Home / News / East Cowes Rally, 8-9th October 2022

East Cowes Rally, 8-9th October 2022

Published 16:28 on 10 Oct 2022

The traditional end of season rally to Cowes began with the decision as to when to make the crossing. The weather on Saturday was forecast to be fine, but being in East Cowes a day early always provides a good opportunity to go into West Cowes for a stroll and some shopping. Misty Moon and Sapphire made the crossing on Friday with a 20Kn SW wind-over-tide, slightly lumpy sea. It was worth it to be there, especially as there was an invitation for drinks on board Sapphire!

On Saturday morning, there was very little wind and the sky was clear. We received a call from Vin Rouge, saying that they had problems with a fresh water leak and sadly would not be able to join the rally. After a visit to West Cowes, we returned to find that Fruitbat, Trollinger, Kraken, Blue Moon and Shibumi had all arrived, mostly finding enough wind for a sail. We assisted Nordlys in to raft against Kraken.

The crew of Nemo had decided to detour via Osborne Bay for a lazy brunch (which looked delicious on the WhatsApp pictures!). When they arrived later in the afternoon, mooring up involved many helping hands and even more opinions!

Haslar banners and flags were on display and there was an unofficial pontoon party on Sapphire, where we enjoyed the views from her flybridge. Thank you to Steve and Vizma for hosting us.

We all walked along the pontoon at 6.30pm to board the ferries to the Island Sailing Club pontoon. There was a bonus of a wonderful Hunters' Moon rising above the trees as we travelled across. We were ushered into the conservatory part of the dining area, so we had a good view of the lights as the sky darkened. We all enjoyed our meals in what was a very full restaurant with two other rallies from Marchwood and Warsash Yacht Clubs. We estimated there were about 175 diners in the room. Our return ferries were on time at 10pm, so it was a good evening.

The consensus the next morning was that leaving at around 9-10am would work out well. It was 10-12 Kn S wind, which began to build during the morning, providing some good sailing and quick passages back to Haslar. We watched Blue Moon speed past us having a cracking sail.

As Misty Moon was about half way between Gilkicker and Portsmouth Harbour entrance we became aware that Trollinger seemed to be struggling. We approached to hailing distance and found that they had engine failure, so we offered assistance. We established a long-line tow to bring us into the harbour and the shelter at Haslar Basin. After putting out fenders, we moved to an alongside tow so that we could take Trollinger to a hammerhead mooring near her berth in Hornet Services Sailing Club.

These goings on did not escape the eyes of Arvid on Morning Star, who sent us this photo along with the comment "Either a rescue or another catamaran in the club" on WhatsApp!

Having brought back all the banners and flags covered in the morning dew, we decided to hang them all out to dry (more 'dressed-after-all' than 'dressed-over-all'). All of the flags flying attracted a new berth holder to come and ask whether we were having an advertising campaign! After a chat, he has joined the club!