Big Mac 2021

rick.jones's picture

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  • On the water:Association events

Postponed from 2020!

The planned Big Mac for 2020 had of course to be cancelled due to Covid. If things nationwide go to plan then by this July we will be free of restrictions. We are therefore planning to run the event that we would have run last year. Here's the plan, same as before:

Our last Big Mac was at Windermere in Cumbria, so this year’s gathering is planned for the South of England. We have used the excellent Solent area several times before, but this time we’ve decided on Chichester Harbour as a base.

“Harbour” is a bit of a misnomer, as it’s more of a reverse-delta - a number of separate channels all converging at one mouth into the sea. You can see on the section of Navionics chart shown here that it’s all the water to the East of Hayling Island (you can view all the Navionics charts on our web site, just login and look under Members Area).

This provides a safe area for pottering around, especially if the weather conditions don’t favour sailing out to sea. Except at very low tides, most of the green areas are under water of course, but other than at high springs you need to be a bit careful of shallows if you sail outside the marked channels.

We will be using Chichester Marina on the Eastern arm as our base (it’s the largest marina in the harbour) from where you can venture up the different channels to historic Bosham - birthplace of King Harold - or Thornham, Emsworth, or Northney, or stop off at Itchenor, or beach at West Wittering.

By venturing out to sea, you can visit the unspoilt Langstone Harbour to the West, or Portsmouth Harbour a bit farther on, where there are several more marinas. It’s also an easy sail across to Bembridge or Ryde on the Isle of Wight, and further West to the rest of the Solent.

There’s plenty of scope for land-based activities, either in case of bad weather, or for those that prefer not to spend all their time afloat. Chichester itself is a charming place, a small historic city with a largely pedestrianised center and impressive cathedral. Substantial sections of the old city wall are still intact, which you can walk along. It’s only 3 miles by road, or you can take a 3½ mile walk along the old canal towpath.

If we stop over in Portsmouth Harbour, there’s the Historic Dockyard with HMS Victory, Mary Rose, and lots more, as well as Spinnaker Tower, or if you like shopping, Gunwharf Quays. There’s also plenty of opportunities for country walks, including on the Isle of Wight. So something for everyone!

Chichester is part of the Premier Marinas group, and is very well serviced. It’s accessible at all states of tide via a lock. It is easy to reach by road, being just 3 miles from the A27 South coast trunk road, itself directly linked to the M3 and A3. There is a slipway and trailer parking.
You can find more information about the marina on the web at premiermarinas.com/UK-Marina-locationso/Chichester-Marina/

We plan to make a provisional group booking for 21 - 28 July We have now booked a provisional 12 berths for 28 July - 4 August 2021, we don’t have an exact price, but anticipate around £25/night.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested, in particular we need to form a good idea of how many boats will be attending so we can firm up the booking.

You can post on the forum thread, or email me using treasurer@macgregorowners.org.uk, or phone me on 07970 183631. Use these channels either to confirm your interest or ask any questions.

Let’s hope 2021 will make up for what we missed in 2020!

chichester-chart

chichester-chart

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

111 Comments

Rick

Rick

Rick

Many thanks for all the hard work on this. I have now booked Bembridge for the night of 1/8/21.

I have tried to check whether the Premier "Great Escape" deal (7 nights for the price of 5 at any Premier Marina) is still working but they say it will not be set up until visitor restrictions are lifted - logical as it is for visiors!

Although it is neaps, when leaving/entering Chi Marina, those who are not familiar with the entrance channel should note that the channel is very narrow. Do not get pushed away from the marker posts by boats coming the other way and keep as close as possible to the posts. The area around the third one (on way in) has a particularly shallow bit which can be an issue with engine down at low water. This is also important when queuing in the channel for entry as the prevailing wind is normally blowing you off the posts. There is a tide guage at the lock showing minimum depth in the channel.

Kind regards Chris

Hi all

Hi all

Looking forward to our first Big Mac. Thank you to all who have put in the hard work in organising and advising this event.

We're just making our booking at Bembridge which comes up as Duver Marina - can someone confirm this is the correct marina? Would be sad to have booked into a different marina to the rest of you.

Roger

currently'UlsterScot'

rick.jones's picture

Hi Roger

Hi Roger

Duver Marina is correct. It's on the North side of Bembridge harbour, which is technically St. Helens, and adjacent to St. Helens Duver. ("Duver" is an old Isle of Wight word meaning a small coastal flood plain, and rhymes with cover, not hoover!)

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

Thank you, Rick. For a 26M

Thank you, Rick. For a 26M can anyone confirm the dimensions we should use as we are being quoted £30. Draught with engine down rather than rudders, or shorter with rudders down and greater draught? We may have just missed the cheap seats! Thanks.

