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Yarmouth Rally 17th-18th September 2022

Published 09:20 on 23 Sep 2022

Wow! What a wonderful weekend; perfect early autumn weather, a slight sea, good food and drink and great company. What more could anyone want.

Most of the boats arrived on Friday, or earlier, to avoid the slightly awkward tide times for the west bound passage on Saturday.

We had a cracking sail, though the first reef went in as we headed up the western Solent. David and Jackie passed us in Mascaret, their Grand Banks motor yacht: she looked a proper ship in gleaming white against a blue sky and puffy white clouds. A few minutes later PS Waverley passed us heading East, with her decks crowded with passengers. She is an incredible sight at speed.

Off Yarmouth, the northerly wind was blowing pretty hard. The harbour master was expecting us: Fender up port side and reverse up to the pontoon and go alongside Mascaret. Eek! Blue Moon kicks like a mule to port in reverse and with that wind on the port bow we were going to blow off as soon as we reduced power. However, on the third attempt Jackie and David were able to take our lines and we secured alongside Mascaret. Bows in would have been so much easier, but it would have meant a climbing expedition over the bow every time we went ashore.

Brian and Hilary were immediately on hand: Drinks on Misty Moon at 1800. Patrick and Shirley on Aquitaine II were also already there, sandwiched between Misty Moon and Mascaret. But why no sign of Stephen and Deborah on Vin Rouge? Hah! Stephen had somehow managed to secure himself a finger pontoon. How did you manage that Stephen?

Steve and Vizma arrived on Sapphire, their Princess 43 on Saturday. Steve is now off to help a friend deliver a Starlight 39 (same as Blue Moon) to Glasgow so we had quite a chat.

On Saturday several of us visited Yarmouth Castle (built by Henry VIII - a really interesting history and well worth a visit).

Then it was drinks on board Mascaret before heading off to the Bugle for dinner. I must admit to having mixed experiences at the Bugle in the past but this time the food was good.

For me, the abiding memories of the sailing were the near perfect conditions: Haslar to Yarmouth in 3 hours and the same on the return (motor boaters that is good for a sailing boat!) without a single tack or gybe in either direction.

I look reward to the Cowes rally in a few weeks.

Jonathan Clare

Postscript 1:

Dependent on your point of view, the penalty or advantage of having the smallest boat and arriving first, 2 days in advance. Vin Rouge arrived Thursday to a half empty Yarmouth only to be allocated the only available berth for 3 nights right next to the fuel berth! A quick visit to the harbour office established that the only other alternative was a finger pontoon. Such a difficult choice!

My thanks to David & Jackie for hosting the pontoon party on Mascaret.

Stephen Burder

Postscript 2:

Hilary and I noticed that the 'Waverley' was calling at Yarmouth for a 'Round the Island Cruise' on the Saturday afternoon. We managed to join the boat and had a very pleasant 3 hour cruise around the IOW and got back just in time for the Pontoon Party! I have added a few pictures below.

Brian Masters