Sussex Sailing Banter

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.

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.

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.

That's right.

The Littlehampton Rally 2011 & races unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the forecast atrocious weather conditions, but 36 ralliers from 14 yachts made it to Arun Yacht Club on Saturday evening for the rally dinner. Line Honours went to Escape, closely followed by Moon River and Me-Mo. Arun yacht club gave us an excellent dinner & a convivial evening was enjoyed by all. We hope for better weather next year, and to complete the rally under sail.

Hi David & Mark,
Four of us smaller boat skippers were talking at the Littlehampton rally dinner and agreed that we're planning to get out on the Pursuits, weather permitting. That's Firebird, Slipper, Moon River & a new Pursuiter - Me-Mo. Me-Mo need a PY handicap, though have a Contessa handicap & an SCCH handicap.

It's not long to the next rally - the Brighton rally with the Tanna Hinna race on Saturday 21st May and PHAB on Sunday 22nd. As many skippers know, PHAB is a delightful day of hosting the PHAB (Physically Handicapped & Able Bodied) folk on board your yacht. There is also a picnic lunch provided. All you have to do is be there.

The Brighton Rally is part of the rally programme organised by Rose Pryke and her team. The PHAB event is organised by Marco Rummery. Further details are on the main SYC website.

We've had some skippers volunteering for this event, but are hoping for lots more. Please let Marco, Rose or myself know if you and your yacht will be available for PHAB.

Hi, Rose has asked me to start a discussion thread on the Forum for this year's Solent Rally. This is for skippers, crew, or anyone who is interested in the Rally Programme for Sussex Yacht Club to have their say.

The Solent Rally has been organised by Rose Pryke and her team. There are a few changes this year. The rally is a little earlier - Easter weekend rather than the usual early May Bank Holiday weekend. Also there are some new venues - Haslar, Lymington and Bembridge, with the formal dinner arranged for the Saturday night at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.

There are more details on the website under Sailing Section, and then Rallies. You can sign up for the rally on the noticeboard at the club, or by email to Rose. She would like to know as soon as possible which boats & crews are going.

I'm sure that lots of people will have an opinion on the Rally programme - do you like the idea of the new venues or do you have other preferences? Are this year's dates more convenient than the May Day weekend or are they inconvenient? Let Rose & her team know via this forum.

If you are a skipper and need some crew, or crew looking for a boat for the Rally please check out the Crew and Skippers forums. Successful rallies are all about lots of boats and lots of members out on the water.

Those who were still in Fecamp on the Monday after the Royal Escape will know the background to this.

I received the following email on 13th July from Port de Plaisance - CCI de Fécamp-Bolbec:

Good afternoon,
 
I've some news from M. Montier; He has repared you're boat, so the boat is ready.
M. Montier asked me to reserve a day with you to put the boat in the water because he wants to be there to put the boat in the water and to try the boat with you.
He asked me too that you pay the rest of the bill before that.
 
Bests regards
Julie

I've had a follow up email:

I think we can take a reservation for friday the 23rd of July. Is it ok for you?

I've accepted, so will see "Moon River" on Friday 23rd. Now all I need is someone experienced to help me bring her home any day from Saturday 24th onwards, the sooner the better. The insurance will pay ferry costs to get to France.

I have crew to bring Moon River home on the weekend of 7th-8th August, weather permitting, or on the next suitable weekend, but if anyone is free on the weekend of 24th/25th please get in touch so I can bring Moon River home the same weekend as she goes back in the water.

Contact details:

mailto:barbara.runnalls@ntlworld.com">barbara.runnalls@ntlworld.com or press the Email button
01903 752423
077900 83140

David,

Thank you.

Barbara

I'm pleased to see that an item has just been posted on the main club website, to say that the Prince George leisure lock is operational once again.  

http://www.sussexyachtclub.co.uk

The venue for the Saturday evening presentation was very crowded.

As someone who has only taken part once, I agree with the view that its main appeal is a regular opportunity to compete against neighbouring clubs and that the rotation of venues is part of its attraction.

The regatta that I took part in was based at Shoreham and that year SYC boats predominated, but there were also several Brighton based competitors and some SHYC also.

It is probably inevitable that the host club will atttract greater participation than the most far-flung. The only time I took part on a club rally to Sovereign Harbour it was hard going struggling back in the face of strong westerlies - this in a 42 ft boat. Under those conditions I would not have wished to attempt it in a small cruising or racing yacht.

I think I recall you mentioned this at the Keelboat meeting.

Yes. Thanks for organising it. We will take lots of pics and please take pics of us - except you won't be able to get a good shot of our spinnaker. :lol: