News
22nd January 2004

The response to date has been tremendous with pre -bookings received for 220 people and 90 boats. At present the final touches are put to the brochure and it is expected that these will be posted in February. The charge per person for adults has been finalised at £145 for bookings completed prior to the 31st May with late bookings at a figure of £160. This figure is higher than in previous years but the rally this year is a five day event rather than the usual three days. The figure includes four evening meals and a
lunch including the Saturday night Gala dinner and the Friday night buffet whilst cruising the lake on the 'Swan'. In this respect we are indebted to the owners of the 'Swan' for their help and support. Due to limitations, we have had to place a maximum number of diners at a figure of 250 people so shortly we are expecting the event to be oversubscribed with a waiting list. It is believed that this event will be the largest classic powerboat event to be held in Europe.

In addition to the above, there will be a large number of boats to moor and the committee are making plans to arrange this. Usually the club can comfortably moor forty boats on their jetties / pontoons and in order to cater for the excess, the committee is in negotiations to provide 'stern to' moorings along the lake shore between a tensioned wire parallel with the shore and individual mooring buoys. It is envisaged that there will be two water taxis delivering and collecting helmsmen with a 'bus stop' mooring on the outside of the jetties.

In addition to the usual entrants we have a provisional booking for six hydroplanes. We are arranging crane launching for these so that they can run each day on the club course with rescue and divers in attendance. We are also going to maximise the use of the foreshore and the boat park to provide sufficient space for trailers and those wishing to regularly launch and retrieve their boats. The clubs two tractors should be in use to provide the launching facility.

Other rare items of interest, present during the weekend, are likely to be Miss Windermere VI, the current holder of the world unlimited hydroplane record, the catamaran holding the Formula 1 Speed Record and the catamaran holding the World Formula 2 Record together with their drivers who are all members of the club.

You will see from the above that this event is one not to be missed

Be there, or be Square!

November 2003

They 2004 rally is to be a huge affair with everyone saying that this is the year when they must be present. In March 2005 the hotly contested 10mph speed limit comes into force on Lake Windermere so this is the last year when classic boats will be able to attend the rally and travel at speed.

The 2004 Rally has become known as the ‘Last Blast’ Rally and instead of the usual three day event the rally is being enlarged to a five day extravaganza. The committee has only recently finished the last rally but is already planning in detail for the 2004 event. The committee has been bolstered by additional members due to the large amount of planning which is required.

Due to the large amount of interest being shown in the 2004 rally, the committee has decided not to wait until all is finalised and the official brochure is published before taking bookings. Already in November 2003 we have received 44 pre-entry application forms with 49 boats and 126 people and once we include those who usually come we already are pretty sure of 166 people and 64 boats to date. As there is a limit of approximately two hundred for meals you can see that the event is quickly filling up – don’t delay and send your pre-entry immediately.

In addition we understand that a number of the European Riva owners intend coming and there is talk of the clan of European hydroplane racers making a special journey. Although it is yet too early to be sure of anything, one thing is certain – it will be over subscribed!


Please note that the rally will continue after 2004 but the speed limit will then apply

The Rally Brochure including full application form will be available in February 2004