Rally Reports
This rally was originally scheduled to be held on the buoys at Itchenor, but forecasts of strong winds and heavy rain rather put the damper on this plan, so at the 11th hour the rally was relocated to the marina at Royal Clarence, Gosport.
In the end only 3 boats actually sailed to Gosport (Moonshine Blues, Blue Lightning, and Amy Lou), but there was a good turnout for the pontoon drinks and dinner with 16 people attending (Peter and Sarah Sands, Blue Lightning; Robert and Sally Ledger, Moonshine Blues; Gary and Carole Heward and guests, Amy Lou; Richard and Lorraine Sams, Suive; Peter and Sue Stonestreet, Blue Rider; Kevin and Annie Brown, without their Good Time Girl; and Andy and Pam Verdon, without their Ariam).
The wind was brisk but it stayed dry on Saturday (very nice for those coming down wind), and after a peaceful night it picked up again by the middle of Sunday but nothing that Maxis couldn’t readily handle (though making tea was a challenge).
Drinks were held in the cockpit of Moonshine Blues (a cosy crush), followed by dinner at Artys in the marina, who after an early wobble coped very well with a late booking for a large group.
The photographer sadly forgot his duties, until Gary Heward thankfully managed to get a snap of the hardcore remainers on Sunday morning.
Overall the consensus seemed positive on the late switch from Itchenor, and a good time was had by all!
Robert and Sally Ledger
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”