In August 2025 OGA members Sam and Marie-Louise decided to hire a Gaffling as their own boat was not available for the Norfolk Rally with the Wherry ‘Albion’. They were extremely pleased with the decision and share their experience of hiring the Gaffling and sailing it in company with the East Coast Gaffers.
Like many OGA members, Sam and I are very good at talking about sailing plans. Occasionally, we even follow through. Last summer’s Norfolk rally was one of those times, helped enormously by making use of the East Coast Gaffling hire scheme. This past year, hiring a gaffling was not just convenient but necessary. Our own Cape Henry 21 is currently making her way around the UK, which means we don’t have a ‘home’ boat in Suffolk. Rather than missing out on local sailing altogether, the Gaffling scheme gave us a simple way to get afloat and take part in the rally without any compromise.
For anyone who hasn’t yet dipped a toe into Gaffling hire, I can honestly say the process could not be simpler. The guide on the OGA website talks you through it step by step. From first enquiry to collection it all felt refreshingly straightforward. Collection points vary across the region and, as Wrabness is local to us, that’s where we picked ours up. The Gaffling was waiting on its trailer, fully set up, tidy and clearly well cared for. Rigging really is as easy as promised. Everything you need is there, including mud anchors which are invaluable on the Broads. Launching was painless, even with a dog supervising proceedings. Before long we were afloat and heading off to join the rest of the fleet. The photo was taken during one of the calmer moments of the day and neatly sums up the appeal of the scheme.
Sailing alongside the Wherry was a particular highlight. There’s something rather special about sharing the water with such a magnificent working boat. Doing so from the cockpit of a small gaff-rigged dinghy felt like being part of a living postcard. The Gaffling held its own beautifully, lively but reassuring and a joy to sail in company. It was a windy day and the sail back to the campsite definitely counted as ‘sporty’. At times it was all hands on deck, with Sam helming, me trimming and the dog doing her best to look unimpressed by the whole affair. Even so, the boat felt capable and forgiving. We arrived back tired, slightly damp and grinning, which is surely the right ending to any good sail.
What struck me most over the weekend was how accessible the whole experience is. Whether your own boat is away cruising, between refits, or you simply don’t have one at all, the Gafflings offer a way to stay connected to gaff-rigged sailing and to OGA events. They are easy to handle, well equipped and ideal for rallies like this one. If, like us, you’ve ever thought, “We must do more sailing this year”, hiring a Gaffling might be just the nudge you need. We’ll certainly be doing it again, perhaps next time on a slightly less blustery day. Then again, where’s the fun in that?
Report: Marie-Louise Ferrigno & Sam Francis
You must be logged in to post a comment.