Yachting World Dayboat Open at Poole Yacht Club
by Steve Wilson, Dayboat class captain, Poole YC 20 Jul 23:47 PDT
19-20 July 2025
Overall 12 boats took part in this year's open, numbers being affected by the Dayboat championships starting in Falmouth in one week's time and accurately forecast very windy weather on the Sunday.
The open takes the form or two separate days of racing in Poole Harbour. On Saturday there are two long distance races around the harbour islands, Green Island, Furzey Island and Brownsea Island, once clockwise and the other anticlockwise. The anticlockwise morning race eventually started after delay waiting for wind with just six boats in light and variable conditions. Huge shifts and holes in the breeze turned the leg to Green Island into a bit of a lottery, care being required not to stray too far from the marked channels to avoid grounding. Stuart Maunder in 609 took an early lead, but fell into a huge hole allowing the rest to pass.
The second leg to the harbour entrance was more predictable, if slow Peter and Annette Kay in 634, Chris Habgood and Trevor Allen in 608 and Sue and Howard Clayton in 650 contested the lead. At the harbour entrance the fleet met a strong rising tide which took them back towards the club and the finish. The final stretch back to the club had light winds in the shadow of Brownsea Island but finally emerged for the leg home. The winner was eventually Sue and Howard Clayton from Peter and Annette Kay with Chris Habgood and Trevor Allen third.
By the afternoon more visitors had arrived and nine set off clockwise round the islands. This time there was a decent breeze which made life a lot easier. After some close racing the winner was Andrew Hewitt and Colin Blewett in 639, second was Michael Hewitt and Peter Hewitt in 678 and third Chris Habgood and Trevor Allen in 608.
Racing on the Sunday consisted of three races on triangle/sausage courses. Turnout was much reduced by the accurately forecast winds up to 28 knots. Possible thunderstorms thankfully did not materialise. Six boats took part although 639 was quickly eliminated by a rudder breakage. The wind was mainly SSW with some shifts. Given the heavy conditions the race officer sensibly set shorter races. In all three races there was an element of luck as well as great skill given the huge gusts especially in the final race. Each race had a different winner. Overall Michael Hewitt and Steve Creasey in 678 won with 3 points, Peter Hewitt and Chris Lockett in 669 were second, also with 3 points, Colin Blewitt and Chrissy Campbell in 647 were third on 4 points.
After racing it was obvious that everyone had thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Sunday Results:
| Pos | Boat | Sail No | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Groovie | 678 | ‑5 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Merlin | 669 | 2 | 1 | ‑3 | 3 |
| 3 | Alice | 647 | 1 | 3 | (DNF) | 4 |
| 4 | Piu Mosso | 634 | ‑4 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 5 | Blue Horizon | 608 | 3 | ‑5 | 4 | 7 |
| 6 | Magic Roundabout | 639 | (DNF) | DNC | DNC | 16 |