Scarborough Yacht Club Commodore’s Jaunt North 2025

Saturday; Scarborough – Whitby
Sunday; Whitby – Hartlepool
Monday; Hartlepool – Blyth
Tuesday; Blyth – Newcastle City Marina

Leaving Scarborough for Newcastle City Marina the first leg to Whitby was coordinated to bond with Whitby Yacht Club’s Vernon Dawson Race. With a steady breeze from the south west around 25 boats crossed the line and tacked into Scarborough’s South Bay to round the SYC #8 mark and head for the easterly #5. Thereafter a multi coloured array of Spinnakers set neatly to starboard made for a fine sight all the way north to Robin Hood’s Bay where a reach took them to the Whitby Bell Buoy. Three SYC boats had left prior to the race start taking full advantage of the ebb and were headed directly to Hartlepool to await the arrival the following day of the rest of the Jaunt Fleet. It was an excellent day and an exciting sail arriving Whitby bay at low water necessitating time at anchor for sufficient water to enter the harbour and a wait for the first bridge opening to access the marina two hours before high tide. WYC put on a terrific barbeque the clubhouse was packed, spirits were high and there was a wonderful air of camaraderie as the Race results were announced.

The 09.30 bridge on Sunday morning proved busy as the Jaunters together with a number of yachts aiming to take part on the NECRA Whitby to Hartlepool race at 10.00 Again several of the Jaunters opted to leave straight for Hartlepool while others held back to join in the race. During the morning a fickle wind built up to a brisk Westerly at times gusting over 35 knots. It was a challenging reach all the way, putting in reefs only to shake them out again a short time later. The sea state built up on the leg across the Tees Bay making for a spicy sail to accompany a spicy curry at Hartlepool Marina’s Sheesh Mahal that night. The Karaoke Bar performances later that evening were something that might go down into SYC Jaunting legend thanks to the harmonic talents of Helen (My Gal) and Bernie (Rascal)

The following morning the forecast was not looking favourable for Blyth. A strong southerly predicted for the sail down to Newcastle from Blyth forced a change of plan to opt instead for Royal Quays. The prospect of the strong winds led three boats to decide they would stay in Hartlepool Marina and wait on favourable conditions to return home. It is a good Skipper who knows when not to sail. Leaving Hartlepool over two early morning locks once again a fickle wind had everyone thinking it was to be a motor all the way but on clearing the headland contrary to the forecasted south westerly a light south easterly wind built up and gave the fleet an exhilarating sail. A pod of Porpoise welcomed the boats entering the Tyne in the swirling currents created when the ebb meets the North Sea. The barbeque planned for Blyth beach was held on the grass at Royal Quays but due to the wind and proximity of vehicles, boats and not least the fuel dock, it was decided to only use the gas powered barbeques and not risk sparks flying. The RNLI Wellie wanging contest was great fun with some remarkably creative attempts, several massive failures, and one that just missed flying into the lock and hitting a Coastguard Vessel.

Tuesday morning the wind was blowing strongly as predicted from the south. The Millennium Bridge was booked to open at 16.30hrs. Over two locks the fleet dressed the boats with flags and gathered outside the RQ waiting pontoons. With Tyne VTS advised and a clear report of no commercial traffic at 14.30hrs the fleet departed for Newcastle City Marina. The wind had increased and turned into a very strong westerly of gusts often exceeding 40knots one being registered at 50knots and the boats were punching the last hour or so of the ebb. At times progress was down to less than 2knots. After approximately an hour the wind eased, as did the ebb and with some surprise they arrived at the Millennium Bridge early. A cordial rapport with the bridge operator brought the bridge tilting early and a pre planned berthing arrangement quickly had all boats moored safely. A few boxes of beers arrived courtesy of NCM and a pontoon gathering of Skippers and Crews each sharing their stories of the journey took on a party atmosphere. Raymond, the Jaunt Social Secretary and Entertainment Officer, together with Simon Fry, announced the time and location of the dinner for that night. SYC Rear Commodore Malcolm Hall awarded My Gal deck hand Clive Murray a bag of Jelly Babies for his efforts in coordinating the berthing on the pontoon.

The Bridge was scheduled to open the following (Wednesday) morning and again same time on Thursday for Jaunters to pitch options on a second night in Newcastle or to resume their individual plans to either return home or head further North.

Wednesday had a strong westerly breeze often hitting 40knots giving some boats a challenging sail in a relatively flat sea back south to Hartlepool. Rascal and Northern Light took advantage of the wind to sail all the way back to Scarborough.

To summarise, it was terrific fun if at times a little challenging but this year we got there (and back) safely

Photos can be seen below!