Ocean Sailing Forum

Learn from the Cruising Experts at the Ocean Sailing Forum
Saturday 15 September 2018, 10:00 - 12:00

in association with

If you are considering making a long offshore passage; crossing the Bay of Biscay, the Atlantic or further, come along to the Ocean Sailing Forum on the first Saturday of the  Southampton Boat Show.

The two hour moderated panel discussion will cover topics like preparing your boat, selecting equipment, sails and sail handling, life onboard, crew management, route and weather. 

The cost is only £15 per person, including a boat show ticket and free copy of Yachting World magazine.  Boat show tickets will be given out at registration on Saturday morning.  

Panellists

This year's panel brings together a cross section of ARC skippers including catamaran cruisers and intrepid small boat sailors sharing their experiences.

Bill Aylward and Kate Otty purchased their first cruising boat, a Catana 42 catamaran, in 2013. They spent two years getting to know the boat, sailing her initially around the south England coastline, to the Isles of Scilly, and across to France and the Channel Islands. By 2016, they were ready for the big trip down to the Canaries and across to Saint Lucia with the ARC. They went on to spend a winter in the Caribbean before returning to the UK the following spring.

Pete and Janet Dearden recently featured in Practical Boat Owner's multi-part feature 'From ebay to Rodney Bay' detailing their story of going from novice sailors to live-aboards who wound up sailing the ARC onboard one of the smallest boats in the 2017 fleet. They joined the ARC+ Cape Verdes route, sailing double-handed on Twenty Twenty, a Gibsea Serena 100, just 10m LOA. Their future cruising plans include joining the crew of World ARC catamaran to sail across the Pacific in a little more cofort, and testing the water for their own circumnavigation plans in the future.

The culmination of years of planning including attending WCC forums themselves, Chris and Katie Russell sailed their Sweden 45, Associate3 on their first transatlantic crossing with ARC 2017. “I have to admit that I was a little cynical and wary about whether I wanted to be organised into a rally environment before signing up but I am now a convert!” said Chris when they completed the crossing after 23 days at sea, particularly enjoying the support and camaraderie. They since cruised the Caribbean for the 2017/2018 season, before leaving the boat in Antigua.

Our moderator will keep the discussion moving and audience members are welcome to contribute and to ask questions.

Also available for advice will be representatives from World Cruising Club's supporters, including Admiral Marine Insurance, Professional Yacht Deliveries, YachtCom & SailCom, Ocean Safety and many more.  

Timings

The Forum will start at 10am promptly, and finish by 12 noon.  There is a coffee bar in the Picturehouse lobby for early arrivals, available from 9.15am.

Cost

Entry to the Forum is £15 per person, which includes a free Southampton Boat Show ticket worth £15 and copy of Yachting World magazine worth £4.50.  There are no refunds for non-attendance at the forum.  Pay securely online by clicking 'Register Now!' above.

Getting there

There is free parking behind the Picturehouse for the duration of the Forum only.  All day parking for those wanting to visit the Southampton Boat Show is available nearby in Ocean Village.

Ocean Village is a 7/8 minute taxi ride from Southampton Central Station, and 15 minutes walk from the boat show ground at Mayflower Park.

Southampton Boat Show 

For more details on the Southampton Boat Show see www.southamptonboatshow.com