yard has a dedicated "Metre Shed" with a team of enthusiasts where there have been many restorations of 6mR and 8mR boats, is home to several boats and a very competitive "home team".	jaffa_at_willment group.com

In addition, Team Cream are offering a full support service - go to Team Cream

Shipping your Boat

Whereas some boats may wish to sail to Cowes and some will have their own transport, we have made arrangements with ... to provide transport to one of the yards mentioned above. It may be appropriate for your national association to co-ordinate this so that several boats can be economically moved together.

Notice to Mariners

Three Harbour Authorities control the Solent sailing area, each of which may post Local Notices to Mariners concerning navigational issues and activities which impact use of the areas:

Cowes Harbour Commission

Southampton Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)

Queen’s Harbour Master Portsmouth

Measurement & Insurance

Boats should provide up-to-date measurement certificates with their registration and it may well be prudent to organise this in good time - arrangements have been made for spot checks prior to and during the event. All new sails will be measured. Measurement in the UK is being co-ordinated - see Noticeboard. Valid insurance certificates should also be supplied with third party coverage up to Ł...

Accomodation

Cowes is host to many sailing events and there is a wide range of accomodation available. However, much of it is booked up early. The Royal Yacht Squadron have listed contacts for accomodation

Cowes as a Place

During the events, there will be an extensive social calendar, some of which we will combine with the British Classc Yacht Club so that we can "party" with crew from other metre classes. In addition, Cowes on-shore facilities offer a variety of services. The Cowes website www.cowes.co.uk is packed with information.