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And of course, a points series tends to reward those who turn out regularly, rather than the flash in the pan merchant. The races we have are not serious races, and there is rarely any shouting or aggression. The idea is we enjoy ourselves sailing amongst lovely boats, and sailing them as well as they deserve to be! Despite what some may say about handicapping, the Points Series illustrates how boats of almost every type can do well, if they are sailed to a reasonable standard. New boat, old boat, workboat, yacht, big boat, small boat, they have all featured in past years in the top places in the Points Series. 2006 has been no different. Two centenarian ex fishing boats are well placed in the series, as well as two more modern vessels on working boat lines. These are vessels not designed to rate well or race, more to a job efficiently in specific waters. And another aspect of a points series is to see how boats are improving, being sailed nearer to their potential, whilst owners of new boats in the fleet can get an idea of how they really rate with the competition. Looking at the top ten, it probably wasn’t the best suited weather for the little Molly Cobbler, but she had a good Crouch rally, and would have undoubtedly benefited in the smooth waters of the Maldon race. The amazing My Quest relished the brisk conditions at sea in the August Classics, and again, had she raced more often would have been in the silver. Ric on Kelpie II is the only OGA member to complain about the easing of a handicap, he knows the boat can go better, it’s down to him. And despite a rotten start, her result in the East Coast Old Gaffers Race shows he is getting there. Reverie has also been showing increasing pace, with incremental improvements to the rig and boat management, though perhaps Pete went too far with the experimental bowthruster to help her through stays. Moonstone, David and Persephone’s little Drascombe did very well, considering many of her races were in open water, and with full cruising gear aboard too. Often in Blackwater races you see big macho crews on the smacks, implying the need of a vast amount of “grunt” for the heavy gear. But Transcur belies that impression, sturdy and swift smack she may be, but very well managed by her family crew.  Now we come to the gaffers in the silverware end of the points series. In third place, Crow, from the man who gave us Dirty Girty, shows us all just how versatile and different gaff rig can be. Her cold molded centreboard hull needs but two feet of water to float her 34 feet length, her mizzen rotates to furl around the carbon fibre mast. her foresail is self acting. And she sails “Back to the Fuure”, so fast is she- no wonder she is called “Stealth”, not a ripple on the water as she almost dematerialises with speed to the front of the fleet. The second placed vessel, the Colin Archer type cutter Bonify, typifies the benefits of taking part regularly in gaffers races. Not much more than 5 years ago, she would be last in a race which had any windward work in it and less than force 5, especially in the company we are talking about. But Howard and Sue did not give up, and gradually they have trimmed the rig so she is really one of the faster boats now. The Scandinavian Seaways Race (not actually in the Points Series) was a prime example- a very light headwind and foul tide which she beat against to win the race when so many other boats had to retire. The new apparel at the masthead could set in the warm weather, without discomfort, and even looked the part of a well set topsail. The winning vessel does not, at first sight, look a fast boat. Beamy, square stern and fairly modest working rig are not the normal criteria of a fast boat in all weathers. Indeed a couple of years ago this boat was not. But someone must have told Nigel Waller how the Itchen Ferry Fanny of Cowes used to win almost every gaffer race going in the 60’s, her name on the East Coast Old Gaffers Trophy until 1971. Because she is re-born as a consistent winner, and sailed by probably the most expert racing crew in the OGA. Her spinnaker handling is as good as you will see in top sports boat racing, and she doesn’t make many mistakes. Her sheeting positions are just right, her running backstays go right to the stern and she goes! The winner of the 2006 Tom Felgate East Coast Points Series is Fanny of Cowes. The winner, Random, does not always strike form, but when she does, it matters. Four reasonable results, including a vital first on the Crouch, were enough to take her to the top of the table. Our thanks go to Pete Thomas for working out the results. The trophies will be presented at the End of Season Party (and AGM) at Brightlingsea on November 11. Details can be found below     Back in the mists of time the OGA was formed at Maldon Little Ship Club on 23 September 1963, after the success of the first East Coast Old Gaffers Race. Race committees got together from East and South Coasts to form the Association which survives to this day, in most cases blissfully unaware of its origin on the East Coast! In 1985 the East Coast Area started a September rally and race at Maldon to commemorate the occasion. Unfortunately through lack of support and competition from other organisations this failed after a few years. 
Maldon Town Regatta has a history going well back into the nineteenth century, but this had fizzled out through lack of support too. However, a couple of people from both camps thought this was a poor do, and thought why don’t we get together and revive both events as one? Thus the “modern” event was formed, utilising many of the old trophies from the past. This nearly failed a few years ago when the Maldon committee split up, but with the OGA there, it was kept going, albeit we had to hold it at Heybridge! Fortunately a new local committee was put together after a public meeting, and the event survives. “Survives” is an understatement, because it is a highly popular regatta both on shore and sailing!
The 2006 regatta race started at West Mersea, on a beautiful morning, quite in contrast to the strong winds and rain of the previous day which had affected people coming from afar. The Barge Yacht Blackwater made a very appropriate starting ship, and when all the smacks had deposited their dinghies with her, she did look like a spritsail rigged mother duck with large brood astern!
