BIG MAC 2023 Cardiff Bay

Original forum: 

  • On the water:Association events

I'm hoping a good number of you have put the Big Mac 2023 26 July to 2 Aug in your diary?

We will run the event to address all levels of ability with weather being, as usual, the determining factor. I feel a main reason for the Big Mac is to help introduce new owners to the pleasure of trailering at the same time as creating a very sociable holiday doing an activity we enjoy. It's been my experience that this is a great opportunity to benefit from the seasoned sailors amongst us along with physical help with launching, setting up and, it has happened, helping with recovery following something going wrong.

The non tidal Bay is a great resource and it may be you would just like to spend a day in the Bay getting everything checked out before going out into the estuary, I'd like your comments. My intention for the Thursday was to go out through the locks to have a simple sail around Steep and Flat Holme islands though anyone could opt to stay in the Bay.

Very provisional itinerary is:

  • Wednesday arrive during the day avoiding 1900 to 2000 to avoid the racing dinghys who get in the way. Dinner in the club house.
  • Thursday around Steep and Flat Holme back into the Bay to Mermaid Quay to eat either on boats with perhaps a stroll into Cardiff or dinner somewhere in town.
  • Friday to Watchett
  • Saturday to Portishead
  • Sunday a short journey up the Avon to the Floating Harbour in Bristol
  • Monday lazy day in Bristol the musem is good fun.
  • Tuesday back to Cardiff
  • Wednesday home

My club has it all diarised and it's now time I got everything booked especially Watchett as it has limited capacity.

SO can you please let me know whether you hope/intend to come, what boat (everyone seems to have been changing) and crew numbers, in the next few days so that I can make provisional bookings. We will do our best to accommodate anyone wishing to come at the last minute.

If anyone wants to come for more days can you also let me know. I am sure that wont be a problem for the club.

Jonathan

12 Comments

Thanks Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan

We are in, will be myself and my two girls (9 and 12 - would be great to see some other folk with kids out),

All being well in new boat Infinity (not collected yet), but failing that Song of Life (26M) is raring to go).

Hi Jonathan

Hi Jonathan

Please book Tracey and I in on Black Shadow 26M

Regards

Andrew Vincent

quentin.sands's picture

Thank you for the update

Thank you for the update Jonathan and for your organisation. I am on for this and will be accompanied by my friend and crew, Matthew. Nicola has decided not to come so that we can, if the weather permits, let the sails out a bit more. Looking forward to it.

Quentin Sands, past owner

1991 26C Mrs MacGregor 

1993 Mac19, Margarita 

quentin.sands's picture

Excuse me Jonathan if I am hi

Excuse me Jonathan if I am hi-jacking your planning, I've just got time on my hands and lots of curiosity about the Big Mac. Just been looking at the proposed crossing to Watchet on July 28th. As the crow flies it is under 20 miles. Tides seem favourable - a neap tide with HW Watchet 1354. The suggestion is that entry should be made 1.5 hours either side of HW but I guess we'll have more leeway. It also warns to beware strong onshore winds. Anyway, weather permitting, it all looks good for a big breakfast and out of Cardiff by 9.

Quentin Sands, past owner

1991 26C Mrs MacGregor 

1993 Mac19, Margarita 

Well done Quentin

Well done Quentin

That's a good reminder to everyone that we all need to do our provisional planning.

The tides are nicely in our favour and as it's neaps we probably have nearer 3 hours either side. On our first visit at low we had to anchor outside and wait and despite the tide our anchor held in the mud. Infact there is a pool inside the entrance before the lock gates which given the right tide and depth can be sat in to wait for sufficient depth in the lock. They will open quite early for the power boats.

It will probably be best to aim for high tide with an hour after of comfort. The strongest tide is close around the pier but this can be avoided.

Jonathan

Hi everybody.

Hi everybody.

Weeks of preparation for and Son's DIY wedding in the garden now over, only an extension concrete slab at my daughters to lay and I'll be able to devote my time to Big Mac 2023!!

We have a nice 6 boats coming to Cardiff' I'd love more but this will be a nice group. It's not too late to join us! Let me know asap.

We have:

Mathew Rose and his two girls in Infinity (Odin 820) or Song of Life 26M
Andrew and Tracey Vincent in Black Shadow 26M
Gregory Kiddell in Bella 26S
Chris Harnan in his Shrimper
Quentin and Mathew in Margarita M19
Roly and Ros in Maximus (Imexus 27)
Unfortunately Roger and Anne Morris have had to pull out.

Is anybody not on WhatsApp (or if everyone preferred Signal) as I propose setting up a dedicated group on WhatsApp to keep our Web site free. If anyone else wants to be in the WhatsApp group let me know. Gregory and Chris are you both on your own or will you have crew?

Jonathan

Bigmac at Cardiff has been

Bigmac at Cardiff has been cancelled due to the strong wind forecast in the Bristol Channel and the effect that will have on the waves.

But.......Bigmac will now be moved to Plymouth over the same dates: Wed 26 July to Wed 2 August. We will launch and recover at Plymouth Yacht Haven (Mountbatten).

Quentin and I are definites and Andrew, Roly and Jonathan are also likely to join. This will hopefully attract more to come.

Plymouth offers much more sheltered sailing and options to explore rivers if strong winds are forecast.

If you are interested, please let me know asap.

Chris H

rick.jones's picture

Charity collections:

Charity collections:

In the past we used to try to raise a bit of money for charity at MOA events, but it's fallen by the wayside in the last few years. I keep track of any funds to be allocated to charity, and at the moment we have £23.35 in the account, mainly from the sale of the last few old souvenir mugs. It would be nice if the crews going to the Big Mac could think of some things to do to raise a bit of money - I'll leave it to you, I'm not very inventive at that kind of thing!

If you do manage to collect anything, just let me know and pay it into the club bank account.

It's the commodore's privilege to choose a charity, and assuming we have more than a paltry sum, we can donate it in October (before that accounts are closed for the year).

Anyway, I'll leave that with you, hope you all have fun at Plymouth!

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

rick.jones's picture

Hi all Big Maccers, I hope

Hi all Big Maccers, I hope the event was successful and not derailed too much by the weather. I would guess it was pretty blowy and stormy!

My phone has been reminding me that it's exactly 10 years since a previous event at Plymouth, where I crewed for, I think, Jim Rotheram. It was lovely and sunny on that one!

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