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Shakedown Rally - Easter 2024 The weather forecast proved to be a big challenge for the Shakedown Rally. Originally 28 boats signed up with a wait list. With 30 knot winds forecast on the Friday, throughout the week a number of power boats pulled out of the rally, and then a number of yachts decided to postpone until Saturday. Astrid ventured out of Port Solent on free flow. We enjoyed a roller coaster ride in turbulent waters until we got into the deeper water of the Solent when the sea state gradually eased. A few others also ventured out and we all arrived in Cowes without incident. The majority arrived the following day under sunny skies and a much more temperate forecast, ending up with 22 boats at the rally. Because of the delayed arrivals, we were a select 15 at pre-dinner drinks on Friday evening, we really needed a few more takers for the cake and fizz, but the marina staff didn’t complain! and then, 11 of us stayed on to enjoy a faith supper together on the veranda. The trip to the Folly in tenders was aborted on Saturday as again, most boats were still under wayto Cowes, so, with CYH permission, a few of us returned to the veranda to enjoy a buffet lunch and cake leftover from the night before while some people enjoyed a visit to Osborne house and others did their own thing. Pre dinner drinks on Saturday evening was much better attended, with 14 people also joining in the Easter Bonnet parade, the prize being won by Jane Kelvey who lit us all up with her creation. Gail won the 7 Wonders of the Isle of Wight quiz. 32 of us then went for dinner at Island Sailing Club, who fed us and looked after us beautifully. Sunday was a free day, and 11 of us strolled up to the Lifeboat Pub, via the Chain ferry for an enjoyable Sunday Roast while others again did their own thing. Having the bad weather on Friday, it was a bonus being a bank holiday weekend, which gave us all an extra day to enjoy in Cowes - always a nice place to be, and everyone headed back to their moorings on Monday morning to await the next rally. Julie & Derek - Astrid Winter Walk no. 3 Northney Circular After a week of almost continuous rain, all awoke to sunny skies and a gentle breeze. We had previously found deep pools of water barring the planned route, an early recce found the flooding was still there, Plan B - slightly longer was invoked. We returned to The Ship Inn to await arrivals at the already bustling car park. 22 members arrived; after a short briefing we set off dodging traffic to cross the busy Hayling access road and over the bridge for the Hayling Billy Trail. Competing for space with other walkers, cyclists and joggers, we turned off the track after 300 yards to follow the edge of Langstone Harbour. To our side, we could see the old oyster beds,killed off by sewage outflow in 1902. Half an hour into the walk, we had a coffee break at the ‘truck’, then assembled for a group photo, with The Spinnaker Tower in the distance as back-drop. We took a narrow footway through a ‘kissing gate’ and into the tranquility of the churchyard of St Peter’s Church. This Norman church (1140), is the oldest on the island and still in regular use. Dodging the stream and daffodils, a few of the group made a short detour, to find the headstone of Russian Princess Catherine Yourievsky [1880-1959], a daughter of Tsar Alexander II. Onward across heavy wet terrain, we rounded fields until briefly joining Northney Road. 150 yards further took us to a farm track, heading westwards. A zigzag along the ensuing paths brought us to a stile, at the rear of the petrol station and the end of our walk. Members then made their own way back across Hayling Bridge to The Ship and to their cars, which were still secure at low tide. Thanks to all for your company and conversation. Richard and Carole and Ruby. - ‘Thomas Hardy’ Ed - a full report appears on the Social Page of the website. | Membership for 2024 and Event Etiquette A big thank you to all who have renewed their membership for another year -you will see on the website the exciting programme of rallies and social events plannedfor this coming season. If you would like a membership card you can download a new version to your phone. Once your payment has been received the card is available on your profile page and can be downloaded by following instructions on this page “How to use Videos & Links” Our 2024 Rally Programme can be found by clicking here Rally Events Please add your name to the waitlist if you want to come on any rally - we do try to accommodate as many members as possible. If you register but then find your plans change, then please Cancel as soon as you can to allow others to take your place. Most of our social events are now number restricted by the venue, so again please Cancel as soon as possible to allow others to attend. I'm looking forward to being on the water again soon and seeing as many of you as possible at our various social events! Gail - Commodore Events
Winter Talk no. 3 Gas Safety on boats The last talk this winter was given by Dave Waugh of Apollo Gas together with Izzy his attractive four-legged assistant. Dave is a PSYC sail member and keeps his boat in the marina.
Dave reminded us the need to keep gas pipework, fittings and cookers under review at least annually. He told us in particular how LPG eats the inside of the orange pipework from the inside so boat owners don’t know they have a problem until the worst happens. I heard one or two sharp intakes of breath as he said that these need to be changed every five years (they are all date stamped). He also reminded us of the importance of having a carbon monoxide alarm in the cabin which should be positioned at head height and a gas alarm which should be positioned as low as possible. He advised us how to check regulators and clean cooker burners from time to time. For those boat owners who do not have gas on board and believe this talk is of no concern to them, Dave suggested that a fire caused by a gas leak on the boat on the next-door berth might not be covered by the owner’s insurance if the pipework and fittings are not regularly maintained. Dave has offered a 10% discount for gas services to all PSYC members and would be pleased to hear from any boat owner. Gail Time to get back on the water Live Weather & Radio Checks National Coastwatch Institute volunteers regularly transmit details of current weather conditions at their local watch station on VHF Ch 65. The timetable for their regular transmissions is available as a PDF NCI Broadcast Times - Solent.pdf You can also call up the local NCWI station on VHF Ch 65 for current weather details or simply to test your AIS or VHF radio signal. |
We re-traversed the A3023, and endured a not-so-pleasant stretch along the main road before turning towards Northney Farm. A sign to avoid the farmyard, took us through a heavily-sodden energy-sapping field, before emerging onto a wide hard-core track. This soon met up with our original route past the dormant sunflower fields, these glorious flowers are grown by the farmer and sold on site.
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