So; this weekend sees the annual J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club. The small town of Cowes is expecting over 1,700 boats for the event taking place on the Solent on Saturday 1st June 2013. With around 16,000 sailors taking part it is one of the largest yacht races in the world.

RACE FACTS

The Course is 63.3 miles long and starts and ends off Cowes.
The first race in 1931 attracted 25 yachts
In 2011 the race was the fourth largest annual participation sporting event in the UK, attracting over 1,800 yachts and 16,000 sailors
During his term as Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Edward Heath, MBE, MP won the race a record four times.
The multihull record is 3 hours 8 minutes and 29 seconds and the monohull record is 3 hours, 53 minutes and 5 seconds.
Live mobile phone GPS tracking was introduced in 2010.
The official race charity is the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
Main Sponsors of the race are JP Morgan and other sponsors are Red Funnel, Old Puteney, Henri Lloyd, Timex, Haven Knox-Johnston, Sailing Logic and Raymarine.

Chrissie from Boatshed regularly visits Cowes, I asked Chrissie what are the best places to head for if you’re in Cowes this weekend?

“A favourite pub is The Anchor. It has a great atmosphere. All the crew come in, in their sailing gear straight from their boats and there's a real buzz. The menu is fairly basic but I'm sure the hungry crews will find something to tempt their taste buds but more importantly they offer a selection of real ale and there’s a nice beer garden which is a bit of a sun trap. Other favourites include The Pier View, The Vectis Tavern, The Union Inn and The Waterside".

Probably the most famous pub for yachties is The Folly, just up the river from Cowes. But beware it is closed for refurbishment at the moment until 8 June, it's an open-plan rustic pub, serving good wholesome food. At the weekend later in the evening they clear away the crockery in preparation for dancing on the tables!

Back to Cowes High Street and there are loads of shops to wander around too: Fat Face, White Stuff, Musto, Helly Hansen, Joules and lots more, it's a real mecca for sailors.

Of course there are chandlers too, and numerous eateries. There’s Indian, tapas, different bistros, you’re spoilt for choice really and after a night on the lash celebrating or commiserating with your crew, you can also pick up a kebab!

We usually stay in East Cowes but Shepards Wharf is the favourite for the crews which spills straight into the Heart of Cowes High Street. You can get from East to West Cowes on the chain ferry which crosses the Medina River; it takes pedestrians and vehicles and is known as the ‘Floating Bridge’. There’s a lovely poem displayed on the ferry actually, something about calling it a convict ship, as if the chains were manacles, dragging it across the river.”

What do you know of me?
I too can dream
One day I'll snap these chains
And steer away
To sun baked isles and foreign seas
Palm fringed shores
With a cargo of peacocks
And gold moidores.

So will you steer away, to the Isle of Wight this weekend, to spend your gold moidores? If you’re thinking of buying or selling a boat in Cowes the lads at Boatshed Cowes are happy to offer advice.

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