Looking back on the Spring Rally 2024

Despite pre-rally talk of rubbish weather conditions in the West Country in May, three crews assembled at Queen Anne’s Battery in Plymouth to take over an assorted collection of yachts from Liberty Yachts – Ventis Sekundis - a Delphia 40, Miranda - a shiny new(ish by comparison) Hanse 385, and the oldest boat in the fleet, Anodyne - a Bavaria 36, of which the writer was a member of the crew.

At roughly the same time, Sea Myth were setting out from the Solent with the intention of meeting up for the Rally Dinner in 6 days time – for more of their adventures see separate write up.

The chap from Liberty Yachts was nothing if not thorough, so despite being at the yacht for handover at 4pm, we didn’t actually get control of Anodyne (I say we, although as chief washer-upper, I should really say our esteemed skipper Allen) until about 7.30pm. With an early start planned on Saturday in order to catch favourable tides (or because Allen just wanted to test his crew’s ability to get out of their bunks in the morning), we opted to eat at the first restaurant we came to, The Rock Fish, which turned out to be an excellent option with some very good fish meals – the best meal of the week according to Steve (excepting the Rally Dinner of course), although somewhat pricier than the School Lane fish and chip shop!

Saturday

An early start was achieved, and before long we were setting sail for Salcombe – an easy 20nm according to the skipper, we’d be in by lunch time. Turns out multiple different weather apps couldn’t prevent us heading straight towards a wind blowing in the wrong direction – much deviation from course but some excellent sailing saw us reach Salcombe after 39nm, and just about in time for dinner, which was eaten on board, so we didn’t take advantage of the water taxi or our dinghy, but rested peacefully on a buoy for the night (very helpful harbour chap came round in a boat to help with lines, just after Peter had been dangled by his ankles over the bow to put a line through the buoy.)

Sunday

Allen’s log indicates F5/6 as we headed from Salcombe to Brixham – I think I must have blinked for that bit because my recollection is more of calm winds, and watching Ventis Sekundis heading further out to sea, presumably in search of a few more knots of wind, and Miranda taking the easy option and motoring all the way – although apparently this was so they could hang around with the dolphins for half an hour as they enjoyed a feeding frenzy – on Anodyne we enjoyed sighting the dolphins but were too busy trying to make headway with the sails to hang around to watch. So, from this on days sailing/motoring we were able to glean a few bits of information - the shiny new Hanse had a head sail that her crew didn’t rate, and therefore preferred to motor, Ventis Sekundis were determined to seek out any bit of wind going, while on Anodyne a pragmatic approach was adopted. Also established that weather apps are not to be relied upon.

Monday

The weather apps were all agreed that Monday’s weather was going to be horrible, and that if any boats wanted to leave Brixham before the winds got too strong they would need to go early – Ventis Sekundis, gluttons for punishment, made the early start and headed back to Dartmouth, while Anodyne and Miranda stayed safely in the marina at Brixham – safe all but for the dodgy water that was making residents (and some sailors) feel less than well. To be fair, Dartmouth is probably a preferable place to Brixham to spend a wet day. At this point, if not before, the crew of Ventis Sekundis were starting to find their vessel less than water tight, amid grumblings about wet mattresses and sleeping bags – we are assured that this was not due to hatches being left open

As an aside, if you are ever in the Blue Anchor in Brixham, check out the height of the doorway into the bar, and the corresponding height of the bar staff that work there – unreal!

Tuesday

By Tuesday morning conditions had improved sufficiently for the remaining two boats to be persuaded from their berths for the (relatively) short hop round Berry Head and along the coast to Dartmouth. The winds were still F5 so two reefs and a small head sail saw us making good progress to Dartmouth. We reached Dartmouth before lunch time only to find the immediate marinas full, so chugged further up river to Noss where the new marina has some excellent facilities, but requires a bit of a hike to get back into town – also noted that definitely not recommended to fall in along the walk ways as Allen noticed a complete lack of ladders to climb out again – not sure if he passed this observation on to the Marina staff.

Dartmouth itself proved a diverting place to spend an afternoon, and we met up with the crew of Miranda in a coffee shop (they seemed to be attempting to fit in maximum possible meal stops). I bailed out of another meal out, especially after the delights of Brixham water, and took the ferry back up river to Noss, while the rest of the crew of Anodyne enjoyed an excellent meal at The Bayards Cove Inn, followed by the reverse hike over the hill.

Wednesday

Conditions remained fairly similar as we set off from Dartmouth to Newton Ferrers, so a lively but entertaining sail brought us into the Yealm River in time to secure a berth on the visitors pontoon. We were joined by Ventis Sekundis, and both crews spent a very pleasant evening enjoying the sunshine and watching a fleet of Devon Yawls head out of the harbour for their weekly racing.

Thursday

The weather was kind to us for the final day’s sailing as we left Newton Ferrers for Plymouth, although the wind wasn’t in the ideal direction. Given a choice between a short motor round the corner into Plymouth or a leisurely sail in the sunshine towards the Eddystone Lighthouse, the crew of Anodyne opted for the latter. However, as the light house drew tantalisingly close, we were forced to turn for Plymouth as Peter was becoming concerned about time requirements for doing his nails before the Rally Dinner.

The Rally Dinner was an excellent gathering and took place at the Barbican Kitchen, which is based in the Plymouth Gin Distillery. Fine food and attentive and timely service.

Summary

Excellent company as ever on a HOEOCA Rally, interesting variety of conditions but very sailable on all but 1 day, and some lovely ports of call, all making for a very fine Rally. And Anodyne, the smallest and oldest boat in the fleet, sailed smoothly and without any troubles throughout.

Only shame was that we missed Sea Myth and her crew as they arrived in Plymouth when we had left for home.

Massive thank you Beryl for all the organisation, and to the skippers (Allen, David, Martin and Ray), without whose selflessness the likes of me would not be able to go sailing.