The most eagerly anticipated event of the year took place at the Yacht Club on Saturday night.  No, not the Ridout boys’ annual shave, but the launch of the Motor Committee’s plans for the 2011 season.

The attendance figure was simply staggering.  Over 70 people gathered to meet fellow motor boaters and to find out first hand what the Committee has lined up for the year.

We were of course delighted to see such a strong turn out, which we think is in no small part down to the enthusiasm and drive of Richard Ridout and his team in delivering an excellent programme last year.  Thanks Richard.  This year’s Motor Committee will do all it can to build on that success and attempt to create another enjoyable, sociable and memorable season. Oh, and thanks Richard for the phone call from the Miami Boat Show 10 minutes before kickoff to check that we had the night properly planned out.  You can’t keep a good man down!

Before we got down to business, this year’s Commodore, Aden Clark, said a few words.  The Club has gone from strength to strength over the past couple of years and Aden added his own thanks for Richard’s significant contribution to the resurgence of the Club.

Once again we were lucky enough to have a great speaker to kick off the night.  Brian Evans gave a fantastic insight into the highly technical work of Marine Electronics, a local company at the forefront of designing, developing and manufacturing obstacle avoidance sonar equipment.  Perhaps one day we will see this kind of technology available to leisure boaters.  I wonder if it would come with a car sat-nav inspired voice guide; “At the next rock…STOP!!!”. Some of those present wondered if this technology could be applied to their other half’s motor cars.  I couldn’t possibly comment.

The main event of the night was the Makeover-TV-programme-inspired ‘reveal’ of the events organised for the year.  These are:

• Friday 6th May – Briefing, wine tasting and food at the GYC with thanks to the Grapevine
• Monday 9th May – Liberation Day in the Victoria Marina
• Thursday 16th June - Briefing night and food
• Friday 17th to Sunday 19th June – Weekend trip to Carteret
• Friday 22nd July - Briefing
• Saturday 23th July – Special passages around the Islands – an educational voyage around seemingly familiar waters!

 The plans for the year seemed to be well received and very few questions and/or suggestions came forward.  It was noted that the free drinks at the beginning of the night aren’t actually free and was actually another wonderfully generous gift from Edward Fattorini.  Thanks Edward for your continued support.  There was a suggestion that a float of money be built throughout the season for drinks, etc at organised events.  The Motor Committee promised to look into this.  Actually, this a good time to mention the new Motor Committee enamel pin badges, designed and commissioned by the team.  They look great and you can purchase these directly from Doddy for a fiver.  Be warned, numbers are very limited but we can always order more if demand warrants it!

 One other suggestion that came forward during dinner was the idea of arranging an additional trip for those boaters that wanted to participate in a group trip further afield.  Again, this has been noted by the Committee who will see if it is something that can be fitted in.  We are certainly keen to promote as much social interaction as possible amongst the members but at the same time want to ensure organised events are available to the widest possible section of motor boaters.

 That pretty much drew the night to a close and is where we will sign off, but not first without thanking Vanessa and her team for the wonderful food.  To feed 70 people with such great cuisine simultaneously is a miracle.  We’ve all tried, obviously, but I’m sure not many of us succeeded ;-) 

 Please don’t forget, if you haven’t yet been involved with Motor Committee events this year or last, you are still more than welcome in joining in with this year’s programme.  Keep an eye out on the website for details of events and if you would like to receive information about them directly, please e-mail Colin Le Conte ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) who will record your details and place you on the Motor Committee’s database.

 In the meantime, get those boats serviced and cleaned for another exciting season of motor boating!

 The Motor Committee

 Doddy, Damon, Colin, Dave, Rob