This was last rally of the season, we went  to Shepherd’s Wharf, Cowes over the weekend of October 15th/16th 2016.

With 17 boats represented, this rally boasted to be the most well attended rally of the season with up to 44 attendees.

However, by the w/e some folk cancelled, not because of the weather forecast, but, through ill health.  So, we were down to 12 boats, still a great turnout for the time of year, particularly with a forecast of strong winds for the homeward journey on Sunday.  Must be a sturdy lot these Maxi owners.  It was wonderful to see many new faces.  Some new to rallies, and some new to MOA, and even some thinking about joining.

The weather on the Saturday proved to be a great day for sailing, fair winds and sunshine, and boats arrived throughout the afternoon.

Rafted up in Shepperd’s Wharf

The weather on the Saturday stayed fair until pontoon party time!  However, in anticipation of the changeable forecast and with some advanced planning, we had booked into the Sugar Store at the Marina.

The Sugar Store is an old store that has been ‘tarted’ up for hire.  Although, expensive at £75.00/hour!  In true Maxi style, and after some hard negotiations with the harbour master, a charge was agreed which kept us within budget.   The pontoon party went ahead in the warm & dry, with good wine, warmed canapés and lots of talk about the last season and seasons to come.

We all moved on to the Island Sailing Club for dinner, which was delicious and we were welcomed to the club in a warm & friendly manner.

The weather didn’t look so good for the Sunday.  However, the front moved through earlier than expected, whilst we were all tucked up in bed, well, most of us!  Thus, the weather gave us the opportunity for a great sail home, even though gusts went up to mid-twenties.

Bright Sunday morning – Cowes

So, for the last sailing event for 2016, a good time was had by all.

Looking forward to 2017, with maybe a wheels rally before then?

A quote from an attendee – ‘Thanks for organising a great rally with much better than expected weather for the sail to Cowes and back’

Lymington Rally – June 2016

The Lymington Rally saw a good turnout of maxis on a lovely sunny afternoon. 11 Maxis were represented with 27 people attending.

Following their arrival, many of the group enjoyed the afternoon activity of a guided walk along the quay, finishing up at the Royal Lymington Club. Local guide Vivien and her team who led the walk, regaled us with stories of salt, smuggling and other curiosities of the town, providing a fascinating insight to the history of seafaring in the locality.

Following the walk, everyone enjoyed the welcome refreshments and nibbles on the pontoon provided by hosts, Carolyn and Julian, and all enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with familiar faces as well as welcome new friends.   As the sun began to dip to the horizon, we all wandered along to the Royal Lymington Club where we were treated to a feast of a dinner!

Participants:

Lookin Foor Kloos            Julian and Carolyn Trimming

Suive                                     Richard, Lorraine Sams

Maxima                                David, Sandy and Ben Hodges

Rebel III                               Dave and Delores Cleary

Moonshine Blues             Sally and Robert Ledger

Maxi Magic                         Rob and Trisha Ware

Misty Blue                           Malcolm and Julie Denham

Blue Lightening                 Peter and Sarah Sands

Baldur                                   William Avery, Andy Hind

Vertigo                                 Duncan and Lyn Graham

Neroli                                    Rod and Carole Minkey

Bembridge Rally Report – 8th, 9th &10th May 2016

Following a very enjoyable and well attended mid-summer, mid-week rally to Bembridge last year, it was decided to repeat the event. With a rally already arranged for June, and the ‘tide factor’ for Bembridge to consider, mid-week did not work so a longer rally starting on Sunday 8th with a dinner on Monday 9th  at Brading Haven Yacht Club was organised to enable more people to attend, with an option to stay on until Wednesday 10th. Sunday was glorious; sunshine and a good wind meant a very enjoyable sail to Bembridge. Nine boats, ten if Moonshine Blues for lunch is included, attended on Sunday. Catering options are limited on Sunday nights so Pam & Andy on Ariam and Lorraine & Richard on Suive cooked a main course to follow the pontoon drinks & canapes and everyone else contributed to the meal by bringing desserts, cheese and chocolates, which were consumed by 17 of us on Suive!   A huge thank you to the Verdons for their hospitality on Ariam and to everyone for their contributions. It was great to meet newcomers Gill & Jeremy Thallon on Sunfish and ‘returners’ Jean & Paul Clark on Freebird. Andy Horwood took the ‘official’ photo for posterity.

On Monday, Asante and Ariam left and Maxima and Leda of Hamble arrived. The weather was not so good on Monday but we all enjoyed the day – walking, cycling, touring IOW by bus and sailing on Baldur, courtesy of William Avery. In the evening we gathered for another pontoon party to welcome the new arrivals, before taking the water taxi to Brading Haven Yacht Club, which opened specially for us, for dinner.  Once again we were well looked after.

Tuesday was foggy at sea but Baldur, Leda, Out of the Blue and Sunfish set off for home whilst Freebird, Maxima, Neroli, Suive and Walk of Life stayed on for another day. All reached their home berth safely.

The rally was a great success and enjoyed by all. 11 yachts (12 if Moonshine Blues is included) attended. Although MOA’s rallies are usually a weekend event, it seems there is a place for events during the week.