South Coast Meet at the Folly

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!