Rallies

HOEOCA organises three "official" rallies each year and these form the main focus of our formal club sailing activity. The purpose of these is to give everyone an opportunity to have a go at sailing whatever their level of experience.

Spring Rally

In May or June (alternating years) we try to use the longer days to venture across to France, the Channel Islands or the West Country for a minimum 5 day trip. This usually enables people to experience a channel crossing, collect some night hours and record a 60 mile passage for further RYA qualifications.

We use a mix of owners and chartered boats and assemble crews in accordance with their experience. Typically there are 60-70 people attending. Where possible, we cruise in the company of at least one other boat and plan to meet up overnight. The highpoint of the rally is an organised dinner together at our destination. Owners sometimes extend the 5-day trip with the agreement of their crews.

November Rally

Our 4 day rally in November usually takes place in the Solent and is more about socialising than accumulating miles. The weather at that time of year can be surprisingly good and the waters are much emptier.

The format is similar to the Spring Rally, although slightly less in numbers. We again use a mix of owners and chartered boats and the aim of cruising in company. The rally dinner, normally held in one of the excellent yacht clubs in the area, again provides the main event and is centred on a fancy dress theme.

November Rally 2010 We are planning to rally in Hamble in 2010 (4th to 7th November) and the dinner will be at the RAF Club, Hamble on November 5th. More information to follow.

Hot-Hot-Hot

We have now organised 9 trips to somewhere warmer in the late summer/early autumn. These week long trips allow us to operate as our own mini flotilla, typically with 3 or 4 boats, and a planned route allowing us to explore a new cruising area. To date we have visited Croatia, Sardinia/Corsica, Majorca, Elba, Greece and Turkey.

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Rally History

Spring Rally 2010

Without a doubt the recent fine weather proved the star of HOEOCA latest rally to Alderney. This was the clubs 16th spring rally and few can have provided such Mediterranean conditions. Despite the fact that many of us had to motor at least one way cross channel (and encountered fog too) all were able to enjoy good sailing at some point. Sadly, Ian Blake and Sammie Jones on Juliain, had to retire early with a poorly engine, but the remaining 11 boats met up in Braye as planned on Friday 4th June for our traditional evening together. We were kindly hosted by Alderney Sailing Club for our Commodores Cocktails before proceeding to the nearby Braye Beach Hotel where we enjoyed a most delicious dinner, beautifully served and overlooking the stunning harbour views.

56 people took part with boats leaving as early as the Sunday morning and the last man standing (Wolf) returning on Tuesday - 10 days later. 3 of the boats were chartered from Hamble Point and our nine owners departed from ports as far apart as Chichester to Falmouth. It was a first channel crossing for 12 and there were 8 "virgin" ralliers. Ports visited on "the other side" included St Peter Port, Carteret, Dielette, Omonville and Cherbourg and many boats met up with others in these destinations to enjoy one another's company and hospitality. As a result of the exceptionally settled weather there was even an opportunity to anchor off Sark.

Edward Kirkby has already posted some of his photos to our website and seeks contributions from other members. Please email a maximum of 20 to edward.kirkby@hoeoca.org.uk. Also, if anyone would like to write a short account of what the rally was like for them, perhaps a first channel crossing, we would be pleased to include it in the newsletter or on the website.

November Rally 2009 (Angels and Demons)

Our venue for this years November rally was to be Yarmouth with dinner planned at the Royal Solent Yacht Club which we last visited in 2004. Unsurprisingly, the club remembered our Guy Fawkes theme on that occasion, more surprisingly, they welcomed us back.

At the start of the week the weather forecast began to look increasingly desperate with gale force winds (if not stronger) forecast. Our Commodore, Richard, and co-owner of Dutch Angel, Tom, wisely decided not to sail up from Plymouth as intended, and other crews adjusted their plans accordingly, including, apparently, curtailing plans to cross to Cherbourg.

