Family Fun at Scorching Bay – 20 December 2025

Crew: Murray, Cherie, Isabelle, Max, Geoff.

Forecast: Northwest 15 kts.

The final sailing of the year, organised by EBYMBC, was a family fun event known as the Annual Rick Rolls Rally.

Murray and I sailed Halo to the club at midday in a balmy 10-knot northerly and tied up at the wharf, rafting up with Grenadier and Tamerlane.

Earlier in the morning, the learn-to-sail kids had already kicked things off with a trip to Worser Bay for a lively interclub event — complete with water-pistol wars (!) — before sailing back to the club aboard Bonkers and Fine Entry.

Before long the wharf turned into a launching pad, with plenty of laughter and enthusiastic leaps into the water.

At the club briefing, Phil sorted the crews among the boats. Cherie, Isabelle and Max joined us aboard Halo. The plan was simple enough: sail over to Ward Island and raft up on the club mooring.

We cast off at 1240 hrs and began hoisting the mainsail and No. 3 jib — only to discover the wind had other ideas and was now blowing a solid 20 knots. A quick reef went into the main for a rather wild ride up Evans Bay towards Pt Halswell.

Isabelle stepped up brilliantly, teaming up with Cherie on the jib sheet winches during the tacks and proving she was more than up for the challenge.

Event organiser Phil soon came up on the VHF with a suggestion to rethink the plan and head around to the Scorching Bay mooring for a bit more shelter. Roger that!

We arrived into the bay and dropped sails. Grenadier and Tamerlane were already there, waiting for us to raft up alongside ready for a nice social occasion.

With the boats safely rafted, the dinghies were launched and the kids wasted no time rowing ashore, splashing about, swimming, and generally making the most of a thoroughly lovely afternoon.

Bruce and his crew on Sea Beagle arrived and dropped anchor close by.

Eventually it was time to head back, with the harbour still showing plenty of breeze. With Cherie on the helm, we motored back to Chaffers and tied up at 1600 hrs, tired but happy. Many thanks to Phil for organising a great day out — a perfect way to finish the sailing year.