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EAST COAST AREA
OLD GAFFERS
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The East Coast Race 2008
on June 21st is the premier event for Gaffers on the East Coast.
The information leaflet (below) features Deva showing the fleet the way round in an earlier race as a tribute to that master of East Coast OGA racing Jon Wainwright. Jon won everything worth winning on the East Coast – even the Old Harry Trophy! The East Coast Race is the ONE race in the year which is run on standard handicaps. The race is open to all comers, a real chance to show how the OGA performance stands up to outside competition. Last year a foreigner from Kent carried away the top prize so local boats need to be on their mettle to win it back.
Do make an effort to get to the East Coast Race in mid June, because it’s not only about racing and the excitement (or despair!) of sailing against other boats, there’s the interest of comparing the performance of very different craft, the very antithesis of one-design competition. Download the entry form here.
If racing isn’t your scene, there’s no compulsion; just come along and join in the social side, the dinner, the music, the cruise up to Wivenhoe and their excellent lunch, the sea food on Packing Shed Island at Mersea and possibly best of all, just wandering up and down the pontoon, chatting with like-minded folk and maybe enjoying a glass or two while making mental notes of your hosts neat modifications or go-faster gear. The Brightlingsea Harbour folk have a reputation for making us welcome.
Last year we took a leaf out of our Maldon Town Regatta book and added a crews’ reception on the Smack Dock. We will be repeating this again – and you don’t even have to win to get a free pint of real ale. Mario and John weren’t able to be with us at Brightlingsea last year so we booked early to make sure they could come in 2008. They will entertain us on Saturday night. Don’t feel that this pre-race organisation inhibits you in any way. There will be opportunities on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the Old Gaffers Band, so please bring along your instruments … and voice.
A new innovation this year is the Brightlingsea Boat Show. Not quite up to London or even Southampton standards but this may be the place to pick up a bargain. The show is open all week-end in the Shipyard Estate behind the Colne Yacht Club.
Brightlingsea is home base for many of our old working craft as Aldous made pleasure boats as well as working boats; so think of it as just coming home to the family!
Click here for the East Coast Race Entry form in Acrobat PDF Format
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The East Coast Race 08 Programme
Saturday August 2nd - The WHITSTABLE MATCH
This quite a small, friendly race/rally including a few barges, smacks and gaffers. Some boats arrive on the tide Friday and stay until Sunday. There is no entry form or fee– anyone interested can either phone me or Whitstable Harbour Office on 01227 274086 – or just turn up. Briefing an hour or so before the start. The harbour does dry out but the mud is quite soft.
Saturday 9th August – The SWALE MATCH.
This is a big event with 50-80 entries: barges, smacks, bawleys, gaffers, classic Bermudans, Dutch barges, traditional power vessels. Boats arrive in the Swale (Harty) on Friday and there will be a briefing late afternoon/evening. After the race we gather at Hollowshore for the prize giving - and party with food and music.
For more info and entry form, please contact: Lena Reekie (Match Secretary) on 01795 530309 / 07968 058398 E-mail: lenareekie@talktalk.net.
Sunday 10th August - MCP OGA Annual Race
This year we have decided to move the annual race from June to August. We plan a PASSAGE RACE from the East Swale on Sunday 10th August – the day after the Swale Match - sail outside the Isle of Sheppey and finish at Queenborough on the Medway. Please contact Jan Holden(MCP Secretary): 01843 582997 E-mail: robertjan@holdenrj.fsnet.co.uk
BARGE MATCHES 2008
The Thames Sailing Barge is synonymous with the East Coast, and these remarkable spritsail rigged cargo vessels were in trade right into the 1960’s. About 30 of them are still active, mostly earning their keep as charter vessels. Several “matches” are held round our coast, the main ones listed below. If you are in the area, they are well worth watching!
31st May – Medway*
26th July – Blackwater*
21st June – Passage Race from Gravesend to Harwich
28th July - Pin Mill
12th July - Thames
TBC - Whitstable
9th August – Swale*
23rd August - Southend
6th September – Colne*
* Matches likely to include smack racing
More information can be obtained from web site -
www.sailingbargeassociation.co.uk
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