After good weather in the week, Saturday bought cool air and overcast skies with no wind meaning that the iron jib was the order for the day for most Maxis heading down to Poole on May 12th for the Maxi rally. Misty was the exception, coming later down the Solent, Nigel and Geoff persevered and sailed most of the way across Poole Bay.
In the afternoon, we were joined by Chris Holloway and Dave from RNLI, invited to help us inspect and repack lifejackets. We all learned something from them including the first thing to do with a man overboard – call in a MAYDAY! Inspection of lifejackets identified loose gas bottles, loose firing cartridges plus a number of out of date firing cartridges. I will leave it to others to own up to who’s were most out of date! Only Misty passed with flying colours.
We had 6 MOA boats alongside in Poole Quay Boat Haven plus one guest and when Neil and Debbie Niven from Ruby Max joined the pontoon party (aboard Lookin Foor Kloos as it was cold in the evening), we had 18 members and guests present which I understand is still not a record for a Maxi 1000!
Dinner was at the Rancho Steakhouse just opposite the marina – the food was great when it arrived but enough said. The company and discussion as always was the star of the evening.
Sunday saw a complete change in the weather – brilliant sunshine, clear blue sky and with most Maxis leaving at 10:30 – 11:00 to catch the tide back through Hurst, we had a brilliant sail back across Poole Bay and up through the Solent in force 3-4 SW winds – the type of sailing Carolyn likes and makes us all look forward to the rest of the season!
Maxi owners present
| Maxi | Members | Maxi | Members |
| Lookin Foor Kloos | Carolyn and Julian Trimming | Asante | Andy and Sara Horwood |
| Ariam | Andy and Pam Verdon | Leda of Hamble | David Brown & Kate |
| Suive | Richard and Lorraine Sams | Neroli | Rod and Carole Minkey |
| Ruby Max | Neil and Debbie Niven | Misty | Nigel Chilcott and Geoff |