The Island's Official Tourism Website
- Accessibility
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
- Slow Travel Guide
- Day trip Ideas
Monkey Haven
Sandham Gardens
The Needles Landmark Attraction
Tapnell Farm Park
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
- Family Friendly
- Theme Parks
- Zoos & Animals
- Parks & Gardens
- Fossils & Dinosaurs
- Arts & Crafts
- Horse Riding
- Water Sports
- Eco-friendly activities
- May Half Term
October Half Term
- All Year Round
- Things to do for adults
- Rainy Day Ideas
- Tours & Sightseeing
- Themed trails
- Special Offers
Ferry discounts with accommodation
Luccombe Hall Hotel
- Haven Hall Hotel
Luccombe Manor
- The Clifton
- The Havelock
- Self Catering Agencies
- Classic Cottages
- Luccombe Villa Holiday Apartments
- Wight Coast Holidays
- Holiday Cottages & Houses
- Holiday Apartments
- Holiday Chalets & Lodges
- Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park
- The Orchards Holiday Caravan & Camping Park
- Old Mill Holiday Park
- Tapnell Farm Holiday Destination
- Unique Places To Stay
- Luxury Accommodation
- Dog Friendly Accommodation on Isle of Wight
- Sustainable stays
- Cycle Friendly Accommodation
- October Half Term Events
Ghost Tales at Carisbrooke Castle
Chilly Hilly
- Christmas Events
- Jazz Weekend
- Literary Festival
Isle of Wight Walking Festival
- Isle of Wight Dog Festival 2025
- Isle of Wight Festival 2025
- Music Venues
- Bonfires & Fireworks
- Bistros & Restaurants
- Pubs & Bars
- Cafes & Tearooms
- Farm Kitchens & Shops
- Local Produce
- Short Breaks
Family Holidays
- Cowes & East Cowes
- Dog Friendly
- Green travel
- Green Tourism Award
- Local produce
- 10 tips for a sustainable holiday
- Itineraries
- Accommodation
- Attractions & activities
- Group travel guide
- Schools groups
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Isle of Wight National Landscape (AONB)
- Isle of Wight Landmarks
- Wight in Bloom 2024 - Garden Awards
- Weddings & Celebrations
- Isle of Wight Videos
- Love Where You Live
- Bus / Coach
- Money saving tips for ferry travel
- Green Travel
- Electric vehicle charging points
- Accessible Isle of Wight
- Groups & Travel Trade
- Maps & Guides
- Tourist parking permits & car parks
- Tourist Information Points
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Travel The Wight Way
- Ferry & travel offers
- Last minute offers
- Short break offers
- Hotel & B&B offers
- Self catering offers
- Things to do offers
- Walking Festival offers
- Food & drink offers
- Christmas & New Year offers
- Competitions
- Be Inspired
like, follow, share....join in!
You are here > Home > Things To Do > Cowes Yacht Haven Ltd
Cowes Yacht Haven Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)1983 299975
Visit Website
Cowes Yacht Haven is a world-class marina based in the heart of Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Its town centre location allows for easy access to a high street full of pubs, restaurants and shops within seconds. The Yacht Haven offers 260 fully-serviced berths, free wireless broadband, on-site engineers, electricians and boat repairers, should anything go wrong. The boatyard has a 30-ton hoist and a 15-ton mobile crane to make easy work of lifting and launching any of the boats in our 3000 sq/m dry sail space. Our friendly team will be on-hand to make your stay special from start to finish – from welcoming you at the pontoons, to helping you explore the Island. Often regarded as the sailing capital of the world, Cowes plays host to the annual Cowes Week and many other international regattas. Cowes Yacht Haven becomes the hub of these regattas, treating visitors to entertainment, bars and more. Cowes Yacht Haven is your gateway to the Solent and the Isle of Wight – the perfect destination for any time of year. Known for its amazing beaches and beautiful scenery, this unique Island offers fun for all the family, with festivals and events every month of the year. With a wealth of berthing space, excellent facilities and a large capacity events centre, Cowes Yacht Haven is the ideal base for any regatta. We have years of experience in holding world-class regattas and on-water events, and our highly experienced events team will work with you to tailor the perfect events package.
Prices for the many Cowes Yacht Haven services are available on request.
Book Tickets
Map & directions.
