Royal Lymington Yacht Club rally to Bembridge 23rd to 26th May
25 boats (9 MB & 16 sail) signed up for this event using Google forms on the new Club website. A sensible passage plan was to use the flood tide to arrive off Seaview approx. 3 hours before HW Portsmouth, to allow time to check the Bembridge Harbour website giving live information of the height of water over the bar. The harbour advised that there should be 2m at 3 hours before (or after). After 3 weeks of settled weather, the forecasts were for a change on the 23rd which showed a new pattern and stronger winds. This prompted 4 boats to decide to sail on the 22nd, which had the advantage of an earlier crossing of the bar.
A lunchtime departure from Lymington provided a gentle SW breeze which died at Gurnard being followed by an easterly which became brisk with a spot of rain and deteriorating visibility to the forts. Then a gentle southerly allowing the 4 boats to cross the bar about 2.5 hours before HW with 2m water. That night 10 souls crowded into Hourglass for a shared Supper cooked on at least 3 boats, all very cruising.
On Friday 23rd a few boats used the early tide (HW 0804) and the rest of the rally, looking for 2m at the bar scraped in after 1830. A marquee and barbecues had been arranged and provided welcome refuge from the F5 for drinks and cooking. 17 boats were represented and they enjoyed good companionship and sustenance till after 2100 when nightfall forced the close of play.
Saturday was bright and breezy. Seaview YC proved a popular walking and lunch venue, while in the Duver, a cork boat challenge ensued: pontoon to pontoon proved popular with the younger Members. In the evening Ganders restaurant in St Helens entertained 14. For the main event of the rally, Hugh Evans had coordinated dinner at Brading Haven Yacht Club, and had ensured that everyone had their choice from the menu confirmed by the club. No easy task as 59 diners were booked. The Royal Lymington visitors were welcomed by the Commodore Roger van Heffelen. Grace was said by the Rev Garry Day (chaplain to Lymington hospital since March, who travels to Lymington from Bembridge 3 times a week by motor cycle and ferry!) Gordon Wight known to many as the previous Bembridge Harbourmaster acted as master of ceremonies assuring the proceedings ran smoothly and inviting our Captain of Cruising to toast the King and our patron Princess Anne with complimentary port provided by the host club.
Some of the fleet braved the F6 weather to return to Lymington on the Monday, but many remained stormbound till the Wednesday when the weather improved.
Gerry McCafferty
Event organiser