Mandarin crossed over Chichester bar without incident and settled in Cowes for a few days, to be joined by Moody Blue from Portsmouth. Wolf set out from Poole, visited Bembridge and was waiting to meet the charter boats in the Hamble. Suzy Gee stayed at home in Lymington. 6 boats were chartered, all managed to get safely into either Cowes or Lymington and then either stayed in Cowes or arrived in Yarmouth on the Friday morning ahead of the predicted bad weather. Thanks to the crew of Dumbledore for hosting a cocktail party for 28!

Even this was not achieved without incident as Arc Angels engine failed to start on entry into Cowes and they had to sail onto a buoy. The fault was traced back to the electronic black box but, despite having two engineers on board, they had to be towed back to the marina by Sea Start for resolution. Also, Solent Flame II set sail for Cowes later on the Thursday afternoon but wisely turned back in view of the gale force wind on the nose and the fact that it was dark!

The gales kicked in for real on Friday night with the highest wind recorded at Hurst Narrows being 57 knots. Allegedly, there was 100 knots at the Needles. The Lymington to Yarmouth ferry was cancelled for most of the day and all boats stayed in port. Sadly Suzy Gee decided to go home. Our enforced day off gave us the opportunity to explore the island and many crews took the (very expensive for the Under 60s) bus to Newport and beyond. As is traditional, some watched the Autumn Rugby International in local hostelries.

On Saturday night, those berthed in Cowes arrived by mini bus to join the Yarmouth boats and dinner only guests who had arranged to get across on the ferry late in the day. Much imagination had been applied to the rally theme of "Angels and Demons" with much feather and down in evidence. We had pretty angels, fallen angels & angels of the north as well as demon barbers and lots of horns and tails. It made a nice change for grace to be said by a cardinal before sitting down to a delicious dinner and a very pleasant evening at one of the clubs favourite venues. In total 54 sat down for dinner - 11 rally virgins and 2 virgin skippers.

Happily, by Sunday morning the weather had abated and a pleasant down wind sail was enjoyed by most crew as they returned back to their home berths - another one for the record books!

A further account by Mark Hendy, a rally virgin, can be read at http://markhendy.com/2009/11/17/sailing-with-hoeoca/

Hot-Hot-Hot 2009

It was around midnight when the 18 participants from 4 different flights converged on "The Car Cemetery" bar in Fethiye for a few drinks (plus shoe polishing and weight guessing PRIOR to embarkation). Temperature was a very pleasant 25�C and the Turkish people made us very welcome.



Handover and shopping the next morning was accomplished more speedily by some than others such that 3 of the 4 boats slipped before midday and motored out into the Gulf of Fethiye with weather that improved all the way - wind and sun! All sailed the 15 miles south toward Gemilir Adasi although lunch had to be taken underway as the sailing was so good. Cold Water Bay was to be our destination for the evening where we were moored in a row with our stern lines taken around the convenient rocks. A mass swim took place and various merchants visited to see if we would like to buy ice cream, fruit and pancakes. Useful to order bread for the next morning! Dinner that night was a fixed price menu taken together in the single restaurant up the (very) steep hill, under the pine trees, where our food was cooked over an open fire and the service was charming. NB Nearly lost Tony Rowe rowing back to the boats!

Next day saw an early start (well 0800) in order to sail down the beautiful Coast of 7Seven Capes and reach our destination Kalkan - a journey of c35 miles. Motors were needed at the start of the voyage but c1130 a wind kicked in and sailing was possible. Again we moored up together stern to the town quay and enjoyed a swim at the beach opposite followed by a good shower. An exquisite location, the town falls up the hill and all the restaurants have rooftop terraces on which we dined by boat and enjoyed the wonderful views.

A free day, we decided, as lots to see and do in Kalkan. Wamba sailed out to a lovely local beach, anchored and watched those less fortunate. For those of us on Jambo and Manitu the day somehow passed by very pleasantly provisioning, shopping, walking, swimming and generally enjoying ourselves. Tonight was our first HOEOCA cocktail party of the season and we were much entertained by our hostesses (Mary and Geraldine) done up in traditional belly dance costume. Dinner that evening was taken together at "The Olive Branch" restaurant - another roof top location even higher than before.

