The sun shone and a total of ten boats gathered for the Maxi Owners Association rally to Bembridge on the weekend of 30/31^st May. With high water around midday, boats started to arrive mid to late morning, apart from James and Anthea on Freya who’d made the most of the fine weather and arrived on the day before. With very light winds, most boats had motored for the great part of the journey, but it was nice to be out on the water. All our boats had arrived by early afternoon and crews enjoyed the sunshine, venturing for walks and ice creams – and some even braved a swim!

It was the Bembridge Rowing Gig Festival weekend so the marina was busy with competing  crews from across the area, adding to the atmosphere.

Unfortunately our berths were spread across the  marina where curiously, they had allocated the shallowest berths to the boats with the deepest drafts which made for some interesting adjustments of lines at low water when Asante and Blue Lightning took to the ground.

It was good to catch-up with old friends and also meet some new members on their first MOA rally, namely James and Anthea on Freya, Keith and crew on Seawolf and Dominic and Verity on Sgian Dubh. We all gathered for the traditional pontoon party, adjacent to Asante and Blue Lightning. Food, drinks and conversation flowed until it was time to head up to The Duver Café at the marina for pizzas which had been pre-ordered. The area was busy with a band playing, but we managed to get enough tables so we could all eat together, even if we couldn’t hear too much over the band! Nevertheless the evening went well and it made a change from eating at the local yacht club or restaurant.

Sunday dawned bright with a bit more breeze and after a leisurely morning, boats began to depart for home ports as the tide rose. We had a great sail back on Asante, in company with Blue Lightning and Moondust.

Boats attending:-        

AmyLou

Asante

Blue Lightning

Freya

Leda of Hamble

Lookin foor Kloos

Moon Dust

Seawolf

Sgian Dubh

Windhover