Rally Reports 2025
Saturday’s wind was a light easterly and many of the eight boats visiting reached the Dan Bran ponton under power, particularly those coming from the east as they had a strong flood tide against them. Some passed the sad sight of a recently sunk 57 ft. Oyster off Sowley guarded by wreck buoys. Most were moored by 15.30.
The pontoon party, originally intended for the R Lym club pontoon had to be moved at short notice to the Dan Bran where the sailing visitors were joined by crews of a further four Lymington-based boats. The evening was warm for October and the party broke up about 19.15 for the short walk back to the club where dinner was provided.
The weather on Sunday was livelier. Wind still in the east but those returning that way had a good tide under them. Those returning to Poole had plenty of wind to sail.
Boats attending: Wild Blue, Valantic, Wenimbi, Blue Lightning, Windhover, Out of the Blue, Eye of Horus, Cava. Lymington crews from Baloo, Mistral, Taiga and Aloni.
Thanks to Julian for putting the rally together, and to Sue and Steve who were host boat while Julian was away cheering his grandson on in a cart race in Switzerland.
After an unseasonably foggy dawn, a total of nine Maxis made the trip down to Yarmouth in a lively westerly breeze. Given that all the boats were coming from the Solent area, this meant an interesting beat down the western Solent in a wind against tide situation.
The traditional MOA pontoon party started at 6:30 where we were joined by Peter and Joan Lloyd (Walk of Life) who live on the Island and Bob and Nicky from Zuma Blue who were due to sail down but had propellor problems so valiantly made it be car and ferry! We were also joined by Jeff and Lynn from Belgium who just happened to be in Yarmouth on their 1050 Umi.
Dinner was at the Royal Solent Yacht Club where we were looked after extremely well by the very friendly team there. This is always a favourite destination, and a delicious meal was enjoyed by all.
Sunday morning continued to be sunny and breezy and boats set of back to various home ports, this time with the benefit of a more relaxed downwind sail. We saw gusts in the high twenties off Calshot on Asante so were pleased we taken the lazy option of a ‘jib only’ sail home.
Boats attending:-
Asante, Aloni, Blue Lightning, Lapis Lady, Leda of Hamble, Moon Dust, Out of the Blue, Walk of Life (by car), Wild Blue, Windhover and Zuma Blue (by car).