For the few weeks before the Poole Spring Rally most of the UK was basking in wall to wall sunshine, light winds and with many gardeners complaining that their water-buts were almost empty!  However this was not meant to last and by the Bank Holiday Weekend / Poole Spring Rally we were back to weather watching on our phones, checking wind speeds and seeing whether it was going to rain.

But we are pleased to report on the Friday the first group of X-Yacht Owners had a great sail over to Poole from the Solent and soon were comfortably berthed at Poole Town Quay Marina.  Within a few hours we were chatting over glasses of rose on the stern of an Xc 45 – which coincidentally has a fantastic cockpit and seemed to accommodate at least 16 members!  Thank you to the hosts!

On Saturday morning the rest of the fleet arrived, after having a ‘sporty’ sail across Christchurch Bay.  By early afternoon there were 9 X-Yachts tucked up in the marina.  Due to the challenging weather coming out of the Solent on the Saturday morning and being shorthanded, 3 X-Yachts decided to take the car instead and drive over to Poole to meet everyone.

Approximately 34 members congregated in the large reception of the magnificent RNLI College building, where we then split into 3 groups to commence the guided tour of the RNLI on-site facilities.  Highlights included visiting the training workshops for the propulsion systems, hydraulics & other critical facilities for the lifeboats.  The sea survival pool was highly impressive and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the simulator experience – which was extremely realistic and even made your legs feel like you were at sea!

To round off the day members gathered in the Harbour Room Suite back at the RNLI for pre-dinner drinks and a very delicious 4 course meal.  As always it was a great opportunity for everyone to catch-up and discuss their summer sailing plans for 2025.

Sunday morning was an early start for some of the X-Yachts with a few heading back to the Solent and one heading over to Portland to start the West Country cruise.  For the remainder of the X-Yachts who had booked to stay an extra night, Sunday was a very relaxing day with 9 members taking the ferry over to explore Brownsea Island. 

Monday morning saw an early departure for the last 5 X-Yachts heading back east before the forecasted high winds arrived!

We would like to thank Poole Town Quay Marina for being very helpful and for accommodating our Rally, plus a heartfelt thank you also goes to the RNLI College in Poole – from the admin staff, to the volunteer guides and catering staff, you looked after us all extremely well.

X-Yachts Owners Association – Paula Puddifoot

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