Solent Boat Rally 2016

[Gazjen]

I'd be interested, it's about time I got back in the salty stuff.


We could travel down in convoy Betty

[betty boop]

I'd be interested, it's about time I got back in the salty stuff.


We could travel down in convoy Betty

yeah like the sound that,

I would go for trips in around Solent / needles more so than round the island again, Portsmouth or Chichtester Harbour for eastern destination alternatives. We could take in a day's shopping at GunWharf Quays

[Matt13]

I am most definitely interested, although the next couple of years seems like even less likely I'll be using my boat much. So if im free and I still have the boat im in!

[TorbayRob]

Well done Nick! Nothing to worry about in cribbing our format - we're novices at it too and have just evolved 'what works'...

I'll be in if final date is do-able! I can probably interest a few of our regulars too...

A few suggestions/thoughts that may help:

Dates: Look at tides for launch/recovery and river runs - some dates won't be suitable and you need to work around this. 3 days & Bank holidays suited us because of the distances and we felt more days made the journey more worthwhile for those further afield. A weekend may be better - certainly for the first one? To do well, it does require quite a lot of time investment and the days can be quite stressful trying to ensure everyone is ok and having a good experience! It was only after year three that I started to relax and I think John found exactly the same. We opted for May as the weather is warm enough for most, usually more settled than summer and easier/cheaper to get accommodation for those travelling to your event.

Insurance. After a fair bit of research, we were led to believe that this wasn't necessary. However, the registration form states that owners provide their own and are responsible for their own launch, fuel etc and the organisers accept no responsibility. We have basically just got everyone together and how much or little they participate is up to them - all we ask is they let us know if they want to go off and 'do their own thing' so that the rest are not left wondering/waiting. Obviously as a group we would (and have) assisted anyone in difficulty or broken down etc, but participants shouldn't look to feel safer and take risks that they wouldn't normally feel capable of - beyond that bit of reassurance knowing someone is close by. Most/all of those here are sensible, seasoned boaters so shouldn't be an issue, but we also did a poster campaign too and didn't want complete novices turning up to sea trial their eBay special they bought the week before...

Harbour Masters: Need to be informed of the event, format and approximate numbers - out of courtesy if nothing else. Also if numbers look significant, let HMCG know too.

Pontoon: This really helped our event as it provides a base/congregation point and easy access to shore /facilities (quite important if partners & kids etc are attending! It's also useful to be able to return to if anyone has problems or conditions turn sour. Also a good social opportunity to view/discuss boats etc. MSL may have a similar events pontoon in the area perhaps - or even harbour master?

Local info: Slipways, fees, parking, campsites, B&B' are frequently asked about. Other less asked stuff that's important to highlight includes sandbars, submerged rocks, ferries etc - not everyone has plotter or charts (I always have both, but others may have only used lakes or familiar waters)

Avoid anything competitive or 'race' orientated as risk increases and HM will then want insurance etc = minefield! Fun events/skills challenges etc are ok, but do a risk analysis and think through what could go wrong and how you'd mitigate. Some simple do's and don't s for participants - like kill cords and life jackets is advisable, plus highlighting any local hazards that visitors wouldn't perhaps be aware of. I've always taken spare fuel in case anyone runs out, first aid kit, tools, thermal blankets, throw line, and a whole host of other 'essentials' like a bottle opener! Thankfully only the bottle opener was needed, but you get the idea - not so much thinking for others as ensuring that you're not going to get bad press if something goes amiss - 'disaster averted during boating event' is a much better headline for the local rag than a tragedy. Plus everyone going away happy means they'll want to come again!

I really believe that these events work well as they are not only social (I've made some great friends - as have others) - but they encourage us all to get more out of our boating and experience new waters, look first hand at how other boats perform and what might be next on our wish list...

Above all, take lots of pictures! Everyone loves pictures/video of their boat in action.

Best regards,

Rob

[ColinR]

I'm up for anything like that great idea Nick

[NickT]

Hi Rob,

You beat me to it! I was going to ask you how to do it!!

Yes, the location where we meet up and tides is probably the critical path for this and a weekend is much simpler as there are more of them to choose from compared to B/Hol weekends.

I'll have a chat with a boating colleague and do some research before picking the phone up to local marinas.

Is there a contact at MDL you could PM me please? It would be good to be able to drop names when calling....

Then I guess its a long list of to-do's and perhaps website/facebook page to set up. On that point do we have any IT savvy forum members please? If so could you PM me if you can help in this department - I am dangerous with a webs*ite.

Finally how do you take payment? Any pointers will be welcome.

Thanks

Nick

[mlines]

You have PM

[Ianfs]

Then I guess its a long list of to-do's and perhaps website/facebook page to set up. On that point do we have any IT savvy forum members please? If so could you PM me if you can help in this department - I am dangerous with a webs*ite.

As the idea was founded on the Boatbanter forum, the Boatbanter Facebook page springs to mind.

I could also open a separate Forum, in a similar way in which we had an RNLI auction a few years ago on the Sportsboat forum. Marketing would be a little limited, although I have to say that because of Boatbanter we might already have ten boats. A new Forum would show up on Google as well.

[F12xtreme]

Hi

We are new to the site and have a Fletcher 14 which we have run in the Solent and been to the Brixham rally with. Please definitely keep us posted about a Solent rally as we will be there if at all possible.......

Ian

[NickT]

Hi All,

I haven't forgotten about this - just been frantic at work.

I now have some prices for pontoon berthing at Premier Marina Swanwick which would be a good base to meet up/moor/eat etc. There are quite a few places to eat nearby where we could have a get together in the evening to reflect on the days activities and drink beer.

Those that trail their boats should have somewhere to securely put their trailers in the marina - failing that I am 3 mins up the hill and my drive could probably take 6 if we fill it up then lock the front gates!!

Prices for mooring are higher than the Brixham rally - its looking like about £20 per boat per night - down from the £28.40 normal charge though.

I am planning to have alternative activities if the weather is not good - bigger boats can still probably venture out to the Solent with my boaty colleague and I can take smaller ones up the Hamble/Ashlett Creek/Southampton water etc.

Date wise I was thinking of 25/26th June so meet up/launch on the Friday, activities Saturday and Sun morning then depart later that day.

I think a 3 day meeting is probably to ambitious first time round!

Can I have a revised hands up on who is interested please? I will pop down to the marina and see what launching/trailer/berthing arrangements are available.

I have attached a map of the proposed berthing location in red.

Ta