Bembridge Shake down Rally: Tuesday 28 March - Wednesday 1 April 2026

Published 14:53 on 9 Apr 2026 by Sue PEARSON

The new sailing season got off to a splendid start with seven shiny cruisers setting off from various locations in Chichester Harbour for an easy passage across to Duver Marina in Bembridge Harbour. A quick sail across on starboard tack in the WNW 12kt wind to the vicinity of St Helens Fort was possible for the rally lead boat Fairwind (Sue and Barrie) but those leaving later were less fortunate with the wind direction and needed to exercise their engines.
The alongside rally rafting area was somewhat constrained by two large vessels that resulted in a tight squeeze for Fairwind with Freedom (Jon and Megs) tied alongside. The rest of the rally boats slotted themselves into finger pontoons with the new season marina staff and other rally folk on hand to take lines.
The sun came out and with the Duver Café and Steves Bar open there was food and refreshment on hand before an afternoon of relaxing and chatting or more energetic explorations of Seaview by Jon and Megs and the coastline by the family crew of Maggie May with their dogs Henry and Shadow the puppy.
Drinks and nibbles aboard Fairwind was a very convivial and cosy affair, all seventeen of us were accommodated in the salon and cockpit sheltered by the cockpit tent. A special treat was Lizs individual cakes to celebrate her birthday, thanks very much Liz.
A walk across the causeway and up into St Helen s and The Vine Inn developed appetites for a meal for fifteen of us with the staff being as accommodating as ever and the evening was rounded off with a quick burst of Happy Birthday for Liz. The very nearly full moon was not pink but plenty bright enough to cast shadows and we didnt lose anyone on the way back across the causeway. Tim made good use of his fold up bike and had a very quick downhill journey back to Firebird.
After morning breakfasts at The Duver café, all but Maggie May left and were able to shake out their sails on an easy broad reach back into the harbour. A very good end to our first rally of the season.
Attendees Fairwind of Dell Quay (Barrie and Sue), Altair ( Liz and Rob), Firebird (Tim and Dick), Freedom (Jon and Megs), Hobo (Ron, Phil and Peter), Maggie May (Nick, Laura, Archie, Freddie and two dogs), Snoopy (John and Avril)
Next rallies Sign up from the link on the calendar or rally programme. Hope to see you there.
Saturday 18 April Shepards Marina, Cowes.
Tuesday 5 May Gosport Premier Marina.