The Boat Show 17 Sep 2013

On Saturday evening a visitor to the Cruiser Pontoon Party said to the Class Captain: ‘I don’t know what’s happening here but it’s a bit like a boat show.’

And it was – there were a lot of different boats flying a variety of flags and a guide gave vital information on which yacht was serving which cocktails and drinks. The broad pontoon was crowded with people from far and wide – they came from New Zealand, the Dragon Worlds, the Thames Estuary Yacht Club and the BSC Regatta.

News had even reached the eastern seaboard of the North Sea and the crew of Inn Spirit, including our own Harry Hastwell, arrived having retired from the Buckley Goblets and given up the idea of a run ashore in Ostende for the free drinks on the RCYC pontoon. They were soon seen swinging about round Nightsong’s masthead. You don’t get entertainment like that at Southampton.

The RCYC Pontoon Party also exhibited Mingming II ahead of the rest of the world when Roger Taylor glided alongside under sail in his just completed Junk-rigged 24-footer after her maiden sea trial. Sorry London Boat Show – you did exhibit the first one but Mingming II was shown here first, ahead of anticipated voyages.

Our flag officer, Rear Commodore Peter Marchant, came straight from the Weymouth Dragon World’s press boat to make the official inspection of the Cruiser Fleet Cocktails and found himself outranked aboard Star Swan by our Admiral, Robert Melville, who had checked the Gin and Tonic position already.

Thank you to our other Sponsors namely: Nightsong’s wine and beer, and, on cocktails, Paprika’s Dark and Very Stormy, Amanda Louise’s Pimm’s and Quick Reflex’s King Daiquiri. These, together with the subsequent hard work of the RCYC kitchen and bar, made the night for many a blurred but happy memory.