Solent Spin 12/13 March

[Hightower]

Wicked pic of Pete's Pacific, looks like a giant Mako shark closing in on prey.

Great day and thanks to Kathleen and Paul for much of the effort in organising. Good to see some new and old faces and to meet John Kennett, he's not that tall .

On to the evening .

Olly you catching a ride tomorrow?

Andy

[pmorgan]

Hi

Thanks to Kathleen and Paul for putting the plan together. Great to meet you all, hope you had safe trips home, we had an excellent if slightly bumpy cruise back to Poole. Bring on the summer then I can wear my foul weather shorts !

Rgds

Pete & Trudy AKA TopCat.

[CJL]

Thanks for organising this one!

A very good time was had by both of us and we look forward to seeing you all soon.

CJL & CND (aka Chris and Chris)

[The Jackeens]

We had a great time!

Amazing pictures Robin, thank you.
30 craft or so (lost count) tearing down the Solent
Thanks to the The King's Head for being so brill with the food for @70 people.
And thanks Bryn of Yarmouth Berthing Team for your help and hope the bunch of fivers covered everyone!
Bruce, thanks for letting local press know...
And Martin and Keran thanks for ringing to say you're home safe!
Hope everyone else is home safe too as some boats went for a play round the Needles (raceboats Explosion and K4 were part of this!). Photo opps were many ... and speed was clocked by JK ( 66 mph or so...you know who you are! And some diving and swimming at Alum (you know who you are too ) Think Team Simmons went round the Island for a jaunt?

Great to meet up with all you peeps again and fantastic to see your lovely boats. Congrats to the very young peeps out today (Holly were you the youngest? ). Ta DJL/Slimtim and CJL/CND for co-ordinating things.

Brill to see an assortment of craft also, from raceboats to leisure RIBs, Team Craig (Zapcat) and John the intrepid jetskier (thanks for the spins ).

Again hope all are home safe after a great turnout...

TOMORROW

How about a muster at Calshot 12.30. Folly/Fountain 1.00?
Please pm or post on here. We're off to check on the evening gathering now

Us

[stroker1]

Well the smile on my face has not/cannot go away !!!!

Had an absolutely brill time with all of you guys (and gals) - THANKYOU.

The wind-chill factor didn't deter or alter anyone's enjoyment of the day and as for some of those youngsters who were brave enough be in the rear seats of some ribs - 'WELL DONE' you deserve an extra Easter egg for braving today

The highlight had to be the fun & frolics outside of Alum Bay..........
i) UNINTENTIONAL WRECK DIVING - FOLLOWED BY THE MALE STRIPPER !
ii) SPEED GUN EVENT
iii) FASTEST RIB LADY ON A SKI (lol) just don't tell the wife, she may think i just had a bit TOO much fun - hee hee

I am just so tempted to get back out there again with you guys tomorrow.
How many are looking to meet now at Calshot?

Will check the forum again in the morning and will definitely have to have some deep thoughts about how much more punishment this old body can take whilst attempting to keep up with you guys ........ mmmmmmmm

Talk to you all soon - all the best, JOHN.

[CJL]

The Amateur Rowing Association does not require the crews to wear lifejackets!

It a crazy situation! I still cannot believe that any governing body can allow its member organisations to put afloat without a full compliment of lifejackets. I mean the Thames is a very dangerous river, not only due to the tides but also the numbers of boats and manmade obstructions.

I suspect that only a high profile drowning will result in the ARA changing its position. Very sad in this day and age.

Chris

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I hope the Rogue Wave made it home without getting hypothermia

John

The layer of Blubber did its normal superb job!. which is why I get so confused when JF feels the cold.. However i can confirm that I am suffering from shock and my neck is rather stiff!

I can't say any more cos the matter is sub jewdarsy, my liable lawyer reckons I have a case!

[Andy Stevens]

I'll be out tomorrow, see you at calshot 12:30!

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by CJL

The Amateur Rowing Association does not require the crews to wear lifejackets!

It a crazy situation! I still cannot believe that any governing body can allow its member organisations to put afloat without a full compliment of lifejackets. I mean the Thames is a very dangerous river, not only due to the tides but also the numbers of boats and manmade obstructions.

I suspect that only a high profile drowning will result in the ARA changing its position. Very sad in this day and age.

Chris

You would think that the Marchioness/ Beau Belle tragedy highlighted that point

[Andy]

Loads of boats ......

For more pics see: http://www.badviz.com/Galleries/RIBn...2005/index.htm

Ricky has some of our boat showing serious AIR ... wings in fact, however I wont spoil it for him .... watch this thread!

