We are now finalising the arrangements for the Plymouth Rally and Fireworks, which is to be held on the 14^th to 16^th August 2024.  This is a popular event, and due to the National Fireworks Competition, the marina fills up quickly.  We have reserved several berths for our members, but the marina will require a list of boats in mid-July.  I am away until then, hence this message now with pre-rally information.  Clearly, the marina is fully aware that weather conditions may be an issue on the day.

The rally will begin on Wednesday the 14^th of August, with boats expected to arrive during the day.  There will be a pontoon party at 1700, and we have reserved a table at the Bridge Restaurant at 1900 for 1930.  The menu for this will be issued as soon as it is available, and you will be invited to select your choices beforehand so that the courses are served at the save time.  Wednesday is the first day of the Fireworks Competition, so you may watch the fireworks from the Bridge, your boat or, for those with their boats in other marinas the final contestant can be viewed from the ferry terminal.

On Thursday the 15th, unlike previous years, we have not pre-arranged any tours as there are many attractions in Plymouth and members have suggested that for this year they would like time to choose their own.  Recommendations include the Aquarium, the Gin Factory for those who have not done it, The Box and Mayflower Museums and a cruise up the Tamar.  The latter may sound like carrying coals to Newcastle, but on a nice day a cruise past the naval dockyard or to Mount Edgecombe can be very pleasant.

On the Thursday evening, we have booked the Ocean View at the Dome Restaurant (on the Hoe) for a meal at 1830 (6:30 pm), so you are asked to arrive by 1800.  This is the best view in town to see the final of the fireworks competition which should be over by 2130-2200.  This year we have brought the timing forward, so that those in the Yacht Haven have time to catch the Ferry back to Mount Batten.  Last year we used a coach, but they are now very expensive and the walk to the coach is about the same as to the ferry.  If the fireworks competition is not finished by 2130, it can be viewed from the front as we walk to the ferry. Like the Bridge Restaurant, the menu will be issued shortly for your selection.

The branch will submit a marina booking form for all participants requiring a berth, so if you are planning to attend this rally could you please let me know, without commitment at this stage, so that I can inform the marina of how many berths we might need.  In your reply please state:

Your Name:

Boat Name:
Boat Model (e.g. M31, M40, M AC 41 Classic etc.):
Number of people attending:
Boat LOA:
Length of stay (No. of nights) if berth required:

If you keep your boat in Plymouth and plan to attend this rally but do not need a berth, please also respond to this e-mail as it will help ensure that we reserve sufficient places for the meals.

Once we have this information, nearer the time we will send you an email with the cost of the berth, where appropriate, which to achieve the rally discount will be collected by the branch and paid to the Haven Master as one payment.

I am organising the rally, so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by replying to this email

Paul Kennedy
Moody Owners Association
Treasurer, Southwest Branch
sw.treasurer@moodyowners.org

This year the branch will resurrect the Boatless rally, and this will take place between the 1^st and 3^rd November 2024 at Camelot Castle in Tintagel.  This is a period castle overlooking the Bristol Channel to the north and the Moor to the South.  Special rates have been agreed for the accommodation and the rally dinner to be held on the Saturday evening and full details will be sent out to members and on the web site shortly.  This is a very attractive part of the world and we hope that many members will come to what will be an enjoyable weekend.

This will, due to popular request, be held at the Hotel attached to the RNLI college in Poole, with a tour of the lifeboat training area and simulator.  Being an operational training school. We are only able to pre-book accommodation at the hotel for the Saturday night, but closer to the event, rooms will be released for the Friday if available.  We are still planning for an arrival dinner on the 31^st, but if no accommodation is available at the RNLI hotel it is suggested that a local hotel would be appropriate.  All this will be made clear closer to the time, but in the meantime please put these dates in your diary. Coordinators, Weekend – Paul Kennedy, AGM – Peter Satchel.

