Yachting World DayBoat Week 2026
Published 17:30 on 3 Aug 2026
Yachting World DayBoat Week 2026
There was a record breaking fleet of 38 DayBoats at this year's DayBoat Week held in Poole Harbour under the auspices of Poole Yacht Club. Although the class fleet numbers have been growing, this year's attendance marks the highest for at least 25 years.
7 boats travelled from Bosham and joined others from all parts of the UK plus the overall winners Jack & Nigel Young from Cork. The weather was superb and we all enjoyed a wonderful mix of serious racing, fun races and social events throughout the week. The Bosham competitors were:
- -DB 674 Mark and Sue Ross
- -DB 666 Simon Veysey and Bruce Garratt
- -DB 618 Sarah-Jane Hall with Oscar Davis as crew for the points races and Oliver Pleasance for the long distance race
- -DB 673 Richard and Laura Lewis
- -DB 672 Nigel and Isabelle Russell
- -DB 597 David and Fiona MacFarlane/John McKeand
- -DB 664 Tim and Gerry Wilcock
As well as the points races there were opportunities for crews, ladies and cadets to race for separate prizes. The main 6 race programme was sailed to the north of Brownsea Island in wonderful waters free of mud banks, tide and weed!
The first race on Sunday was sailed in the strongest wind of the week with a steady 20 knots and gusts of 25. The fleet were over enthusiastic resulting in a general recall and a second start under the U flag which unfortunately caught out a number of over eager starters including David Macfarlane.
On the Monday evening, we held the traditional Bosham fleet get-together. This year Nigel and Isabelle hosted a very convivial predinner drinks party on their yacht moored in the club marina, before we all moved onto the Town Quay to enjoy a great meal at a local pub.
On the Tuesday the Long-Distance race was held which is a stand-alone event from the main points series. This year the course took us to all parts of Poole Harbour right up to the entrance of the Wareham River and was sailed in a perfect force 3 breeze.Nigel and Isabelle Russell sailed an exemplary race to win both the race trophy and one for the first couple over the line.
While we were waiting for the wind to fill in on Tuesday there was a highly contested DB rowing race. The rules allowed a 3 crew with 2 oarsmen and a cox. Bosham's entry was made up of Nigel Russell, Tim Wilcock with John McKeand as cox. They set off at a very past pace and led the 12 other boats right up until the final turning mark but still finished a highly credible second.
Prior to the 6th and final points race on Thursday, Bosham were well placed with Nigel and Isabelle 3rd, Tim & Gerry Wilcock 5th and David and Fiona 11th overall. Unfortunately, the final race was run before a steady sea breeze had set in and became a lottery as to where the wind was coming from next! While Nigel and Isabelle managed to hold onto to a highly creditable 3rd place overall both Tm & Gerry and David & Fiona fell foul of the weather gods and both scored their worst races of the week, dropping their overall positions to 9th and 15th respectively, a slightly disappointing end to an otherwise great week.
At the prizegiving held on Thursday evening Nigel & Isabelle were awarded a clutch of trophies for their successes in the Points series and Long distance race, whilst David Macfarlane was awarded the Achievement cup in recognition of his chairmanship of the Association for the past 6 years.
Next year's DayBoat Week is being hosted by Brixham Yacht Club. This is an extremely popular venue for the event and already a number of the Bosham fleet have gone ahead and reserved their accommodation so they must be keen to do it all again!
David Macfarlane
Last updated 17:31 on 3 August 2026