Click here to view map
Road Directions
From East Cowes ferry, second exit at roundabout onto Well Road, turn right onto York Avenue and straight onto ferry road to the floating bridge to West Cowes.
From Fishbourne ferry, B3339 (Fishbourne lane), A3054 to Newport, A3020 to West Cowes.
From Yarmouth ferry, A3054 to Newport, A3020 to West Cowes.
Public Transport Directions
For bus information please visit the Southern Vectis website - www.islandbuses.info/
TripAdvisor
Opening times.
Open Christmas |
---|
Open New Year |
---|
Open (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024) |
---|
Cowes Yacht Haven Ltd , Cowes
What's Nearby
East Cowes Beach
East Cowes Beach is a quiet shingle and sand beach with fantastic views across West Cowes…
Cowes Beach
Cowes Beach is a short pebble and shell covered beach to the west of the town front or…
Step into Queen Victoria’s favourite country home and experience a world unchanged since…
Gurnard Beach
Gurnard Beach is a quaint traditional, pebble and shingle beach, within walking distance…
Whooping gibbons, mischievous monkeys, amazing owls and the naughtiest Meerkats ever!…
Southern Vectis - Days Out and Open Tops
SOUTHERN VECTIS APP
Download the Southern Vectis app when you visit to receive the…
Carisbrooke Castle
Visit Carisbrooke Castle and enjoy over 800 years of history!
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Inspiring, surprising and award-winning… Equally appealing to adults and families, your…
The beaches at Ryde lie on the north east coast of the Isle of Wight and offer miles and…
Goodleaf Tree Climbing
A unique, unusual adventure activity that takes you into the canopy of a mature oak tree.…
Wight Karting
Motorsport for the young, old, and everyone in-between on the Isle of Wight: all-weather,…
Springvale Beach
Springvale Beach stretches from Puckpool to Seaview on the north coast of the Isle of…
West Wight Alpacas and Llamas
'Discover this hidden gem nestled in the tranquil countryside of the West Wight…
Seagrove Beach
Seagrove Bay sits between Seaview beach and Priory Bay on the north east coast and boasts…
Surrounded by amazing countryside and sea views, this all-weather attraction has a wide…
Isle of Wight Aqua Park
The Isle of Wight’s only outdoor floating Aqua Park is at Tapnell Farm.
Search What's Nearby
The Isle of Wight is a hub of activity all year round. Subscribe to our newsletter here to receive our latest stories, holiday or short break ideas, competitions and interesting events.
Download our guide or order now.
thanks again.
- INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS WEBSITE
- ADVERTISE WITH US
- THE WIGHT BID
- Accessibility Statement
- Privacy Notice
- Cookie Policy
- Enewsletter Sign Up
- Submit Event
- Terms and Conditions
- Attractions
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Self Catering
- Holiday Parks
- Entertainment
- Eco-friendly & Sustainable
- Group Friendly Ideas
- Coast & Country
- Getting Here
Isle of Wight Ferries
- Getting Around
- Driving on the Isle of Wight
Copyright © 2024 Visit Isle of Wight Ltd. All Rights Reserved
Isle of Wight Pearl
Dog friendly
Eco-friendly & sustainable
Group friendly ideas
Information on all the ferry options available to the Isle of Wight from mainland UK
Electric Vehicle Charging Points
- Member login
- Privacy Policy
- News & Events
Cowes Yacht Haven
Cowes Yacht Haven is a world-class marina based in the heart of Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Its town centre location allows for easy access to a high street full of pubs, restaurants and shops within seconds.
The Yacht Haven offers 260 fully-serviced berths, free wireless broadband, on-site engineers, electricians and boat repairers, should anything go wrong. The boatyard has a 50-ton hoist, 25-ton boat mover and a 15-ton mobile crane to make easy work of lifting and launching any of the boats in our 3000 sq/m dry sail space. Our friendly team will be on-hand to make your stay special from start to finish – from welcoming you at the pontoons, to helping you explore the Island.
Often regarded as the sailing capital of the world, Cowes plays host to the annual Cowes Week and many other international regattas. Cowes Yacht Haven becomes the hub of these regattas, treating visitors to entertainment, bars and more.