The course was initially seaward of the Nass, then across the Blackwater Estuary to No 2 buoy off St Peters, before going up river to finish off Osea Island. The local smacks led off first, followed by other classes including gaffers and bermudan classics. Unfortunately the SE wind was very slow in materialising. It was a struggle for some of the slower boats to make over the tide, being forced to work the shallows, whilst the sleek well sail-endowed smacks could almost go straight there! No 2 buoy was the real killer, because however well you had worked the shallows off Mersea to gain your easting, the rapids near the mark swept you away. Gromit got within spitting distance, but was swept away much to the mirth of Bonify’s crew, who thought they had plenty of sea room. But even they missed and spat at the buoy in disgust at having to tack again. The smack Boadicea’s skipper who failed also to make the buoy in one hit was asked by another vessel Reynardine why after four generations fishing the area he had not managed to do something about the tide round here. He said he was working on the Blackwater Tidal Barrage. Course B had a near repeat of the No 2 situation, with a leg over to No 5 by Bradwell ( Locals refer to the area as the Bradwell Triangle with its crazy winds and currents. Those of us who had been well practised at no 2 were very pleased to get round it, only find we had missed the signal about shorten course….! ( huge skipper embarrassment to crew). The wind by now had picked up to the East, giving a gentle run past Thirstlet to finish off Osea Island, made sweeter still with the tide under us.  At Osea it was time to start the second race or Parade of Sail up the last stretch of the Blackwater. Sensibly the smacks were sent off first, because I think it would be very dangerous to be mixed up with that lot with wind astern! Then it was the turn of the other classes, which was bad enough to make the more timid of us keep to the rear of the fleet. As you know rivers tend to narrow as you go up them, which is bad enough, but on the Blackwater the rare arrival of water over the mud is celebrated by every local boat owner taking to his boat and heading seaward… Only to be greeted by scores of bowsprits and booms of hairy smacks coming the other way. Throw in the odd barge and Viking Saga doing day trips and ooops!… but fortunately there were no disasters and surprisingly little shouting as the fleet roared onwards to Hythe Quay. Maldon Hythe Quay is a very picturesque setting with the town buildings rising behind on the hill. The quayside was crammed with spectators watching the fleet come in under sail, the band was playing, there were lots of stalls. Boats lowered sail and moored up where they could along the quay. Crews then made their way to Taylors Yard where barrels of beer (sponsored by OGA!) were waiting to be drunk!  Then it was time for the prizegiving, prizes being presented by the Lady Mayor of Maldon Town. In the big smacks, Richard Titchenor’s smack Sallie was first, Ian Smith’s bawley Bona was second. In the gaffers class, Nigel Waller’s Itchen Ferry Fanny of Cowes was first, followed by Howard and Sue’s ferro Archer Bonify. The Special Maldon Molusce Prize went to the Buchanan designed ketch Reyanardine for last on corrected time, clearly practising for the Old Harry trophy next year. In the Bermudans, Maid of Tesa ( R Williamson) and Rhumba ( C Church) won prizes. A special tribute was paid to Peter Maynard for all the work he had put into the regatta over the years. After a few more beers, the dinner gong sounded at Maldon Little Ship Club, and an excellent meal prepared by the club was served. As people finished eating, Rob Willamson, Area President of the East Coast Old Gaffers, proposed a toast to the association, and also invited those present, whether members or not, to the East Coast OGA party ( and AGM) at Colne Yacht Club Brightlingsea on November 11.  After the bar shut, people adjourned to their boats, some for further partying. Two boats, Nokomis and Gwenili, had dried out to a strange angle, making sleep a bit difficult. They later dried out to a strange angle the other way…. Some slightly sore heads woke to a pleasant morning, and after some essential rehydration with tea or coffee, bacon and eggs cooking could be smelt as the tide started to flood, to later lift the gaffers out of their slumbers in the mud. The next year’s Maldon Town Regatta is on 29 September. The Royal Burnham Yacht Club was the first venu. On the way in from the Spitway we in Reynardine saw Bonify, the ferro –Archer style cutter, sporting a lovely big topmast. However it was so cold the new topsail must have been in use elsewhere. Reynardine moored on the RB pontoon ( which later dried out). Later the Leigh cockler Alice and Floray ( from Arlesford on the Colne) joined us, followed by the sole locally moored boat, Mary Ritchie ( from N Fambridge), towing a lovely new skiff built by Ashley Butler. We later adjourned to the White Hart for a meal. Next morning Bonify and Reynardine took the flood up the Crouch for a nostalgic visit to the former World Presidential Port of North Fambridge. Even though it is only a few months since the port lost its OGA status there have been many changes. A big new pontoon has been built for the modern yachts which are now allowed to moor there. The boatyard has several glistening gin palaces ashore, waiting to make their contribution to global warming and river bank erosion. The Ferry Boat Inn, once the venue for early OGA Crouch Rallies, is still there, as the faded pub sign showing ferryman Tony Judd rowing passengers across the river can be seen amongst the undergrowth. The OGA Presidential Bar Account for visiting gaffers has been closed for some time. But it is still a nice place, and sometimes you can hear the ghostly guffaws of gaffers past and feel the camaraderie.  Because of the tide situation, Alice and Floray had to head back early, leaving only three gaffers to moor at a deserted Quay Reach. We struggled through the mud to reach Foulness Island, possibly the last time the OGA will do this, and walked through the quiet lanes to the village, where a warm welcome awaited us at the George and Dragon. We had the pub to ourselves. It is a unique and attractive setting on this forbidden island. It was a dreadful night at anchor with a howling south wind and rain. But by breakfast the weather was becoming more manageable and we had a nice sail home. It was a good first proper cruise of the season, well worth the effort. Just a pity a few more didn’t make it. Many thanks to Trevor and Fred for setting it up. Prior to the weekend was the Passage Race from home ports to Brighlingsea, a test of passage planning and working tides, rather than pure boat speed. The vessel with the best average speed on passage wins, and this year it was won by the Buchannan designed ketch Reynardine, out of Walton, despite suffering a massive toilet failure on passage.