Yep , that's what I paid. 

Yep , that's what I paid. Prove a seem to have gone up with demand. I reckon I need 0.6 to get into places with engine.

Roly

I couldn't book on line, so

I couldn't book on line, so phoned in and I paid £29.64

Hi Rick, I am excited to

Hi Rick, I am excited to report that I have picked up an M (Song of Life) to go with my burgee.

I will go ahead and book Bembridge and will prob have a boatful (2 adults and 3 kids). Will most probably join you on the Saturday after a sail up from Marchwood Southampton.

Regards,Matt Rose

rick.jones's picture

Hi Matt

Hi Matt

That's great, the more the merrier!

Yes, booking at Bembridge essential, but Haslar for Saturday night are pretty flexible, we can confirm nearer the time.

Will you be continuing to Chichester after Bembridge for Monday (and maybe Tuesday) night as well? This will need to be confirmed at least a week before the start of the event.

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

Hi Rick,

Hi Rick,

I have booked Bembridge booked and will plan to come to Chichester as well:)

will confirm closer to the time :)

Hi to you All who are going

Hi to you All who are going the Big Mac this year which looks like it's going to be quite a sizeable gathering. We have changed our tow vehicle to a 6.2metre A class (wide) Motorhome which I can now confirm that I'm happy to tow Star, our 26M with, however I'm having real worries about launching and wonder if anyone would be happy to hook up and launch/recover for us?

david.claassen's picture

Keith,

Keith,

I am sure there will be lots of others, but if I get there in time, I would be happy to launch/recover. I use a Ranger 4x4 that loves pulling heavy things...

David Claassen

"Logan's Run"

2006 26M

Hi David, thanks for your

Hi David, thanks for your offer. It's reassuring and I can now relax knowing that your help is at hand if we need it. Looking forward to meeting you and everyone at the event.

Ann & Keith

Star 26M

david.claassen's picture

Keith,

Keith,

I should tell you that I am uncertain when I am going to arrive for the event. We have houseguests leaving the day before, and I have to go to Titchmarsh to collect the boat....

David Claassen

"Logan's Run"

2006 26M

Hi David,

Hi David,

thanks for letting me know. We are going to attempt the launch and see how we go, so will only need help if there serious doubts. Looking forward to meeting you.

Unfortunately Ros can no

Unfortunately Ros can no longer be sure to make this event with me , though she may drive to meet us for meals or a day sail .....so I now have space for one person to crew with me and stay on board . Please let me know if interested for all or part of the time. I am of course fully immunised as probably we all shall be.

Roly

rick.jones's picture

Sitting indoors listening to

Sitting indoors listening to the rain hammering down on this glorious mid-summers day (!) I'm reminded that the Big Mac is approaching.

I will need to send final booking details to Chichester and Bembridge soon. However, there are 3 people who have not yet confirmed to me that they have booked into Bembridge. Even though we are booked as a rally, Bembridge require each boat to book and pay individually. I've sent direct messages to these members.

We have 15 boats in total, so it looks to be a good event. Let's just hope the weather becomes more like real summer!

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

rick.jones's picture

Hi all

Hi all

Next week I will send final booking details for the Big Mac boats to Chichester and Bembridge marinas, who both need to know full details in advance.

The final total is 12 boats, as follows:

White Lightning
Margarita
Star
Skylar
Song of Life
Logan's Run
Mist
Ulster Scot
Pas de Chat 2
Aranah
Mac Marie
Shema

Shema (Adrian Cox) is not booked into Chichester as the boat is berthed at Birdham Pool, literally next door to Chichester, but Adrian and Trish will be joining us socially.

Pas de Chat 2 (Roger Gabriel) will not be sailing to Bembridge but returning to Chichester for the Sunday night.

Otherwise, everyone is now booked into Bembridge, so I can finalise rally details with them.

I will inform Chichester that the 12 boats will be staying for the Wednesday and Thursday nights, then returning for the Monday and Tuesday nights. I will book Pas de Chat 2 in for the Sunday night as well.

If you plan on arriving at an earlier date and/or leaving at a later one, please contact Chichester marina directly to make your own arrangements. Please also let me know if you do so, to avoid any confusion when I make the group booking.

For those coming by road, please refer to earlier posts in this thread re. Ellscott Park caravan site for trailer parking. Remember you will need to pay CASH on arrival!

If you have any queries, or think there are errors (e.g. you're coming and are not in the list!), then please let me know ASAP.

Many thanks, looking forward to meeting everyone in 4 weeks time!

