Bath Sailing Club Rally 9-11 July 2026
Robin’s blog
Originally the intention was to have 3 boats, Passim and Free Spirit based in the Yacht Haven marina, Plymouth and Athena based in Mylor (Falmouth). Any plans regarding destinations were thwarted by a strong easterly wind gusting up to 30 knots, ideal for a channel crossing but not for east or west trips. It was felt that there was insufficient time for a channel crossing so Athena skipper Mike Platt discussed what to do with his crew and subsequently decided to call it a day.
This left Bob Jardine and his crew Robin Dickinson on Free Spirit, a Westerly Ocean 33 and Jim Spencer on Passim, a 49′ Jeanneau Sun Odyssey crewed by Jeff Watkins, Debra Galloway and Peter Charman.
Jim, Robin and Bob arrived on the Thursday to prep the boats before sailing the next day.
That afternoon we met up with Mark Aleandri who was 400 miles into his 630 miles Southwest Coastal Path walk, with 17 kilos on his back (having just finished a John O’Groats to Lands End solo bike ride a few weeks before)! It also meant a total of a 17000-foot climb when all the hills were added together!
We finished the evening off in the Bridge restaurant overlooking the harbour. I’m pleased to report that Mark completed the walk about two weeks later in Poole having set off from Minehead some 4 weeks before having gone through gales, heavy rain, fierce winds and some very hot days.
Well done, Mark!
On Friday 10th Jim’s crew arrived and, in the afternoon, when the wind had abated, they sailed out to the Eddystone on a trial run – see Jeff’s narrative below.
Free Spirit went for a shakedown sail in the outer harbour which went well – it was her first sail of the season.
We all met up for an impromptu drink on board Passim around 1700. One thing led to another and by the time we decided to eat it was too late to book a restaurant or order takeaways! Jim, being the perfect host, offered to knock something together and we had a lovely meal with plenty of wine and beer.
The following morning the wind had got up again and was gusting gale force (even though the sun was shining), so it was decided to put off a decision on any sailing until later in the day.
Unfortunately, a problem surfaced on Free Spirit with the heads refusing to pump! Bob replaced the complete syphon unit but to no avail. This left the long outlet hose and the stopcock. Unfortunately, by the time this was established the chandlers had closed for the weekend. It was deemed too risky to sail with a potentially faulty stopcock so that was that until Monday!
As a consolation we joined Passim as additional crew later in the day and Jim kindly allowed Bob to take the helm when we sailed. Fortunately, the winds had by then relented somewhat.
On Sunday Passim’s crew decided to return home leaving Bob and myself to wait until Monday morning. Bob made all the arrangements for an emergency lift out, picked up a stopcock and with Free Spirit happily swinging in slings set to work changing the stopcock.
Within an hour the job was done and water was coming out of the hull from the heads although not in a continuous flow. The old stopcock had completely seized leaving a tiny gap of a couple of millimetres – so obviously faulty!
We had now run out of time on the slings, were lowered back into the water and we returned to our berth. Although the heads were working it was not a smooth operation. So back to the drawing board. Bob managed to pick up a length of hose first thing Tuesday morning and by an enormous amount of engineering know how plus brute strength he (with a little help from myself), managed to change out the hose. Success at last!
We returned home that afternoon knowing that Free Spirit was fully ready to live up to her name.
All in all, we had an excellent time and managed to get in some sailing. It was agreed we all felt it was a successful, if somewhat unorthodox rally!!
Jeff’s blog
“More smiles than miles but a most enjoyable rally 2026”
It was an early pick up for Debra and Peter by Jeff in his Trusty rusty Dacia.
We were en route to meet owner and skipper Jim on Passim a 49-foot sloop Jeaneau.
Jeff was particularly pleased to be joining Jim as he had previous trips on this lovely craft including a double hander from Lymington to the Scillies and an excellent triangle from Plymouth via Treguier to Guernsey with Morley and Jim some years ago.
Arriving on the Friday afternoon we were met by Jim, Robin and Bob. Straight to the coffee bar for chats and updating on the weather.
Bob has a nice 33-foot Westerly Ocean 33. But more on that later from Robin, his crew.
The original plan was to meet up with a total of three yachts, the third being Athena a superb 34-foot Halberg Rassy … owned and skippered by Michael out of Mylor.
It proved unfortunate that the strong easterlies were building up to be pretty tiresome come Sunday so the skippers made a decision. Michael in Falmouth opted out so unfortunately he and his crew of David never sailed. By late Friday afternoon Passim’s skipper with Bob, Free Spirit’s skipper, decided we would push off in company and get a good local sail at least. Passim’s lines fenders and the rest were readied and after a briefing we set off out of Mountbatten marina into Plymouth Sound. A strange event unfurled whilst we were still inside the breakwater and somewhere towards Bovisand. A fast large patrol rib shot up to us. Looking out we could see what appeared to be a small submarine periscope. The patrol was advising – nay ordering – us to beat it. In fact, I think the periscope was on a small research sub or towed autonomous craft. We thought we could see Bob and Robin but by the time we passed Shag Rock, we had lost them.
Debra took the helm; she had not sailed for some years but proved she had not lost any of her skills.
Peter told me he was pleased to be sailing in my company after our many discussions about a trip together. I was just happy to be onboard as the ancient mariner.
Jim, in his own usual way, exhibited the best of Skippership and was generous in letting the crew operate his superyacht. The sea was lively but Passim has broad shoulders, a fine fin, and we creamed along effortlessly, laying a track out to the Eddystone.
We adjusted sails admiring the newish high tec mainsail which formed a lovely shape. This sail furled into the mast but once out kept a great outline and smooth surface and proved to be a powerful driver on a beam reach.
We turned before getting to the Rocks but not too far from it, Smeaton’s stump clearly showed next to the main light. It is about 14 miles off Plymouth. We enjoyed more good sailing, returning via the west breakwater entrance.
At Mountbatten we discovered that Bob and Robin had got a Heads problem and sadly they returned early to the pontoon.
The evening was drawing on and by the time we decided to go for a meal ashore, all the local eateries had stopped serving. Ever resourceful, Jim produced a substantial meal for all of us on board together and a jolly good time ensued with stories of daring do, the Irish Sea, The Channel, Caribbean, and even the Bay of Biscay.
The next day, quite late, Jim decided we could go out again but this time we just circled the Breakwater, with Bob at the helm to make up for all his and Robin’s travails. That night we ate ashore at The Bridge and agreed that despite Bob’s problems we had had a fun time together.
So really we had more smiles than miles on this rally. I would say about 45 sea miles in total but a great effort all round!
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