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Cruise Report
Cornish Crabber Club - Solent Rally 2016
June 11th - 19th
June 11th - 19th
This year’s rally started encouragingly with a record 18 entries. The most attending one port together was 15 at Universal Marina and Bembridge.
It was very pleasing to welcome 5 new participants to the event. Tim Hunt with his two children Sophie and Charlie joined on their C24 Amity, Roger Penn with his C24 Free Spirit. Both of these boats were based on the Medina River. We were also joined by Ian and Denise Norman on their C22 Loveny from Bosham, John and Jacqui Frampton with their Shrimper 21 Noggin the Nog from Hamble, and finally Derek Burgess with his Shrimper 19 Buster from Poole.
The fleet included all marques from the Crabber factory from Dave Percival’s Pilot Cutter Alice Pellow to Derek’s Shrimper. The C26s were well represented when again Nigel and Sue Anderson with Molly, myself and my wife Mary aboard Summer Breeze, Mike and Ann Geoghegan on Lowenna, Christopher and Sue Pryke on Creekability Two, and finally Graham and Pat Woodward aboard the concours condition Sally Lightfoot. Other C24s present were Peter Clay on Inyanga, Peter Moore aboard Moore’s Claws, and Dave and Joanne Morley with Yo Yo.
It was very pleasing to welcome 5 new participants to the event. Tim Hunt with his two children Sophie and Charlie joined on their C24 Amity, Roger Penn with his C24 Free Spirit. Both of these boats were based on the Medina River. We were also joined by Ian and Denise Norman on their C22 Loveny from Bosham, John and Jacqui Frampton with their Shrimper 21 Noggin the Nog from Hamble, and finally Derek Burgess with his Shrimper 19 Buster from Poole.
The fleet included all marques from the Crabber factory from Dave Percival’s Pilot Cutter Alice Pellow to Derek’s Shrimper. The C26s were well represented when again Nigel and Sue Anderson with Molly, myself and my wife Mary aboard Summer Breeze, Mike and Ann Geoghegan on Lowenna, Christopher and Sue Pryke on Creekability Two, and finally Graham and Pat Woodward aboard the concours condition Sally Lightfoot. Other C24s present were Peter Clay on Inyanga, Peter Moore aboard Moore’s Claws, and Dave and Joanne Morley with Yo Yo.
For the first time it was decided to have two days in Yarmouth. This gave a good opportunity for the crews to get to re-kindle old relationships and for the new participants to be properly welcomed. A formula that I think is likely to be repeated. The additional day in Yarmouth gave crews time to sort out teething issues, tour the Island by bicycle, go for bus trips, or go for tours to the Needles. The weather was not ideal. A theme, which will pop up throughout this account of the event.
The next scheduled destination was Poole. Poole and the Crabber rally has form going to Poole! The first year we went we had superb conditions and everyone enjoyed the trip enormously. Year two was a complete contrast with awful weather. This year’s proposed trip was discussed at a skippers meeting aboard Summer Breeze. The weather outlook was not great. The Yarmouth lifeboat had been out two or three times during our stay. Surely that wouldn’t affect people’s decisions. In the end six boats motor sailed to Poole and the others went to Lymington and then made their way by train and taxi to Poole on the day of the RNLI supper. This is a highlight of the trip and we had a record 33 people for dinner at the RNLI College. It was a great effort by all to get there, by whatever means of transport! It was all well worthwhile. The College does us proud with their dinner and their overall welcome to the Crabber Club.
The next scheduled destination was Poole. Poole and the Crabber rally has form going to Poole! The first year we went we had superb conditions and everyone enjoyed the trip enormously. Year two was a complete contrast with awful weather. This year’s proposed trip was discussed at a skippers meeting aboard Summer Breeze. The weather outlook was not great. The Yarmouth lifeboat had been out two or three times during our stay. Surely that wouldn’t affect people’s decisions. In the end six boats motor sailed to Poole and the others went to Lymington and then made their way by train and taxi to Poole on the day of the RNLI supper. This is a highlight of the trip and we had a record 33 people for dinner at the RNLI College. It was a great effort by all to get there, by whatever means of transport! It was all well worthwhile. The College does us proud with their dinner and their overall welcome to the Crabber Club.
At the “classic” end of the fleet were the Mk1s and 11s of Ray Canaven on Kallista, Andy Roan aboard Moulin Vert, Andrew and Caroline Turner on Seawind, Steve Evatt with his Yawl Nellie B, and of course Dave Percival’s beautiful Pilot Cutter Alice Pellow.
This number of Crabbers, either on their berths, or at sea make a very special sight, as I hope the accompanying photographs show.
The rally began at Yarmouth Harbour on Saturday 11th June. A few boats arrived on the Friday taking advantage of easier tides. Most arrived on Saturday with a couple not being able to arrive before Sunday. A superb supper was provided by the Royal Solent Yacht Club on the Saturday night. We were all delighted to be welcomed at the Club by the Commodore. The RSYC never lets us down and sincere thanks have subsequently been sent to the Club.
This number of Crabbers, either on their berths, or at sea make a very special sight, as I hope the accompanying photographs show.
The rally began at Yarmouth Harbour on Saturday 11th June. A few boats arrived on the Friday taking advantage of easier tides. Most arrived on Saturday with a couple not being able to arrive before Sunday. A superb supper was provided by the Royal Solent Yacht Club on the Saturday night. We were all delighted to be welcomed at the Club by the Commodore. The RSYC never lets us down and sincere thanks have subsequently been sent to the Club.
