Dinghy Cruising at Dell Quay
Published 17:40 on 10 May 2026
Dinghy Cruising at Dell Quay .. means Dinghy exploring, adventures, trails and sailing!
For some its Dame Ellen McArthur or Sir Robin Knox-Johnson. For others Arthur Ransome - Swallows & Amazons and the romance of childhood adventure.
Whatever your inspiration, however you came to own a water craft or want to be in one, at Dell Quay SC the aim is simple: get on the water!
Whether its a paddle board, something with oars, a dinghy with a sail, or a craft that suggests you might actually know what you're doing; fast or slow, sleek or stubborn, the water is the place to be.
For many years, there has been a Dinghy Cruising group at our sailing club. This group has gathered together several times a year to head out on passages to various points around Chichester Harbour: Itchenor, Bosham, East Head. Even Emsworth and Hayling Island are within reach for sailors setting out from Dell Quay and returning in the same day (with favourable tides).
And there are other, truly intrepid sailors who set out from DQ for other ports further afield and overnight stays.
Sailing in this way offers the pleasure of the planning (and anticipation) of the voyage ahead.
- Where are we going?
- What is the weather forecast and which one do you trust?
- What do the tides look like?
- What will the wind do - and when?
- Will it drop leaving sailors stranded, contemplating turning their sailing boat into a canoe or rowing boat?
- Who is coming with me - crew or passenger?
- And of course, whats in my picnic?
Through the Dinghy Cruising group, we want to people to get out on the water and enjoy the excitement and adventure of setting off on a voyage. To navigate their own craft or crew with others. To gain confidence in planning passages and sailing in a range of conditions. And to do this with a sense of fun, with like-minded people, exploring the beautiful Harbour safe in the knowledge that you are part of a fleet with the reassuring presence of the mother duck safety boat never far away!
It is important, at this point, to acknowledge the clubs commitment to this group. It means that we benefit from the support of the committee as well as the allocation of safety boat crews for events who, in turn, enjoy the chance to venture the further afield.
The section has been called Dinghy Cruising. But is also for Dinghy Exploring, Dinghy Adventures, Dinghy Trailsfor Dinghy Sailing! It is equally for novice sailors looking for experience as it is for old salty sea dogs. It is for families and friends.
And not just for DinghiesThe club also has rowers and canoeists and we want to open up the planned events to as many people who would wish to go exploring and have an adventure out on the Harbour; out beyond Copperas!
With this in mind, there are a number of cruising adventures planned through the year and we invite as many of you as possible to join us.
- May 16th: Bosham
- July 10th-12th: Cobnor Camp
- August 9th: East Head
- September 27th: Itchenor
If you would like to know more about joining a one of our outings, whatever your means of waterborne transport, please do get in touch with either Zander Hack or Neil Jones through the club website. We would love to hear from you.
