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”

After good weather in the week, Saturday bought cool air and overcast skies with no wind meaning that the iron jib was the order for the day for most Maxis heading down to Poole on May 12^th for the Maxi rally.  Misty was the exception, coming later down the Solent, Nigel and Geoff persevered and sailed most of the way across Poole Bay.

In the afternoon, we were joined by Chris Holloway and Dave from RNLI, invited to help us inspect and repack lifejackets. We all learned something from them including the first thing to do with a man overboard – call in a MAYDAY!  Inspection of lifejackets identified loose gas bottles, loose firing cartridges plus a number of out of date firing cartridges.  I will leave it to others to own up to who’s were most out of date!  Only Misty passed with flying colours.

We had 6 MOA boats alongside in Poole Quay Boat Haven plus one guest and when Neil and Debbie Niven from Ruby Max joined the pontoon party (aboard Lookin Foor Kloos as it was cold in the evening), we had 18 members and guests present which I understand is still not a record for a Maxi 1000!

Dinner was at the Rancho Steakhouse just opposite the marina – the food was great when it arrived but enough said. The company and discussion as always was the star of the evening.

Sunday saw a complete change in the weather – brilliant sunshine, clear blue sky and with most Maxis leaving at 10:30 – 11:00 to catch the tide back through Hurst, we had a brilliant sail back across Poole Bay and up through the Solent in force 3-4 SW winds – the type of sailing Carolyn likes and makes us all look forward to the rest of the season!

Maxi owners present