Cowes Yacht Haven is your gateway to the Solent and the Isle of Wight – the perfect destination for any time of year. Known for its amazing beaches and beautiful scenery, this unique Island offers fun for all the family, with festivals and events every month of the year.
With a wealth of berthing space, excellent facilities and a large capacity events centre, Cowes Yacht Haven is the ideal base for any regatta. We have years of experience in holding world-class regattas and on-water events, and our highly experienced events team will work with you to tailor the perfect events package.
- Download Site Map Section
- Download useful information sheet for new arrivals
Related Listing
Emsworth Yacht Harbour
Emsworth Yacht Harbour is a family-owned marina located at the northern end of Chichester Harbour in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is a short walk into the village of Emsworth which has a range of independent shops, restaurants read more
Fox’s Marina & Boatyard
Fox’s Marina & Boatyard is a friendly, independently owned marina on one of the UK’s most beautiful rivers, the River Orwell, on the outskirts of Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk.
Located in a sheltered Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Fox’s read more
Poole Quay Boat Haven
Voted TYHA Marina of the Year on three occasions in recent years, Poole Quay Boat Haven & Port of Poole Marina are both perfectly positioned to offer a base with which to explore Poole Harbour and its surrounding areas. Poole read more
Address: Cowes Yacht Haven Ltd, Vectis Yard, High Street, Cowes Isle of Wight, PO31 7BD
Time: Summer: Sunday-Tuesday 0600hrs-2200hrs / Wednesday-Saturday: 0600hrs-0130hrs
Phone: Tel: +44 (0) 1983 299975 Fax: +44 (0) 1983 200332
Add to Favorites
Send To Friend
Inquiry for cowes yacht haven, sign up for our newsletter.
Enter your email below to receive TransEurope’s newsletter. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the Unsubscribe link at the foot of each newsletter. We treat your information with respect. Please refer to our Privacy Policy or contact us for more details. By clicking below, you agree to our processing your information in accordance with these terms.
TransEurope Marinas
An expanding group of select marinas offering reciprocal berthing arrangements for their berth-holders across Europe.
Discounted berthing for members from Europe’s most extensive marina network
TransEurope elsewhere
© 2024 TransEurope Marinas - site by rays
- Privacy Overview
- Strictly Necessary Cookies
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
More information about our Privacy Policy
Cowes Yacht Haven
The perfect location for your business and leisure activities.
Centrally located, visitors have instant access to Cowes town centre, the Parade, with its range of Yacht Clubs, including the historic Royal Yacht Squadron, and beautiful Northwood Park, with its tennis courts, and pleasant walks.
Home to regattas such as Cowes Week, The Little Britain Challenge Cup, Commodore's Cup and the Swan Regatta, Cowes Yacht Haven remains one of the most popular sailing destinations in the Solent and along the South Coast.
What is it?
It's a yacht marina with lots of facilities. Not so much of a tourist destination but somewhere for visiting sailors to moor up and use as a gateway into the Island.
Where is it?
It's in Cowes on the northern tip of the Island.
Telephone: +44 (0)1983 299975
For your Sat Nav: Cowes Yacht Haven, Vectis Yard, High Street, Cowes PO31 7BD
Is it free?
Website link.
Vist Website
Book your Isle of Wight holiday today
Book Now...
- Career Advice
- Salary Guide
- Digital Dockwalk
Cowes Yacht Haven
Specifications
Berthing facilities.
- Max draught 4 m
- Max length 48 m
- Electricity
- Fresh Water
Superyacht Marinas
Cowes yacht haven.
Vectis Yard, High Street Cowes PO31 7BD United Kingdom
Contact Information
- Telephone : +44 1983 299975
- Email : [email protected]
Emergency Numbers
Photo credit: marina website
Latitude & Longitude:
50.7614072 -1.2981502
Berth Sizes
- Max Draft :
Berths Available
- Berths (Under 24m) : Total Berths: 250
- Berths (24-30m) :
- Berths (Over 30m) :
View Marina Plan »
Water Electricity Fuel Dock & Truck Delivery WiFi Showers Laundry Facilities Shipyard/Hauling Chandlery
Airport : 55km includes a Ferry/boat to Bournemouth Airport Airfield : - Helipad : -
General Information & Marina Services
Cowes Yacht Haven represents the heart of the sailing world in Cowes. Whether you are looking to berth your boat or entertain corporate clients in a unique setting, Cowes Yacht Haven has it all.Centrally located, visitors have instant access to Cowes town centre, the Parade, with its range of Yacht Clubs, including the historic Royal Yacht Squadron, and beautiful Northwood Park, with its tennis courts, and pleasant walks.
