New Members and New Berth Holders Event 2025

Published 18:13 on 19 May 2025

Always keen to involve more HYC Members in everything that we do as a club, we took advantage of a New Berth holders' weekend to make it a New HYC Members' Occasion as well.

Friday Evening: "How to enjoy HYC events"

The weekend began with a talk, which Brian Masters gave in the Conference Room.  Eleven people came along, including Arvid and Jennie who joined us.

Brian spoke about the range of events and socials that we do: rallies, Friday socials, which Arvid is running once a month during the Summer and the talks we have during the Winter.  He also mentioned the WhatsApp group that has been popular for sharing advice, pictures (and banter).  

Brian then talked about the Web site, beginning with the Home tab and working along the different headings, explaining the information available.  He explained that the Portal to personal booking data etc. only becomes visible when we log in to the web site.  

As a long-time member of the club, I found this tour of the tabs useful, too, especially when we got to the 'Links' tab, as I had not realised how many useful links there were and how convenient it is to then click on e.g. the Weather tab in the sidebar and then get straight into something like 'BrambleMet'.  

Brian talked about the process of booking the skipper and crew of a boat onto a rally, saying that it is helpful if the boat details have been completed, so that a Marina can be told the type of boat, its length and draft, etc to aid mooring.  

Saturday: Destination Stokes Bay

We set out on a sunny and warm morning to sail around the Solent and eventually anchor in Stokes Bay.   As we left Portsmouth harbour, we were confronted by a sea of coloured spinnakers coming down the Solent.  It was the participants in a race heading for Le Havre.  The forecast was for light winds, so we raised our sails on Misty Moon, hoping to make some progress.  We wallowed about in almost no wind for a while, then gave up, put the engine on and headed to the anchorage in Stokes Bay joining Seatangle and Fruitbat.   

 

Zig Zag, Morning Star and Minalto arrived, some trying a variety of spots to anchor and some making slick work of it!  Colin launched his dinghy and went around to talk to each boat.  He found out that Ruby, a new Member's boat, which had been a bit further away from us had fouled its anchor on the remains of an old pier structure that is just below the surface (See Springer for details or view her pictures and explanation on the WhatsApp group).  Colin was able to assist in freeing them. 

We were mesmerised by the jet board, which zoomed between us.  We also watched the GAFIRS rescue boat launch for a practise session near to where Minolta was moored. 

 

After a leisurely lunch on board, everyone headed back to Haslar.  We detoured slightly on the way in to view the magnificent J Class yacht near the Lightship, experiencing boat envy at her superb lines and finish!

On arrival, we heard of Zig Zag's broken tiller and the jury rig that they made so that they could get back.   

Here is the story from Jem:

Gay kindly invited me to skipper her lovely boat Zig Zag but I don't think she expected me to break it!  I will admit that I'm not very familiar with the use of a tiller which reacts quite differently to a wheel when in reverse as some of you will know. So in reversing away from our anchorage the tiller first went over quite quickly and in meeting a relatively 'solid' body i.e. me, it snapped!

The wood inside was quite rotten after years of weathering. Honestly, Guv it came away in my hand! So, a tiller which started off the day as about 3 foot long suddenly became just 6 inches long! Ooo-err!   

No problem I thought, I'll just lash the old broken bit to the metal stub which sort of worked but was never going to hold us in reverse. I then realised that we could sail back to Haslar using auto-helm; very sluggish response but ok in forward. 

Gay very wisely phoned the marina who met us just inside Haslar Creek in their launch which Jordan (excellent lad) lashed to our side and then he very gently guided us back into Zig Zag's home birth. Phew - all sorted with no drama.

 

Thanks very much Gay, for letting me skipper Zig Zag and I'm sorry I broke your boat!  

Saturday Evening: Pontoon Party and Meal at The Creek  

Quite a good number of members gathered around Fruit Bat for complementary drinks and nibbles, including some new members, which was great.  Eventually, with the temperature dropping we dispersed, some making our way up to the Creek for dinner.  It was a relaxed finish to a good weekend.  We hope to see some of the people we met for the first time along with any members, new or old, at our upcoming rallies.   

Hilary Masters 

Related

• New Members and New Berth Holders Reception (18 May 2019, 12:00 - 14:00)

Last updated 10:50 on 21 May 2025