A rather gloomy morning to leave lovely Kalkan but things got better as we motored back up north. Again, wind kicked in and we were able to sail part of the way although the voyage today was even longer as we wanted to get back within the Gulf of Fethiye. Seagull Bay was easily identified by the eponymous bird made of pebbles laid out on the beach and Ahmed helped us into his bay with it's rickety rockety pontoon. Where was the restaurant we asked ourselves? Were there enough chairs? Manitu hosted cocktails that evening - with an excess of gin aboard the dry martinis were excellent! Dinner was interesting - BYO as kitchen/store being refurbished and table space a bit squashed. And then Ahmed cheekily joined the party on Wamba!

An easy day within the shelter of the islands. Very expensive mooring for Manitu and Jambo to visit Gocek at the top of the area for supplies and to soak up the atmosphere. Lunch stops enjoyed by all boats before the gathering clouds, thunder and lightening over the mountains prompted us to head for Wall Bay that evening where we moored in what would nearly pass for a marina (alongside and dodgy low energy lights on the pontoons). Cocktails this evening were down below and served by a bevy of lovely Turkish maidens - Jasmine, Petal and Tea-Bag - before dining together in a restaurant with a roof.

Our last day sailing saw us making full use of the excellent WC facilities before departing - 2 men and 1 boy to hose it out between visits! Not far to go so a question of eking it all out as long as possible. Wamba experienced an issue with their fan-belt outside Fethiye but, being such a well oiled crew, were able to change it. At this point we were reunited with Habibi Two who had spent the week sailing from Fethiye. Our last evening was spent together in The Kings Restaurant above the town where we visited the tomb of King Amynthas between our delicious meze and main course before returning back to town where, funnily enough, we ended up at "The Car Cemetery" all over again. Judy Lambourne - Rear Commodore Cruising.

"One of the best ever in terms of wind and sailing, with sun and craic, in fact may well win the award for the best Hot Hot Hot yet" - Ken Robertson - Skipper.

Spring Rally 2009

Our 3rd rally to the West Country proved to be the longest in our 16 year history with Solent based boats being ready to set sail on Sunday 10th and the last returning on Thursday 21st, nearly 2 weeks later. Congratulations are due to the crew of Suzy Gee, Wolf, Mandarin and Jacobs Ladder! Sadly, the weather was not kind to us with very strong winds blowing initially from the East, becoming more South Westerly over the week.

7 other boats took part - 2 chartered from Brixham and the balance setting sail from the various marinas in Plymouth. A total of 53 crew. At the start of the week we visited the beautiful ports of Fowey, Salcombe and Dartmouth and met up with some of the Solent based boats.

On the Friday, 9 boats gathered in the River Yealm, a challenging entrance given the mounting seas (the other 2 were in Plymouth and joined us "overland"). We enjoyed the seclusion of "HOEOCA Island" otherwise known as the visitors pontoon and took the opportunity to visit each others boats, exchanging tales of the voyages undertaken to reach our rallying venue. The down side of this exclusive island was that it could only be reached by water taxi or dinghy!

Our dinner was held at the River Yealm Yacht Club at Newton Ferrers where a warm welcome was extended and the traditional exchange of burgees took place. The dining room had a fantastic view over the river to Noss Mayo and we enjoyed an excellent meal cooked and served by chef John and his team. Retiring Commodore Chris Kirkham made his final rally speech, welcoming the virgins and highlighting a few of the incidents that had taken place.

We awoke on Saturday to high winds and forecast of worse to come. Those who made it round to Plymouth reported very big seas and confirmed the wind strength. The wise chose to sit it out for the day in the Yealm. Sunday provided a small opportunity for the local boats to get back to their rightful places, leaving our Solent cousins to wait for the conditions to improve.

It was said by some that these were the worse conditions they had encountered but nevertheless they were grateful for the experience - the sort of positive attitude that HOEOCA rallies are all about!

