chris
Bucklers Hard Rally, 21 – 22 June 2008
Even the met office did not even know what the weather would be. Rain, wind, sunshine, it varied by the day. Perhaps a little grey to begin with, but lovely surroundings in a quiet up river location, next to the maritime heritage village houses of Bucklers Hard…
"The mid summer barbeque for the Maxi Owners proved a popular event, with a total of 10 boats and 22 people attending. The weather started a little damp and gloomy on Saturday morning, but by the time most boats had arrived, things were clearing up and getting decidedly warmer.
The BBQ, provided by Bucklers Hard Marina, was set up on the green by the waters edge in front of the Bucklers Hard cottages between the historic building slips of the earliest warships of England. Things kicked off with traditional summer Pimm’s, beer and nibbles courtesy of the M-O-A while the charcoal heated up. Then for the great ‘cook-off’ with all crews cooking their own meals on the coals, with salads and puddings to share.
The evening stayed dry until the meal was over, but then a few drops of rain were felt, so Peter Stonestreet to the rescue (with a little help from a few others) and up went the gazebo. Well fortified with food and not a few drinks, and we all managed to shelter from the light shower in true British barbeque style!
The food was finished, the barbeque cooling and the drinks had disappeared, so crews slowly drifted off back to their boats for a good nights sleep, apart from a few diehard drinkers who went on for a nightcap on Huggy Bear.
Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny. Boats started to depart from around 0930, with Good Time Girl the first to leave in order to make their way back to Birdham in time for the lock opening. Looking for Kloos departed at the same time, with the remainder of the boats having a more leisurely morning, with a number of crews getting together on Blue Rider for a pre-departure coffee.
The wind had been picking up all morning, and I think most boats were surprised to be met with winds of 30 knots plus at the entrance of the Beaulieu River. Blue Rider, Blue Lightening and Asante all came out of the river together; no mainsails were raised, but Blue Rider set full genoa and stormed off towards Gosport in fine style. Asante and Blue Lightning took things a little more steadily, with just a small amount of foresail unfurled, but nevertheless had a speedy trip back to the Hamble.
All in all, a great weekend – possibly one to be repeated next year?
Boats attending were:-
| Asante | 1100 | Sara & Andy | 2 |
| Blue Lightning | 1100 | Peter & Sarah | 2 |
| Caribou | 1100 | Tim & Sarah | 2 |
| Good Time Girl | 1000 | Kevin & Annie | 2 |
| Blue Demon | 1100 | Guy & Ros | 2 |
| Looking For Kloos | 1000 | Carolyn & Julian | 2 |
| Tosara Blue | 1100 | Martin, Debbie, Becky & Katie | 4 |
| Huggy Bear | 38 | Colin & Christine | 2 |
| Mischief Maker | 1100 | Douglas & Sarah | 2 |
| Blue Rider | 1000 | Peter & Sue | 2 |
Peter Sands
Chichester Harbour – Summer family rally & Spit Roast BBQ, 1 – 3 August 2008
Another excellent rally with a good turn out – thirty all told representing 11 boats – and a great Spit Roast courtesy of SD Marine!
Another new format Rally. This time it was in Chichester harbour with space to include all the family. However the seasonal weather persisted with overcast sky, fresh breeze and more, although the rain was occasional. Northney Marina provided a very friendly, suitable sheltered surroundings and a good base for us. SD Marine arranged for an excellent BBQ. We had our own Celebrity, the stranded whale right outside the marina entrance. The trouble was she arrived 24 hours early and we only had the pictures with the news reports.
I called out across the ether on Friday evening for any early Maxi’s to join a raft up for supper at East Head. There was no response. We sheltered in Thorney creek and enjoyed our evening aboard with just an occasional other boat on this first August holiday weekend. However by midday on Saturday several other Maxi’s arrived in Northney and we were underway meeting the others as expected.
The games kit was out and our leader and Chairman started off with a bold French cricket. His plastered leg provided a good sized target. This was gained during a recent holiday on land. Supported by his family and daughters, later in the evening we went on to an all-in Rounder’s game. Other options included volleyball and frizby. We prepared three gazebos as shelter and saw at least one march across the field of play in the wind.
The BBQ was well prepared and set up with some 4 different meat choices and 8 salads for us all. Alison Skipper had prepared a lovely range of deserts too. In total there were 30 from 11 crews with Roger & Sue Moon to bring us up to date with the changes to the Maxi brand ownership. Two came by wheels with 2 more resident Northney bertholders. The additional boat Intrepid arrived just too late having been delayed in their cross channel passage.
Sunday morning was a gentle start, taking advantage of the Board Walk marquee restaurant for breakfasts 4 or 5 crews gathered, before finally departing to catch the last of the flood to Chichester or about midday well reefed to catch the ebb Westwards.
