27/28^th April 2013 Rally – Island Harbour Medina, Cowes

Those booked in for the Rally were rewarded with a splendid outing following the months of rain and chill winds. Till the last moment it seemed threatening, but the sun had been shining amid April showers, which were kept at bay for the important pontoon party. 25 crew and 10 boats berthed at the midday tide through the lock. As well as regular ralliers we welcomed new members and occasional attendees. The Island Harbour staff made us all very welcome berthing all together on one pontoon and checking we were satisfied. This was the Spring Rally testing all skippers to complete the winter refit. This location is a change from the usual spring rally at Bembridge and the response was favourable.

Island Harbour is now a lovely setting, well managed with the feel of berthing onto a village green in the quiet countryside. Members took the opportunity to visit Newport, some by a 1½ mile walk, others by ferry. Did they find the tea & cake shop waiting for them? In the other direction was a round the lanes walk to Whippingham and its interesting church looking like the Tardis with 4 rocket boosters on the corners of the tower.

Sue and Peter Stonestreet from Blue Rider prepared a super pontoon party, where tradition was maintained. There were great refreshments and nibbles, which everyone enjoyed as they chatted on the pontoon and an enthusiastic Maxi crowd was rewarded with some lovely Spring sunshine.

The restaurant at Island Harbour has now been taken under the site management, which is a good plan. The chef and staff set out to effectively please all. We selected from the menu early in the afternoon and they produced excellent service to each of the tables without delay.

Peter prepared a challenge to all as a study on an MAIB yacht collision report in order to study the lessons and enigmas that face sailors on dark foggy nights at sea. The synopsis can be seen elsewhere on the website. 

Boats present were:  Blue Rider,  Maxi Magic , Juliette , Lookin for Kloos, Moonshine Blues, Asante, Sea Wolf,  Resolute, Maxima and  Suive.

The destination for the Solent Area rally over the Easter weekend 24^th / 25^th April, was the Royal Clarence Marina, Portsmouth Harbor.

The trip to Portsmouth on the Sunday was in hot sunshine, more characteristic of a Mediterranean summer’s day than spring in the Solent.  Winds were light and so made for a relaxed trip.

A rendezvous between two of the boats gave an opportunity for a parcel of Easter eggs to be passed across just off Gilkicker.  I’m not sure whether it was the pitching or the catching but it was the fish that enjoyed the chocolate feast!!!

We were joined by new members Robert and Sally who became the proud owners of Moonshine Blues just three weeks ago.

Drinks on the pontoon gave us the opportunity to discuss completed winter refit projects and plans for the summer.  We then moved on to Mr G’s for dinner, more drinks and more conversation.

Mondays sail home was “Champagne Sailing” warm sunshine, smooth seas and 18 knots of wind; the conditions Maxis were created for.

Roll on the Summer.

Boats Represented
Asante, Blue Rider, Blue Lightning, Good Time Girl, Suive and Moonshine Blues

Maxi Rally 18^th/19^th September 2010

After a washout of a rally in October 2009 with only Blue Lightening on the quay but 4 others coming by car, the rally was moved back to September to hope for better weather – and what a result!

We were greeted with an almost cloudless sky.  Reports of the wind for the day were mixed from boats arriving with some needing to motor part of the time to reports of a brisk westerly 4 to 5 off Cowes, OK for the Solent boats to get to Lymington but good for Chris and Helen on Vouvray out of Poole.  By the time that Lookin Foor Kloos completed her trip to the rally (all the way from Lymington Yacht Haven!), Leda of Hamble, Maxima and Good Time Girl were already moored along the Dan Bran pontoon.  Maxis then started arriving thick and fast and then Blue Lightening and Asante arriving just before the pontoon party; Asante having been competing in a race out by the Nab before coming to Lymington.

With 9 Maxis on the pontoon soaking up the evening sun, the pontoon party was boosted by the Lymington based boats with Ken and Jackie (Morvan), Jim and Eileen (Second Rebellion) and Simon and Catherine (Juliette) joining and Rod and Carole (Neroli) from the East coast down for the boat show and to meet friends making a total of 26.  Carolyn managed the catering in her usual style, you can tell she enjoys it.

Supper was at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club, a mere stagger from the end of the Dan Bran pontoon.  They did us proud with a private dining room to avoid us disrupting the youth regatta they were hosting at the same time.  Nigel and Christian on Misty sailed back after dinner but the rest of us settled in to a calm evening.

Sunday brought more good sunshine but a fresh westerly wind.  Vouvray was one of the first to leave to take advantage of the tide with the rest of the fleet leaving around lunchtime to catch the tide eastwards.

With Lymington continuing to be a popular destination not only for Maxis but also other clubs, booking early is key.  A date for your 2011 diary is September 17^th for next year’s Maxi rally, see you there.

Boats Represented:

Maxi Owners Association Rally – Chichester 2010

The weather forecast over the weekend of the 7^th / 8^th 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

 1^st – 3^rd 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