Haven Combined Clubs Series came into being over the winter of 2018 and the spring of 2019. It was the result of an amalgamation between the mainly river based Combined Clubs Series and the Haven Series that raced mainly out of Harwich Harbour. The resulting fleet was very diverse, family cruisers through to boats with no creature comforts at all, and good turnouts gave validity to the decision to join up.

Since that first season of course there was a pandemic so 2020 did not happen. Since then, numbers have been good although more are always welcome. For 2025, the series is moving the handicapping of boats to the RYA "YTC" system administered by RORC. For entrants to obtain the free rating some measurements of your sails etc. will be required and the committee will be running a session to help with this. As ever, results will also be produced for the IRC rated boats as well. The mix of river, bay and offshore racing has proved popular but the committee are always open to suggestions of change.

Haven Combined Clubs Series has races on twelve weekends throughout the season with some thought being given to the tides. Unfortunately this means that there will be a few clashes with other events up and down the East Coast and beyond, there are simply not enough weekends in the sailing season to avoid this.

The series is self-funding via modest entry fees to cover organisation and trophies. For the 2025 season, again we are fortunate to have two sponsors, Jackson-Stops Estate Agency and Fox’s Yacht Sales, to help with costs and we thank them. Apart from a great sport and pastime yacht racing develops skipper and crew’s skills, provides comradery within the boat and fleet and can even give confidence to less experienced skippers to venture further afield.

My name is Des Cowan and I am in my second year as your Chairman. Some may know me as I have been sailing my Contessa 33 “Eclipse” out of Harwich for 40 years and will again do as many races as possible in 2025. The committee for the series is made up from members of each of the Clubs involved and your views and ideas are always welcome, as to survive the series must develop.

The entry is simple using the on-line system or downloading a paper form. You should read the Notice of Race (NOR) to see the terms under which the racing will take place, safety requirements etc. That just leaves the General Sailing Instructions to digest, if in doubt ask.

Wishing you good sailing in 2025 and I look forward to crossing tacks with you.
 

Des

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Below is the Constitution of the series and more information can be found by following the menu at the top of the page or by contacting myself, the secretary or your club rep on the committee.