Torbay Rally 2024

This is the rally that almost didn't go ahead as Brixham became the epi-centre of an outbreak of cryptosporidium in the mains water supply in the week leading up to the rally.  However, the SYC Cruiser Group are made of sterner stuff and all 9 boats that were booked made the trip.  

This year, for the first time in many years, we had the opportunity to visit Torquay and enjoy the hospitality offered by the Royal Torbay Yacht Club.  Our normal stopover at Dittisham was not possible due to Dart Harbours reluctance to take rally bookings as the date clashed with the Dartmouth music festival.  Our visit to Torquay was made possible due to the introduction of a new visitors pontoon within the Torquay MDL Marina. 

The Friday sail to Torquay was uneventful, if lacking in wind strength, and the early advance party of Giovanna was there to help out, taking lines for subsequent arrivals.  Fortified by cake, courtesy of Aqua, we moved on to the Royal Torbay Yacht Club where we were made very welcome. We made good use of their terrace for pre-dinner drinks, taking in views across Torbay, before moving through for dinner in the Corinthian Dining room, with plentiful supplies of excellent food enjoyed by all.

Due to an amber weather warning on the Saturday morning the leisurely sail across the bay took on an added urgency and crews headed across the Bay to Brixham somewhat earlier than planned. Safely moored up on the MDL Events pontoon crews were then able to explore ashore or undertake essential boat fettling at their leisure.  A small but determined party set off for a walk to Berry Head, managing to dodge the showers in the process.  A pontoon party, with numbers bolstered by some members of the SYC car club, was followed by a launch transfer, curtesy of the Brixham Yacht Club, who entertained us with a delicious meal.   

Sunday morning dawned with clear skies and a fresh breeze which encouraged those taking part in the timed sail back to Salcombe.