Solent Rally 2012

[Barbara]

Our rally secretary Rose and her team are looking at possible venues for the 2012 Solent Rally. This year, 2011, we visited Haslar marina, Lymington and Bembridge. In a change from previous years the rally dinner was held on the Saturday evening at Lymington rather than on the last evening, Sunday.

The committee is very keen to hear views from as many ralliers as possible, about which destinations you liked and would like to return to. We'd also like to hear which places you'd rather avoid, and why, and suggestions for alternative venues.

Please let us know via the main website and/or this Forum. Your views will help us plan where to go next spring.

We need to plan the rally in good time, in order to get moorings and dinner venues booked up nice and early.

[Terry k]

Hi Barbara

I saw Rose in the bar on Sunday and said we are happy with the same venues as 2011. Lymmington was a great success and saw some SYC boats that are Hamble based joining us - (Ella and Genie) - which I though was a great plus.

We didn't go to Bembridge as the tides meant either an early departure or v.late back to Shoreham - this isn't a deal breaker and if Bembridge is in the plan again we will give it a bit more thought before planning the weekend and make sure we can stay with the rally.

Looking forward to it already.

Terry - Bombardier

[Alan Saunders]

Hi Barbara,

I thought that the first two venues worked well, especially Lymington,. which proved a great success. Not so sure about Bembridge though as tides from there make returning to Shoreham difficult. Means punching tide.

Mean Feeling

[Barbara]

Hi Terry & Alan,

Thanks for the feedback. I think there are a number of people who are not sure about Bembridge for the reasons you've both mentioned. Have you a suggestion for an alternative suitable venue for the last night before returning home?

On my summer holiday trip to the Solent with Lara in July, we decided against Bembridge for the final night for similar reasons, and stayed overnight at Sparkes marina, Hayling Island, just inside Chichester Harbour, which fitted in well with tides to get back to Shoreham.

[Alan Saunders]

I have also visited Sparkes Marina, though not recently. Can they cope with a rally as I don't know how many visitors berths they have. A nice place to visit though and a good starting point for the return to Shoreham.

[Barbara]

I don't know. Their visitors berth is along one side between a wall and the main navigation channel to the berths. I should think rafting could cause navigation problems for craft going in & out of berths. Very easy to get into, & very conveniently situated, but possibly couldn't cater for a large number of visitors on a rally. Prices a little higher than Haslar.