Brixham boat rally 2016

[NickT]

Hi All,

I have been looking with envy at the boat rally down in Brixham (used to be the south west fletcher rally), a 260 mile round trip with boat hooked up, logistics of launching, recovery, trailer storage, mooring, car parking etc. etc. always put me off.

However, I have bitten the bullet and am going next year.

I just wondered if any forum members have been before, or perhaps are interested in going down with their boats?

I plan to get the boat out of the water on to the trailer about a week in advance to prepare/clean/fix anything that needs doing, then set off Friday morning, arrive mid afternoon and launch boat.

There is a pontoon that the rally organizers have for Sat-Mon at the MDL marina, I will pay for the Friday night as I don't think this is included.

Trailer parking is £5/day and there is apparently car parking close to the B&B I have booked.

There are a range of activities organised, (all weather dependent of course).

My sons may come down as well and they will stay overnight on the boat - I won't know until about 2 days before of usual!

Link here (if that is OK to do?). http://www.swsbr.co.uk/

I was also thinking that we could do our own rally in the Solent. There are enough things to do over a weekend, if there is interest I will (maybe foolishly) offer to help arrange one.

Thanks

PS cost for the rally is an outrageous £25!!!

[Bigplumbs]

I just looked at the pics from 2014 and I have to say it has inspired me. I think I will go also next year

Dennis

[Bigplumbs]

It is quite a long haul for me but I have decided to go and just submitted my registration if any of the rest of you are going it would be lovely to meet you there

Dennis

[Ianfs]

I think one of our members Rob Coomer might have something to do with it.
I'll try to get hold of him.
Cheers
Ian

[NickT]

Hi Ian,

Yes Rob was involved with the rally in past years.

I think John and another chap are organizing it for next year.

Are you considering going?

[Gazjen]

I'd be interested in that. I'll take a look

[Ianfs]

Are you considering going?

Hi Nick

Not at the moment. A lot depends upon whether we upgrade, long story.

[_Ed_]

Yep I'll be going. Was awesome Do it. I stayed locally in a holiday park. I suspect will probably do the same. I'd recommend if time allows to perhaps allow room to overstay as it was an amazing few days.

[Gazjen]

I've registered. Where did you stay Ed? Is there anywhere within walking distance to stay?

500 mile round trip

[TorbayRob]

Hi All,

As Ian mentioned, I instigated this rally as a Fletcher Rally with John in 2010 - holding the first event in Easter 2011. We've run one every year since and they have grown in popularity with many hard -core enthusiasts returning every year (and a few time in between for some!)

I have decided to bow out from 2016, but John and Anthony will still run the event in much the same format as before - perhaps with more watersports and 'fun & games'. Many reasons for my decision not to continue, but mainly time and looking to explore some new ideas. It was always my aim to build a kind of club that moved around the South West and perhaps further, but this hasn't happened and is one of the things I'd like to follow up - so if anyone is doing a South Coast event, please count me in! Torbay is a fantastic boating location and well worth the effort getting here - a view supported by the fact that Victor and Wendy Pogson have travelled from North Yorkshire for the last two years! Torbay however is my local patch and there are only so many trips that can be planned without getting very repetitive and I want to vary my own boating a little and explore new horizons. I hope to do this from 2017 (sooner if I can) and Plymouth, Falmouth, Weymouth and Bristol are all in my sights along with a few other in Cornwall... Time will be the limiting factor as I need to do the runs myself first and time/plan/assess trips, hazards, local facilities etc and this aspect is hard enough when you've known an area for 40ish years let alone never boated before.

Due to work and home commitments plus a slow ongoing boat rebuild, I've not had much time for the forums lately but will post again soon with any progress/ideas and dates should this happen earlier. If not, I'll look forward to seeing more of you in Brixham in May!