Solent Tour Midweek Rally 8th-9th August 2025. Shepards Marina including Island Harbour Rally
Published 15:00 on 19 Aug 2025
Shepards Marina 8th August 2025
Attended by six boats:
1. Brian Masters / Misty Moon / Moody 42
2. John Cane / Tichla / Bavaria 32
3. Jeremy Nicholls / Nemo / Bavaria 38
4. Michael Sword-Daniels / Minalto / Nimbus 320c
5. Wayne Hoath / Coriolis / Fisher 37
6. Jonathan Clare / Blue Moon of Haslar / Starlight 39
…and a further eight crew:
1. Hilary Masters / Misty Moon / Moody 42
2. Debbie Cane / Tichla / Bavaria 32
3. Ann Nicholls / Nemo / Bavaria 38
4. Ashley Cutler / Nemo / Bavaria 38
5. Anne Sword-Daniels / Minalto / Nimbus 320c
6. Dawn Connolly / Coriolis / Fisher 37
7. Edward Hoath / Coriolis / Fisher 37
8. Celeste Warner / Blue Moon of Haslar / Starlight 39
This was the first rally attended by Coriolis (our Fisher 37) since joining Haslar Yacht Club. 
We set off from Haslar around 10:30 to catch the tide to Cowes. The wind was flukey, but we sailed as much as we could before eventually having to resort to the engine. Arriving at Shepards around 13:00 we firstly made a wrong turn into the marina before being told of our error and pointed to raft alongside Misty Moon on the outside pontoon. After a little bit of pulling (thanks to Brian and Hilary for their assistance) we were safely alongside.
Eventually there were 4 Haslar boats rafted safely together with two others (Blue Moon and Minalto) inside the marina.
Once settled the crew of Coriolis headed for a quick lunch at Coast which as always was good. The 8th was the last day of Cowes week, so the town was very busy with lots of pop up bars with live music and stalls selling food. 
Plenty of people were still on the waters edge watching as the last boats returned from the days racing:
The evening started with a pontoon party hosted by Minalto. Eddie (8) used this time to catch crabs.
We then shared a Safari Dinner (a first for us on Coriolis). The format involved having or serving dinner on one boat before moving to another or your own to have or serve dessert. This was a great opportunity to chat and get to know the others on the rally. Coriolis had a lovely dinner on board Misty Moon and then provided dessert to the crew of Nemo:
Some crews then went into Cowes for the night.
In the morning the boats set off down the Medina to Island Harbour.
Island Harbour 9th August 2025.
Attended by 13 boats:
1. Brian Masters / Misty Moon / Moody 42
2. John Cane / Tichla / Bavaria 32
3. Colin Eales / Sunset Skye / Oyster 435
4. Jeremy Nicholls / Nemo / Bavaria 38
5. Michael Sword-Daniels / Minalto / Nimbus 320c
6. Stewart Velzian / Trollinger / Bavaria 36
7. Andrew Wass / Slipstream
8. Wayne Hoath / Coriolis / Fisher 37 Manage
9. Jonathan Clare / Blue Moon of Haslar / Starlight 39
10. Ken Ryan / Forget Me Knot / Beneteau 35.1
11. Graham Armitage / Cornell / Beneteau Swift Trawler 35
12. Steve Derbyshire / Bonito / Swift Trawler 34
13. Allan Postance / Ocean Spirit / Bavaria 37
…and 15 crew:
1. Hilary Masters / Misty Moon / Moody 42
2. Debbie Cane / Tichla / Bavaria 32
3. Shirley Eales / Sunset Skye / Oyster 435
4. Ann Nicholls / Nemo / Bavaria 38
5. Ashley Cutler / Nemo / Bavaria 38
6. Anne Sword-Daniels / Minalto / Nimbus 320c
7. Helen Velzian / Trollinger / Bavaria 36
8. Karen Wass / Slipstream
9. Dawn Connolly / Coriolis / Fisher 37 Manage
10. Edward Hoath / Coriolis / Fisher 37 Manage
11. Celeste Warner / Blue Moon of Haslar / Starlight 39
12. Mary Ryan / Forget Me Knot / Beneteau 35.1
13. Elaine Armitage / Cornell / Beneteau Swift Trawler 35
14. Vizma Ezite / Bonito / Swift Trawler 34
15. Diane Postance / Ocean Spirit / Bavaria 37
Boats that had started from Shepards Marina entered Island harbour on free flow (when the lock was fully open, close to the top of the tide. Coriolis was assigned A4 which was very convenient to access being directly across from the lock.
Once in people settled down and different groups from the rally proceeded along the tow path to Newport whilst others tidied their boats or rested.
The fresh water pump onboard Coriolis was recently replaced but the pressure was still lacking so I took some time to clear the filter which had immediately become blocked with calcium; all working well again!
In the evening there were drinks onboard Bonito before a BBQ on the green behind the marina where everyone brought some coals and cooked up their food on communal BBQs. Some lawn games were played and one of the local children (with a very strong cockney accent) joined in.
Being only 8 Eddie onboard Coriolis had an early night so we turned in too.
In the morning whilst waiting for the tide to leave we did some paddle boarding in the harbour which was very still. We are new to paddle boarding so getting through it without falling in was deemed a success!
Boats from the rally that had booked lock times then started to depart whilst Coriolis waited until free flow before leaving. This turned out to not be the smartest idea! We were first out after the lock was opened and there was a considerable current flowing into the harbour when we untied our lines leading to a few scary moments whilst we backed out of our slip a little too close to our port side neighbour. Luckily there was no damage to either side! Lesson learnt; wait until the current has subsided in future.
Wayne Hoath
Related
- Solent Tour midweek Rally 2025 (5 - 9 August)
Last updated 16:38 on 19 August 2025