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

quentin.sands's picture

Great work Rick. Thanks for

Great work Rick. Thanks for the update. Looking forward to an adventure.

Quentin Sands (Editor)

1993 MacGregor 19, Margarita 

I have a feeling Ashanti will

I have a feeling Ashanti will be missing but check with John

john.pompei's picture

Hi Rick

Hi Rick

Yes Roly is right I won't be bringing Ashanti I'm crewing for Him instead.

Sorry for not being clear about this before.

Regards

John

Thank you Rick.

Thank you Rick.

As requested I confirm that Mist is booked in 3 nights earlier from the Sunday.

Jonathan

rick.jones's picture

OK, thanks John. Yes, it had

OK, thanks John. Yes, it had failed to register in my brain that you'd decided to crew for Roly.

Good thing I checked all the details!

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

Hi Rick,

Hi Rick,

I appreciate it approaching last minute but Pam and I would like to join you and the other Macaronis at Chichester. We will not be bringing the boat but be camping at Ellscott Park in the motorhome also affectionately known as 'the ambulance' by Jim Rotherham.

I assume the itinerary is as was ie all arrive on 28th July, which suits us fine as we have to attend a 40th wedding anniversary at Felpham on the 25th. We look forward to seeing you all and I am keen to help and learn as much as possible and should an opportunity arise for me to crew on one of the 'jaunts' then that would be marvellous.

Look forward to seeing you there

rick.jones's picture

Hi Robin

Hi Robin

No problem you joining us in the "ambulance", will be good to see you & Pam again. I'm sure there will be a bit of scope for crewing too.

Do you anticipate following us to Gosport, or even Bembridge?

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

Hi Rick,

Hi Rick,

Definitely will go to Gosport if that's where you plan the evening meal and if there is a crewing opportunity then perhaps I can join the flotilla? Have checked with Pam and I could meet her off the train in Portsmouth, they seem to run frequently and quite late in the evening so thats a possibility, we'll have to see how it pans out.

Dear all,

Dear all,

I am planning to roll up without a boat and hang around hopefully and enjoy any evening gatherings for the first part of the week and maybe cadge a lift/crew for someone to Bembridge where I will catch up with my old friend Anne and stay on the island for abit with her.

See you soon,

Liz

Hi Rick apologies for being a

Hi Rick apologies for being a bit slow here.

My plan was/is to meet you in Bembridge with Song of Life and then back to Chichester.

I have spoken to the marina and they now have me booked in only for the return part.

There is an outside chance I will get out earlier if I can escape from work....

Thanks again,

Matt

rick.jones's picture

Hi Matt

Hi Matt

Thanks for clarifying your plans, and for sorting the berthing booking with Chichester.

I guess if you do get away from work earlier, that will be in time to meet us in Gosport. Otherwise I look forward to meeting you in Bembridge!

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

rick.jones's picture

Dinner on Saturday 31 August

Dinner on Saturday 31 July (correction, previously I'd put August - wrong!)

Roly has booked the Lightship at Haslar marina, Gosport for 24 places, evening of the Saturday. That is a guess as to total number of people, so if you could let us know here if you plan to join, and how many, that would be a great help. I'm of course including those arriving without a boat, if you'd also like to join the dinner.

If we find it's more than 24 we will need to update the booking as soon as possible.

Advance menu selection and £5/head deposit will be required, I'm hoping we can do that on the Friday when we arrive at Haslar.

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

Hi Rick

Hi Rick

Please count us in (2 adults 2 older children) for Saturday night dinner.

Roger

Ulster Scot 26M (soon to be renamed Dragonfly)

I shall be there, Rick.

I shall be there, Rick.

Roly has kindly asked me to crew for him to Bembridge and then to Chichester.

I shall be coming down by train, (what time is the booking please) and returning to London by train on the Tuesday, all things being equal. So I would need to be included in the Bembridge meal and then back in Chichester on the Monday evening meal as well.

Looking forward to seeing everyone very much and having a much wanted sail.

Simon Armitage

No Boat.

rick.jones's picture

Hi Simon

Hi Simon

I'm not sure what time the Lightship is booked for (Roly?). For Bembridge there are no specific numbers, we just have a marquee and two big BBQs, and supply our own food. Chichester on Monday will be ad-hoc pot luck, same as all evenings except Sat & Sun.

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

quentin.sands's picture

Rick, not sure if you need

Rick, not sure if you need confirmation from those that are booked for the week but if so then yes, Nicola and I will be attending on the Saturday.

Quentin Sands (Editor)

1993 MacGregor 19, Margarita 

Hi Rick, we have had to

Hi Rick, we have had to change our plan and have to bring Nelly, so we can only come to the dinner if dogs are allowed. So doubtful?

