Rally Reports
Weymouth Saturday August 9th 2003
We provisionally booked 10 berths in Weymouth harbour. We sailed from Yarmouth on Thursday and met with two other early-birds in Weymouth harbour. Eventually five Maxis turned up and were moored on the East side of the Harbour. The weather was gloriously sunny all weekend with a light and variable breeze. As usual we gathered for drinks at 1800 before walking to Hamiltons for supper. Hamiltons is near the old pier head and the food was very good, they only just managed to squeeze all 14 of us in.
Cherbourg
Perhaps the invitation was too late or members just too busy because Taranaki was on her own in Cherbourg. The weather was perfect for sailing and sunbathing!
Folly Inn Medina River Cowes Sat June 7th HW Portsmouth 1726 BST 4.1m
We reserved spaces for 8 boats on council mid-river pontoons at the Folly Inn, 7 boats attended. Thank you all for coming and making it a success.
Saturday was a good sunny one with light and variable winds, the weather stayed dry ’till midnight.
We started with a glass of wine or two, all 15 in Taranaki’s cockpit. This was followed by a very enjoyable evening at the Folly Inn. Fiona was celebrating her birthday so she ensured that we took full advantage of the Folly’s table top dancing facilities!
Sunday was not as expected and we all had a rather boisterous sail home. Lee on Solent recorded over 40Kts that morning.
Lymington Sat May 17th HW Portsmouth 1300 BST 4.9m
Bad weather hindered the Lymington rally but those that didn’t go by boat went by road and Taranaki, Leda of Hamble, Caorann, Les Alizes attended. The food in the Mayflower pub was excellent and is recommended.
The Brixham Rally 13/14 September 2005 was attended by four Maxi owners.
We had three boats: Peter and Sue Stonestreet with their Maxi 1000 Blue Rider; Lindsey and Viv Thomas-Keeping with their Maxi 1100 Iona; and David Naughton on his own with Balloo, his Maxi 1000.
Then Marion and Neil Cornwell (Maxi 1100 Aurora) joined us by car rather than boat together with Petra, their black Labrador guide dog puppy, because of inclement weather and time constraints. Unfortunately Peter Siddall – Maxi 1000 Gemini from Fowey – rang to say he would not be able to join in because of business commitments.
Peter and Sue entertained us all initially on Blue Rider (and very nobly including Petra). We then all adjourned to the Yacht Club for an excellent meal.
Conversation flowed freely and much useful information was exchanged about such captivating subjects such as seacocks, autohelms and navigational equipment.
We all agreed that Maxi Rallies are an excellent way of keeping in touch and swapping ideas and information and that the Maxi Owners Association should endeavour to plan and advertise the regional rallies well in advance to allow members time to plan their summer itineraries around them when possible. David, although not a M-O-A member, happened by chance and we were happy to include him as a guest for the occasion.
Our group photo above is on Peter and Sue’s boat. Below, you may just be able to make out a seal between the boat and the harbour wall, as well as us enjoying ourselves in the Yacht Club!
New M-O-A Pennants Fly In Alderney
Alderney Cruise, 27th – 31st May 2005
The late May bank holiday was due to be a busy weekend on the island of Alderney, with events varying from the Miss Alderney pageant and procession to a round-the-island race led by the Jubilee Trust tall ships. And, of course, not to forget the M-O-A Alderney cruise! With somewhat varied weather forecasts, the one thing that the forecasters seemed able to agree on was the risk of strong westerlies in the Irish Sea moving down into the channel on Saturday. When we finally arrived on board Magewind after fighting through the Friday traffic, my intrepid mate, Nick, and I had a hurried discussion and decided to set out on the evening tide around Bembridge. “That way, we will be in Alderney before it blows up”, we assured each other.
I know what you are thinking – we should have known better! After motorsailing into a light south-easterly for several hours, a fresh south-westerly set in around 1am, and began to build steadily. By 3am, it was dead on the nose, and we were seeing gusts up to 30 knots. With the change of tide, steep, breaking seas started to form and life was starting to get very wet and uncomfortable. Time for Plan B! As we bore away towards Cherbourg, we picked up speed to over 8 knots, and settled into a more comfortable motion, surfing down the waves rather than smashing into them. Much more fun!
Meanwhile, Nick’s wife, Kath, my wife Alison and our two girls, Jenny and Ellen, had got up at 5:30am and were flying out to Alderney on a tiny plane with only 16 seats, in the full expectation that their “floating hotel” would be there, waiting for them. No such luck! The floating hotel was tied up in Cherbourg, with half a gale whistling through the rigging. By mid-afternoon, at least the sun had come out, and the French forecast (so much more reliable than ours) was predicting that the wind would drop through the evening, so we set out for an exciting trip across the Race on the west-going tide.
All was going well until we were well in sight of Alderney, when a particularly vicious tidal swirl caught us, and: “Seat Overboard!” We had lost the seat across the transom, and it was now heading down the Race for Guernsey at about 6 knots.
