Rally Leaders: Karen & David Jump - Jango

WhatsApp communications got off to a shaky start as after several attempts my phone was blocked for spamming (who knew…?).   Karen saved the day by using her own phone and we all breathed a sigh of relief.  (My apologies to all for being a right spammer!) 

Despite the forecast for strong winds those who had signed up for the Rally weeks before were undeterred and in the end we had 17 yachts attending. 

The welcome (BYO) drinks on the CYH Veranda decorated by the Bunting Boys (you know who you are) was enlivened by a wonderous display of Easter Bonnets. Congratulations to Alison Edwards and Victoria Hibberd our joint winners of the Best Bonnet award. 

Saturday winds put paid to the dinghy rally to the Folly Inn but the visit to the Classic Boat Museum was well attended and a spectacular display of unique and historic boats including the first solo Atlantic rowing boat and WW2 airborne Air Sea Rescue boat not to mention an extraordinary but dangerous gyro boat driven by a windmill instead of a sail.

Sunday was basically a free day and members enjoyed their choices of the many attractions that the Isle of Wight has to offer such as walks, the heritage steam train line, the Sailors Church (it was Easter after all) and of course shopping. 

On Monday all boats made it safely back to home ports despite having to contend with an unexpectedly lumpy sea.

Finally our thanks and appreciation to the CYH berthing master and his team for the cheerful and efficient way in which they managed us and also to the Island Sailing Club who hosted us as old friends and for whom nothing was too much trouble.

Yes it has been a very successful shakedown rally and we look forward to a great season of fun and enjoyment.

Best wishes to all from your Shakedown Rally Leaders,
David & Karen Jump (JANGO).

Winter Talk 1 - HMS Edinburgh Gold
18th January 2026

Winter Talk 1 – The Salvage of the Century

We had our first winter talk of 2026 on Sunday 18 January, combining a fascinating talk, good food and good company.

Mike O’Meara from the Diving Museum delivered an excellent talk focusing on the amazing story of how a team of divers retrieved hundreds of gold bars from the wreck of WW2 battleship HMS Edinburgh in the deep, icy waters of the Barents Sea off Muransk.

The museum re-opens later in 2026. You can see and feel the (lead reproduction) bullion bar as well as learn more from Mike and his team about this and other diving operations. There is also a lot of information about the HMS Edinburgh operation online ( Salvage of the Century, HMS Edinburgh and Her Cargo of Gold | Alchemist | LBMA) .

The staff at O Sole Mio looked after us well, providing excellent food and the ideal location for the talk.

January days can be quite dreary, with many boats out of the water and sailing days still some way off, so it was great to have the chance to see so many friends at the talk.

Christmas Social Meeting
5th December 2025