Report on Cherbourg Rally

The run of fine weather ended on Thursday June 17th and gave way to cooler and windier conditions. This did not stop JUMPER, MOONFLEET and MORVEREN coming from the Solent and TERN, SEAWARD CHASER and LADY RUTH from Guernsey. I in CRESSEY III had come over earlier in the fine weather. No boats came from the West Country ­ is the spirit of Drake dead? Unfortunately, the crews of LE PELERIN and BLUE PETER had to cancel for personal reasons, which had nothing to do with the weather.

BRAVE HEART and WIZARD had been sold shortly before the rally but their Skippers and crew attended. Paul Frampton and crew came by ferry and car while David Harland and crew came as part of TERN's ships company. In addition the skippers and crew of THIS 'L' DO and NORITA came by ferry. Twenty-two sat down to dinner at Au Tire Bouchon and judging by the noise they made it was a good party. The dinner broke up when an unsolicited "musician" sought to serenade the Seawards. His boast that he had never had a music lesson in his life was only too believable. Many resumed partying on TERN by courtesy of Roger Goldsmith.

The Index of Achievement trophy was awarded to JUMPER for voyaging from the Hamble to Cherbourg. This award results from a formula in which distance travelled, horsepower of engines and age of the skipper and boat, are all taken into consideration. MOONFLEET from the Beaulieu River was a close runner up. The equivalent of the wooden spoon of "Lack of Achievement" trophy went to Barry Kimber. He shamefully not only sails a boat that is not a Seaward but had moored it in Cherbourg marina, so getting to the rally was no effort.

We all enjoyed a drink at the Yacht Club on the Friday evening by courtesy of Seaward Marine Limited and many dined together afterwards. On Saturday, many chose to visit the French nuclear submarine the Redoubtable and others shopped or walked to the museum on the hill.

Next year the rally will be on the South coast of England at Weymouth. The marina there will welcome us but some rafting up may be necessary. I hope this means that boats from the West Country will next year put in an appearance.

OTHER NEWS

In February when most of us are content to stay in harbour, John Graham who had newly acquired 'HORNPIPER', a Seaward 23, voyaged from St Peter Port to Falmouth, a distance of 120 miles in ten and a half hours. He arrived after dark but in good time to celebrate his 82nd birthday.

Tales of the fearless exploits of various Seaward owners are always interesting to receive. In particular Seaward 23 'HIGH SPIRITS' comes to mind with its frolics in the Irish Sea earlier this year in less than ideal conditions - do keep sending your letters and emails to the factory.

Richard Villalard the owner of LADY RUTH had passed his Yachtmaster exam. As a result he is now one of the coxswains of the FLYING CHRISTINE, the ambulance boat that serves from St Peter Port the island of Herm Sark and Jethou. The FLYING CHRISTINE was built by Seaward Marine Limited.

The factory is busier than ever with numerous orders under build, which include two 35's (one of which is the new raised aft deck/dual helm version), and boats being prepared for the Southampton Boat Show which starts on 10th September this year.

In addition to a new Seaward 23 and Seaward 25, Seaward Marine will be displaying the new Seaward Talisman 49 "TASMAN" which was launched earlier this year, by very kind permission of her owners, David and Maureen Howell.

I enclose contact details of the Seaward Owner's Insurance Scheme offered by Navigator's & General Insurance through Bishops Insurance- competitive rates and discounts for our careful Seaward owners!

Best wishes to you all for the remainder of the boating season, regardless of the unseasonal weather.

John Hickman

Tel: 02380 207193
email: jhfhickman@aol.com