November Rally 2008

55 brave souls signed up for the rally this autumn and we were joined by 2 of our retired Commodores (what did they know?) for the dinner held in the lovely dining room of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club. There were 12 boats - 7 belonging to members and another 5 chartered from Hamble Point Yacht Charters, the Gas Sailing Association and First Choice Holidays S.C. The boats came from ports from Lymington to Chichester with the smallest being Little Tern, a First 21'.

The weather forecast was mixed - a lull on Thursday, a kind SW on Friday and then some gale force winds from the South over the weekend. As so often happens the reality was not quite as bad as expected and some very good autumn sailing was experienced on the first 2 days followed by some more "challenging" passages over the weekend with lots of life jackets in evidence following our talk by the RNLI last year! Miraculously most boats seemed to dodge the rain whilst sailing.

Given the diverse starting points, boats were fairly dispersed on Thursday night - in Cowes, Portsmouth and Yarmouth, even Newtown Creek. On Friday we assembled in Ocean Village Marina to gather for the traditional "Commodores Cocktails" at the RSYC. Very appropriately, the fancy dress theme was an A - Z of drinks and this was interpreted in a number of different ways - the easy option was a single painted "rusty (finger) nail", the peoples choice was a triangular bandage fashioned into a "Singapore Sling" and we had good representations from Old Peculiar and Guinness as well as a Pink Lady, Black Russian and a Bloody Mary, all drinks served by your very own A-Z Catering Company!

An excellent dinner was enjoyed, followed by the Commodores speech in which he welcomed the virgins and highlighted some of the rallies mishaps! The staff at the RSYC were extremely hospitable but eventually threw us out at midnight at which point those still standing were entertained aboard Loxley B (many thanks to Martin Woods and crew) until eight bells (at least).

Hot Hot Hot 2008

Our 8th trip to warmer climes looked set to be the biggest and best ever with 5 boats chartered from Skiathos and 29 attendees. That was until 1 week before departure when XL went bust! 24 people had to reorganise their travel arrangements which they did in typical HOEOCA style, (optimistically), with nearly half travelling to Athens and onwards via a 4.5 hour "express" bus journey, overnight stay and a ride on the Flying Dolphin. For those of a less adventurous nature (and who had to be back on Friday night), we managed to transfer the charter of one boat from Skiathos to Pireaus where 5 members enjoyed their week on yacht Seagull although were disappointed that no one was able to attend their cocktail party, allegedly, the canap�s were superb and the Veuve Clicquot very refreshing.

For the remaining 20 of us now in Skiathos (those with a head for figures will have noticed we lost 4 - 2 did not attempt it and 2 opted for a few days in Cyprus after many frustrations with trying to cross to Skiathos), sailing on the Saturday was lost due to rain and high winds. After more early rain on Sunday, the crew of Silver was the first to poke their nose out and informed us that the sea had calmed down and the wind was now a kind N 3/4 enabling us all to make our planned SW passage to Patitiri on Alonnissos, a charming little town, where we all successfully executed the required stern to mooring position, albeit it in a sloppy corner of the bay. After all the adversities we had achieved the first leg of our trip! Cause to break out the G & Ts.

The days continued thus with rain in the mornings followed, to a greater or lesser extent, by better conditions in the afternoons and some good sailing was enjoyed as well as one or two lunchtime swim stops in lovely bays when the sun shone. After a further night on the same island (including showers) at Steni Valla we headed to the island of Skopelos. For the uninitiated this is where the recent Mamma Mia movie was filmed and, after a good night in lovely Skopelos town, we went in search of the Mamma Mia bay. Our last port, Loutraki, proved to be an interesting place - taxis to the hilltop town of Glossa (hair-pin bends, all in first gear with the driver on the phone!) where we enjoyed the best Greek food most of us have ever had. And then it was back to Skiathos Town for a last night out together - dinner and then the singing of Abba songs in the Fresh bar until we were kicked out!

The area is very beautiful, greener than most of Greece, the Northern Islands are uninhabited (apart from by the mad monk) and a marine conservation area to boot. I think we'd all like to go back there (eventually) and see it in better weather. So, pluses - great scenery, good fellowship and HOEOCA grit; minuses - the weather, one broken hotel lift and a very bruised face from a passerelle with attitude.