Hi all,

I am referring to Seal 22s here, and what has struck me having had a good poke around the forums, is that it's all very Solent centric, this does seem to me to be a bit odd, as I am told that John Baker designed the Seal 22 with the conditions found in the Exe estuary very much in mind. Looking at the coming events list, there is nothing at all happening outside the Solent. So why is this I ask meself, where are all the west country boats, and what are they up to?

I have never reckoned the Solent for much, as a cruising area it can't hold a candle to the south Devon and Cornish coasts, for me even the north Devon and Cornwall coasts are far more interesting and attractive, prejudiced?? Me??...possibly, but it doesn't mean I'm wrong.[:)]

I know we have a southwest organiser, and I have exchanged an email with her, if she sees this perhaps she would like to drop in and give me/us a bit of an insight into any Seal happenings in our neck of the woods?

Best to all, Ray.

Seal 22 MK3 "Morveren" Number 384
(the last one built by John Baker)

---

Smiffy. I quite agree. My Seal Sinbad will be going back on my mooring on the exe in a couple of weeks. Having sailed Scheherazade on the Solent some years ago, I do find the Devon coast fan bloody tastic. Time we had a meet of sorts.[8D]

Hi Pete,

I was beginning to think that I had blasphemed or summat!? Loads have read that post of mine but not a titter, I was hoping that maybe there were a few Seal 22 or Sinbads lurking about in our neck of the woods that might be tempted out to say that they are not in the Solent.

I can understand well enough why some people think that the Solent is a good place to sail, lots of places to go within an easy days sail etc, and the harbours in the Island are pretty enough I suppose, but that stretch of wet stuff between the island and the mainland is just boring and dull, and grossly over crowded at times, never mind all the commercial traffic plodding about the place.

I personally think that scenically, Devon and Cornwall beats the Solent hands down, and it aint so perishing crowded either. I can't see why a meet "of sorts" cannot be set up for us Sou'westers, unless there is just no interest of course? Got any ideas?

Cheers, Ray.

Seal 22 MK3 "Morveren" Number 384
(the last one built by John Baker)

---

Hi Ray and Peter

Firstly sorry i have not replied earlier
I would like to also agree with you that the southwest is great cruising area-- being based in the solent and still in full time employment unfortunately i don't get enough time off in the summer to go exploring all the little inlets and area of Devon and Cornwall

As far as organising a rally(or Two) please GO FOR IT !
There are a huge numbers of seals in your area who might want to meet up perhaps over a bank holiday weekend.


Send some info to Geoff Turner our web man and put a flyer in the next newsletter( copy date in early April)sending it to Barbara our editor

I would be great to see an organised rally in that part of the world---
If you try to plan one in the summer you may also get visitors who head west to tie it in with their holiday

Best wishes

Peter Lowry
Solent Officer and Rear Commodore
Cleo superseal #21

Hello Peter,

No need to be sorry chap![:)] As to organising a rally??? I don't think I would be the best person for that job. I don't see why some of we SW members couldn't scratch together some sort of informal get together though?

Just a few of us for a jug and a yarn would be enough to start with I reckon, if that could be combined with a bit of sailing so much the better. I have now checked the handbook, and it seems that there are 14 Seal 22 owners, and two or three Sinbad owners in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Surely enough for something embryonic to happen?

Cheers, Ray.

Seal 22 MK3 "Morveren" Number 384
(the last one built by John Baker)

---

You might like to post this on the general chat or rallies sections. Your Area Officer Kate Hattersley of Topsham tends to frequent the P27 area having a 275 so might not look right up here.

Geoff Harwood

Hi Geoff, yes it would be a good idea for Kate to have a squint at what we have been saying, I will drop her a line via email and ask her to look in here and to add anything she may feel is helpful?

I don't know if it's really a goer, and as I said previously, I don't feel that I am the right person to be doing any organising, I have enough trouble just breathing in and out on a regular basis![:)] It just seems a shame to me that nothing much is happening outside the Solent area, and that we do seem to have a fair number of members with S22s and Sinbads in our neck of the woods. When I have got "Morveren" a little more sea worthy, I might well fancy a sail around the peninsular to attend something on the south coast of Devon or Cornwall, for now though, I would be happy enough to just attend a bit of a gathering and have a jar and a yarn with some of my fellow members.

Cheers for now, Ray.

Seal 22 MK3 "Morveren" Number 384
(the last one built by John Baker)

---

Hi All
I am indeed the South West area rep for the PSSA and based at Topsham with my Parker 275. As Commodore of TSC I have been somewhat preoccupied with Club events and our members (three SS26 a S28 and S22 and me IIRC) mainly join in Club events and cruises. Apologies if I have neglected you! I am happy to forgo breathing in and out for a while. [:D]
I would be more than happy to organise a social gathering at Topsham where we can discuss what sort of events you want. Shall I propose a date around Easter? With supper and a drink? Or we could do it by email if that suits better. I would post it on the general Forum and mail everyone in the handbook.

Kate

---

Hi Kate,

Sounds good to me! Though I am in North Devon, What I hear from time to time about Topsham SC is only good stuff, so it would be nice to pop down and meet with a few fellow Sealors.......So propose away.[:)]

Cheers, Ray.

Seal 22 MK3 "Morveren" Number 384
(the last one built by John Baker)

---

Any form of gathering for us in the south west would be a good one, be it at Topsham or else where. Topsham at Easter sounds good for me. A drink, meal and check over our diaries would be a start.[:)]
Hoping to get Scheherazade launched Mon 18 Apr at Retreat Boat yard.