Until the last few years, the East Coast Old Gaffers Race traditionally used the Wallet Spitway as its outer mark, and this year the race organisers were determined this should happen again! Unfortunately the wind was very light from the South East, and there were worries that the course would have to be shortened. However the race officer stuck to his guns, and contingency plans were made to shorten course, using Margaret Jay (de-commissioned fishing vessel) at the head of the fleet, with intermediate radio contact with the harbour commissioners’ vessel at the back of the fleet. It was a beautiful sunny morning off Bateman’s Tower in the Colne, with beautiful boats enhancing the scene. The smacks (slightly depleted in number with the Blackwater Match at Osea) were first start at 0800, followed by the other gaff riggers ten minutes later. In a separate race, but sailing the same course we had the bermudan classics, starting at 0830.  In of a fleet of forty different vessels it is impossible to describe each one individually, although each one merits a description, so lovely a sight they each made. A very unusual new boat on the scene was Crow. She is a gaff ketch, American style with clipper bow, raked unstayed masts, self acting foresail and off-set rotating mizzen mast. Although traditionalists may find that hard to understand, she has a lovely shaped hull and sails like a witch. I think she is a Bolger design, built by her owner Robert Berk, the man who gave us “Dirty Girty” in the past, over the last six or seven years. She quickly joined the head of the fleet with Itchen Ferry Fanny of Cowes, traditional East Coast Yacht Kestrel and the smack Mary. Another new boat to the East Coast scene was the recently restored Skipjack, originally a West Country Tosher, like a small Falmouth working boat, but re-registered in Maldon- she too joined the leaders. Further down the fleet we had the ex Thames / Erith YC cruiser Kelpie II, in the 1920’s as revolutionary as Crow. Still being worked up to full potential, this year she set a topsail. Traditional as traditional goes was Bravore, a Danish Yol, double ended clinker with half sprit rig. Another new boat was the Ashley Butler built smack yacht, Lucie B, Ashley being one of the few boat builders about who builds traditional boats commercially.
In the bermudan classics race, there was a real needle match between the two Vertues, Owendo and Maid of Tesa, led by Rhumba and trailed by Random!
The light headwinds made the going hard for the slower boats as the ebb helped them down to Colne Bar. Once round the Colne Bar it was just about possible to lee bow the young flood, but whether that was the best tactic is difficult to say. It seemed that to dash across the tide into the shallows on the Knoll and work a back eddy by Swire Hole towards the Spitway may have been better than just stemming tide. At this point we had hoped to be in company with the Barges and smacks from the Blacwater Match, but they failed to get further than Bradwell, and even then they had to row, so we hear!
Eventually the leaders made it to Wallet Spitway, Margaret Jay radioing the positions over to race control, before making a dash for the finishing line! The sea breeze had picked up a little ( gusting force 2/3?!), giving those who had weathered Wallet Spitway a gentle run and reach home, via the Eagle buoys ( what happened to Jaywick Sewage Outfall buoy of years gone by???). Smack Mary was first to cross the line, taking the Britannia trophy, but her class started 10 minutes earlier, and it was Kestrel’s time on course was actually faster, even beating the sleek black hulled Crow. Ayesha, smacks Fly and Willam followed, then it was Kelpie having made incredible time from a poor start at the back of the fleet. Most of the fleet did manage to get round, which was a relief for the organisers, and then it was a race for the most coveted trophy of them all, the Old Harry. The cockler Mary Amelia, with a huge jackyard topsail and massive reacher (bastard) that must surely have strained the sailmaking resources of the whole of Tollesbury, made one of the finest dashes for the line I have seen in the entire history of the Old Gaffers Race, scraping through with 3 minutes to spare. Less successful was Ella Rose who finished after the time keepers had packed up, and had to make do with the Plodders Pot! With declarations in, it was time for the results team to get busy, and we were actually finished early! Full details of results will be posted shortly, but Fanny of Cowes won the East Coast Old Gaffers Trophy for the first boat over fifty years old on corrected time. Mary won the Tom Bolton Memorial Trophy, whilst Crow won several prizes including the Titheridge for the first couple sailing on their own (Matey didn’t count!) and a prize for the newest boat.