Search articles with keywords
- Competitions
- British Yachting Awards
- Southampton Boat Show
- Print Subscription
- Digital Subscription
- Single Issues
- Advertise with us
Your special offer
Subscribe to Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting today!
Save 32% on the shop price when to subscribe for a year at just £39.95
Subscribe to Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting!
Save 32% on the shop price when you subscribe for a year at just £39.95
Cowes Yacht Haven
Cowes is the most famous keelboat destination in the uk, if not the world. so, in the summer months, it bristles with carbon-fibre speedsters a-yelling and a-hollering. but it also offers cruising sailors one of the south’s best-sheltered marinas..
Cowes allows exceedingly easy access to a whole array of wonderful south-coast cruising. Not to mention fine sightseeing on the island itself – from the jagged Needles in the west to the splendours of Osborne House, golden beaches and tranquil waterside eating, drinking and walking. The Yacht Haven boasts a very efficient staff who endeavour to make space for every visitor, no matter the time of year, or how busy it may be. Rather uniquely in marina terms, though, early booking requires a deposit and it is best to book in advance, but the Haven offers a full refund of this deposit, provided you cancel before midday of your booking.
Gull’s Eye guide – Sailing Today: Cowes Yacht Haven from Classic Yacht TV on Vimeo .
Cowes entrance / The Medina
There is plenty of room in the Medina close to the western side, but beware that the Red Jet, fast cat races along at 20 knots, so consider holding station outside the river if it is approaching
The set-up here could not be more visitor friendly. Early booking requires a deposit and it is best to book in advance, but the Haven offers a full refund of this deposit, provided you cancel before midday of your booking
Regatta central
The odd thing about Cowes is, for all the revelry taking place during the summer months on the High St, walk two roads away and there is barely a soul around
Cruising the Island
There are fantastic cruising grounds on offer throughout the Solent and round the Island itself (see our cruising guide to the Isle of Wight in July 2014's Sailing Today) including the natural surroundings of West Wight, where Alum Bay and the Needles are two iconic spots
During the regatta season a great spot to watch the racing action is from the green to the east of Cowes, where racing yachts skim close to the sure, making the most of the tidal relief by the shore
Stepping ashore
Cowes offers a range of restaurants, pubs and eateries that belies its size. During regattas, the High Street is full of sailors having spilled from the pubs enthusiastically chatting about some recent racing success
info heading
info content
RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR
Anchorages In Brittany: Guide to Finding Peaceful Anchoring Spots
Marinas in Normandy, France: Portbail Sur Mer
Normandy Marinas: A Guided Tour of Carteret
Offering a wealth of practical advice and a dynamic mix of in-depth boat, gear and equipment news, Sailing Today is written cover to cover by sailors, for sailors. Since its launch in 1997, the magazine has sealed its reputation for essential sailing information and advice.
- Telegraph.co.uk
ADVERTISING
© 2024 Chelsea Magazine Company , part of the Telegraph Media Group . | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy
- About the SA Forum
- Join the Forum
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- View All Listings
- Submit a Photo
- Submit an Article
- Contact the Site Administrator
- Contact the editor
hammer and sickle
I was invited to sail on board Fazisi for the first leg of the race from England to Uruguay and arrived in Southampton on the eve of the start to see the Soviet crew still bolting down bits of deck hardware. A few days earlier they installed a new keel and things were in a bit of a shambles. The following morning we left the dock; Skip Novak and myself the two veterans, along with 14 Soviets with little sailing experience and even less grasp on the english language. The London bookmakers had given us 100:1 odds we wouldn’t make the start line let alone the finish line, but we proved them wrong by crossing the start in second place.
Fazisi was unlike any of the other boats in our class. Where Steinlager, the eventual winner, piled massive amounts of sail area onto a huge, heavy boat, Fazisi was narrow, easily driven with a low freeboard, low wetted surface and minimal sail area. The two boats side by side could not have been any more different, but despite the low budget, inexperienced crew and a barely tested boat Fazisi performed extraordinarily well. We finished 6th in Uruguay beating out 9 other well funded experienced teams.
