The weekend of 15th/16th/17th December saw ETAP Owners join with clubs from Hayling Island and Chichester Harbour for their Christmas Cruise. At 20.30 on Friday evening we set off aboard Brittany Ferries' 41,700 ton Pont Aven, for St Malo. Once there, some explored locally, enjoying the Intra Muros of St Malo, while others went further afield to Dinard, Cancale and Vannes. The day, which had begun wet, turned to a beautifully sunny afternoon.

Back on board on Saturday evening, we all met for dinner in the Flora Restaurant, a large section of which was set aside for our exclusive use. At least three birthdays were celebrated, and a good time was had by everyone, as only yachties can.

Our thanks go to Brittany Ferries for organising yet another fine Christmas Cruise.

The AGM took place on 12th November, 2006, at the headquarters of The Cruising Association, at which the committee was elected.

Commodore and South Coast Co-ordinator: Stephen Carter
Vice Commodore: Ron Fry
Hon. Secretary and Newsletter Editor: Derek Robinson
Membership Secretary: Harry Wiggins
Treasurer: Linda Cowan
East Coast Co-ordinator: Brian Cowan
Webmaster: John Pattenden

For our second meet of the season we were generously hosted by Mark Chapman of Global Yachts. Again we were blighted by last seasons stop start programme due to weather. The forecast on Saturday of strong winds and rough seas in all South Coast areas on Sunday probably put off some of the smaller boats. On the way to the Hamble we had some great sailing. For once a forecast of south west 3-4 occasional 5 was right, producing a cracking sail.

One of the highlights of the weekend was a maiden single handed voyage from Chichester Harbour by Graham Smith (Irish Eyes - Etap 32i), having left wife Nikki at home revising for her degree course. Graham chose to accept an offer of crew on the return with winds averaging F7 and gusting F8.

David and Carol (Zig Zag Etap 24s) were on there final leg of their holidays and sailed back to the Beaulieu River with three reefs and a handkerchief! Also with us was John and Ruth aboard Ceejay for their second event.

Finally we were joined by old friends Steven and Ann Price in the biggest of the fleet, their Etap 35i Galadriel. They diverted from the start of their holidays to join us.

We were well received by Mark of Global Yachts who had secured a pontoon end with maximum publicity once our full set of battle flags were up.

Pre-dinner drinks took place on ‘Solent Wind’ following which we all mixed up and adjourned to the Rising Sun in Warsash on the other side of the river utilizing Mark’s harbour boat for the ferry. We were joined by Mark and two of his friends interested in an Etap. As always there was the usual excellent dinner and exchange of nautical stories interspersed by the scores from the World Cup.

Overnight the wind rose significantly and Sunday broke with very low cloud and rain. The Navtex gave a forecast strong wind warning throughout the south coast area.

As the tide did not turn east until after two o’clock, most of us took the opportunity to meet Global Yachts for a coffee and to discuss the new Etap 28s due in early August.

We flew back to Chichester Harbour with only half the Genoa out and arrived at the bar with only a metre to spare and an hour’s wait for the tide to rise.

Many thanks to all who came and particularly to Mark for generously footing the mooring bill! Hope you all had a great weekend.

Six boats met up at the Folly pontoons in the Medina, upriver from Cowes for 13/14 May. After last seasons stop start programme due to weather and boat ‘failures’ it was nice to see both some old and new friends. Such is the Solent that most of us had seen each other sailing around during the previous seasons. For our first South Coast meet of the season we had some great sailing weather. Despite some spring tides and a forecast of ‘west or south west 3-4 occasional 5’ was a thoroughly enjoyable sail, although for the later arrivers there were claims of 28 knots off Cowes.

Old friends included Graham and Nikki (Irish Eyes - Etap 32i), Dad and Carol (Zig Zag Etap 24s), and Richard and Chris (Esprit – Etap 34s). Newcomers included ‘Out to Play’, (an old friend of a boat but with new crew) Lloyd, Cynthia and their beautiful border collie Tess and John and Ruth aboard Ceejay.

Unfortunately two other newcomers were unable to join us, ‘Navaisha’ and ‘Freya Too’.

For those who know the Folly pontoons, it is still a favourite amongst ‘proper’ sailing clubs (the others having been attracted away by the showers at East Cowes marina) and this weekend was no exception with our modest gathering outnumbered by a very large Moody group and British Hunters.

Pre-dinner drinks took place on ‘Solent Wind’ following which we all mixed up and adjourned to the Folly Inn for the usual excellent dinner and exchange of nautical stories.

Due to demand at the Folly, with the arrival of the second sitting, drinking continued outside for sometime before the damp forced us back to ‘Solent Wind’.

Sunday broke with very low cloud and the Navtex giving another good sailing day. ‘Variable 3-4 then SE 3-4’ which lived up to its name in the Eastern Solent!

‘Irish Eyes’ had to make temporary repairs to their inlet when weed blocked the sail drive. An innovative friend who was at the folly connected the inlet hose to the galley drain with a socket, two jubilee clips and some rope!