Member Cruises

Although the preservation and chartering of Sceptre are important aspects, happily each year most members get ample quality time cruising with family and friends of the Sceptre Preservation Society.

With charter periods allocated to June and early July, this leaves a couple of months for members to enjoy sailing. We do not operate on a time share basis; membership does not entitle one member specifically to one week's sailing, rather if the boat's available and you want to use it, get a crew together and off you go.  Members get together with other Members to enter Regattas or other special events, a couple of families may wish take a week or so of gentle sailing, or a more adventurous group may wish to go further afield.  The idea is that there should be enough kindred spirits amongst the Members for you to be able to sail as much or as little as you wish.

The experience of sailing

Members who like racing have often entered the Regattas at Cowes, Bangor, Cork and West Highland week.  Others enjoy the wildlife, in the more conventional sense of the word, exploring anchorages known for their seal and bird populations. To others, a good pub is important. Variety is the spice of life and with Sceptre and the mix of interests among the members variety is certainly guaranteed.

In the course of the eight weeks allocated to society members, groups of about three to four members take Sceptre away with family and friends. Usually we work Saturday to Saturday and return to the point of departure, although sometimes it gets more complicated, especially if Sceptre has sailed down to a regatta away from her usual base (currently Gosport).

Sometimes we co-ordinate our cruises and arrange crew changes at distant locations to widen the cruising grounds. A few years ago Sceptre cruised as far a field as Castle Bay in the Outer Hebrides to Brittany and covered over 5,000 miles, but in the last year or two has mainly sailed along the south coast, to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Wight.

In 2007, Sceptre took part in the BCYC Regatta and the RYS Metre Centenary Regatta, both at Cowes; family weeks and weekends were enjoyed, and 5 weekend charters were carried out (Members provide skipper, mate and one crew).

2008 was Sceptre's Golden Jubilee year, and her contribution to sailing history was handsomely acknowledged.  Sir Robin Knox-Johnston very kindly agreed to skipper Sceptre for the Round the Island 2008 race, and it seems he enjoyed the experience at least as much as those fortunate members to be sailing with him!  In July Sceptre's birthday was celebrated at the British Classic Yacht Club's regatta, with a reception held at the Royal Yacht Squadron... "Happy Birthday dear Sceptre!" is still ringing in our ears!

There is always something happening with Sceptre and so much more than one could do alone. Over a period of years most Members find that they have sailed with all their fellow Members at some stage. This has many advantages, we are never short of crew, a constant curse of the cruising man, we get variety of company and we actually learn from each other. There is a special delight in taking friends to an anchorage which you have discovered on previous cruises, and equally so to be shown one too.

With a crew of 7 -10 it is easy sailing, those who do not enjoy changing the foresail in a blow do not need to, those who do not like night sailing can sleep through, and do. There is always someone who actually enjoys cooking or navigating and of course the saloon chatter is always varied with yarns of previous experiences. Such is the companionship that some of us have spent many days without actually going ashore, a true measure of a happy ship!

Sceptre's size, and reputation, makes her a welcome visitor in any anchorage, harbour or marina and as such we always get a good berth. The rarity of needing to use the tender is often welcome by guests, and some Members. Shore parties are as happy as those on board. Few would doubt that a happy meal in some hostelry with sailing friends could be beaten, be it fish and chips or Cordon Bleu. If occasionally space is required and company not needed she is big enough to get out of the way, the forward bunks or foredeck can be quite peaceful, in the right weather.

One way and another those of us who have enjoyed cruising on Sceptre have found nothing quite like it.  Excellent sailing, beautiful scenery and good companionship from like minded friends.  Sceptre is, in sailing terms, all things to all men.