Rally Reports
Maxi Owners Association Rally – Chichester 2010
The weather forecast over the weekend of the 7th / 8th of August for the rally to Chichester was fair winds, sunshine and the odd shower, which proved to be right. Not to be put off by the showers we had 8 boats with 17 crew gather in Northney Marina
Access to the Marina is restricted around low water which was at 15.00 so the fleet was split. Some opting for an early start to arrive before LW and some having a more leisurely start arriving soon after LW, with one boat arriving a little too soon after, but with soft mud and a rising tide all was well (apart from being spotted by another maxi owner).
The customary “pontoon party” was a splendid affair arranged by David and Sandy Hodges who had also had the foresight to book the marquee at the marina for the event, a necessary luxury in light of the showers.
Gathering at 18.00, we were treated to a fine selection of wine and nibbles of gastronomic splendour.
The wine and conversation flowed throughout the evening, only interrupted during the short walk across the causeway in glorious sunshine to the Ship Inn where we were treated to good food and even more wine.
Sunday dawned with very light winds and sunshine. We all met up in the marina café for coffee before departing as tide and time allowed.
Boats Attending
Maxima
Asante
Blue Rider
Leda of Hamble
Sea Wolf
Omega
Blue Lightning
Haskins Marine
1st – 3rd May 2010
A helpful midday HW, but questionable wind & weather, encouraged 10 Maxis. 8 on Saturday all arriving in quick succession, including Vertigo from Swanage.
The Marina helped by berthing us together so that we
could mingle and catch-up experiences, including the new website trials with which Graham Bobbit has become involved. The showers kept away providing evening sunshine for the 6pm pontoon party to start the evening. We didn’t sink the pontoon, but kept the other passing crews guessing if they could slip past without slipping into the water. Then a choice of ferry or walking around the causeway to the Brading Haven Sailing Club for a pleasant evening and meal together as 21 people.
We were awoken from a wet night and dull Sunday morning with a cold North wind to the sound of boat heaters! We exchanged Maxima, which had to leave for Second Rebellion, and unexpectedly Magewind put in an appearance too. Magewind was due in a race to Cherbourg. However having thought better of foul tides and an anticipated yachtsman’s gale from the North decided to rush back and enjoy a sheltered Sunday with us. We nearly managed a full committee when it was heard that Vouvray (Chris Wildey) fell short of surprising us, but reached Newtown Creek from Poole after having to replace his masthead sheaves.
Sunday was a free time day for crews to enjoy the area. Colin of Huggy Bear felt he deserved the prize for effort. He joined the Round the Island cycle ride. Well done indeed, cold and wet, but full of beans. Christine made the more comfortable option of remaining onboard for a quiet read. Others took to the buses to Sandown & Ryde. Our visitors on their Beneteau 411, Imagine enjoyed the excellent Roman Villa at Brading.#
The Marina staff again assisted with a tent to shelter from the winds as well as an effective gas BBQ with which all 24 of us managed to cook our meals together. Wisdom prevailed as it became dark for the desert and coffee onboard 2 larger boats.
Bank Holiday Monday returned to a sunny, but cold wind and we all made our way as planned to the Baywatch café for a final gathering before departures. Those bound for Portsmouth head to wind under power, those further west took to sail and a spanking good fine reach, including Vertigo off to Swanage.
Maxi Rally Bembridge 1/2/3 May 2010
| Boat Name | Model | Crew | |
| 1 | Huggy Bear | 38+ | Colin & Christine Summerfield |
| 2 | Imagine | B’teau 411 | Ian & Pauline |
| 3 | Blue Rider | 1000 | Peter & Sue Stonestreet |
| 4 | Blue Lightning | 1100 | Peter & Sarah Sands |
| 5 | Maxima | 1050 | David & Sandy Hodges |
| 6 | Vertigo | 1050 | Graham & Wendy Bobbit |
| 7 | Asante | 1100 | Andy & Sara Horwood |
| 8 | Look in for Kloos | 1000 | Julian, Carolyn & Nic Trimming |
| 9 | Second Rebellion | 1100 | Eric, Patricia, Kiera & Cameron Sey |
| 10 | Magewind | 1050 | John Skipper |
Maxi Owners Association Rally – Easter 2010
Mooring up at Howard Hayles
Poole Rally 4-5th Sep 1999
The Rally to Parkstone Y.C., Poole Harbour on the 4 & 5 Sept.’99 was a great success and the facilities offered by the Club and restaurant very good. The Cherbourg Rally photos were on display and a few words of wisdom spoken by Roger of S.D.Marine who with a few of his stalwart disciples arrived by … was it sand yacht or Mondeo?? Introduced were our newest members and our "volunteer" committee organisers for 2000; Sarah Huxford, Gordon Agnew and Julian Wise. Sarah is organising the Yarmouth, LO.W. Rally, Gordon the Rally to Cherbourg and Julian our novel event of a combined sailing l golf competition to Cowes. Naturally our Chairman was forced to say a "few" words and afterwards to introduce Gordon and his wife, Christine, organisers of the passage speed contest from many start points to Parkstone by sea and land. You may question was it fair?, car against yacht but a cunning formula had been devised by our team and prizes were awarded accordingly. Altogether we had in attendance 40 crew representing 13 yachts and for the benefit of our new members this compares with the 17 Maxis at Cherbourg in May.
- Hugh Rowan
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Inaugural Rally, Cherbourg 29-31 May 1999
Our first Association Rally was to Cherbourg, on 29 – 31 May, where we had most of the 17 Maxi’s berthed together although the marina was over capacity. Informal drinks on the terrace and dinner were held at the Hotel Mercure over looking the marina. The following mid day the S D Marine team provided a "drinks & snacks" meeting on the marina park land. Cherbourg Marina looked after us very well considering the overcrowding and some weeks later they were generous over a misunderstanding of berth payments. After the Rally a survey was taken of the members and all agreed the event to be a success and that we should hold another Rally later this year and also a repeat to France next year.
Hugh Rowan
Rallies 2001
Yarmouth 2001 27-28 Oct.
Two Maxi 1100’s, Jovi and Taranaki, met in Yarmouth for drinks and a pub meal. Saturday was gloriously sunny with a F3 to 4 South westerly, making a pleasant sail to Yarmouth.
Cherbourg 2001
- Five boats attended in Cherbourg on the weekend of 23rd-25th June. Berthing fees were exceptional value £1.20/m (£13 for 11m) per night. We made the 11 1/4 hour crossing from Gosport over Friday night, 15-20Kts of easterly wind and clear skies. The journey back on Monday took 10 1/2 hours in 15 Kts of Easterly.
As arranged, we congregated on Saturday night for Aperitifs followed by Dinner in the Yacht Club. Dinner was excellent value, especially the large ice-cream Profiteroles.
Many thanks to Hugh Rowan for organising the event.
Taranaki
Chichester / Cowes 2001
Nine boats attended for a night out at the theatre to see Tom Stoppard’s play “On the Razzle”, a very enjoyable Saturday evening. Sunday saw a move for some to Cowes Yacht Haven, evening drinks aboard Caorann and a brief AGM.
Taranaki