Fast forward two-plus decades and Vlad is back with an equally revolutionary boat; SpeedDream. This time there is no Soviet flag, but the boat is sure to turn heads and draw a crowd next week when it makes it’s European debut during Cowes Week. “When we arrived all those years ago with Fazisi we were thrilled and excited by the response of the western world to our ‘behind the iron curtain’ project,” said Vlad. “The support was overwhelming and we really made a huge impact with the boat. Yandex-SpeedDream is nowhere near as big as Fazisi, but the boat is so unique, innovative, and sexy looking that I think she will make as big an impact, capturing just as many hearts as Fazisi did.”
Yandex-SpeedDream will be based on the Isle of Wight at Cowes Yacht Haven and will be demo-sailing during Cowes Week. The skipper is world-renowned sailor Cam Lewis who was the only American on board Commodore Explorer when they became the first boat in history to circumnavigate the world in less than 80 days. SpeedDream’s co-skipper in Cowes is none other than “Kuli” Kulinichenko, one of the amateur Soviet sailors on board Fazisi for the Whitbread all those years ago. He has since gone on to be recognized as one of the best and most versatile offshore sailors in the world. His English, by the way, is now very good. To return to the Solent along with Vlad and Kuli and an exciting new design is indeed a thrill. It’s going to be fun to rip it up on the Solent knowing that we may all be a little bit older but that does not stop us from innovating and bringing new ideas to sailing. – Brian Hancock.
You Might Also Like
Ask the champ.
happy monday?
the good, the bad, the ugly
cue up the fat lady
After 19 years in publication, Sailing Anarchy has remained true to its roots as a community oriented, edgy sailing publisher. We have long been, and will continue to be, the leader in providing inside stories, great reports from around the globe, along with the informative, snarky, profane coverage that you have come to expect. Others come and go, dilly dally with bullshit, while we remain Anarchists to the core.
Copyright 2010-2022 Sailing Anarchy, Inc.
- America’s Cup Updates
- Southampton Boat Show
- British Yachting Awards
- Print Subscription
- Digital Subscription
- Single Issues
Your special offer
Skip Novak: Real life legend
Louay Habib caught up with Skip Novak during the Legends Regatta to discover tales of races past, races present, and life after the Volvo
In 1981, Raiders of the Lost Ark became one of the top-grossing films ever made with a box office success of over $384 million. Four years earlier, a real-life Indiana Jones sailed to England from the United States, looking for adventure. And ever since, Skip Novak has lived a fascinating life, racing in four round the world races and pursuing his passion for exploration in the remotest corners of the earth. Skip travelled over 7,000 miles to get to Alicante for the Volvo Legends Regatta, including hitching a ride on a ship from South Georgia Island to Argentina and then arriving by air just in time to make the reunion. Did you specifically come to Europe in 1977 to take part in the Whitbread Round the World Race?
‘In 1976, we didn’t really know about the race in the States. I was amazed by the forthcoming 1977 Whitbread Round the World Race and over a few beers in Cowes with the skipper, Hans Savimaki, I landed the navigator’s berth on “King’s Legend”. That is how it was done in those days. There was no psychological testing and physical examination, I just got signed up and we went out to gather the crew in the same fashion. It was very casual and haphazard.’
In 1977, the navigator’s role was very different to the world of hi-tech systems and tactical awareness today.
‘It was all done by celestial navigation. That was the state of the art. We had some basic hyperbole navigation systems inshore, like Decca, but once you went offshore it was all celestial, something that I had grown up with. I did my first transatlantic in 1972 and I feel very privileged to have caught the end of the era of navigating by the sun, the moon and the stars.
But 90 per cent of navigating in those days was finding out where in the hell you were. The tactics about where to go were obviously important but the boats were so slow that the weather passed over you, one front after another and you had no idea what was coming. Today these Volvo 70s manipulate the weather – they know what is coming and are fast enough to ride a front.
‘I can remember navigating into Cape Horn having had no sight for seven days and getting a bit panicky about where we were. I eventually got a sight and found that we were 60 miles to the north-east of our dead reckoning, and coming into landfall on the Chilean coast. In those days, the excitement of rounding The Horn was amazing, even more so because you had actually found it.’