Ann, Keith & Nelly

david.claassen's picture

I'll be there...

I'll be there...

David Claassen

"Logan's Run"

2006 26M

Hi Rick I posted something

Hi Rick I posted something here yesterday but it doesn't appear to be showing

I said we would like to attend the dinner at the light ship.

Rod and Jill

It will be lovely to see you

It will be lovely to see you and Jill again. I have checked with the Lightship and they don't see a problem with adding to the numbers nor should they have difficulty if the rule of 6 returns. They will email me details and the rally menu choices on Monday.

Roly

Miriam and Jonathan would

Miriam and Jonathan would like to come to the Lightship.

Thanks.

Adrian and Trish would like

Adrian and Trish would like to come to the Lightship. My son Patrick is also a possible, but plans still being sorted!

Adrian and Trish Cox

Shema 26M 2008 Birdham Pool

Hi everyone.

Hi everyone.

Miriam and I have arrived in Chichester Marina and are settled in berth B10 just one berth out of 1000. We drove across from Cardiff yesterday and parked up overnight at Ellscot Park to launch today. The marina is huge. We are both very excited and plan a short trip tomorrow to Bosham after buying fuel. We are taking it steady because I find it blumin hard work though very enjoyable.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in a couple of days.

Regards Jonathan

arndt-michael.meyer's picture

Hi Everybody,

Hi Everybody,

I have been a little bit quite recently. Watching a lot of sailing videos on YouTube...

Unluckily I have to realise, that I will not be able to make it to the BigMAC 2021.

As I am not vaccinated, I will not be allowed to travel. I thought about driving to Dieppe (France) anyway, but I risk is too high that I will get either into trouble or that I would not be allowed on the Ferry.

Therefore I will not be able to participate in this new adventure.

All the best and good winds for all of you

Arndt

PS: I tried to find my earlier post where I have been offered a place to sail together with you, therefore I reply on the forum.

Searching4MacGregor 26M (2010 to Tattoo) to use for 1) motoring (10km/h) all European channels, rivers & lakes 2) sailing (10km/h) all European coasts 3) trailering (80km/h) to all European destinations. Oh, I forgot 4) waterskiing :-)

Work window has just opened

Work window has just opened up so I am now hopeful to get launched with you lot tomorrow eve. My crew have deserted until weekend tho:(

I'll need to have a ring around Marina tomorrow to check they can fit me in. Not beholden to trailer storage as it needs to go home anyway as off to Weymouth after BigMac...

rick.jones's picture

Hi all, hopefully this isn't

Hi all, hopefully this isn't too late ...

I trust you're all ready for the Big Mac, kicking off tomorrow. The weather looks like a mixed bag, let's hope it plays nice!

Jonathan & Miriam - hope you've been enjoying your extra days, and haven't got too wet.

Arndt - sorry to hear you won't be able to make it, it would have been nice to meet you.

For those towing, don't forget the potential satnav trap, as described here.

I should be there tomorrow mid to late afternoon, forecast winds in the Solent are pretty high, I may have to just motor.

Looking forward to a great few days. We have booked a big group at the marina restaurant for tomorrow evening, so a good time to meet new people and renew acquaintances. See you all there!

Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight

quentin.sands's picture

Thanks Rick, all set for our

Thanks Rick, all set for our journey from hot, sunny, calm northern latitudes to the stormy south. Hope to be with you late afternoon. Expecting chaos so anything less will be a bonus.

Quentin Sands (Editor)

1993 MacGregor 19, Margarita 

david.claassen's picture

Ready to start for the South

Ready to start for the South tomorrow morning. Chaos sounds good!

David Claassen

"Logan's Run"

2006 26M

Looking forward to all your

Looking forward to all your arrivals. I am already here in Chichester and enjoyed a nice walk and a good evening sail with the Knights on Mist. I shall endeavour to be on hand after lunch to assist .

I have booked food at the Marina cafe at 7.30 but they would like preorder of food to help their ched since short staffed. I will try to circulate the menu. Obviously nothing to stop an earlier evening chat at their bar maybe from 6pm.

PS...thunderstorms last might but no rain at all here today.

Roly

quentin.sands's picture

Thanks for the update Roly.

Thanks for the update Roly. When we arrive should we go straight to rigging area/slipway on Salterns Way? Have received berthing info from marina but no arrival/launch details. Can we leave car and trailer temporarily before we take trailer to the campsite? Thanks.

Quentin Sands (Editor)

1993 MacGregor 19, Margarita 

Arrived 0200 this morning and

Arrived 0200 this morning and parked up opposite slipway. No details from marina? Will contact marina when Ann wakes up!

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