Autumn Rally 2011 (The Olympics)

This was HOEOCA’s 19^th autumn rally. This year held between 10th and 13^th November in the Solent.

We were 41 people sailing on 8 boats – 3 chartered from the Hamble, 1 from Portsmouth and 4 owned by members. We also welcomed the odd guest at the Friday night dinner.

We picked up 3 charter boats from Fairview Yacht Charter at Port Hamble on the Wednesday night where Reach 4 the Wind and Fulmarks were also to be found and a traditional HOEOCA reunion took place in the Victory to discuss plans for the next day.

Thursday dawned pleasantly with the wind blowing from the South East, an unusual direction, and, after handovers, we were all able to head west with 6 boats spending the night in Lymington (in some cases to pick up late crew) and the other 2 in Yarmouth. Rumour has it that a spinnaker was flown and goose winging was the order of the day. The Kings Head was somewhat overwhelmed by our mini rally dinner as the rugby club was meeting there too. For many it was the first opportunity to admire the new facilities at Berthon marina, these include towel warmers and are to be recommended!

The tide meant we had to leave reasonably early on Friday (anyone would think we knew what we were doing!) in order to make our way back east. Most managed to make reasonable progress on a gentle beat before the current turned against us. Some visited the Folly and others the Beaulieu River before checking into West Cowes where we were all moored together in the North basin.  The weather closed in a bit and we hunkered down for the afternoon.

Dinner was booked at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and we assembled for Commodores cocktails at 1930 and were made very welcome by the friendly staff. As ever, imaginations had been working overtime, and the way the Olympic theme had been liberally interpreted causing much hilarity. We had a team of David Bedford 118s, the Olympic rings, an Olympic sailing team, several backroom staff and the Scottish female netball team (?) formed an arch with their sticks to see us into dinner. The winner will be announced at the laying up supper.

We enjoyed a very good dinner and the Commodore’s last rally speech. He announced a party on his boat and (eventually) returned from the pub to host it! Thanks to the crew of Wight Ocra for their hospitality.

  The next morning was pleasant again with the easterly wind continuing. At this point the fleet split up and Gosport, Southampton, Yarmouth and Lymington were all visited by HOEOCA crews, admittedly by this time, a somewhat more subdued bunch. However, both Saturday and Sunday provided more pleasant autumnal sailing, along with all the locals out enjoying the conditions.