With no handles and floating just below the surface in 4 foot waves, this was not an easy M-O-B drill. After the first near miss, I gybed for another go, and the vang parted company with the mast fitting. “You’ve got to get it this go, or we will be down the Race”, I shouted at Nick, who was leaning out over the transom, restrained only by his harness. Amazingly, he grabbed and held it, and we clawed our way past the Alderney lighthouse just in time.
By the time we got in to Braye, the French weatherman had been proved right, and it was turning into a lovely, quiet evening. We had barely got our foulies off when the first M-O-A visitors came aboard to claim the promised glass of Pimms. Soon we were catching up with everyone else’s adventures.
Lindsay and Viv on Iona had set out from Yarmouth on Friday, and got a bit further than us before the wind hit them. They arrived in Alderney to find waves breaking right over the breakwater. This had to be worth a closer look, so they went for a walk (what were they on???). Unsurprisingly, a large wave came over, and dumped half a ton of water down their necks. Luckily, there is room for plenty of spare clothes on an 1100.
Peter and Sue on Blue Rider had been cruising around Guernsey, and had an exhilarating, but slightly scary, run up to Alderney before Saturday morning’s gale. They didn’t know their 1000 would go that fast! Even so, Peter was a bit disappointed that he had not had a chance to use his new spinnaker.
Simon and Terri on Brent Goose had planned to leave Yarmouth late Friday night. One look down the Needles channel was enough to convince them that discretion was the better part of valour, so they were present only in spirit (and by mobile phone). They had a much more pleasant crossing on Sunday, and were able to join us for a cup of tea on Monday morning.
Graham and Nikki on Jolly Roger were planning to join us on Monday, but we did not see them. Hope they had a good weekend, wherever they ended up. Roger and Val on Seabiskit also deserve an honourable mention – their crew were unable to make it, so they decided to stay closer to home. Matt and Jean on Superted were last heard of heading towards St Vaast. And finally, Pell Mell was one of very few boats in the JST Route des Moules regatta to actually make it to Alderney – even the tall ships had given up crossing the channel on Friday night! Even Miss Alderney stayed firmly indoors, although she was on the radio next morning.
On Sunday, the Magewind crew set off to explore the beautiful Longy Bay and Raz Island by sea, while the others explored the island overland. It proved a bit cold for sand-castles, and nobody was brave enough to swim, despite the lovely sandy beach. We all met up for a pre-dinner drink in the yacht club, and a great dinner in the First and Last – a haven for hungry yachtsmen for the last 30 years to my personal knowledge.
On Monday, it was our turn to explore by land, on rather creaky rental bikes. We discovered that, for such a small island, Alderney has some quite impressive hills. By Tuesday, the others had left, and we decided to circumnavigate the tiny island of Burhou. This little, rocky island is inhabited only by birds, and presents quite a challenge, due to numerous rocks and the very strong local tides. Its wild beauty was well worth the effort, though, and we found a very cosy anchorage for next time we visit.
As we set out on the crossing home on Tuesday afternoon, the little plane carrying Alison, Kath and the girls flew over us. Soon we had the spinnaker set, and were watching a beautiful sunset in perfect conditions. After a quick snooze in Yarmouth, we woke to a miserable grey drizzle for our final leg back to Gosport, matching our mood at the thought of going back to work. We had had a very relaxing and enjoyable long weekend in Alderney, with excellent company from the other Maxi owners. It is such a lovely island – I must try not to leave it 10 years before I go back this time.
John Skipper
5 Maxi’s – and 13 people – meet in Nieuwpoort, 4-6th August, 2005
The Nieuwpoort ‘meet’ during the first week of August proved to be a very worthwhile event for all concerned with both social and sailing aspirations being well satisfied. This was despite the weather being less than compliant for a projected stay on the continent. Most boats enjoyed a good round trip, although Vouvray perhaps being the exception on her return voyage to the UK.
Interest for this “East Coast” Maxi meet seemed fairly laid back in the initial stages but firmed up quickly once the weather and tidal window for Saturday 4th August became favourable. Much interest in Nieuwpoort as a destination was shown from the outset, but of course leisure sailing often loses out to other priorities and time/place commitments are never easily made. However, a handful of boats is enough for a green light when your appetite is up for it, and some Maxi’s had the advantage of already being over the channel. Bacchus, our host’s boat belonging to Francois and Els DeDecker, have Nieuwpoort as their home berth. Also, John and Olivia Mason’s Moonwisp 2 had been sailing in Holland along with friends on their own Westerly and were now aiming to sail south to meet us. Coming the other way, north along the French coast were John and Nini Taylor in Amare, a Maxi 1200 from Southsea (John’s other boat is a Fireball!) so we had a very welcome participant from the South Coast.
Saturday, at 05.30 in the morning, Neroli and Vouvray slipped moorings and left the Orwell River just before a spring high water to take full advantage of the tide for an 80 mile south easterly crossing to Nieuwpoort. An initially weak SW wind later veered to give us a rolly but direct ride over to the Belgium offshore banks with SOG’s of over 7 knots. This had the bonus of arriving at the shoals off Nieuwpoort before low water so we could sail straight across Banc Small and into Nieuwpoort ahead of our ETA (a passage time of approx 12 hours). This proved an agreeable arrival with Moonwisp 2 already berthed and John Mason waiting to take our lines. Francois greeted everyone with invitations to apéritifs on Bacchus (great name for a boat – Francois was only too keen to live up to the God of Wine’s name!). We followed this by an “Gastronomique” indulgence in town.
