Dear All
One of the events that was agreed at the AGM was a Solent/Poole Event in May 2026. I was tasked with organising this Event and we need to make decisons quickly as it is now only 2 months away.
An initial plan is to launch at Mercury Marina on Thursday 30 April or Friday 1 May. The routing will then depend on a) how long you want to attend and b) the weather forecast. From the Hamble we can either go up and down the Solent, or if weather permits a trip taking in all or some of Christchurch, Poole and Swanage departing from Yarmouth or Lymington.
It is Spring tides that weekend with HW on Friday at 12:05 and on Monday at 13:50.
Whilst the first Bamk Holiday was chosen at the AGM, it is also an option to move to the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May.
Could those that are interested please answer the following by 9 March 2026.
1. Would you prefer this to be a long weekend or a full week event?
2. Would you prefer the first or second Bank Holiday in May, or perhaps both are OK for you.
I request a rapid response to judge interest as I will need to do some marina bookings well in advance to ensure we can get places reserved. Please respond by 9 March.
If you have questions or prefer email then my address is chrisharnan@yahoo.co.uk
Kind regards Chris Harnan
That's great Chris. First Bank Holiday weekend works well but I would not be able to make the second one.
Unlikely to be able to do the whole week but could do something like Friday to Wednesday.
Hi Chris, myself on ANDIAMO and my occasional crew ( my son & a neighbour who like excitement ) will be down at Bucklers Hard from the 29th April to the 9th May so we are a definite. Will possibly sail around to mercury on the Friday or meet up at first point of call.
Hi Chris, Margarita (Nic, Neil and Poppy) are keen to try and join on the first bank holiday option. We are giving Margarita a shake down on the Orwell on 7/8/9 March while we get the trailer repaired. Baring no issues, we can do early May but not late May. Best, Nic
First week of May will probably work best for me too. Im hoping to be sailing for the full week . Looking forward to it already !
Thanks for the very rapid responses. We now have 6 'confirmed' attendees and still a good chance that some others will sign up later this week.
Everyone can do the early BH and only some the later one so it is confirmed for a core period of Friday 1 May 2026 to Monday 4 May 2026. Some want only the weekend and others are up for a week. I will try to sort a program that works for everyone once I have further replies from attendees.
Attendess so far: Matt Rose, Andrew Leach, Nicola Wood et al, Roly, Steve MacFarlane, and me.
I would much prefer to use email from here on in so please let me have your email address (or mobile for WhatsApp). I will set up a WhatsApp group for those who are happy to be on that nearer the time.
Best Regards Chris
That's great work Chris . Just a reminder to all that in case you're bothered , any contact details posted on these forums are visible by non members . All contact details are on the membership list which is private to members so those that don't have it can get Chris' contact details from there.
Thanks for that Roly. After all these years I had never looked at that list.
If you want to find the full details including Boat name and email etc you need to download the pdf "Membership List" and the button is just below the map.
I must also humbly apologise for not including the Commodore who was the first to respond yesterday. So now hopefully at least 7 boats!!
Regards Chris
I have just sent an email to Andiamo, Black Shadow, Infinity, Just Us, Margarita, Maximus (who have all expressed and interest) and Getaway, Fairlight and Sarenne (who I think may be interested). Many of the addresses are from the Contact List on the Website.
If you do not receive this email, pls send me an email at chrisharnan@yahoo.co.uk and repeat /give me your email address.
I know Sarenne is wrong but have WhatsApp'ed Mark direct asking for the correct address.
Regards Chris
I am pleased to announce that there are now 9 confirmed boats signed up for the Solent event: Andiamo, Black Shadow, Fairlight, Infinity, Just Us, Margarita, Maximus, Sarenne and Skylar. 2 will stay just for a long weekend and 7 will stay for a week. I have just sent an email with full details to all boats listed here. If you do not receive this email, pls advise as I keep getting an error warning about one of the addresses.
Getting to Poole and back over the long weekend has some issues so the weekend will be up and down the Solent and then the remaining 7 boats will head towards Poole or Christchurch (weather permitting). The maximum distances over the weekend are about 10 nm so not so difficult.
If anyone else is interested, I will happily send the details to you.
Best Regards Chris
Just a quick update for any others that may wish to join the Solent Event. Block bookings have now been made (see below) but final numbers can be increased so more participants can be catered for and are most welcome. Program is as follows:
Thursday, 30 April 2026 - Launch at Mercury Marina on the Hamble
Friday, 1 May 2026 - Mercury towards Shepards Wharf at Cowes. This is next to Cowes Yacht Haven so is handy for the town centre.
Saturday, 2 May 2026 - Cowes towards Lymington. Booked to moor on Town Quay.
Sunday, 3 May 2026 - Lymington towards Poole. Booked at Cobbs Quay.
Monday, 4 May 2026 - Explore Poole Harbour and/or Wareham. Return to Coobs Quay.
Tuesday, 5 May 2026 - Swanage, Christchurch???? TBD
Wednesday, 6 May - Poole towards Yarmouth. Booked on walk-ashore pontoon.
Thursday, 7 May - Yarmouth towards Mercury MArine.
The more observant will note the use of "towards" instead of "to" which is superstitious sailor behaviour attempting not to tempt fate! Has always worked for me to date. I once asked a guy who had singlehanded around the world 3.5 times if he really believed all that sort of stuff. He replied "not really sure" but why take the risk!!
Let me know if you feel tempted.
Kind regards Chris
Pages