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

Maxi Owners Association Rally – Easter 2010

 

Mooring up at Howard Hayles