2002 Rally at Cowes

Some of the 16 Seawards moored at Cowes Yacht Haven

Roger and Meg Warren attending their first Seaward rally kindly agreed to compile a report for us:

"Following a late departure from Poole on Friday, a non-descript crossing of Christchurch Bay against the tide and a rainy arrival in Cowes, we were greeted at the Yacht Haven by an angile Peter Bassett and directed to our berth and a warm welcome. The gathering of Seaward 23s to 29s was a great sight. By the evening everyone had arrived in prime position in the Haven and both owners and many passers by were admiring the vessels. Barry Kimber as Seaward Mother Hen was quite properly proud and delighted with the large gathering in his new Home port. And all around old and new friendships were engaged within the Squadron. At first we thought that Serendipity might have had to play a part in ensuring a totally successful weekend but we quickly realised that Peter's laid back attitude and constant humour was his formula for careful preparation and that luck was just a Teacher's bonus. The Island Sailing Club hosted us extremely well; it was the Seaward Pub, the Seaward Committee Room and the Seaward Restaurant. An excellent choice.

Saturday's events were outstanding. Squadron members with cars on the island were organised to take us all to the new Seaward Works where Barry and Alison encouraged us to crawl into every nook and cranny of the Yard. How many boatyards would allow this to happen without supervision? Seaward's TT Boats designs from 21' to 49' were on display. As an ex Royal Naval materials specialist I was impressed with the care and attention that goes into every Seaward construction. Good honest cost effective manufacturing practices using proven modern materials and thank goodness (unlike Team Phillips) no adventures into corrosive carbon fibres or exotic processes. Seaward have mainly thrived on customer pull and we felt that the new range and premises will keep the marque alive for many years to come. We enjoyed Alison's coffee and biscuits, which rounded out the visit but we also realised that she is actually the Seaward dark horse with professional backgrounds very relevant to its future.

The afternoon was an interlude. We happened to enjoy a sunny walk and visit to Osborne House whilst others watched the World Cup in the Seaward Pub or just relaxed in Cowes. On reflection, we had a very good deal since the English Heritage Staff went out of their way to keep their visitors abreast of the score. The Saturday night dinner in the Ocean View Hotel, Sandown, was excellent both in menu, quality and service. We enjoyed the company, food and wine and the very appropriate speeches and awards. Meg and I really appreciated the Bassett tour guide of the Island during the coach journeys between Cowes and Sandown. Here luck did play a part. The coach had only managed to find the main party in Cowes because it had already picked Barry and Alison by complete accident. Furthermore the driver was so interested in Peters knowledge and anecdotes of the IOW that he treated us to a spectacular route across the highest ground. We admit to having had no idea that such wonderful views were there.

With these happy memories of good fellowship and an altogether outstanding weekend, our Seaward 23 'NIA' caught the Sunday early morning tide and 'enjoyed' a jumbled 1m sea all the way back to Poole, taking double our inbound time. At this point Meg quite liked the idea of a Seaward 35 - but wouldn't we all?

Thank you everyone for making us feel so welcome."

Roger and Meg Warren