RORC - MORGAN CUP

RORC - MORGAN CUP

RORC Morgan Cup — Cowes to Dartmouth, classic west-going Channel race

Fri, 18 Jun 2027·09:00 start

Mercury Yacht Harbour, Hamble

Dates

18 Jun 2027

Duration

2.3 days

Route

Cowes → Dartmouth

About

Cowes to Dartmouth — RORC's classic west-going Channel race, part of the 2026 Cowes Offshore Series.

The Morgan Cup is the RORC's traditional race down the south coast from Cowes to Dartmouth in Devon. Per the RORC 2026 NoR programme, the course is Cowes → Dartmouth, finishing in the River Dart.

A weekend offshore with a destination port that's a treat to arrive at — the Dart is one of the south coast's most photogenic harbours. Friday evening brief and start, Saturday or Sunday arrival in Dartmouth, then a delivery leg back along the south coast.

Boats on this event

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One Way

Sunfast 3600

One Way

5 crew aboard

Booked through Unity Sailing as agent for FNX Yacht Charters, owner of One Way.

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Race programme

Friday afternoon arrival · Friday evening race start · south-coast passage · Sunday arrival Dartmouth or delivery home.

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  1. Friday — pre-race brief & dock-out

    16:00 onwards

    Crew arrive Mercury Yacht Harbour. Skipper brief, kit check, safety brief. Light dinner before dock-out.

  2. Friday evening — race start

    Race start off Cowes. Course west along the south coast toward Dartmouth.

  3. Saturday — at sea

    South-coast passage with overnight watches. Arrival Saturday evening or Sunday morning depending on conditions.

  4. Sunday — arrival Dartmouth or return delivery

    Berthing in the River Dart. Time ashore in Dartmouth, then delivery back to the Solent on Sunday or Monday — confirmed in the WhatsApp closer to the date.

Good to know

Meeting point

Mercury Yacht Harbour, Satchell Lane, Hamble-le-Rice, SO31 4HQ. We meet on the pontoon by your assigned berth — your skipper will share the berth number and a location pin in the crew WhatsApp group the week before.

Arrival

  • Arrive by the start time shown on this event page.
  • Subject to availability you can arrive the night before, arrange with the team

Parking

Free at Mercury, except Round the Island Race weekend.

Crew WhatsApp

Set up by the Wednesday before. Confirms timings, weather, destination berth.

Before you arrive

  • Emergency contact, medical info and waiver in your dashboard profile.
  • International races: upload passport details.

Essential

  • Waterproof sailing jacket + salopettes
  • Sailing boots (deck shoes only OK for inshore day races)
  • Warm base layers (no cotton) + mid-layer fleece
  • Hat and sailing gloves
  • Sun hat, sunglasses with retainer, sun cream
  • Head torch with red-light mode (any night sailing or offshore)
  • Personal medication
  • Sea-sickness remedy (taken 30 mins before the start)
  • Water bottle and snacks for the day
  • Soft holdall or dry bag — no hard suitcases

Overnight

  • 3-4 season sleeping bag (no bedding provided)
  • Toiletries, change of clothes, quick-dry towel

Offshore / double-handed

  • Notebook for debrief
  • Passport for cross channel races

Provided

  • Life jackets and safety kit
  • Charts, AIS, VHF (+ satcom offshore)
  • Galley kit, water, tea, coffee
  • Homebase Mooring fees
  • Insurance (Security and damage deposit held for Bareboat Charters)

Not provided

Food and snacks aboard — bring your own, or shared crew food order on overnight / offshore (cost shared, leftovers taken home).

Leave behind

Hard suitcases, hair dryers, excess alcohol.

Who can join

  • Intermediate — prior race yacht training

Organised by

Royal Ocean Racing Club

Royal Ocean Racing Club

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is recognised as the premier organiser of racing for offshore yachts around the world and is a leading authority on safety at sea. Established in 1925, the Club's Fastnet Race has become the world's largest offshore race by number of entries. Supported by Rolex since 2001, the Rolex Fastnet Race attracts over 400 boats from around the world. The RORC organises races in British and European locations, as well as Antigua, Grenada, Lanzarote, and Helsinki. The Club has approximately 4000 members across the globe

Visit Royal Ocean Racing Club

Questions

What's on the boat vs what I bring?

On board: lifejackets and safety kit, galley kit, water/tea/coffee. You bring: personal kit, layers, sleeping bag (if overnight) plus food and snacks.

What if the weather is bad?

We still run something — theory, manoeuvres in the lee of land, sheltered routes. Seriously weather-affected weekends rerun at a discount where reasonable.

I'm sea-sick prone — can I still come?

Yes. Take your remedy 30 mins before the start, not after. Tell your skipper in the safety brief.

I don't have a partner — can I still book?

Yes. We pair crew via the WhatsApp before each event. You won't be the odd one out.

Can I arrive the night before?

Usually possible, subject to availability. Arrange with the skipper in the crew WhatsApp.

How do I cancel or change my booking?

Contact us early — refunds and changes are handled case-by-case under our T&Cs. Earlier is always better.

Reviews

“The race and sail back were great.”

Chris Jagau · Crew

More with Stuart Greenfield

Interested in this race?

£575 · Fri 18 Jun

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