Rally Reports
Six yachts mustered with twelve people for a chilly May rally. There was some hesitancy due to the high wind forecast for the return trip. The forecast proved correct as we departed on Wednesday in a force 7!
All the yachts left the pontoon without any incidents, although, for those being blown on, it did test our springing-off skills. All yachts made their home berths safely, reinforcing our confidence in the seagoing qualities of Maxi Yachts (and their close relatives).
Yachts present were: Suive (Sams), Ariam (Verdon), Aloni (Harridge), Topsy (Hedges), Leda of Hamble (Brown & friend) & Blue Rider (Stonestreet) – 12 people.
After the pontoon party, held on board “Suive” due to the cool evening temperature, we all took the water taxi to Brading Haven Yacht Club for the rally dinner. We raised a glass to Rod Minkey, our recently deceased committee member, sadly missed by us all. The catering staff, led by Emily Cox, did us proud. We negotiated the causeway back to the marina with all present and correct. All went according to plan and an enjoyable time was had by all.
We are pleased to welcome Cliff & Anita Hedges (Topsy) who have bought a Maxi 34 and have just joined the MOA.
The next MOA rally is to Weymouth on the weekend commencing June 28th. Sarah and Peter Sands will be hosting. We hope to see you there.
Richard and Lorraine Sams “Suive”
Blessed with sunshine and light winds, the annual rally at Shepards Wharf was attended by 11 Maxis and 25 crew. As before, Shepards had us raft up and non-Maxi boats were moved away to ensure a convivial rally atmosphere. Organized this year by Andy and Pam Verdon in Ariam, the other yachts were Pell Mell (Sarah and Peter O’Donnell), Suive (Richard and Lorraine Sams, with Rod and Carole Minkey aboard), Genepy (Tricia and Richard Morrison), Walk of Life (Peter and Joan Lloyd), Blue Lightning (Peter and Sarah Sands), Moondust (Rob and Julie Powter) and, joining a Maxi rally for the first time, Kevin Manville in Eye of Horus and Tony and Therese Rice in Freya. Bill MacFarlane elected to leave Out of the Blue on her berth in East Cowes, but made sure that he did not miss the pontoon party! A slightly surprised Gavin and Clarissa berthed alongside in Amazing Grace and, as MOA members, found themselves invited to (and already paying for) the pontoon party. As the sun went down, the Cowes water taxis ferried the team to UKSA where dinner was served, followed by a short talk on the amazing work done by the charity. The extremely reasonable price for dinner included a donation per-head to UKSA, which many people topped up with a further offering. The MOA enjoys an excellent relationship with UKSA, which provides an ideal facility for this kind of event. Without losing anyone into the Medina, the water taxis returned us in the dark to Shepards, in time for cocoa and bedtime stories. Good sailing conditions the following morning saw the participants sail away, some with cruising chutes up all the way to Chichester! A really nice final rally for the season.
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”
MOA Cherbourg Rally Weekend 23/24th June 2018
Forecast: Sun, very little wind, hot
Pretty good forecast – it would have been nice to have a bit more wind but at least we all had good crossings:
There were 7 boats with 19 sailors attending the rally in Cherbourg with a variety of passages from the Solent area.
Out of the Blue travelled from East Cowes to Cherbourg on Friday 22nd
Asante and Blue Lightening left Hamble about 6.30pm on Friday 22nd for a night crossing – with a good sail down the Western Solent and around the Needles, then the wind died giving a very calm motor overnight arriving in Cherbourg about 8.30 am. A very clear night with both Mars & Jupiter lighting up the skies along with a bright moon made visibility good.
Figure 1- Passing Hurst Castle on Friday Night
The remaining boats sailed across on Saturday, Moondust and Leda of Hamble having gathered at Yarmouth on Friday evening set out from there, Lapis Lady set off from Portsmouth and Walk of Life crossed from Poole having picked up crew there on the Friday, all arriving late afternoon/early evening.
The plan for berthing together on J pontoon was disrupted and the early arrivals were moved off due to a Coastguard demo and some expected dignitaries. There had clearly been some communication issues within the marina’s booking system but in the end they found us 7 finger berths close together on P pontoon. A bit further to the showers but no rafting so it all worked well and the marina staff were very apologetic!
Following a quick trip to the supermarket for supplies there was a “pontoon” party aboard Asante:
Figure 2 – “Pontoon” Party
Following plenty of French wine and nibbles people went off independently to find some food! And then a good night’s sleep.
On Sunday lunch was arranged in “L’Equipage” restaurant at the marina. As ever with a large group there plenty of confusion in ordering however we had a most enjoyable meal with good company, plenty of sailing tales plus a few monitoring the England’s amazing score against Panama in the world cup which was going on at the same time….
Figure 3 – Lunch in L’Equipage
Sunday evening saw Moondust departing for a night crossing back, with Blue Lightning and Leda of Hamble crossing back Monday day time with another very calm motor back:
Figure 4 Glassy Seas
The remaining boats set off to the Channel Islands ready to set off on summer cruises.
A great weekend!