Sunday morning saw the judges out in force, seeking out a suitable winner for the Concourse D’elegance. This they judged to be Ella Rose, Bonify winning second prize. In afternoon we had the start of the Class 3 Race off Bateman’s Tower, while the remaining fleet gathered off Brightlingsea Quay in readiness for the Parade of Sail. There was some concern that lead boat Reynardine, which had been one of the slower boats of the fleet would not be fast enough to keep ahead, but actually it was the best drilled Parade I have seen. Bonify reefed her main, whilst others played all sorts of tricks with scandalised gaffs etc.. Reynardine had to wind in her headsail, and with judicious use of the bucket and brailing the mizzen from time to time kept reasonable station. The fleet went through the barrier in front of Wivenhoe, before returning to moor at the yacht club pontoons. Wivenhoe had laid on an excellent hog roast for the gaffers, and we had a prize giving for Class 3 open boats and quite a party ashore, before returning to Brightlingsea. The Monday foray to Bradwell for lunch was only partially successful, as the strong SW wind held back the tide. Only the shoal draft boats could enter in time for lunch! Never mind, we had a marvellous sail in the evening on Pioneer, which was a real experience for us all, sailing such a big ketch. Our thanks go to Brian Kennel and crew for making it such a memorable evening. So ended Brigaff 06 and the East Coast Old Gaffers Race. Nearly everything had gone to plan, thanks to the hard work of Richard Giles, Rob Williamson and the Aussies. The weather had been kinder than it has in the past, and the participants themselves had made it a really pleasurable occasion. 24 June 2006 Prior to the event it was agreed that Melvin Fox’s trawler, ‘Margaret J’, would act as committee boat, although it was news to Melvin that he was also ‘Officer of the Day’ (just kidding). I met up with Melvin on Friday evening and between us we transported most of the BBQ supplies (Charcoal, Food, Utensils etc.) across from Holbrook Creek to Wrabness and loaded them aboard ‘Margaret J’.
We then cruised around the moorings on board ‘Amber’ welcoming participants and handing out ‘Sailing Instructions’. On Saturday morning around 10 gaff rigged boats anchored in Holbrook Bay and crews rowed ashore in to the creek to be welcomed by the local Harwich Harbour Master’s Assistant, Mr Peter Page.  We all (about 40 people) then walked up the Royal Hospital School where we were greeted at the Chapel by the school’s IT Director, Andy Woollard. (Andy is also Vice Chairman of Holbrook Boat Owners’ Association) After a brief tour of the school in groups, in the company of one or two students, we all met up in the dining hall to partake in a superb breakfast of tea, coffee, fruit juices, ham, cheese, crusty bread and fresh fruit.
A couple of facts that were pointed out may be worthy of note. The construction of the Royal Hospital School, back in the 1920s, was the first £1,000,000 civil contract ever awarded in the U.K., and the Chapel organ is one of two that are deemed to be the largest organs in religious buildings. The other is currently undergoing restoration, which effectively means that this honour currently sits with the RHS.
In due course we returned to the creek where Peter Page, had kept an eye on all our dinghies and equipment. We didn’t forget Peter’s breakfast and brought him some ‘goodies’ in a ‘take away’ bag. (as an aside, Peter had never had a packed lunch ‘on the shore’, but for the record, for the first time in his life, he packed his own lunch on Sunday and did the same thing all over again). The participants now had their numbers increased by the addition of 4 boats from the Holbrook Boat Owners’ Association. After a brief rest it was time to think about some racing. Around 8 boats set off from the start line at 15.00 hrs to race out to Pye End buoy and back.  The open boats (two smack’s boats) and the four RHS Shrimpers (all flying their OGA pennants) set off on the same course around the ‘cans’ at 15.30 hrs. The Open boats and Shrimpers finished after about 1 hour and 30 minutes with only one Shrimper managing to beat the smacks boats that were enthusiastically sailed by Melvin Fox and Mike and Sue feather.  The OGA open boat’s race was won by Melvin Fox. A glass ‘Royal Hospital School Event’ tankard was passed to RHS so that head master could present it to the winning Shrimper crew at assembly on Monday morning. After 3 hours close racing the first two cruisers, ‘Fanny of Cowes’ and ‘Crow’, came into sight each trying to steal the others wind. Even within 100 metres of the committee boat they were still in (very) close proximity.
