Fleets

There are several 707 fleets around the UK, and there are a few stories of them being sailed elsewhere in the world. The known fleets are shown below. If you believe a fleet has been left off the list, please contact the secretary.

Burnham Fleet

The Burnham 707 fleet numbers are rapidly increasing and currently stands at about 17 boats. There is class racing every weekend throughout the year run jointly from Royal Corinthian and Royal Burnham Yacht Clubs. There is also a hotly contested series on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer months run by the Burnham Sailing Club.  Another very popular series is the Crouch Yacht Club autumn series.

The highlights of the year are the local regattas. Racing starts at Easter with The Royal Corinthian regatta then the Royal Burnham Regatta takes place over the Whitsun weekend and is followed by the Phantom Trophy series run by the Royal Corinthian over 3 separate summer weekends, focusing on offshore and long distance racing. Finally the Joint Clubs Burnham Week commences the August Bank Holiday for 8 days racing.

Racing takes place in the tidal estuary of the River Crouch and the River Roach, and is always close with many mark roundings. Racing is usually in a confined area so a reliable echo sounder is recommended but it's not surprising for visitors to find their boat and sail handling improves drastically when heading flat out at 15 knots towards the shore in 25 knots of breeze!

There are several options to launch and moor your boat. Most 707 owners use one of the local yards, Rice & Coles or the Royal Corinthian to crane in their 707 - This has to be done within 1-2 hours of high water, depending on the tidal range. Swinging moorings adjacent to the yacht clubs are available from Priors, Rice & Coles and the Royal Corinthian YC at very reasonable rates. At the weekends the yacht clubs run a launch service to the moorings to members and visitors.

Burnham Yacht Harbour is slightly up river from the town, and can offer a berth, extensive parking and ashore storage. They operate a travel hoist, which is more expensive but can operate at most states of the tide. For those who launch with a cradle, it also has a good slipway accessible at all times of the day but must be used 2 hours either side of high water.

The Burnham after sailing social scene is legendary. All the clubs and pubs and eateries are within 100 yards of your boat so you will never be far from sharing a beer with another 707'er.

Scarborough Fleet

The Scarborough Fleet of 707's has gone from strength to strength over the past few years. Starting in the 90'swith "Humdinger" Glyn Simpson and "Rocinante" bought and re-named "Sin Bin" by Richard Plowright and Richard Littlewood. New additions has now brought the fleet up to 8, 7 of which regularly competed in the Autumn and Winter series, now we have fleet racing for the 707 fleet. Humdinger has always been the boat to beat, and others such as "Stormchaser" - Tom Patrick (with ex crew of Scarborough Fair, winners of the 2009 Northerns). Tom has won the Autumn series and many trophies this season and is fighting it out with "Humdinger" this weekend for the Winter Series. They also had a fantastic Nationals at Burnham immerging an overall sixth. Well done Tom. "Second Fiddle" - Antony and Jo Dearden, are sailing really well, and one of the most consistent performers - and this year won the overall Sports Boat series in our annual regatta beating the two Melges 24 from Blyth. This year's Regatta will have a 707 fleet. Sam Usher and Tony Owens "Blue Rusher" is now making good progress up the fleet with a balanced crew, good tuning and a Hempel bottom! "Good Day Out" was bought by Rob Humphries and Steve Bramham and is one of the best kept boats in the fleet, also "Shameless" Roger Buxton (ex This is Jeff) is looking really good. Two more SYC members are actively looking to purchase a 707, so when we reach the magic 10 my target will be achieved.

The Nationals planning is coming along fine, and for those of you who have not been to the two previous Northerns in Scarborough, please consider this venue, as the bay for racing is really good with its own harbour-floating 24 hrs and the clubhouse and other venues planned, such as the Hog Roast and 70's band aboard "The Hatherleigh" ( ex Pindar Racing support vessel) will be widely enjoyed. Hopefully the numbers will be good and I will be really interested in the results if all the leading boats appear to do battle. Look forward to seeing you there.

Richard Littlewood (Sin Bin)

Solent Fleet

Over the last few seasons the 707 activity in the Solent has declined to the extent that they no longer get there own starts at the major regattas. There are still a hardcore of boats sailing out of The Royal Southern Yacht Club and a few dotted around the other Solent clubs.

A small 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.

Berthing

Hamble Yacht Services 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).

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

Around a dozen boats, including many of the most active, are based at the Royal Southern YC 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 Hamble Point Marina; this is apparently the modus operandi of some Melges 24's, many of which tend to travel to events rather than being club-based.

Scotland Fleet

The Scottish 707 fleet has grown rapidly in the last couple of years, particularly in the Firth of Forth which is now home to around 17 boats.

There is racing throughout the year at the Royal Forth (RFYC) and at Port Edgar Yacht Club (PEYC), with class starts for 707s in all open regattas.

Royal Forth Yacht Club

Only 10 minutes from the centre of the city Royal Forth Yacht Club is Edinburgh's longest established sailing club. RFYC enjoys a dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh castle, and has access straight on to wide open water, perfect for racing or for a cruise on the Forth.

Middle Pier, Granton Harbour, Edinburgh, EH5 1HF
Office +44 (0) 131 552 8560
Club House and Bar +44 (0) 131 552 3006

Port Edgar Yacht Club

PEYC is situated in South Queensferry, and 10 miles West of Edinburgh, beside the dramatic sights of the Forth Road and Rail Bridges.

Port Edgar Yacht Club, Port Edgar Marina, South Queensferry, EH30 9SQ

If you know of any other Scottish Clubs with a 707 contingent please contact simon.peakman@blueyonder.co.uk