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Thought it was time to do another blog on the next stages of her restoration
and to lay bear some recent thoughts as to the values of the OGA
The main aim is to get Gwenili ready and back to her original design (not that we know for sure what this is) and to be as ship shape as possible in time for her centenary in 2010 and a voyage to Bordeaux the port of her construction; But at the same time keep her sailing and be involved this summer crew permitting in all the event of the East Coast programme History. Gwenili was built in France by A La Gorce Fils at Bordeaux Bastide. The earliest history we have dates back to 1939 when in September of that eventful year the very young crew had to return from a sailing trip to Brittany at the out break of war. I was told this story by an elderly gentleman who recounted his trip as a fourteen year old having seen a photo of Gwenili in Classic boat and recognised her and her name. He generously gave me a log and photos of her at that time with her white sails. He thinks she was owned at the time by the Middleton family! Is she connected to royalty? My guess is that she was built for weekend sailing on the Gironde, she had a large open cockpit suitable for six or so. I fancy it was built for a Bordeaux wine Baron! I do intend to try to research this next year when I sail her back for her one-hundredth birthday. Update. Following on from the work on the hull,deck and spars last winter, I commissioned new sails during last summer from Lawrence sailmakers in Brightlingsea. The Main, mizzen, jib and stay sail were bent on for the first time on the morning of the Maldon regatta (please see attached photos curtisy of Henry Bird ) And I have to say I was very please, the combination of that they are new and the increased sail area made immediate and noticeable difference. Starting the regatta in mid fleet we found ourselves in very light winds gradually improving our position in the gaffers race. In fact we rounded the second mark behind Fanny and well ahead of the third vessel. Feeling very pleased with this performance (and myself) with the new sails driving this heavy 11 ton wooden boat in such light winds, we then observed that the trailing fleet had all altered course and were heading towards Thirslet buoy ahead of us having missing out the second mark, our advantage lost.  At this point the rib came along side to informed us of the change of course, 'Didn't we hear the radio announcement? but don't be concerned your position will be adjusted!" We continued, drifted with the tide in fluky light winds, mixing with the fleet all bunched up and on to the finish. But of course my competitive crew indignant at our change of fortune were demanded more sail. "That silly old top sail is far to small". "That, ill fitting cruising chute isn't doing much," "You should have commissioned a big reaching sail that will fill the complete fore triangle and a large top sail" "Where's the water sail." To be added to by Mark Butler shouting trimming instructions from the bow of the smack he was crewing with 'loosen the jib luff , tighten-up the mizzen boom out pull". Yes, Yes was my impatient reply such improvements will have to wait till next season and so it will be, credit crunch not with standing I will get these commissioned, after all I'm a rich wine Baron from Bordeaux. Changes. The new sails and spar improvements have altered her appearance considerably, gone is that pretense of being a working boat with that sailing smack look with her red sails and white painted spar tips, pretty it might be( photo by Sue taken from Bonifi) In comes a buff off white sails varnished spars and deck and Gwenili is now beginning to show her original pedigree ( we think) So much so I thought we were not recognised by familiar sailing pals as we sailed along. In fact Dave Selby rang up. Asking where we were I could see his Sailfish but he couldn't locate or identify Gwenili in her new rig. Or so he said!  I hope to be involved in the full sailing programme on the East coast, look out for us because we will be there ghosting along perhaps unseen. Next winter will see me destroy the 60's garden shed of a cabin and replace it with a wooden fantasy in the edwardian style or the French period equivalent, any ideas? and re engine her along with new wiring, radio etc etc Crew Sailing such a boat has its difficulties, you need crew! Having over the last four years exhausted all my friends and relatives, because I suspect that I have not been able to provide them with a winning experience, they shy away from all my attempts to press gang them into it. They tell hair raising stories in the pubs of daring do and high risk adventures and near calamities, being aground for weeks on end, while sailing on Gwenili. Not with standing the sharp tongue of the bad tempered skipper. And this puts off those tempted , concerned about their safety they decline all my charm and bribes. The time and the level of commitment needed seems to be the main reason, there's just not enough of it. It is of course a great pleasure and wonderful experience to sail and restore these fantastic old vessels but the crews are the most essential part of this. What can we, I, the OGA ,do about encouraging people without boats and younger people to get sailing with the old gaffers? My experience, and I am sure it's the same for most of us, has been that, though tempted when younger, encouraged by my father, I declined to get too involved as its too expensive and time consuming and the feeling that you need you need to be in control to get the best of the experience. This is also the time of life when you're maturing you career and raising young families. So I returned to sailing very late on with some modest means and a bit more time and now in need to share this with others. An Idea I have mentioned this to OGA President Peter Thomas and he has agreed that this is a common problem amongst many Skippers and the OGA could be more proactive in helping. I would like to propose that the East Coast area starts a local promotion a "Shanghai event" sponsored by the OGA, in each of east coast ports to encourage a recruitment of volunteers who would like to participate as crews. This promotion could be through local press , Radio, TV and sailing clubs, boat yards, sporting clubs and local volunteer net works. But we have to offer guaranteed crewing opportunities that all the skippers, boat owners would welcome on board volunteers and sign up to the scheme. Recruitment sessions could be held in each port with local skippers and owners could have open boat sessions to view each boat and it's sailing programme and encourage them to sign up. Volunteers would be assigned or shanghaied, press ganged to a vessel. This is just some formative thoughts which could be developed further. There would be many additional benefits of this campaign from increasing the awareness of the OGA encouraging membership and developing a pool of interest in people who like us all, will be influenced to take up the challenge of keeping our sailing heritage on the water. I would certainly be prepared to help organise these press gang and shanghai events in Brightlingsea as a trial, if we have the support of other boat owners this could take place as part of the East Coast Race, indeed this event could feature at all our East Coast Regatta and sailing events. I would appreciate any comments on this idea by e-mail martin.barbara@freenet.co.uk Best regards Martin |
