The 2nd Hamble Classics Regatta hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club (15-17 September) delivered another exceptional weekend of close competition for a diverse entry of 64 yachts split into eight classes, with celebrated classics plus gaffers, Metre yachts, dayboats and cruiser-racers racing in the Solent and based at the club's superb Prince Philip Yacht Haven.
The welcome arrival of the Spirit Yachts 'Oui Fling', Irvine Laidlaw's flush deck racer and Michael Hough's elegant 65ft Chloe Giselle spurred the addition of an IRC Zero division and this included Richard Loftus iconic S&S Swan 65 Desperado, a yacht designed at around the event's pre-1971 eligibility benchmark and adding a thoroughbred classic profile to this exciting upshift in yacht size.

34 guests joined Wetwheels and 7 Royal southern boats to go sailing.
The weather was kind, with sunshine and light winds. Some boats went across to Cowes and up to the Folly and the rest went to the Beaulieu. We met up at lunchtime to enjoy the packed lunch paid for by the Trust.
It was clear from the happy smiles and animated conversations that everyone had a good time.

The next morning, 25 August, after sorting out a few things on "Nova", a Dufour 385, we set sail for Verkan on the island of Korpo.   The navigation was relatively easy as we sailed, or rather motor-sailed, as the wind was very light, down the main channel towards Korpo.
We saw quite a few classic yachts tacking up through the islands.  There was just a slight challenge going through the many small islands to the harbour of Verkan but the leading marks were extremely helpful and there were posts marking a very narrow passage.
Eventually we found a place to moor, hooking a buoy to tie to the stern and then bow to a jetty.