‘Fanny of Cowes’ eventually took line honours from ‘Crow’ by just 8 seconds. This margin may have been even closer but for the fact that the race committee had re-located the finish line from ‘Margaret J’ to ‘Leticia’ having been bribed by the offer of tea and chocolate cake from Mike and Sue Feather. All of the cruisers (along with other boats that had simply sailed the course just for the hell of it) were ‘home’ within the next 40 minutes or so, including yet another ‘neck and neck’ battle between ‘William’ and ‘Bonify’. On ‘corrected time’, the cruiser race was eventually won by ‘Fanny of Cowes’ with ‘Transcur’ second and ‘Crow’ third.  Two of the Holbrook boats ‘cruised’ to either Shotley, or Harwich, where their crew numbers were augmented by further crew (family) members, although at least one Holbrook boat, ‘Freya III’, sailed the entire race course. By now it was time to get ashore and start the BBQ.  After a bit of swearing, a few prayers and some encouragement (from just about everyone on the beach) the charcoal was hot enough to begin cooking. Jon Wainwright, was heard to mutter that you either had horrible weather and a decent BBQ fire, or good weather and a struggle to get the BBQ going. Many people helped with cooking and preparation – many thanks. On offer were Pork and Apple burgers (which tried their best to spoil them selves by falling apart when they were turned over, but we got better with practice), beef burgers, sausages and chicken drumsticks.  All too soon, the evening was coming to a close (it was getting dark) and it was time for the Holbrook boats, including ‘Amber’, to set sail back to the creek, while there was sufficient water to pick up moorings. By the end of the day, I believe, we had around 28 or 29 boats participating at some point during the day Even ‘Bona’ called by during the late afternoon and Ian Smith and Jane came ashore and said hello. Michael Robertson at the Walton & Frinton Yacht Club 15-16th July 2006  The fleet left Walton & Frinton Yacht Club soon after half tide and raced down to Stone Point, the local Jewels leading as ever, in what proved to be a fast and lively race. The outward mark was tricky – a jybe mark and with the full force of the wind coming in over the sands. Some boats went for it, others wore round. Just as smacks boat Splice was gaining on Lettuce, Splice jybed round the mark, broke her tiller and performed a slow but spectacular capsize. She was not the only casualty amongst the smacks boats – there was also loss of a mast, another tiller and an oar. Seventeen hardy little boats made it back from Stone Point, into the Wade then back up to the club. The fleet was very close, Spinel the remaining Jewel led the fleet, unable to reef she sailed with full sails which was no doubt a little hairy at times, Orca the Mirror and Dido the 1930s steam yacht tender came roaring home together in second and third place. The smallest boat in the race, Peter Pan 2 and Suky, the only scow to complete the course, were both well up the field, coming home with the smacks boats. Drascombe Freya made a stately finale to the race. Back at the club paperboat manufacture was in full swing under the management of the Masters. There was some question whether it was necessary to have any paper in a paper boat – but all had great fun and the fleet were launched from Margaret J’s deck across the pond. George and Maddy’s Pirates of the Caribbean was first boat home.  Ragged Robin (aka Lottie Blossum), Arthur Ransome’s hillyard joined the other OGA yachts in the pond – she is now well cared for by TARS (The Arthur Ransome Soc) so was open to visitors all weekend. Nancy Blackett had also planned to join us but due to the weather moored in Titchmarsh, and entertained some visitors who made it round to see her. Prizegiving was followed by dinner at the club and an evening of lively music thanks to the local Onion Band. Sunday dawned sunny and with a fair breeze. Our friendly bacon butty van turned up and the boat jumble began. This year the sale was twice the size – I just wish I had rushed round the stalls earlier, there were some lovely blocks I just missed. Meanwhile the children were sent off on a sortie to find all sorts of things, Josh Masters completed the task first and won the Pirate. As soon as the mud was covered the fleet took to the water – some were determined sail around the island having been prevented on Saturday. Others were happy to have a leisurely sail down to Stone Point, build sand sculptures with Julia and the Feathers. Everyone at Stone Point got caught up in the fun and the sculptures included everything from pyramids to mermaids. The best sculptures were judged as the Curlew family’s “Map” and Scow ladies’ “Wow Scow”. And as the tide came in to swallow the sculptures the fleet turned for home.  As ever we owe much of the success of this event to the Walton and Frinton Yacht Club, this year not only did they host the event, welcome us warmly, feed us, manage the race and safety boats, but also arranged a great band for us on Saturday night. Also we must thank the Brookes and the Wilberforces who kindly let us invade their gardens with tents. TARS have also supported us again this year, not only with the presence of Ragged Robin, but with the generous donation of a prize. RACE RESULTS
 
Many said it was the best event they had taken part in for years. It can’t have been the weather, as we averaged nearly an inch of rain a day. And it certainly can’t have been the O G A organisation! But they were right. Good social occasions for all ages (and canines), good places and good racing obviously helped, but it was really the many who took part gelling together.
PASSAGE RACE The event started with a passage race from home ports to the Suffolk Orwell and Ipswich. Reynardine, a rather under-canvassed cruising ketch, could not have had a better brisk wind from the SSW, sailing out of the Walton Backwaters, meeting up with Random and My Quest from further south. Meanwhile the slippery smack Transcur was waiting up the River Stour with Itchen Ferry Reverie, plus a few others elsewhere who were able to race in such awful conditions. Winner on this event is the one who makes the best average speed on passage. Well Reynardine may not be much of a racer (yet), but she knows how to get from point A to point B during closing hours, and managed over 6 knots, despite more foul than fair tide. Transcur was second at five and a bit knots, closely followed by My Quest. In the Classic Bermudans Quiet Days (out of Mersea) won. IPSWICH WET DOCK 
I think they call this dock wet because it is always raining. Lots of other gaffers were there, lots of acquaintances were renewed, before repairing to the local OGA Penthouse suite (Crows Nest) for a World Presidential Reception. It was so important that the Chinese Community honoured the occasion by bringing round a meal. Next day after repairing the usual headaches and stomachs, entrants underwent the formal registration process on Avola, receiving a gift of a Speedy Stitcher (compliments of Classic Marine) as well as a copy of the risk assessment and sailing instructions.
