Rally Report by Peter Manning

The 2007 Summer Rally was held over the Bank Holiday weekend of 26th and 27th May. This was much earlier than in previous years due to Warsash Sailing Club holding their 50th Anniversary celebrations over our preferred weekend.

We had an interesting selection of boats this year although because of the dates and other commitments some of our regular members were unable to attend. 31 members and friends attended the rally.

Bertrand Fercot came in his Tiki 30 PHA and rang rings round the rest of the fleet. Chris Edwards in his Sunbird 28 gave Bertrand a good run for his money whilst Chris's son Mike chased his dad in his Newbridge Navigator 19.

Robin kept an eye on everyone is his Macgregor BUNNY whilst Slieve in his Westerley Longbow POPPY had great fun trying out his new and rather unusual split junk sail which looked like a traditional junk sail but with the sail slit vertically close to the mast and with the forward panels cambered. Initial trials looked very promising but as Slieve says, it is early days and there is much work to do to get the rig setting well. We look forward to seeing the final results.

Other boats which came to the rally included Dennis Shepherd's Atlantic 28 HUI MAR and Gerry O'Brien's Virgo Voyager CHINA GIRL II.

After enjoying lunch and a chat amongst members at the Warsash Sailing Club, we joined the boats and spent a pleasant afternoon sailing in Southampton water. This was the best sailing day of the weekend with sunshine and pleasant sailing winds. The forecast for Sunday was very different with strong winds and rain expected. This raised the prospect that some boats may not be able to sail to Shamrock Quay for our traditional Sunday barbecue.

The evening programme began with the annual general meeting of the association followed by a buffet meal. Peter Manning then gave an illustrated talk on the building of his boat MALLIEMAC, the sister-ship to David Tyler's TYSTIE, which he hopes to launch later this year.

Sunday morning arrived as predicted with rain but without the strong winds. Fortunately these did not arrive until the evening. Six boats had a very wet sail to Shamrock Quay. Those that could took shelter, the hardy donned waterproofs and set sail. The rain was not too heavy but persistent and of the type that seems to soak you no matter how good the oilies.

Because of the weather, we had to eat inside at Shamrock Quay, so we stayed dry (relatively) but the chef was not so lucky. The barbecue had to remain outside and so did he although partially protected by covers. Notwithstanding these little difficulties we all enjoyed an excellent barbecue.

Sailing off the pontoons after lunch proved a challenge for some and a worry for others but in all cases ultimately successful. The rain persisted and we had another wet and cool return sail back to Warsash Sailing Club where we bade our farewells and made our way home.

This rally report and related photos were taken
from the Junk Rig Association Newsletter 49.