M-O-A

In summary, fabulous weather with 9 boats and 22 people plus several four legged friends.

Note – David Lemare deep in thought, “Suive” is in the mud & our Chairman is looking contented.

Berthed in two rafts, one of 5 yachts & one of four. Aloni with hatches wide open & David Brown’s (Leda of Hamble) with very effective sun awning in the background.

Final attendance – Aloni (2), Amylou (4), Atlantide (3), Genepy (2), Lady Penelope (2), Leda of Hamble (2) Looking for Kloos (2), Suive (2) & Sea Wolf (3)

Following the pontoon party on Suive (yes, we did manage to get everyone on our boat) Saturday evening dinner was at the Brading Haven Yacht Club. Our host from the YC turned out to be a regular Maxi sailor on Dodger of Gosport, a Maxi 1100 based at Portcullis Sailing Club in Gosport. We are also pleased to note that the boat share has MOA membership.

During the pontoon party the water taxi driver broke the news that there wasn’t enough water for the trip to the YC; fortunately, most of us were happy to walk. Our only injured sailor was given a lift in the water taxi driver’s car. Really good customer care by the Bembridge Harbour personnel.

Bembridge was incredibly busy; the convenient tides and the amazing weather made it a great weekend. Three yachts arrived on Friday and there was a carnival atmosphere. The marina was completely full. Some of us walked into Bembridge and/or Seaview whilst others went to the beach.

Special mention of Tricia, from Genepy, who worked hard to produce impressive, colourful bunting especially for the occasion. We still have to decode the flags – a prize will be given to the first person who manages to translate the signal. Gary Heward, Amylou, has new racing sails and we are very envious. We were pleased to welcome David Lack (Atlantide) and his crew to his first MOA Rally and hope that he will come again. A fun and very enjoyable time was had by all and we are now looking forward to Itchenor in August.

Happy sailing

Richard & Lorraine Sams

“Suive”

MOA Cherbourg Rally Weekend 23/24^th June 2018

Forecast: Sun, very little wind, hot

Pretty good forecast – it would have been nice to have a bit more wind but at least we all had good crossings:

There were 7 boats with 19 sailors attending the rally in Cherbourg with a variety of passages from the Solent area.

Out of the Blue travelled from East Cowes to Cherbourg on Friday 22^nd

Asante and Blue Lightening left Hamble about 6.30pm on Friday 22^nd for a night crossing – with a  good sail down the Western Solent and around the Needles, then the wind died giving a very calm motor overnight arriving in Cherbourg about 8.30 am. A very clear night with both Mars & Jupiter lighting up the skies along with a bright moon made visibility good.

Figure 1- Passing Hurst Castle on Friday Night

The remaining boats sailed across on Saturday, Moondust and Leda of Hamble having gathered at Yarmouth on Friday evening set out from there, Lapis Lady set off from Portsmouth and Walk of Life crossed from Poole having picked up crew there on the Friday, all arriving late afternoon/early evening.

The plan for berthing together on J pontoon was disrupted and the early arrivals were moved off due to a Coastguard demo and some expected dignitaries. There had clearly been some communication issues within the marina’s booking system but in the end they found us 7 finger berths close together on P pontoon. A bit further to the showers but no rafting so it all worked well and the marina staff were very apologetic!

Following a quick trip to the supermarket for supplies there was a “pontoon” party aboard Asante:

Figure 2 – “Pontoon” Party

Following plenty of French wine and nibbles people went off independently to find some food! And then a good night’s sleep.

On Sunday lunch was arranged in “L’Equipage” restaurant at the marina. As ever with a large group there plenty of confusion in ordering however we had a most enjoyable meal with good company, plenty of sailing tales plus a few monitoring the England’s amazing score against Panama in the world cup which was going on at the same time….

Figure 3 – Lunch in L’Equipage

Sunday evening saw Moondust departing for a night crossing back, with Blue Lightning and Leda of Hamble crossing back Monday day time with another very calm motor back:

Figure 4 Glassy Seas

The remaining boats set off to the Channel Islands ready to set off on summer cruises.

A great weekend!