Report on the sailing tour of the Balaton Table 2023.06.26-29.

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Published: Monday, 03 July 2023 06:32

Report on the sailing tour of the Balaton Table 2023.06.26-29.
The interest for the planned tour was less than moderate, so in the end we had an excellent sailing trip with two boats. The captain of the Balaton Table Phoenix and his clerk Vagabund formed a pair on the 30 Hein dinghy Hope, while the captain of the Budapest Table El Toro and his maid of honour Judit sailed on the Bavaria 34 Ruby. They were supposed to join us on the 28th with our merry brother Lupo di Mare, but this did not materialise due to their later engagement and a change of plans.
On the 26th of June I put in on the Hope and at 10:15 we set off with Captain Phoenix for Balatongyörök. The wind was blowing from N-NW, force Bf-3. We made good time, and as the estimated time of arrival was 6 pm, we made a detour to Balatonfenyves. The reason for the detour was that our brother Grizzly had become the captain of the 50-passenger motor vessel St. Benedek, which will be operating as a passenger ferry between Balatonfenyves and Szigliget from 1 July. We docked at the outer pier of the harbour at 13:00 and had a close look at the motor vessel, then discussed with Grizzly and Józsi Tóth (the operator of the vessel) the current plans and problems. There on board we had lunch of egg soup, courtesy of Phoenix and her corsair. At 16h00 we set sail from the harbour to Balatongyörök, where we docked at the public pier at 17h50. At 18:5 Captain El Toro arrived. We prepared the boats for the night, turned on the electricity and met to discuss further destinations and programmes. After discussing more information, we agreed on the route Balatongyörök-Révfülöp- Balatonakali-Balatonboglár, closing on 29.06. In the evening we walked to dinner on the harbour promenade. The Party tavern was not open, but we had excellent roast pork and other dishes at the Kemencés restaurant. The food wasn't expensive, (the leg was 2800 Ft, and was a whole first leg) but they made back the profit on the drinks. There are no Bahart boats overnighting in the public harbour, both sides of the pier are empty from 17:15.

The next day, the 27th, after the morning routine, we left for Révfülöp at 8:10 am. Signal first degree, which was raised to second degree at 9 am. Wind N-NW, Bf-4 - Bf-7. We set sail with full sail, but in the middle of the bay of Sigligleet we had to take the mainsail off. With the genoa we were making 5-5.5 knots, towing the bowsprit. As a result of the badacsony cover and wind shifts, we tipped the boat twice into dekquat water. Then we applied the basic rule of dinghy sailing in high winds: up svert, down rudder. We rode steadily to the port of Révfülöp and were tied up at 11.30 am. There the rain started to dump, the weather was not pleasant. Imre Nagy, the harbour master, was waiting for us on the shore, and we talked to him about the incident on the Sio between the motorboat Kisfaludy and the Krems. Imre had witnessed the accident live on board the Krems and told us the story very convincingly. By the time we talked about it, El Toro had arrived at the harbour, but could not come in because the Bavaria's engine had stopped. Imre had it towed in and then we started to isolate the fault. Everyone agreed that the diesel filter was to blame. The filter was replaced by 7pm and we headed to Tóth Restaurant for dinner. We enjoyed an excellent meal with pleasant conversation. By the way, the harbour is welcoming sailors again and the restaurant has been open since 07.01. The restaurant will be run by a new company. We have no information about the cost of accommodation or overnight stay, because harbour manager Peter Török did not accept any information from us.

After a rainy night and morning, we said goodbye to our hosts at 10am on the 28th and set off for Balatonakali. No signal, wind N-NW, Bf-2, full sail. The weather turned pleasant, the rain stopped, sometimes even the sun was shining. Around 1 pm we arrived in front of the Akali harbour, next to which the Arács water bus is moored. It completely occupies the pier, and its bow even reaches into the reeds. As we were spinning sails in search of an opportunity, a lively exchange of words broke out between the anglers' spokesman and me. In the end, they cursed at each other about stealing the boat, but that didn't deter us. First the Ruby tied on the Grid, then the Hope tied on the Ruby. El Toro talked the situation over with his fishing acquaintances, and I just made my presence felt unquestionable. Then we walked peacefully into the port centre, where a busy work was going on. A restaurant was about to open. We walked along the fish trail and went to the Brake restaurant on Route 71 for lunch. During lunch, Captain El Toro indicated that he had to return the boat the next afternoon in Keszthely. So it was suggested that we should not spend the night here, but sail over to Boglár. We agreed, and back in the harbour we set off. Signal first degree, which was raised to second degree at 15 o'clock. Winds W-DW, Bf-2, then W-NW, 4-6 variable. We sailed full sail to half way, then down to the top of Lelle by grus, genoa to the top of Lelle, and finally into Boglar harbour with motor assistance. We successfully avoided the rain fronts of the thunderstorms. Once in port, I disembarked from the Hope and in the evening we took Captain Phoenix's minibus to the Mill Inn in Szőlőskislak and concluded the tour with a delicious meal.

At 8.30 on the 29th the Ruby left for Keszthely, I sailed out at 10 and made another 30 km round trip to Szigliget, on the way back I saw the Hope sailing on the water.

All the participants had a great time, and we also visited ports of call that are not usually visited. We met real sailors, listened to true and interesting stories from the past and present, in short, we lived the social life of sailing people, we sailed and we lived on the water.

Need more?

In answer to the above question, I quote the thoughts of our brother El Toro, written on our 20th anniversary, which you can read on the homepage of our website:

"Just how important it is. Of the seven founders, there are now only two of us with Vitéz. Huszár has sailed away, the others had to be shipped out, or sailed out on their own. They were simply not fit. They expected the Brotherhood to do for them, but they did nothing for the Brotherhood. Because maintaining the Brotherhood is a job and a task. But typically this is also true of those Brothers who entered the Brotherhood later, but also with only apparent Aspiration. The aim was to maintain numbers, to keep the Brotherhood functioning. Yes, this is also very important, but then comes the real task. To make the initiate a real brother. To give tasks and expect them to be carried out."

In view of the above, I would like to ask all my brothers and sisters a few questions, to which I would ask you to respond in writing.

The questions are:

What does it mean to you to be a member of the Brotherhood of the Coast?
Why are you not active when we organise a sailing programme or anything else?
How do you envision the future of the Brotherhood?
What can you personally contribute to our vision?

2023.07.01.

Vagabund