REGATTA SPORTS (?) 
The OGA is probably the only organisation to attempt to run a regatta in the Wet Dock on a regular basis. It is probably the only occasion when so many different types of rubber dinghies are put against each other in testing conditions. So much so you would think the event should have been sponsored by the London Rubber Company- despite what was seen in the dock, they did not, I assure you.
First event was the rowing race, with or without dogs, and there were several heats before the winner was found. A shark was seen following one rubber vessel, and even came aboard on one occasion.  Then alternative green forms of propulsion were tried, varying from traditional square rig to the revolutionary umbrella rig. Actually the Tinker Tramp won, proving that Plastimo, Avon etc have a very long way to go.
Amongst all the flubbery we did have rigid interludes with smack boat sailing and sculling, the latter very keenly contested in the final between the skippers or Pete’s of Reverie and Transcur. But back to the real flubber trials.  Outwitting the League Against Cruel Sports, the OGA organised a duck hunt on the Wet Dock. A mother swan was having difficulty in explaining to her watching cygnets that these bi-peds with rubber dinghies instead of webbed feet were meant to be at the top of the evolutionary chain. There were lots of accusations of cheating, and some disqualifications before the boats returned to base for the count to be made.
Because of the cheating tendency of the players, it was decided to dispense with most rules for the Association Dinghy Football Match. Team Reynardine was pit against Team Quest, which not only had more dogs and children, but also played their substitute as well.  Team Reynardine, playing a new Plastimo astern struck with the first goal, perfectly legally. But then the match deteriorated, with the Reynardine skipper being drenched and Team Quest carrying the ball- the development from football to rugby happened remarkably quickly. Dogs attacked, women jumped ship, pensioners fired water pistols. Team Quest equalised illegally but the rules had changed, team Reynardine scoring two more goals to go 3-1 up. But then disaster happened when Team Reynardine skipper breaking up the left wing for his hat–trick was illegally up-ended into the dock by the Team Quest substitute, leaving the field open to the opposition while he struggled to find his sodden risk assessment. Team Quest scored 3 more goals and all would have been lost, had Dog Matey not dived into the water and scored the equaliser in extra time, then finishing the match by puncturing the ball with his teeth.
So you know the questions to ask the posh flubber salesmen at the Boat Show- what is the OGA rating on this highly priced product- can it be rowed, can it be sailed, is it dog proof or proof against marauding women , is it any good for duck hunting and is it any use at all for dinghy football? Or is it even waterproof?
TWO RIVERS RACE There does come a time when gaffers go racing, and a course was set from the Orwell Bridge down to Harwich Harbour, then up the River Stour to finish off Wrabness.  In spectacular form the start ship Avola arranged a huge thunderstorm as a 10 minute signal, causing Ayesha to go out of control at speed in excess of 15 knots. But it did sharpen up gaffers starting skills, as virtually the whole fleet hit the line on the gun. Then the fleet gradually untangled and made a more dignified run down the river, before taking a close fetch up the Stour to finish. At least the leaders did, the tail enders having to tack a bit as wind became flukey. There was a big debate about Crow, the new high tech gaff yawl. Cold molded black hull, carbon fibre unstayed masts, rotating mizzen, self acting balanced foresail, alloy gaff and boom, lots of special tweakers back to winches etc., not quite the sticks and string of Victorian Gaffers! She was seen at the start and again at the finish. But not seen during the race. Like a “Stealth” military plane or ship, becoming invisble in action, something to do with the shape.  Obviously even more hi-tech than she looks, she was renamed “Stealth”. She was followed by Transcur in second place and My Quest in third. In the berms class Rhumba took first place, followed by Maggie May, a Peter Duck ketch retrofitted with a fully battened masthead sloop rig!
In the evening we had a magnificent barbecue with 80 plus diners on the beach at Wrabness on a beautiful night. CRUISE TO WALTON BACKWATERS This was a nice gentle day, even with sunshine. This was a chance for boats to air their light weather sails with a gentle drift down the Stour. The wind turned to the SSW to give a beat across Dovercourt Bay into the Twizzle, where the fleet moored up. It was nice to change the maritime scenery for a little while, with so many traditional craft at anchor. There was a pleasant party on Stone Point in the evening, where we were briefed on the next day’s racing. PENNYHOLE BAY RACE 
The start was at Island Point, the fleet setting sail in Hamford Water before running down to the start. It was another keenly contested start, the channel hardly being wide enough for the large number of boats. There was one minor accident when Moonstone’s mainsheet got hooked up on Bonify’s Bowsprit, and ensuing untangling action catching Maid of Tesa’s whisker pole and breaking it. Fortunately there was no further damage and all three boats were able to continue racing. And there were no protests afterwards!
