Meet 1100 at entrance to decide rallying point Organiser — Jim Smith, Acacia cottage, Chapel Lane, Aston Cantlow, Solihull, Warks.

REPORT OF RALLIES

May 16th - 17th Ken Peters got under way from Fawley Rythe to join the main channel at Emsworth, having called round by car first to see if any other members were around. On joining the main channel, a gunter rigged dinghy could be seen. Since I was late in getting under way, I decided to pursue what appeared to be the only other D.C.A. dinghy instead of sailing back over the ebb up the Emsworth channel. I eventually caught up the other craft, which proved to be Jim Clark, who said Jack Whitby and John Deacon were following down, and he himself was going outside for a sail. I decided to return, John Deacon went outside, and Jack Whitby was trying out his Potter and returning the same day. Over at East Head the following craft arrived during the day: Jim Smith and family in his modified Wayfarer; Mr. Dodd — having trailed from Tonbridge in his home built Wayfarer — and his crew; another Wayfarer from Itchenor; and later Pub Hunter carrying, amongst the chickens and pigs beneath the lid, those other creatures who need a substance called Beer to keep them alive and sailing, namely Ron Dean and Roger Davies. They were accompanied by a Sterte cruiser, both having sailed from Solent and the Hamble. Last, but certainly not least, our Vice-President Dr. Evans, with 6 sweaters and 2 lifejackets to add to his bulk, stopped ashore almost into the jaws of a squib, and returned to his cabin for an evening’s dissection.

The following morning found us with a force 3 northerly with occasional gusts to 4. Many had left early to make the most of the day and tide. I left at 1030 with John Deacon following. Having sailed to windward all the way up the channel, one of my pintles broke off Fawley Rythe, half a mile from my anchorage. A closer inspection later proved that both fittings had been fractured. It was later that I remembered seeing swimmers use these fittings to haul themselves on board when the boat was on her mooring. John Deacon gave me a tow to my mooring when he arrived, at the expense of having to wait for sufficient water for himself to retrieve at Emsworth. This is the only fitting failure with my boat in 10 years ownership, and was not of my own doing, or through sailing. For the rest, I would classify this as a very successful rally, and interesting to see other boats and equipment. Ken Peters

July 18th & 19th - Bembridge IoW It was hoped that the weather would be as dreamy as at last year’s Bembridge rally, but this was not to be so. Saturday started off bright and remained fair, with the wind increasing as the day wore on, and gradually overcastting during the late afternoon and evening. Not having had one single enquiry or request for details about the rally, I made a point of motoring from my mooring round to Emsworth Harbour, there to meet one member, Jim Smith, who had just arrived by car. After discussing the early morning forecast of f4 west backing SW f6, Jim had made up his mind not to go over to the island, but remain at East Head, as he had to be sure of getting back to Warwickshire on Sunday. I wonder if other organisers find their numbers rather depleted when an open stretch of water is to be covered, as stated in the rally programme, and if in fact this puts members off. How many members turn up unseen, rather than not arriving at the rally point, having decided — rightly for their own skill or knowledge — that a crossing should not be made by them? The organisers would appreciate any views or comments on proposed or past rallies, to help to provide a programme interesting to all parties....

With my crew, we decided to stop the engine and sail down to the entrance. This proved to be a close reach all the way down, and rather a fast sail with full main and jib. Off H.I. Sailing Club, we dropped sail and picked up a mooring to wait for Jim to see if others had arrived and were on their way, and if Jim had changed his mind. This he had not done, and he was going over to East Head for lunch and then up to Bosham and return to East Head for the night. I decided we would have a look outside, went halfway to the entrance buoy, and tacked towards Horse Sand Fort. The swell in the shallows at the entrance banks was quite heavy since the ebb was now in its third hour. (Ebb tide this side of the Solent = west-going, and commences — depending on conditions at the time — some two hours before H.W. in Emsworth and Chichester Harbour).

Although full sail was set, only constant spray came on board. As we didn’t relish a close haul in these conditions with the forecast as mentioned, I decided that, apart from the possibility of members having sailed early in the morning from, say Portsmouth and the west, that nobody would bother with the plug to windward, and promptly returned to East Head, beating up the sheltered crock behind the dunes, protected from the SW wind. I hoped for a quieter night than last time when I moored to the north of the creek entrance.

An evening ashore was very pleasantly spent. The wind was still quite high but steady. Talk of a night sail was quietly discontinued over a coffee and smoke, and turning in our sleeping bags. I was awake with a strong wind and rain bucketing down at 0430; a half hour later it was to find its way through my cover that should have been replaced at least a season ago. Between 0530 and 0745, various rigs of props and oilskins were tried to keep it out — to no avail — whereupon every single thing became soaked. Moral: don’t put off the essential and hope that it won’t rain. Believe me, it’s no joke, and from some six years earlier I should have known better.

Getting breakfast over quickly, we cleared out at 0930 and motored back to our mooring at Emsworth. It was still raining.

Later in the day, dry shod and with the sun trying to make out, I returned to the Head at Emsworth and bumped into John Deacon, who did plug over to Bembridge, and met Joe Amos in his Mirror 16 and a Mr. Russell from Aldershot (sorry about the formality, but I have no other details), also Jack Whitby with his West Wight Potter, who had spent the night at East Head moored a little way off to the north of the creek entrance, completely unseen by Jim and myself.

One wonders when one will get all the items of gear on board a camping dinghy all in first class condition all at the same time. In the winter shed, I expect. Ken Peters

August 1st & 2nd - Cowes On Saturday August 1st, the Folly Inn looked like a London meeting, with the biggest ever rally gathering. Ten boats sailed up the Medina from Beaulieu, Netley and the Hamble, some having trailed from Plymouth and Solihull. A special pleasure for the Wight members was the presence of Maurice Redman, who crewed Jady Lane and returned to Fenn Creek by train. Cowes was gay in the August sunshine, with many things of interest, like a Thames barge and a 12 metre yacht, the Britannia and Morning Cloud. In the cool of Sunday evening, a few members met in Southampton for supper; some who had made this rally a part of a holiday later returned to their boats to sleep and anticipate another day of sail and sun. John Deacon (organiser for this rally)