‘King’s Legend’ had a great race coming a very close second to ‘Flyer’ in the 1977 Whitbread Round the World Race. Novak admits that a blunder in the Southern Ocean cost them the win, however, he was well and truly hooked on the race and returned in 1981 with ‘Alaska Eagle’. But things did not go well, right from the start.
‘The boat was a dog. Three days into the race, we knew we couldn’t win and we realised we would be operating under that psychological pressure for months to come. The whole ambience on board was not good. I had come into the project late but the preparation had not gone well and I ended up skippering the boat after the first leg. The owner left the boat totally disappointed with the boat’s performance. It was terrible.’
Fame and fortune
The following edition, Skip Novak skippered ‘Drum’ with the world famous rock star, Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran, on board. ‘Drum’ came third in the Maxis, behind ‘UBS’ and ‘Lion’, both revolutionary designs from Bruce Farr.
‘The Farr boats were much faster than us in a straight line but we had a great crew, the likes of Magnus Olsson, Roger Nilson and Phil Wade. I believe at most times we sailed better than them but we had a slower boat. Simon was only interested in racing one of the largest boats and therefore we had to buy an existing Maxi, because it was too late to build one. We found “Colt Cars”, an unfinished Maxi, which was just a shell and a structure and got to work.
‘Sure, we had girls chasing the boat, newspapers the whole deal. It was great to have such attention but also with Simon in the limelight, a lot of heat was taken off me, leaving me free to run the mechanics of the boat. I had enough girls chasing me to satisfy myself, I am not that greedy! But you know, it was almost like Mbeki and Mandela in South Africa. Mandela was the figurehead but Mbeki did all the work. ‘“Drum” and also the all-girl crew on “Maiden” launched the 1985 race into the wider press. When we lost the keel on “Drum” in the 1985 Fastnet, it was in the mainstream press. Rick Tomlinson was on board photographing sailing in a way that it had never been shot before. It was news beyond yachting press and all of these factors combined to ramp up sponsorship for subsequent races.’
In 1989, Skip Novak was the skipper of the first ever Russian entry in the round the world race. The crew of ‘Fazisi’ was made up of five different Soviet nationalities and the team was formed in the year that major changes were afoot in the Soviet Union. Before the start of the race the world witnessed the beginning of the fall of Communism, and by the end of it most of the communist regimes had been overthrown.
Subscribe to Yachts & Yachting
Keep up with the latest developments in all aspects of sailing with Yachts & Yachting , essential reading for anyone who is serious about sailing. Save up to £33 when you subscribe and never miss an issue Choose from our Print, Digital and iPad editions
‘In those days just before Perestroika, the source of the funds for “Fazisi” was pretty murky. I never knew where the money came from. All of a sudden it would arrive, sometimes in a brown paper bag. The boat was built in Georgia and initially I was invited out to train the crew. But the boat was still just a shell with nothing inside except the engine – no mast, rudder or keel. It was just six months before the start of the race and I told them that to have any chance of finishing the boat they would need to get it to England. But at the time, I felt it was a lost cause.
‘The next thing I heard was that they were going to fly the boat in using an Antonov 124 the largest cargo airplane in the world and I headed back out to Georgia. The trip was extraordinary: a barge to the Ukraine then a truck to a local airport. The plane took the 80ft boat and a 20ft container loaded with Russian kit and food. We even had tins of cabbage and sausages hanging up in there! It was all the stuff that the guys would live off in Hamble. On top of that, the 18 crew and myself got in. But there were no proper seats, everyone was sitting around a table, not even strapped in.
‘We flew to Moscow because the crew still needed their passports.
There was a lot of bureaucracy trying to screw things up and we waited in stifling heat until the passports arrived and then we flew into London. We had sponsorship from Pepsi that summer, but before the race started they got too nervous about supporting what was still a “Soviet” project and stopped the sponsorship. But a week before the start, money arrived from an unknown source and we managed to pay off our debts, literally in cash.
‘We struggled for funds all the way around the world and a lot of shit happened. It was a very stressful project but a fascinating cultural experience for me, looking back it was quite tough but a fantastic encounter.’