Nieuwpoort is a good port of call with large marinas offering excellent facilities at attractive prices (my Maxi 1000 cost about £12 per night). Good food is readily available, especially sea food in wide variety. It is also well served by convenient transport in the form of trams/trains to Oostende, Brugge etc. plus being a good location for sailing passages up to other Belgium ports and Holland or down to the French coast.
Soon, thirteen hungry sailors were shuffling into a well chosen fish restaurant (with port holes on the walls and waiters dressed in traditional sailors garb!) to plunge into the depths of the best that our seas can offer – with wines to match of course. All this was punctuated by much talk of sailing experiences, Maxi greatness, boat gear gremlins and general philosophies. For me, at least, evenings such as this justify any efforts for such a meet up or rally as the relevant exchange of ideas and info between fellow travellers is priceless.
Sunday we awoke to a dismal day, despite John Mason’s prediction that the Azores High would arrive at 13.00 hrs. Chris and son Andy were on serious weather watch hoping to take Vouvray back to blighty P.D.Q. A break in the rain around midday allowed us to explore the town square and even dine Al Fresco accompanied by “live” music in the square. Later, on walk-about, we were very impressed by Nieuwpoort’s fresh fish shops – you’ll never see better!
Then Carole and I plus our crew Owen were impressed and entertained in style on John and Nini’s Amare (12 metres of luxury in motion) with the ladies as usual being treated to much “techno
as usual being treated to much “techno
-bore” talk that only us guys can dish up. By evening, we were aware of a decline in the weather and pondering Vouvray’s prospects for a return passage.
Monday saw everyone sitting tight and wondering when the wind and rain might ease. Carole, Owen and myself abandoned Neroli for the tram and train trip into Brugge which proved a good day out despite constant rain. Meanwhile Vouvray had departed and we all wished her well in what we knew would not be the easiest of voyages back. (See footnote!)
Tuesday and the weather brightened enough for Moonwisp 2 with their companions and Amare to depart – followed later by Neroli – to wander down the coast to meet up later in Dunkerque from where we would independently plan our homecomings.
This rally brought together different Maxi’s from diverse ports for a very worthwhile gathering and reinforced the common ground that all Maxi owners share. And many thanks to Bacchus for the local arrangements – I’m sure we’ll be back for more!
Rod Minkey (Neroli)
Footnote ~ Vouvray’s tale: We were in a classic “need to get home” dilemma. Andy, my son & crew, was on a week’s leave and needed to get back for the delivery of a bathroom suite. We then had just 4 days to get it stripped out and back functional in time for mum and 18 month daughter who, as it so happens, were elsewhere in Belgium visiting her family!
After hearing the 5.30am forecast
, we decided we would give it a go as the winds were not forecast too strong (NW 5 and 6’s) although bang on the nose into what we knew would be short steep seas, around 3m height. We powered out of Nieuwpoort with fully reefed main and took plenty of green water as we cleared the entrance in 30 knots plus of wind. We then settled down and made good progress sailing until passed West Hinder, although the currents and waves were not pleasant around any of the banks. Our progress really dropped
(even though we were now motor sailing) due to adverse tide as we tried to cross the wide Hinder TSS and we even considered diverting to Ramsgate for a short while. However we managed to get into the relatively calmer seas near Kentish Knock, and the winds and seas gradually eased as forecast. As we approached Walton on the Naze, the sea was dead calm and we saw the first yachts! We then wondered why our speed suddenly dropped: we had picked up a pot marker. Fortunately, the rope cutter did its work.Our only real drama was when I looked up at the reefed sail near West Hinder and saw our Visiball radar reflector and tricolour assembly swinging viciously around on the end of the power cable, bashing everything at the top of the mast. We were worried about several kilos falling down and damaging the deck or us. There was nothing we could do: the cable was too well cleated to be able to ease it from the mast foot (we tried!). Over an hour or so later, the light and reflector eventually severed the cable, falling safely into the sea.
Chris
A brilliant turnout with 27 people, plus two hardy boats
The first rally of the season for the Solent Area was on Saturday 07th March. Being early in the season with many boats still out of the water it was planned as our annual ‘wheels rally’. However, despite the strong wind forecast for Sunday, two boats sailed in to Universal Marina, SHEARWATER from Gosport and LOOKIN FOR KLOOS from Lymington.
We had a great turnout for the event with a total of 27 people representing 12 boats. We were well looked after by the staff of Café Lulworth who served us with a very enjoyable meal.
Boats Represented
Good Time Girl, Asante, Blue Rider, D’eaunuts, Huggy Bear, Blue Lightning, Lookin For Kloos, Shearwater, Intrepid, Caribou, Vouvray, Maxi Magic
Good Time Girl, Asante, Blue Rider, D’eaunuts, Huggy Bear, Blue Lightning, Lookin For Kloos, Shearwater, Intrepid, Caribou, Vouvray, Maxi Magic
Peter Sands, Blue Lightning