Cruiser Long Distance race
Published 14:46 on 27 May 2026
Four boats took part in the Cruiser Long Distance race on Saturday 23rd May: Pegasus II sailed single-handed by Alastair Johnson, Seeaway with Keith Ovenstone and Pavol Mraz, Talisker skippered by Mark Lewis with Edmund Bethune crewing, and Alan Hampson helming Stravaig with his crack crew of Calum and Stuart.
The race took place over two tides, leaving Cramond on the morning tide and returning later that evening, and the course took them all round the Firth of Forth, starting and finishing at Inchmickery.
It was a beautiful sunny day with a westerly F3 wind at the start and the fleet started on a dead run from Inchmickery to East Gunnet cardinal mark, north of Leith docks. The boats tried a goosewinged jib, some with more success than others!
Stravaig rounded Herwit Wreck buoy (SE of Inchkeith) first, followed by Seeaway. Talisker was next, with Pegasus II close behind. Alastair gybed inside Talisker and all four boats reached across to Forth Ports No 4 Channel mark, north-east of Inchkeith.
The order remained the same at No 4, although Alastair managed to lose his hat on the way!
The skippers then had to choose which side to leave Inchkeith on their way to Pallas Rock buoy, just west of the island. Alan decided to tack and go south, the others went to the north. However, this latter choice involved an awkward beat into the westerly wind.
Alastair decided the wind was getting up a little so he took in a reef. He discovered later that Seeaway's crew considered doing the same but did not and felt a little overpowered.
Of the three boats who went north, Seeaway rounded Pallas first, with Alastair's Mk2 Griffon next followed by the blue-hulled Sadler. None of them were sure where Alan and his crew were as they were unsighted by Inchkeith. However as all the boats beat westward to the finish, Stravaig was in front.
Alastair shook out the reef and went across the main channel towards Kinghorn, closely passing the bow of Seeaway on starboard.
Alan and his crew in Stravaig finished first, 20 minutes ahead of Pegasus II, with Seeaway close behind and Talisker in fourth. The places didn't change when handicaps were worked out.
There were a few hours to wait before the boats could return to Cramond on the evening tide so they went their different ways after the finish. Alastair and Mark anchored at Inchmickery, Keith and Pavol went to Burntisland for tea, while Alan and his crew went to port Edgar for the night, with a fine dinner at Scotts restaurant.