High latitude exploration
Whilst Skip is best known for his sailing exploits he has been a keen mountaineer for many years and wishing to combine this passion with sailing he built the expedition yacht ‘Pelagic’ in 1987 and has spent every season since in Antarctic waters. Skip continued to race and became fascinated with multihull racing. In 2001, he was co-skipper with Loick Peyron for The Race on the 112ft catamaran, ‘Innovation Explorer’, completing a lap of the planet in less than 65 days. But over the past 23 years, Skip has led high latitude sailing expeditions.
‘From very early on, sailing in the Southern Ocean, passing by places and getting glimpses of Cape Horn, I wondered what the land was like and promised myself that I would go there someday. But you need time to visit these places. In the late 80s it was the pioneering days of sailing small boats in high latitudes. It is an amazing environment and I love it every time I do it and there are still places I haven’t seen. It is such a complex area and we have taken a lot of people down there over the last 23 years – not just tourists but as logistical support for divers, climbers, kayak expeditions and film makers.
‘Nowadays Antarctic tourism has exploded. Last year there were 87 boats on the Antarctic Peninsula; in 1988 there were two. Of course, by publicising our operation I helped create the problem, or situation, however you judge it. But I like to think that people who come on our boat have really experienced a true expedition.
‘We don’t force the issue but the ethos on board is full participation to your ability and that means sailing the boat, standing watches, cooking and cleaning. A big part of what we do is uncertain: we don’t know if we can follow the planned itinerary. Everybody has to go in with their eyes open, it is all part of the experience, you don’t really know what the next chapter will be.’
Find more sailing legends in every issue of Yachts & Yachting. Click here to subscribe to Yachts & Yachting.
RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR
Scottish Marina Celebrates 40 Years: Largs Yacht Haven
Chartering in Greece: Three Greecy Areas
RNLI named as the Official Charity for Round the Island Race 2024
Yachts & Yachting is the leading performance sailing magazine, covering every aspect of the racing scene, from dinghies to keelboats. Our insightful features and stunning photography bring you the inside track on the world’s most exciting regattas together with advice and inspiration from the very best sailors, coaches and industry experts.
- News & Events
- Sailing Techniques
- Event Spotlight
ADVERTISING
© 2024 Chelsea Magazine Company, part of the Telegraph Media Group | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy
01983 299975
[email protected], contact cowes yacht haven.
Cowes Yacht Haven, Vectis Yard, High Street, Cowes Isle of Wight, PO31 7BD
Phone: +44 (0)1983 299975 VHF: Channel 80 – Call Sign ‘Cowes Yacht Haven’ E: [email protected] – All general enquiries E: [email protected] – Marina bookings and enquiries E: [email protected] – Boatyard work and enquiries E: [email protected] – Event Centre bookings and enquiries E: [email protected] – Accounts and Finance enquiries
Pontoon View Bar & Food table bookings Phone 01983 242800
© Cowes Yacht Haven - All rights reserved
Made with ❤ By PC Consultants
COMMENTS
Cowes Yacht Haven is the heart of the sailing world in Cowes, offering 260 fully serviced berths, lift and launch services, and events centre. It is centrally located near Cowes town centre, yacht clubs, and Northwood Park.
Cowes Yacht Haven is a 5 Gold Anchor Marina in Cowes Town, Isle of Wight. Find out how to prebook a berth, check in and out, and pay for electricity and winter berthing.
Cowes Yacht Haven welcomes visiting yachts for short and long term berthing in the heart of Cowes. Find out how to pre-book, contact, fuel, and explore the Isle of Wight from the marina.
Cowes Yacht Haven, Cowes, Isle Of Wight, United Kingdom. 5,268 likes · 24 talking about this · 43,941 were here. Unique event-based marina on the Isle of Wight, with berthing for up to 260 boats and...
Cowes Yacht Haven offers 260 berths, free wireless broadband, and boat repair services in the heart of Cowes. It is the hub of the annual Cowes Week and other international regattas, and a gateway to the Isle of Wight's beaches and scenery.
Cowes Yacht Haven is a world-class marina in the heart of Cowes, offering 260 berths, free wireless broadband and boatyard services. It is the hub of the annual Cowes Week and other international regattas, and a gateway to the Solent and the Isle of Wight.
It's in Cowes on the northern tip of the Island. Telephone: +44 (0)1983 299975. For your Sat Nav: Cowes Yacht Haven, Vectis Yard, High Street, Cowes PO31 7BD.
