We bring two more reports about cruising on Friday and Sunday at the very successful East Coast Gaffers Swallows & Amazons event, 25 – 28 June, 2026. Thanks go to all the organisers, our hosts at Titchmarsh Marina, Walton & Frinton YC, ‘Fenland’ camping and Hipkin & Oxley Boatyard.
The forecast for Friday continues to be hot and sunny with strong high pressure giving record temperatures all over Europe. There are only a handful to get afloat this morning since most had arrived on Thursday and we departed at 0900 leaving the latecomers to launch and catch up. The boats berthed at Titchmarsh Marina pontoon met us at the spit Cardinal to complete the fleet to 30 boats. The range of dinghy design was diverse from a 10 foot Dabchick through an array of clinker style boats up to the late entries of two Windsong boats, fast and furious.
We couldn’t have asked for better conditions; a breeze that varied between SE and SW 1-4, sun with 2/8 cloud cover and a fairly smooth river. The sight was wonderful, looking at all the gaff rigged dinghies sailing downstream. The Dutch rules worked well to keep us all together, even if one did stray the other side of the barges. They were lucky not to have their hull shaved. A couple of dinghies made shore stops intentionally or not but we all felt well supported by William in his yellow RIB. Pete and Sarah in their Drascombe were easily identified not only by the white topsail but also a cluster of dinghies sailing around them.
The sail up Hamford Water was delightful but progress was slow due to the fleet staying together, sailing only as fast as the slowest. At 1130 the order was given to turn round and head for Stone Point. The breeze disguised the power of the sun but the heat was becoming intense. This was a welcome break for all as we refuelled, swam and cooled down. The dogs must have been relieved!
At 1430 most boats left to sail towards Harwich Harbour, reaching the breakwater and turning around at 1600, low water, to head back up the Walton Channel with the support boats. The wind had freshened to a south-west 3 to 4 but the water remained fairly smooth. The remaining boats enjoyed watching the others sailing with some taking a walk out onto the sands or a gentle sail in the Twizzzle. The fleet finally reunited at Stone Point to head up to our berths for the night at Titchmarsh Marina. With the well organised collection of boat and car ferries we returned to Walton & Frinton Yacht Club tired, a little sunburnt but happy. We’d been out for about nine hours, the tides being early and late dictated our rather long day. The sun was fierce, but we were well briefed on sunstroke; everyone had enough water and food to survive temperatures reaching 37°C!
For our evening meals the crowd dispersed to eat where they wanted, listening in at 2100 hours for Saturday’s racing briefings about courses and starting signals. Everyone was very tired, so we all slept well.
Words: Jo Masters
Sunday dawned early and was forecast to be a scorcher again with not very much wind to start! Briefing was at 0830 with a slightly hoarse Pete the Knife and a very organised and well prepared Sarah feeding him the right lines! The plan was to set off at 1000 and round Horsey Island, anticlockwise of course, then return to the Club using all three slips to recover the boats to load back onto trailers.
As the wind was now forecast to be gusting 20 knots, there was much talk of reefing while on pontoons so as to be prepared. Two boats retired whilst on the pontoon! Three brave Gafflings then reefed (thanks Pete Thomas!) and decided on a fun filled twizzle up the Twizzle instead of the full course. As the boats approached Stone Point, ‘Yellow Peril’ the safety boat (Thanks Will!) was sent ahead to look at the conditions in Hamford Water. He reported back gusting 20 knots and white horses. After some conferring the course was shortened to reach up and down towards Stone Point and then people could have fun and come home happy rather than be exhausted and put off sailing forever!!
The brave Gafflings stuck together and had a fabulous time in the Twizzle, sharing excitement and staying together meant a good time was had by all. It was a joy to see so many gaffers tacking back to the Club in what must have been record time. The Windsong boats were almost flying and an impressive sight to behold. Thanks for coming and joining us Josh, Charley and Fenn! The Gig with the Rig (‘Defiance’ by name and by spirit) had a great time putting the rig up to sail out of the Dardenelles. But the last laugh was had at ‘Morag’ the Drascombe; PTK had engine trouble (fuel in the carb I’m told . . . and ploughing nose down with the kedge out). He had to be towed back to base camp.
Words: Clare Roberts
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