28 Participants in all… and many thanks to SD Marine for the BBQ!
| Boat | Crew | No’s | ||
| Bilton Garth | 1050 | Richard & Loraine Sams | 4 | |
| Good Time Girl | 1000 | Kevin & Annie Brown | 4 | |
| Maxima | 1100 | David & Sandy Hodges | Northney | 2 |
| Blue Lightning | 1100 | Peter & Sarah Sands | 2 | |
| Magewind | 1050 | John & Alison Skipper | By wheels | 4 |
| Blue Rider | 1000 | Peter & Sue Stonestreet | 2 | |
| Leda of Hamble | 1000 | David & Frances Brown | 2 | |
| Blue Demon | 1100 | Guy & Ros Warner | By wheels | 2 |
| Intrepid | 1000 | Bob & Sue Garrett | Northney | 2 |
| Asante | 1100 | Andy & Sara Horwood | 2 | |
| Mischief | 1100 | Douglas Mursell & Rachel | By wheels | 2 |
| SD Marine | Roger Moon & Sue | 2 |
Peter Stonestreet Whale Photos courtesy of Mike Smith, MDL Northney Marina
End of Season Folly Jolly – October 25th/26th 2008
Solent Region end a successful season at the Folly Inn with six boats
The last rally of the season was enjoyed by all who braved the weather to meet up at the Folly Inn. Six boats tied up at the pontoon and in all the party comprised nineteen adults, one intrepid nine year old and a dog. The crews of four boats sent apologies because of the adverse weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday. However, conditions were not as bad as predicted with good sailing on Saturday and very gentle conditions for the trip home on Sunday. Sara and Andy Horwood (Asante) came by car since they were racing the next morning and wanted to make sure they were on the start line by 9.00 am!
The wind did get up on Saturday evening driving the pontoon party aboard ‘Blue Rider’. It was a case of ‘How many can you get on a Maxi?’ The answer is all of us! Please see the photograph below of those in the cock pit of Peter and Sue Stonestreet’s ‘maxiest’ Maxi 1000; the rest were below and, to Peter’s relief, the boat stayed afloat. Everyone was pleased to welcome Jim, his son and grandson plus friend Jutta, the crew of ‘Second Rebellion’, who were initiated into the joys of table top dancing at the Folly and were able to provide excellent advice about on board electronics. As usual, a good time was had by all and after Sunday morning coffee, we began to disperse, promising to do it all again next October.
Richard & Lorraine Sams (Bilton Garth)
Winter Wheels Rally, Cafe Lulworth – Sat 24th February 2007
Our 2007 Solent “Winter Wheels Rally” went ahead on Saturday at Cafe Lulworth which is located in Universal Marina on the East bank of the Hamble. Cafe Lulworth takes it’s name from one of the "Big Class" 43m yachts that led to the famous J-Class yachts. Although driving is not as convenient as having a boat within walking distance to fall in to at the end of the evening, we had a total of 12 people and a good time was had by all.
The 6 boats were:-
Blue Demon, Guy and Ros Warner
Mischief Maker, Douglas Mursell and Rachel
Walk of Life, Peter and Joan Lloyd
Good Time Girl, Kevin and Annie Brown
Blue Lightning, Peter and Sarah Sands
SD Marine, John and Nahoko Haskins
All in all, we were made very welcome with good food, good company and a good start to the sailing social season.
Peter Sands
Shepards Wharf – June 9th and 10th 2007
Following the success of last years rally to Shepards Wharf at Cowes, we organised another visit. Ten Maxi’s booked in with an eleventh squeezed in on the day. (Apparently 11 boats on a Maxi rally is a record!)
We were blessed with fantastic sunny weather, and for those that left the trip to the afternoon, the wind picked up and a good sail could be found! If only that weather could be guaranteed for all rallies!
As the boats gathered during the afternoon we were also treated to a Red Arrows display – it would be nice to take credit for that but we suspect the IOW festival organisers might have had something to do with!
Drinks & nibbles were provided on the pontoon near Asante, courtesy of M-O-A and the beautiful warm evening made it a very social occasion with both new faces and “old” mingling. We then all – 24 of us – went off to the Island Sailing Club for an excellent meal with very good service and enjoyed by all.
Sunday morning dawned hot and sunny again, and boats left at intervals to catch tides east and west. For us it was nice to meet lots of new faces, and meet up with old friends.
Boats attending were:
Asante, Bilton Garth, Blue Rider, Caribou, Good Time Girl, Les Alizes, Looking for Kloos, Magewind, Maxima, Sapphire, Walk of Like
Andy and Sara