| The summer season of 2009 has been a busy one for the Club's Motorboat division. Organised by Chairman of Motorboats, David Mead, activities commenced with the Spring Rally in early May, when upwards of 20 boats and more than 60 Members and friends opened their cruise with a visit to Bembridge Harbour and after a warm welcome from their Commodore, the group enjoyed dinner in the stylish environs of the Bembridge Sailing Club. |
| Less than perfect weather and a reticence by the temporary residents to depart meant a wait in Yarmouth roads but eventually space was made within the prettiest harbour in the western Solent and the flotilla spread itself above and below the bridge for the second night afloat and crews mingled for a pontoon party and other pleasures ashore. |
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| Fresh from his time with the Cruiser Rally, the fleet was joined by the Commodore and his party for the third day of the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, which was spent in the lower reaches of the Beaulieu River, with a sumptuous lunch at the Royal Southampton's Gins Farm annexe, before the fleet decamped back to the Hamble and further east. |
The Motorboat Open Weekend at the end of May was arguably the highpoint of the Club's motorboat programme and featured again on the Motor Boats Monthly Cruising Club calendar.
Organised by John Walker, the newly instituted Inter-Club Team Trophy competition brought around 30 boats, from RIBs to 52 foot cruising boats to the Club and taxed the Bosuns and berthing party but eventually everyone was accommodated. |
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| Competing for the WD & HO Wills cup, first awarded in 1962, teams of three vessels, representing single yacht or owners clubs, took part in a Poker Run followed by an al fresco lunch in Folly Reach, a Predicted Log to get the fleet back to the Hamble and ended on the Sunday morning with a Solen Safari, lunch and prize giving. |
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| Sponsorship from Michel Herbelin, E.P.Barrus, GJW Direct, Marina Marbella, Seastart and Swordsman Marine allowed the Club to stage a unique mixture of waterborne competition, relaxed ambiance, good food and the chance for crews to discover more about the Solent and their boats than they may have thought possible. |
Club Members fared well. Sue Wilce was best at poker, Les Williams & Billy Foulkes took the honours in the predicted log and Chris Clayton proved most adept at gathering the safari clues.
The inaugural Inter Club competition was won by the Royal Southern No. 1 team of Martin Bedford, Andy Short & Fred Ward, from the Nimbus Owners Club, RsrnYC No.2, RSrnYC No.3, the Fairey Owners Club and the Nelson Owners Club. |
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| Trophies were presented by the Commodore, assisted by representatives from the sponsors and the Club received many plaudits for what had been a great weekend of weather and competition. |
Jennie & Trevor Blaber undertook the organisation of the Euro Rally in July.
Each summer for more than ten years, the motor boat contingent has ventured into mainland Europe in search of culture, cool cruising grounds and collective degustation gastronomique.
Previously, the Club's Rallies had visited Paris, Rotterdam, the Isles of Scilly, the Golfe du Morbihan, Normandy and Brittany and 2009 saw a return to the Channel Islands and Brittany. |
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| Starting in Guernsey and visiting Jersey, Granville and Carteret, the crews of eight boats enjoyed a highly sociable and successful two weeks in company, with many side trips and activities ashore to keep everyone amused. A great success. |
The on-water programme ended in September with the Autumn Rally to Cowes. A gentle programme brought together by John Walker saw ten boats and 35 people venture across the water to the Medina and again in brilliant weather, a champagne reception and dinner at the Island Sailing Club was followed on the Sunday by lunch in the Sir Max Aitken Museum.
Those newcomers or old hands to The Prospect were able to inspect the spectacular sailing, motorboating and flying memorabilia gathered there by Sir Max, during his many years of ocean racing and powerboat racing. |
The final fling for the Motorboat division is traditionally the Christmas dinner, held this year on 4 December, where prizes for the best of the Club's golfers and shooters are distributed and general jollity prevails.
The Motorboat Committee wishes to thank all Club Members and their guests who have supported the programme this year and will announce the 2010 schedule at that dinner and on the website. |
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David Mead.
Chairman - Motorboat Division |