The Captain and Committee of the South West Branch of the MOA are please to confirm the details for the forthcoming Rally to Fowey on the 7^th to 9^th June 2024.  Our Fowey Port Officer, Steve Clemens will be the duty officer and is arranging the event.

The rally will start at 1700 (5pm) with a pontoon party on the floating pontoon.  Steve’s wife, Vivienne, is making traditional Cornish scones for this party, and there will also be the traditional wine, beer, soft drinks and nibbles.  There is a water taxi to run people ashore which operates up to 2230 (10;30pm).

On the Saturday there are a number of attractions in Fowey and its lovely locale. These include:

A Circular Walk around what is known locally as the Hall Walk.  There are wonderful views of the harbour at various points throughout.  Moderate terrain with a steep hill to start.  Walk starts with a crossing of the Bodinnick Ferry returning to Fowey on the Polruan passenger ferry. There are a couple of pubs in Polruan where refreshments and lunch can be taken.  The Ferry from Caffal to Boddinick costs £2.50 and that from Polruan to Fowey £3.00. This is a lovely scenic walk with several benches dotted throughout the 6.5km walk (abo

ut 2hrs +/ -) – maybe take something to drink and something to nibble and enjoy the view. It has some steep sections with pathways that are mixed between steps and soil / rocks – good

footwear would probably be a good idea and if it has been raining it will be slippery. You can start in either direction it is recommended to go clockwise as you see the sights better as the views are in the direction you walk. A map of this walk is in the attachment to this e-mail.

Alternatively, visitors can take the Water Taxi into Fowey.

On the Saturday evening there will be the rally dinner at the Royal Fowey Yacht Club, and this has been booked for 2000 (8 pm), so that guest will have time to catch the Water taxi back to their boats.  The Last taxi is 2230 (10:30 pm).

Tripper to Gollant – Before dinner, one option is to take the Tripper up the river to Gollant for pre-dinner drinks at the Fisherman’s Arms.  The boat would leave the pontoon at 17:30 and return to the Town Quay, Fowey, for 1930.  The cost of this tour is £15pp and will depend on n=umbers, so please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested by replying to this e-mail. 

Berthing: Berths have been reserved on Pontoon 3, just off the lifeboat station and shop.  Steve Clemens, our port officer and organiser of the rally, will be on the pontoon to welcome boats arriving on Friday 7^th.  Charges for the berths will be collected by the Harbour Master and cost £2.5/mtr rounding up the boat length to the half metre.  This cost will be discounted by 10% for Moody Owners. The Pontoon Party will begin at about 1700 (5pm) 

Rally Dinner:

The Rally dinner has, as stated above, been arranged on Saturday 8^th at 2000 (8pm) at the Royal Fowey Yacht Club.  The menu choices are given in the attachment and the costs will be:

Main Course only – £16
Mail Course with either Starter or Desert – £21
Starter, Main Course and Desert – £25

We have annotated the menu with selection codes, so if you wish to attend this rally please send your menu choices by replying to this e-mail by the 30^th May so that the restaurant can make sure that it has your selection ready.

Your response: (if you do not plan to attend this rally, please do not feel obliged to respond)

If you wish to attend this rally, please complete the following in your reply:

Boat Name ……………………..
Boat Length ……………………. (Mtrs)

People Attending:
Name 1 ……………………………     Menu Choice ………………………..
Name 2 ……………………………     Menu Choice ………………………..
Name 3 ……………………………     Menu Choice ………………………..
Name 4 ……………………………     Menu Choice ………………………..

A Typical example of a menu choice would be “S2, M3, D2.”

Estimated time of arrival …………………….

Although late entries can be arranged, I you are planning to attend you are asked to submit your response before the 30^th May if possible.  No pre-payment is required, and the harbour charges and cost of the meal will be paid to the Harbour and Yacht Club.  Please note that the Yacht Club only accepts credit/debit cards and not cash.  However, Steve Clemens has agreed to take cash if that is all you have and pay the Yacht Club.