Solent fleet

Racing

The center of gravity for the Solent fleet is the Hamble, where there are a large number of boats. Smaller numbers can also be found at Lymington, Cowes and Southampton. For the Hamble and Cowes based owners, most racing is class-based one-design. We have a class at most major central Solent events, including the Warsash Spring and Hamble Winter Series, the ISC Round the Island race and Cowes Week. We typically see an average entry of 30 boats for these events.

The class has strong ties with the Royal Southern YC, and we have a class in their monthly Summer Series, with a typical entry of 25-30. There is also a team racing weekend run in association with the Royal Southern YC.

We have our own Southern Championships, usually in early summer and often run out of Cowes - average entry around 40. Other events with a 707 class are the the Warsash Spring Championship and Hamble Week.

A number of boats travel to Cork Week, where we have our own class start, and the Nationals are generally held outside the Solent in alternate years. Solent boats also travel to the Eastern area champs at Burnham, and a few also go to the Scottish Champs.

A much smaller number of boats also take part in handicap racing - notably Royal Southampton's two-handed series, of which the Island Double is best supported, with enough boats for a class result in some recent years. Boats are also occasionally seen in other events, such as the ISC inshore series, Royal Southampton events such as the Clarkson Cup and the Frostbite series. The Lymington-based boats participate in local events.

There is quite a wide range of abilities within the class in the Solent, and within limits, you are likely to enjoy close competitive racing at your own level. Most fleet racing is around windward/leeward courses, in fleets of 25-40. An advantage of such large fleets is that you can enjoy as close a tussle for 20th place as for 1st.

Berthing

is located at Port Hamble, about 300m upstream of the Royal Southern, and provides dry-sailing for a wide range of race boats, from 707's and Mini-Transat's to IACC and Open/Volvo 60's - plus a limited amount of berthing. The majority of Solent 707's are based there. It provides three options - in order of popularity (and also in reverse order of cost).

1. Dry sailing with up to 26 round-trip launches by the yard (which is just about enough for a full 707 calendar).
2. Dry sailing with use of a self-launch crane.
3. Marina berthing.

Prices and availability are both subject to change - contact the yard for current information.

Around a dozen boats, including many of the most active, are based at the boat park, which has a self-launch crane. Members can ballot annually for use of the boat park. The cost is favourable compared to self-launch at HYS, but this is unlikely to be a short-term option unless you are already a Royal Southern member.

Another option is dry-sailing from Warsash Marine (01489 583813) at Stone Pier Boatyard. This is a yard-launched scheme, at a price comparable with self-launch from HYS for up to 30 lifts per year and storage ashore or afloat. Check with the yard for current prices and availability.

Another low-cost but high-labour option would be to trailer-sail from - this is apparently the modus operandi of some Melges 24's, many of which tend to travel to events rather than being club-based.

Impression Sailing

, based at Port Hamble, has a close relationship with the class. They offer charter, brokerage, and a fast and reliable maintenance service.