You have started to stir the dark depths of my old brain Tony so have been going back a bit on Boatmad. In 2009 John Fuller convinced me that I should try to bring back the Poole to Cherbourg race. I was trying to organise the 2009 Cowes Torquay Cowes race at the time but JF convinced me that I should do it - see
http://boatmad.com/forum/showthread....oole+Cherbourg here on Boatmad.
I had taken part in the 1985 Poole to Cherbourg predicted log out of the Royal Motor (in a twin 200hp powered 27ft Riamer) and we had cruised across at 4,500 revs with an estimated time of 1hr 30mins. I held the record for a few years at I think around 1hr 26mins (lost composure when we saw Cherbourg and opened the taps!). The predicted log worked well, they taped up all your intruments except for the rev counter. They also took away your watches and had an observer on board to ensure you didn't cheat.
MBY did an article on your race Tony complete with pics which JF found see:-
"I know this is of little relevance now, but I found the mag today, so here goes":
www.boatmad.com/pcp/mby.pdf
I had to cancel this race at the time because of the pressure of the CTC but have never understood why no one has ever tried to bring this great race back - are you listening Royal Motor? It would be a walk in the Park to orgainise and at around 120miles (there and back non stop) a true Marathon race and a great test for boats and crew.
What a dinner conversation stopper especially if there were some Yachties there. - "I toddled across to Cherbourg and back recently in a couple of hours!" Ha!
ML.
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