Dylan's up the creek!!

Pyfleet Creek and St Osyth Creek specifically!!

Good news if you've been following Dylan Winter's circumnavigation around Britain -"Keep Turning Left" in an elderly Mirror Offshore, he's posted three new video's numbers 40 to 42.

Dylan and the "Sea Slug" are still on the east coast, exploring the muddy Essex rivers and creeks around Brightlingsea, including what he claims as his favourite anchorage Pyfleet Creek.



Now I know that those meandering rivers are a great place to sail, but for someone who's trying to sail all around the UK, Dylan's been stuck on the east coast for quite a while now; getting around the UK could take several years at this rate. I know he claims it to be the slowest circumnavigation of the British Isles, but he might make better progress with one of those motorboats, which he dislikes so much (only kidding Dylan!!).



There are also some great small clips, like the Bolger Spartina and the Orwell Corinthian (which means he must have got as far as the Deben), but my favourite episode is the sailing interview with sail maker James Lawrence on board his West Mersea Winkel Brig -Native.


I also like the Beach Hut boat below, I've been on a few boats that sail like a shed, but this one must take the prize.

Apologies for the corny title, couldn't resist!

Solent Old Gaffers Annual Race - 50th Anniversary

Back in the Autumn of 1958 some local yachtsmen sat in the back bar of the Jolly Sailor pub in Bursledon and agreed to hold a race specifically for gaff rigged boats. Gaff rig describes a boat with a square main sail, which has a wooden spar both at the top and bottom of the sail. It was common on traditional English working boats, but even back in the 1950's wasn't competitive against the triangular "Bermudan" sails which were ubiquitous among more modern racing craft.

The first race had only three entries and was the first Old Gaffers Association OGA race. Since then the race has been held annually with increasing numbers.


Sunday saw the 50th anniversary of the race, with a fine turn out mostly from the local Solent OGA. The sky's were low and grey with a stiff breeze blowing from the south west which made for an exciting and fast race.


Running off from the East Knoll buoy the fleet was spreading out on a fast run, despite the strong winds most boats were setting as much sail as they dared.

Back in Bursledon for the prize giving, everyone had enjoyed a thoroughly good race and returned without any major breakages.

Winner of the class 1 was the yawl Iseult which in addition to winning the 50th anniversary race, also celebrates her 100th year.

Mast painting made easy

For those of us with a wooden mast the annual ritual of touching up the varnish means either dropping the mast or working aloft from the bosun's chair, while trying not to spill varnish on the deck or on the crew below.

If you have read my winter posts you will know I take Greta's spars home for winter.

The crew of pilot cutter Annabel J have found another, interesting, alternative, if your boat is big enough why not erect scaffolding around the mast, painting, maintenance couldn't be easier.

Annabel J is based on a Bristol Pilot Cutter, built in steel in the mid 90's, she is 54'10" LOD and 66'3" LOA. Read about her interesting history.

100 Years Old

It seems incredible that only a few weeks ago hail stones were falling so hard they were piling up in the cockpit as I passed this magnificent yacht, just arrived in the river. We exchanged a brief wave, both intent on getting to where we were going and getting out of the horrid weather.

Now hauled out in a local boatyard, I managed to catch up with the owner at the weekend, in the warm spring sunshine and find out a bit more about this impressive boat.

At first glance she looks like a working boat, indeed the bows and forefoot have the look of a Quay Punt. I understand the boat was built in Falmouth in 1909 by a builder of Quay Punts , however the counter stern marks her as a yacht, which was confirmed by the owner.

She's ashore celebrating her 100th year awaiting a new engine (the old one is hidden under the tarp by the rudder). While the engine is out, the bilges will be cleaned and painted.

Please excuse the sepia tint photos, I know it's corny, but seemed somehow appropriate.

Winter Work

Three masts, three booms, two gaffs and a bowsprit, all needing a few coats of varnish before the start of the season - there are also two sets of oars which could do with some attention but they will have to wait!!

The aim is to have them all looking like poured honey, but the reality is they will look smart, but no where near the polished perfection to which I secretly aspire.

Work, life and getting out on the water all get in the way!