After the big boats had started, the committee boat Avola started another race for open boats “Round the Islands” of the Walton Backwaters, which is possible at High Water. The little gaff and lug rigged boats sailed up Hamford Water, past Skippers Island then across the Wade before returning down the Twizzle to the start.
Meanwhile the big boats had rounded Walton no 2 buoy without incident, and were close reaching fast to Pennyhole Bay Buoy. Crow had already gone into stealth mode, chased by Transcur, Ayesha and Bonify. The beautiful Albert Strange Yawl Charm was also showing her paces in only her second race since restoration, whilst Moonstone belied her small size with her speed and position. The fleet went on the run again to Stone Banks and the Fox’s Racing Mark as the wind started to build and affect some of the smaller boats. There was a fast reach to Outer Ridge, and conditions got tougher on the close fetch to Pye End. The beat back to Walton No 2 was a matter of tactics, Reynardine tacking out to sea to catch the last of the North going tide to take out Maid of Tesa, Random and Gromit. But the down wind fliers had enough distance ahead under their belts to take their lead to the finish. 
Crow re-appeared to win at the finish, Ayesha second, Transcur third. But there were very creditable performances from Bonify, Fanny and My Quest. On corrected time Fanny won the Pennyhole Bay Trophy, Crow was second and Bonify third. Quiet Days won the bermudan classics class.
After racing, the OGA virtually took over the Harbour Lights Restaurant and Bar at Titchmarsh Marina, and a fine time was had by all. PASSAGE TO THE DEBEN The night’s downpour having eased off to mere occasional drizzle, the wind went to the NNW to give a calm sea and a slant up the coast to Felixstowe Ferry. We had to push the young flood to reach Woodbridge Haven Buoy at two hours before high, so the tide would take us safely over the bar past the seething shingle banks into the tranquil river. On our way we were met by the gaff cutter Cachelot, a Dunkirk Little Ship, first time she has been with the gaffers for 10 years. 
The gaffer fleet cruised up the river past the Ferry, Ramsholt and Waldringfield, before entering the Tide Mill Yacht Harbour at Woodbridge, a very picturesque Suffolk market town, where we could stock up on provisions. The incredible downpour at high water kept us confined to pubs for as many hours as we wanted! However it eased up afterwards, and with a little influence from the World President the Woodbridge Cruising Club opened up for us in the evening!
The next afternoon, we left the Tide Mill for a gentle meander to Ramsholt. There we stayed for the night and the Ramsholt Arms served us a meal in a super old tent. The Shipping forecast was read by Graham Wadeson! SCANDINAVIAN SEAWAYS RACE TO LEVINGTON The next morning the fleet set out down the river and over the Deben Bar, to start their passage race from Woodbridge Haven Buoy. The fickle head wind eventually died to nothing. Only Reverie’s “Bastard” (ex Sheila, Tarka and Deva!) could catch any draft. Fanny and Reynardine pointing in opposite directions were keeping pace with each other. Crow re-materialised to find herself not up the Orwell, but in the Walton Backwaters, probably some hi-tech hitch with on board computers. With the tide about to turn to the ebb, most sensibly retired and put on engines. However a little breeze did pop up on the turn of the tide, and Bonify, Fanny and Reverie persevered in beating against a foul tide to be the only finishers. They were also the most deserved winners of the magnificent Scandinavian Seaways Bells! PRESIDENTS RACE This was the final race of the Classics Week, for another of the famous Shotley Trophies presented originally by Harwich Haven Authority in honour of an OGA President, who is still with us! The start line was at the Harwich Harbour entrants, another spectacular start by the fleet, though Fanny and Ayesha were half a second early and had to recross! The wind was a brisk 4/5 from the NNW and rising, giving the fleet a speedy first leg on a broad reach to Pennyhole. We had another welcome addition to the fleet, the Bawley Bona. 
Crow meanwhile was still having trouble with her stealth operating system, and the smack Transcur was leading the way under a cloud of sail, closely followed by Ayesha and Bonify. Fanny was doing catch-up gig time, setting a massive asymmetric spinnaker, which gave her running backstays a lot of work to do! It was touch and go whether to gybe or not before the Fox’s leeward mark, and then My Quest began to work the overlap rule by asking for water at the mark, which Reynardine very graciously granted, giving her skipper enough room to take his coaster through! He tried it on again at Outer Ridge, slightly ruder reply from Bona and co., but got away with it!
