Maldon Town Regatta 2007

This is primarily an Old Gaffers Rally climaxing at Hythe quay. The Dinghy and Cadet race are very much also ran’s. But lets look at the Dinghy race run by Maldon S. C. The club sits on top of the saltings over looking Herring Point and Colliers Reach with Northy Island in the background, an idyllic peaceful place steeped in a maritime history.
Three visiting Merlins from Maylandsea bay joined the fleet. The sun popped in and out as the wind puffed and faded NW / N at 3 / 12 knots. The tide was on springs at a gallop, eventually flooding over the promenade and leaving Northy Island little more than a few trees poking out of the water.
The course was a well thought out affair with the avoidance of over 50 old gaffers sailing up the creek. It was more about orienteering than just a few cans to round, a splendid scene. Simon and Pies (Becky) won the start and showed good speed holding off Jacko and Lorna on a fast close two sail reach for the jibe around the number 17 green nav. mark overlooked by the promenade, in front of the outward going Thames barges with the day trippers. Simon and Pies had a race of ups and downs falling victim to the tide and being misled by others sailing a variety of variations of the course.
Ron teamed up with Wiggy, a team again with potential to lift the pot. Sadly Ron fascinated with the bird life in the saltings (with Laura missing) duffed the start, there followed a long battle with the Blazes fleet, which he finally lost by 30 seconds on corrected time.
Jacko and Lorna having gained the lead with the kite going up on the outward reaching leg to Nipper, were not to be seen again and enjoyed the sites and sounds of the day with Lorna very much in charge. The site of the huge amount of sail heading into Colliers reach and with the circumnavigation of Northy Island and the search for Clarks and New Hall marks, on the south side, and the windward leg up Southy creek as Northy Island slowly submerged, made it a notable affair. The second half sailed off Herring point and back into Colliers reach, mixing it with the Barges and Gaffers in a shifty breeze on the top of the tide, was a spiritually moving occasion. Jacko and Lorna won the day having sailed the right course.
The day ended as the sun went down at Hythe quay, the pots and trophies awarded, the free beer passed around and the singing of sea shanties and tails of “we nearly won that but…” and as the skies darkened the band arrived a small but perfectly formed group of Rocket sailors gathered in the corner of the Jolly Sailor (which has a new wood floor and big dark sofas to die in) a place not unknown to Jacko and Wiggy who were still in the (Talk Like Pirates) mode.I would like to thank all at Maldon S.C. for doing all the work in organising the day for the Dinghy race that seems to go almost un-noted; and the rugged looking captain with much hair for not squadging me off the planet at the number 10 green can off Herring point.

A set full of results, music and video to follow

Info on Pyefleet Week 2008

At long last I have more info on Pyefleet Weeks, past and coming. It has been revealed today, much to my dismay, that once again the 2008 Pyefleet week will clash with the Merlin Champs. This is misery, the thought of missing the champs or missing Pyefleet Week does not improve the sense of humour. It might be that an unknown person not able to find the go to go to Looe may well enjoy what is on offer in the peaceful surrounding of Essex. I now draw your attention to the link, Pyefleet Week 2007

http://sailingtheblackwater.blogspot.com/2007/08/pyefleet-week-2007.html

Harlow (B) S. C. Two Islands Race 2007

16 Merlins gathered at the top of the slipway in brilliant sunshine with a soft S.W. to S. afternoon breeze and just a hint of sea breeze. The incoming tide, a gentle flow and full of long, soft green weed that had been lifted off the mud banks (looking for the racing helms foils) floated up through the creek.
The start was for some the end; picking the north side as it turned out was not the thing to do and for Mr Rainey, Jacko, Charles Davenport and Ozzie, all with the facial expressions of mortuary attendants, suffered as all other competing yachters disappeared at a goodly pace down the south bank.
Tom and Liam nipped into the lead as they passed Lawling point and headed straight down the middle, despite the lead boat taking a look around Goldhanger creek, popped the kite up and down, viewed the Thames barges (full off day trippers looking at the race through the bottoms of emptying glasses and was not seen again and so lifted the booty.
Duncan and Ian, making a fair start and just a tad puzzled at the lead boat verses Tom and Liam, but carefully observing the bow of the Thames barge and Northy Doubles navigation mark, picked off some hot lifts on port, sailed a smart race to be 2nd.
Mr Rainy and Vicki, recovering well from the deathly start, hit the north side of Lawling creek and headed for Osea Island (Kylie Minogue was not to be seen on the beach) and at a good pace worked their way up, taking on the armada of motorised craft supporting the Heybridge, around Northy Island, rowing race (in anything that floated) received a well worthy 3rd place.
William and Chris, sporting colours that blended in well with the Thames barges and classic craft, having made a fair start bucked the well known phrase of “if you can see Jacko your in the s**t” having had a conversation with Jacko and Lorna on just who the gun fire was intended for as they sailed down Colliers Reach. As it transpired it was for the finishing oarsman. William ducking and shifting weed finished 4th.
Notables: Laura Davison was not thanked at the prize giving but gave so much to make this open meeting happen, and did not kill Ron for making Jacko’s start look good. Charles Davenport and Steve Brown made an appearance. Tudor Owen (Whitstable) lost contact with voices from above. Simon and Pies (Beccy’s) boat did not need repairing post race. Mr Cooper was not racing for the bottle of red. No boats saw mud. And as I write this (Sunday) I see the weather station at Thorpe Bay is reading 23.6 mph gusting 33.4 mph. Good luck chaps and chapiess. I would also like to render apologies to Charles D for not looking harder for a replacement front-end girl.

The boat picture is thanks to Mr Longshank and the other, Tom and Liam.

Sad to say there is a video on the way

Newcombe Cup - Lowestoft

The annual trip up the A12 to the land of fish and chips, Adnams beer, doughnuts, ice cream arrived. A small, but perfectly formed fleet sailed out though the harbour entrance into what might be compared to Rocky mountain rapids with the tide flooding in up the coast bringing Harwich just a long port tack away. The wind S.W. off shore, shifty, with a building selection of weighty cubic whammies squalling out from the beach and the pier of fun turning the choppy, sloppy wind lets into a pleasure park of wet stonking brown Neptune specials.
Brian (much respected) race officer of the day revealed a new and wicked toy for course setting to enhance the normal macrame handbag course, The sailing area, now mapped out correctly with sand banks and deep water channels including navigation marks, racing buoys all neatly coloured in the form of pegs were set out in a purpose made handy tray and a piece of string scaled to 15 miles exactly (to insure no short measure) was about to be wound around the little coloured pegs. This is a brilliant form of torture that Kenneth of the Halfway Y. C. would have died for. The course read Pp Kp Ws Es Rs Es Rs Kp Wp Kp Ws Ps Ms Ws Ps Ks Ws. (those of you with a knowledge of Klingon, as does Mr Wigg, will recognise the word for some one who spits alot) and fair go's, the beats on the tide were hardy and the reaches blattering, with the runs very twitchy.
Richard and Nicola won the start and were not seen again. Alex and Chris 2nd to the windward and 2nd to finish. And whereas Jacko and Lorna were 3rd to the windward and neatly sailed out the back door. The first over taking boat down the first reach was Liam and Rob who went on to finish 3rd. All in all not a vintage year but a honking hard sail at a unique venue in a top class fleet of sail boat racers.

Picture of a wave for Neil Fulcher to "pump at"