Julian
This was last rally of the season, we went to Shepherd’s Wharf, Cowes over the weekend of October 15th/16th 2016.
With 17 boats represented, this rally boasted to be the most well attended rally of the season with up to 44 attendees.
However, by the w/e some folk cancelled, not because of the weather forecast, but, through ill health. So, we were down to 12 boats, still a great turnout for the time of year, particularly with a forecast of strong winds for the homeward journey on Sunday. Must be a sturdy lot these Maxi owners. It was wonderful to see many new faces. Some new to rallies, and some new to MOA, and even some thinking about joining.
The weather on the Saturday proved to be a great day for sailing, fair winds and sunshine, and boats arrived throughout the afternoon.
Rafted up in Shepperd’s Wharf
The weather on the Saturday stayed fair until pontoon party time! However, in anticipation of the changeable forecast and with some advanced planning, we had booked into the Sugar Store at the Marina.
The Sugar Store is an old store that has been ‘tarted’ up for hire. Although, expensive at £75.00/hour! In true Maxi style, and after some hard negotiations with the harbour master, a charge was agreed which kept us within budget. The pontoon party went ahead in the warm & dry, with good wine, warmed canapés and lots of talk about the last season and seasons to come.
We all moved on to the Island Sailing Club for dinner, which was delicious and we were welcomed to the club in a warm & friendly manner.
The weather didn’t look so good for the Sunday. However, the front moved through earlier than expected, whilst we were all tucked up in bed, well, most of us! Thus, the weather gave us the opportunity for a great sail home, even though gusts went up to mid-twenties.
Bright Sunday morning – Cowes
So, for the last sailing event for 2016, a good time was had by all.
Looking forward to 2017, with maybe a wheels rally before then?
A quote from an attendee – ‘Thanks for organising a great rally with much better than expected weather for the sail to Cowes and back’
Having looked at new boats at the shows and disliked their light build and IKEA style interiors we decided to renovate our 14 year old Maxi 1100’s faded and much polished (and therefore eroded) dark blue gelcoat with new gelcoat in cream. Having first considered repainting or vinyl covering her top sides we decided to leave her in the most capable hands of Chris Murch of Northney Yacht Services and treat her to a totally new look!
I have had lots of inquiries regarding cost but it’s difficult to quantify. There is the haul out, mast and rigging removal, polythene watertight tent, removal of all hardware and vinyl stripes etc. I had all anti foul removed and re epoxied below waterline so that the new gelcoat could be faired in. The deck had to be cleaned and polished afterwards along with all fittings. There was approximately 100kg of gelcoat applied which after all the sanding in between coats became about 50kg but that was of course after most of the blue was removed. Then three coats of anti-foul on top of several coats of epoxy. All in we are talking about 9-10k sterling for an 1100. We are extremely pleased with the results- she is like a brand new yacht! I can most thoroughly recommend Chris and his firm for an excellent job.
David Hodges
I keep Lookin Foor Kloos on the Lymington river and for some years have been using Trilux antifoul on the propeller. While this has represented an improvement in fouling vs just polishing the prop, I was still noticing a significant slow down in performance under motor come the end of the season and some growth of worm when the boat was lifted.
Last season, I was getting the boat ready on the yard and a neighbour was praising the virtues of Velox Plus, an Italian antifoul paint and gave me the remains of his tins of primer and antifoul which I gratefully received and used.
So, how did it perform? I must say that the results have been very positive. I re-launched Lookin Foor Kloos in late March and lifted her on August 20th for a scrub prior to a cross channel race. While the hull was a little slimed which washed off easily, the prop came out brilliant white with no fouling at all. The yard commented that most of the boats lifted had had quite some fouling on the propeller so they were surprised.
Re-launched, the prop. Still appears to have remained clean of foul – I will see what it looks like when lifted again in May.
Details of Velox Plus can be found here at www.marlinpaint.com and is available from Marinescene for £36 for the antifoul and primer.