The beat up to Pye End was another chance to work the tidal sets, this time it paid to work the harbour tide sweeping up round the outside of the shipping channel. Bona didn’t do this and allowed Reynardine to slip ahead of her and Reverie. There was a brief respite for a beer or two for the beam reach to Harwich Shelf, then it was on the wind again for making up the Orwell. The front runners, now Crow, Ayesha and Transcur, rounded College in one hit, but a sailing barge and one or two inconsiderate motorboaters and modern yachties made it difficult for others, Bonify and Reynardine being made to put in a short tack. No such bad luck for Bona and Reverie, with others behind, and the middle order began to close up. Collimer was the last mark before a short beat to cross the line, and for a gaffers race it was a close finish for the whole fleet, everyone had sailed a good race from the hi-tech Crow to the converted Scottish fishing vessel Rely. Only seconds separated Crow from Ayesha, most of the fleet crossing within 20 minutes of the first boat across. By the time the handicap corrections had been worked out, nip-and-tuck at the mark My Quest was the winner, followed by Fanny and a really-on-form-today Gromit. In the Bermudans, Rhumba won her class from Random, and was awarded the President’s Cup because of a slightly better corrected time than My Quest. A nice gesture by a Gaff Rig organisation which typifies our friendships! A dinner was laid on for the OGA in the bowels of the Haven Ports Yacht Club Lightship, after which we had the prizegiving. There were lots of special awards, such as the Deadeye trophy for Rely’s performance as a heavy work boat, Bollox Maximus for the Crow skipper falling off a pontoon, Bitter End for PTK’s persistence on the previous race, and the Hot Air trophy to Kelpie 2’s skipper for appreciating his own confusion between topsail and foresail halliards. Avola was awarded glasses for her outstanding work as committee boat and registration vessel. All entrants who had stayed the full course of the classics were awarded Classic Boat or Watercraft subscriptions. 
However the main occasion was the awarding of the Points Series Prizes of the week. Fanny won the Gaff Points Series, with My Quest second and Transcur third. In the Bermudans, Quiet Days won, with Maid of Tesa second. Fanny was awarded Victor Ludorum for the overall best contribution to the event.
(Full results can be seen on the XLS spreadsheet. Have a look how the various different types of boats performed over the series. See how the handicap system works in practice.) THANKYOUS For a moving event like the August Classics (moving in many senses!), a lot of work has to go on in the background. Barbecues don’t appear by magic, neither do rubber ducks in Ipswich Wet Dock. Marinas don’t just find space for such a large fleet in high season, neither do pubs and clubs put on set meals on busy nights. Complex ratings, placings and prize awards take a lot of working out. Setting courses, starting and finishing races on a moving festival is not easy either. It all has to be arranged. So a big thank you to Mike, PTT, Clare, Brian, Lorna, Wendy, Phil, PTK, Sarah, Rob and others who helped in various ways. 
Laying on an event at £30 per boat per week is a bit of a gamble financially. There are lots of administrative and fixed costs. Fortunately this year we had good entries, but we would not have been able to make sure everyone had some souvenir or prize to take back with them. So we thank Classic Marine for the Speedy Stitchers, Seafarer Books for giving us books for prizes, Classic Boat and Watercraft Magazines for subscription prizes.
We also thank Ipswich Haven Marina, Titchmarsh Marina, Tide Mill Yacht Harbour, Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Woodbridge Cruising Club, Ramsholt Arms and Haven Ports Yacht Club for making the effort to accommodate us at such a busy time of the year. Lastly, but by no means least, we thank the entrants for participating in such a good way. It was a real pleasure for the organisers. I don’t think I have been to a traditional craft event where the sailing has been to such a high standard. It was an honour to come last in such company! WHY NOT GIVE IT A TRY NEXT YEAR? OGA events are open to non members, and we do make you very welcome. So if you have a gaff, lug or sprit rigged boat, and you are likely to be in the area next year, why not give it a try? If you have a nice traditional boat with bermudan rig, we’ll welcome you too, as we would vintage motorised craft. Although there are several races, this is essentially a cruise in company around interesting parts of the East Coast of England. We enjoy it, why not join us in 2007, in the last week of August before the Bank Holiday week end?  The open boats did time trials for all those who wished to have a go during the day. In the evening a bonfire was lit on the beach and fire works let off, a goodly party of OGA enjoying themselves in the freezing rain like no others can. Several came by road, including some new members. (The Sunseeker Rally was cancelled) All those attended were awarded with an Easter Egg! Many thanks to Melvin and PTK for setting up this event.
Nearly 70 members and guests attended the Annual Dinner this year in early March. The most impressive attendance was made by Robert Berk and Lena Reekie (plus Matey!) in Robert’s new ketch “Crow”, a very rakish vessel with a rotating mizzen mast! There was also some very impressive OGA top brass as well- I think I counted at least four presidents, including a World one, just back from a Far Eastern tour, decked out in local costume. We also welcomed David Charlton and partner from the Royal Hospital School.
The evening was rounded off with an illustrated talk by Kees Koomen on his incredible voyage to the Azores in his tiny gaff cutter rigged converted lifeboat, Snoopy. She is less than 6 metres long. Many from the East Coast and North Kent will have seen Snoopy on our coast, and marvel at her crossing the North Sea, but to the Azores, against the prevailing elements is something beyond normal comprehension. And it is not as though the achievement is by one who does not appreciate the dangers of the sea, for Kees has had a lifetime as a professional seaman and Rotterdam Pilot. He knows what the sea can do to a massive merchantman of steel, never mind a tiny little old clinker built boat in wood. Yet Snoopy survived undamaged, apart from some minor damage to her modern self steering, and she is still getting about to places a long way from her home port in Holland. A credit to the man and the boat.
The evening was over far too early, and suddenly the bar shut and it was over for another year. Many thanks to Denise and Trevor for all their hard work.  |