Cowes Yacht Haven. Vectis Yard, High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7BD, England. www.cowesyachthaven.com. Northern Europe. United Kingdom. Home to regattas such as Cowes Week, Yacht Haven welcomes owners for long- and short-term berthing. Latitude. 50° 45′ 40.7″ N. Longitude. 1° 17′ 44.4″ W.
Cowes Yacht Haven 116B High Street Vectis Yard, Cowes PO31 7AX England. Reach out directly. Visit website Call Email. Full view. Best nearby. Restaurants. 97 within 3 miles. Call It What You Want. 217. 0.2 mi $$ - $$$ • American • Cajun & Creole • Vegetarian Friendly. Harbour Kitchen. 468.
Cowes Yacht Haven 116B High Street Vectis Yard, Cowes PO31 7AX England. Reach out directly. Visit website Call Email. Full view. Best nearby. Restaurants. 96 within 5 kms. Call It What You Want. 217. 0.3 km $$ - $$$ • American • Cajun & Creole • Vegetarian friendly. Number 3. 360.
Cowes Yacht Haven is the largest marina in Cowes, serving the Solent, South Coast and the Isle of Wight. It offers berthing, boatyard, shopping and entertainment services, as well as hosting Cowes Week and other events.
Cowes Yacht Haven, Cowes, GB, United Kingdom Marina. Find marina reviews, phone number, boat and yacht docks, slips, and moorings for rent at Cowes Yacht Haven.
Cowes Yacht Haven represents the heart of the sailing world in Cowes. Whether you are looking to berth your boat or entertain corporate clients in a unique setting, Cowes Yacht Haven has it all.Centrally located, visitors have instant access to Cowes town centre, the Parade, with its range of Yacht Clubs, including the historic Royal Yacht ...
May 29, 2014. Cowes is the most famous keelboat destination in the UK, if not the world. So, in the summer months, it bristles with carbon-fibre speedsters a-yelling and a-hollering. But it also offers cruising sailors one of the south's best-sheltered marinas. Cowes allows exceedingly easy access to a whole array of wonderful south-coast ...
Cowes Yacht Haven is happy to accept overnight and short stay visits into the Marina. Overnight visits A limited number of berths are available to pre book by contacting the marina office via telephone 01983 299975 or [email protected] . Short visits The remainder of our visitor berths will be allocated on arrival, on a first come first serve basis. . Please call our berthing team on VHF Ch80 ...
Yandex-SpeedDream will be based on the Isle of Wight at Cowes Yacht Haven and will be demo-sailing during Cowes Week. The skipper is world-renowned sailor Cam Lewis who was the only American on board Commodore Explorer when they became the first boat in history to circumnavigate the world in less than 80 days. SpeedDream's co-skipper in Cowes ...
New Years Eve. Date & time. Sat Dec 31 2022 at 07:30 pm to Sun Jan 01 2023 at 01:00 am. Cowes Yacht Haven | Cowes, EN. Event Location. Explore more by tags. Let's share with frien
Cowes Yacht Haven 116B High Street Vectis Yard, Cowes PO31 7AX England. Reach out directly. Visit website. Call. Email. Full view. Best nearby. Restaurants. 97 within 5 kms.
If you have any queries during your stay at Cowes Yacht Haven, our staff are on hand to assist you. We work hard to provide customers with a first class service at value-for-money prices. The marina office is open 7 days a week, 364 days a year (closed Christmas Day). Call now to take advantage of our marina services: +44 (0)1983 299975. Berthing.
In 1981, Raiders of the Lost Ark became one of the top-grossing films ever made with a box office success of over $384 million. Four years earlier, a real-life Indiana Jones sailed to England from the United States, looking for adventure. And ever since, Skip Novak has lived a fascinating life, racing in four round the world races and pursuing ...
MEMBER LOGIN. AMERICA'S CUP. On March 17th 2021, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, on behalf of the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand, accepted the Notice of Challenge for th
E: [email protected] - Accounts and Finance enquiries. Pontoon View Bar & Food table bookings Phone 01983 242800. Cowes Yacht Haven is located in the heart of the sailing world in Cowes. Whether you are looking to berth your boat, lift out for maintenance or entertain regatta clients in a unique setting, Cowes Yacht Haven has it all.