The X Class is unique in having six active fleets around the Solent area, between Chichester Harbour in the East and Poole Harbour in the West. In each of the locations a well established local Club manages the racing. Seasons and race programmes vary to meet the requirements of the local membership. Brief details for each location are given below, with links to the local Division and sponsoring Club.
The Cowes Division set sail again in 2008 and has grown from just 3 boats to
22 in 2015. The fire at Medina Yard in January 2016 saw 5 of our fleet
destroyed, a tragic & sad day for all, but the Cowes fleet is made of stern stuff and undeterred has fought back. We have welcomed X105 and X171 (replacing X75 and X52) into the fleet and that brings our numbers to 19 for the 2016 season.
We are fortunate in Cowes to have mooring options for all. The pontoon
berths in Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club are currently home to 14 boats, where
a competitive, collaborative and friendly atmosphere ensues on the dock both pre and post racing, with that days racing debated and discussed over a drink or two each weekend. Alternatively both the Cowes Yacht Haven and the trots are also home to some of our XODs.
The Cowes Division is very active, from late April – October we race each
weekend in the highly competitive Cowes Combined Clubs Association’s
Cowes Solent Series and Cowes Keelboat Championship, providing a mixture
of ‘round the cans’ and windward leeward racing, with a start time on
Saturday of 13:20 hrs and on Sunday and Bank Holidays 12:20 hrs.
The five yacht clubs of Cowes alternate race duties each weekend delivering
a fabulous mix of courses and very keen racing. In addition many of the boats
sail in the Island Sailing Club’s Tuesday night Series between April and August
culminating in a famous Bang and Go Back race complete with fancy dress at the end of August.
Highlights of our season include our regatta, The Telegraph Bowl,
organised by RORC on the weekend before Charles Stanley Classics Week in
July then followed by Cowes Week in early August.
The Class Captain of Cowes is Reg White, X105 Blue Phantom, with Paul Kelsey, X171 Xactly, as Vice Captain. We welcome any visiting XODs and are often joined by other fleets for the Cowes Keelboat Championship weekends, which are committee boat starts often on Bramble Bank. For those who would like to visit for a little longer, you can usually find a berth at Cowes Yacht Haven or a visitors berth at CCYC. Give Reg White a call if you intend to join in with us for any racing.
For all Cowes Keelboat racing contact CCCA Cowes website with daily
rates for single entries.
Tuesday night racing contact www.islandsc.org.uk
Races on Tuesday evenings, Saturday and Sunday afternoons
XOD Contacts:
Mr Reg White:
E-mail: cowesmarinegroup@gmail.com
Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club
39 Birmingham Road
Cowes
Isle of Wight
PO31 7BH
Telephone 01983 296333
X boats have been racing at Itchenor since 1932 and as the class achieves a Century of racing , the XOD Class there remains vibrant, friendly, helpful, competitive and forward looking. XOD racing is organised by Itchenor Sailing Club (ISC) and mostly takes place in Chichester Harbour. In the season, which is between the beginning of April and the end of October, there are over 100 races programmed, on every weekend Saturdays and Sundays and on many Wednesdays too as well as special events.
Fleet size is 38 in the water. During the early and late season the numbers vary between 10-15. By mid-season the numbers are regularly up to 25. XOD owners must be members of ISC where we welcome members who wish to participate in racing whether they be owners of boats or can show that they regularly crew boats.
ISC also runs a racing programme for two other keelboat classes and seven dinghy classes, which all race at weekends as well as having an active and accomplished Cruiser section. For those with children and grand-children there is a strong junior fleet with training provided during the year and which has a dedicated fortnight in late July and early August, when our juniors and others from outside the club attend and enjoy spirited competition together with a fun social programme.
If you would like to know more about sailing an X boat at Itchenor, click here
Poole/Parkstone racing is organised by Parkstone Yacht Club and The Royal Motor Yacht Club and mostly takes place in Poole Harbour. Races are 3 times a week on Saturday and Wednesday afternoons and Monday evenings. The season is between May and September. The Royal Motor Yacht Club holds an autumn series in October and so racing in Poole Harbour takes place from May until October inclusive. Fleet size – approx 20 boats compete with an average turnout of 12 boats and often 15 boats. Visiting boats are very welcome for Poole Week at end of August and October series where moorings or haven berths can be arranged.
XOD owners must be members of Parkstone Yacht Club but crew may visit 7 times a year as guests. Moorings at Parkstone are owned by the Division and available at a reasonable price – moorings are close to both the club and the start platform. The XOD fleet repair to the bar after racing which is always preceded by afternoon tea. Club facilities include racing for cruisers, J24’s and dinghy classes as well as a very active youth section.
To visit the Parkstone XOD Division website click here
Although the Hamble division was credited with being formed in 1928, there are photographs long before that date which show X boat racing in the river Hamble. Racing has been taking place ever since.
The Hamble river sailing club was the founder division club for X boats. The Royal Thames Yacht Club and Royal Southern Yacht Club later became involved with racing.
One of the main strengths of the Hamble division has always been the availability of moorings and today the Hamble fleet have their own XOD pontoon.
2008 was the 80th Anniversary of X boats racing at Hamble River Sailing Club. Hamble division racing is run principally under the Hamble River Sailing Club on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Every month during the racing season there is weekend regatta under the Royal Southern Yacht Club. The season is between mid-April and mid to October, currently there are 26 boats within the division with 22 in the water.
XOD owners must be members of Hamble River Sailing Club or The Royal Southern Yacht Club. The Royal Southern Yacht Club runs a launch service and a crane facility available for members.
Moorings at Hamble are available from Hamble River Sailing Club on their new pontoon or the XOD Hamble Division also has its own pontoon for 16 boats. For those who are members of the Royal Southern Yacht Club there is also an annual ballot for Club moorings.
Hamble host the Central Solent Championships which is a two day open event prior to Cowes Week which attracts boats from other divisions and acts as a very good warm up for Cowes Week.
Feel like finding out some more? Click here
Feel like finding out some more? Click here
Lymington racing is organised by the Royal Lymington Yacht Club and mostly takes place in the Western Solent. Races are held on Saturday and Wednesday afternoons starting at 14.00hrs. from end April to end October.Each year two long races are scheduled one to the east and one to the west. In addition XODs join the Thursday evening Keelboat racing from late April to August. Each season starts at the end of April and finishes at the end of October but with no racing during Cowes Week. Fleet size – for Saturday racing averages 20, maximum 26, Wednesday racing averages 14, maximum 19 and Thursday racing averages 10, maximum 18.
XOD owners must be members of the Royal Lymington Yacht Club or Lymington Town Sailing Club. The Royal Lymington is a large club organising and hosting an extensive range of racing and cruising activities for dinghies, day boats, Cruiser/racers and Match Racing. The Club operates a crane for transferring XODs from their road trailers to and from the river. There are tidal and operational restrictions to this service but it is only available to club members and regatta participants. The club operates a rib service to take crews to the XOD moorings. Moorings fall under the jurisdiction of the Lymington Harbour Commissioners.
To visit the Lymington XOD Division website click here
Yarmouth racing is organised by the Royal Solent Yacht Club, with moorings off the club next to Yarmouth Harbour. The racing takes place in the adjacent western Solent from May to early October. Racing is on Saturday afternoons, Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. The XOD fleet is now 24 boats. There is also a fleet of YODs, which are very similar to the XOD and races are often mixed.
XOD owners must join the RSYC to enter and are very welcome. The club is ideal for island-based sailors.
To visit the Yarmouth XOD Division website click here