[robin]

Andy...superb pictures.
Impressive raft at Yarmouth.
Robin

[osprey__viper]

Well what a day. Ours started with a 05.00 departure from mansfield. A good steady run down and launch at Haslar. As novices we found it heavy going from Pompey to Calshot and we did consider turning back. However we got our heads down and we are very glad we did cos the rest of the day just got better and better. Lunch at Yarmouth was to say the least awesome. The sight of all the boats rafted up on the town quay was very impressive.

We departed a little early to run back with Andy Hightower to ensure a good recovery at Haslar. If we had any doubts as to buying our boat, then they were quickly forgotten with the run back. With a fair rolling swell and a good play with the trim KeyMar and her crew were in heaven. The boat ably cresting the swell and according to Andy with a fair bit of air underneath her!!! . It just goes to show what enjoyment you can have when you gain a little bit of confidence. Recovery at Haslar went well ( im convinced me Vectra must have 4 wd!!!).

It was great to meat up with so many Ribnet members, all of which made us feel very welcome. However particular thanks must go to Paul & Kathleen Jackeen for organising the cruise, not an easy task And to Andy Hightower for the run back and the good chat at haslar .

We had a 411 mile round trip yesterday and it was worth every mile. Thanks.

We WILL be back

Best Regards

Martin & Keran

p.s. Pete7, No charge for salvage this time mate, that ones on us

[Zippy]

Some great pictures there Andy!

Cant believe it was that flat down by the Needles! knew i should have gone down there!

Glad you enjoyes the trip Martin and Keran. its very impressive to come all that way and even better that you learnt a lot and grew in confidence for the trip!

Look forward to seeing you down in the Solent again.

[The Jackeens]

Well Martin and Keran that certainly was commitment

Lovely to meet you two and so glad it was all worthwhile. Your description of your day is wonderful Certainly hope to meet up with you again soon.
Great to meet pmorgan & Mrs. too and glad ye made it back to Poole safely

Andy what amazing photographs...think a few peeps will be contacting you for copies (cf RIB Bumblebee and raceboat Explosion for example!).

Many thanks to Pete 7 for his amazing hospitality last night and to Slimtim for the drinking game

Ian, hi...here is a draft plan for today



Solent Shakedown Part 11

TODAY
How about a muster at Calshot 12.30. Folly/Fountain 1.00?
Please pm or post on here.

Today we may see some or all of the following at Calshot plus peeps from yesterday who are still keen :

Bumblebee (DJL & Slimtim)
Dragon Khan
flaming thing by wife (Nasher and crew)
Jon Brooks and friends
Pacman (Ian and crew)
RIB Charlie ?
Rough Quest 11
Scooby Doo (Brambles )
Solentis (Tim Griffin & crew)
tohatsu (Andy Stevens and crew)
Top Banana (Daniel and crew)
Zapcat (Craig & crew) /
Zebedee (Paul & missus)
Zippy (Howard and Landlubber)
& OTHERS


See you at Calshot (beach side of the shipping lane ) at 12.30. Some will be out earlier for a blast
Plans from there...but Cowes seems a good venue.

Us

[Janet and Bill]

Fantastic piccies of a fantastic day. Certainly have a few aches and pains this morning from hanging on so tightly!!

Great to see everyone and big thanks to Paul & Kathleen for the organisation. Hope SimmonsO made it back to port after taking the long way home

Hope everyone has a great trip today.

Bill & Janet

[Julian]

Kathleen/ Paul

Sorry we couldnt attend the cruise this weekend, I ended up having to work but also discoveed that our engine had not been put back in the boat in time, all sorted out but would not have been anygood for saturday.

Looks like you all had a great time though, I'll be ready for the next event.

I am also sorting out a cruise from the solent to dartmouth for any one that would be interested, If you need a lift you can jump onboard with us. Not got the dates sorted out yet but will post on here this week when all is arranged.

See you soon

Julian

[Pete7]

Robin, brilliant photo, thank you and for bringing round an A4 print at 4pm just in time for the party, now framed and about to be hung on the wall. Top bloke thanks mate.

To Martin and Keran, thanks for the tow turned out to be only four flat batteries, but then it did spend a fortnight in Saxon Wharf

Pete

[simmons0]

Originally Posted by Janet and Bill

Fantastic piccies of a fantastic day. Certainly have a few aches and pains this morning from hanging on so tightly!!

Great to see everyone and big thanks to Paul & Kathleen for the organisation. Hope SimmonsO made it back to port after taking the long way home

Hope everyone has a great trip today.

Bill & Janet

Had a great run round, right up untill we reached ryde sands...

[Zippy]

Well, Another fantastic day today,

Great company, great weather...... Great time!

Thanks to Top Bannana for the company up Southampton water. Much appreciated!

Hope you all made it back safe and sound from the Noodles.

Howard.

[simmons0]

Few pics from saturday: