# EASTCOASTER NEWS

> East Coast OGA: Berwick-on-Tweed to Ramsgate Association for Gaff Rigged Sailing


## Posts

- [East Coast featured boat: 'Raedwald', design & build](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/raedwald-1/): Our featured boat for January 2026 is one to look out for as the year unfolds. She’s ‘Raedwald’, a brand new modern dinghy designed and built in Suffolk by local young boatbulder, Sam Doman. In this first part, we let the photos tell the build story. Part 2 sees ‘Raedwald’ on her first sea trials. What influenced the design for ‘Raedwald’?As a boatbuilder and sailor, I often found myself wondering what my ideal do-it-all boat would look like. With a background in high-performance sailing, passion for traditional boats and love for dinghy cruising; the ideal boat needed to be versatile, fast,… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Raedwald', sea trials, 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/raedwald-2/): This second post about our featured boat for January 2026 takes a look at her sea trials. ‘Raedwald’ is one to look out for as the year unfolds, a brand new modern dinghy designed and built in Suffolk by local young boatbulder, Sam Doman. Read the first part, where we let the photos tell the build story. What are the five rig options?single balanced lugsaillug yawl (ideally suited to dinghy camping)‘cruising gaff rig’ with jib and asymmetric spinnaker‘catboat’ style gaff rig, with only the mainsail stepped in the forward position‘high performance gaff rig’ with trapeze, topsail and 300 sq ft… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [A winter sail: rainbows and seals](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/winter-sail/): Liz brings us a few words and pictures from her mid-winter sail with Des from Titchmarsh Marina to Stone Point and back. For a few years now, Christmas has been difficult for me. Normal life stops, people disappear, places are closed. It can be lonely. When I was a nurse, I often worked at Christmas, looking after those who were in need of care and, for those patients in hospital who didn’t have any visitors, I liked to feel useful. A couple of years ago I fulfilled my dream of having Christmas Day with my Mum and dog on my boat ‘Rhapsody’ an Anderson 22. We cooked steak with peppercorn sauce and heated vegetables on the minimalist gas hob. It was fantastic, the river was still, the sky clear and sunny. We ate our meal looking out over the River Orwell at Pin… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- ['Dream Catcher' sails to Snape: small is beautiful](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/dream-catcher-log-snape-2025/): To celebrate the winter solstice we publish EC Gaffer, Peter Smith’s log from his passage to Snape earlier this year aboard ‘Dream Catcher’, our featured boat for December. ‘Dream Catcher’ is a gunter gaff rigged Norfolk Gypsy, Boat no.1, first launched April 1990. She was designed by Andew Wolstenholme, along with ‘Gafflings’, amongst others. Purchased from Charlie Ward, Norfolk Boat Builders, in 1999 and after 26 years of ownership, I still love her to bits. Thursday 11 May 2025Well, I guess it’s just like any other holiday – no matter how long in the planning, or how well organised, one… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Harwich Harbour: a view from 1727](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/harwich-1727/): On 30 January – 1 February, 2026 East Coast Gaffers invite the OGA membership to join them for a weekend in Harwich with plenty of activities planned including the Association AGM on Saturday 31 January. In this post, we look back to 18th century Harwich through the eyes of Daniel Defoe. Book now to join us for a sociable weekend in Harwich next year. The harbour is of a vast extent; for, as two rivers empty themselves here, viz, Stour from Mainingtree, and the Orwel from Ipswich, the channels of both are large and deep, and safe for all weathers;… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Dream Catcher'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/dream-catcher/): Our December featured boat is the Norfolk Gypsy ‘Dream Catcher’, owned since 1999 by East Coast OGA member Peter Smith who brings us the story of how he found and purchased her. Read her log of a passage to Snape in May, 2025. In July, 1999 I was driving along the North Norfolk coast road with my wife Sharon during a camping holiday in Norfolk, and heading through Morston village, between Sheringham and Wells-next-the-Sea. Sharon unfortunately, has no affinity to boats or boating, so I really was utterly astonished when she said, “Oh look, there’s a boat-yard.” I instinctively turned the… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Ipswich Heritage Harbour Project Maritime Bursary](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/ipswich-heritage-harbour-maritime-bursary/): The Ipswich Heritage Harbour Project (IHHP) has launched a new Maritime Bursary designed to make maritime opportunities more accessible to young people aged 16–25 across Suffolk. The scheme offers up to £1,400 per applicant — or up to £2,000 in exceptional circumstances — to support sailing, maritime training, voyages, qualifications, and career-building opportunities. Applications are open now and close on Friday 7 February 2026, ahead of the 2026 sailing season. Funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the IHHP Maritime Bursary is part of IHHP’s wider mission to reconnect the public with Ipswich’s living maritime heritage. From the adventurers and… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Area AGM, 2025: brief report of proceedings](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/agm-reports-2025/): The East Coast OGA held their Area AGM at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club on Saturday 8, November 2025. After gathering in the bar for a drink and chat, 34 members sat down for the meeting at 5.30pm, chaired by Pete Elliston, Area Secretary & Vice President. 15 members sent their apologies and four joined the meeting via Zoom. The minutes from last year were duly read and approved. There were no matters arising from the 2024 Minutes so the meeting continued with the President’s and Secretary’s reports. Pete Elliston delivered Paul Masters’ report since Paul and Jo are currently… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- ['Meet' your Area Committee](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/committee-2025-2026/): At the Area AGM on 8 November, 2025 the East Coast Area Committee was re-elected en bloc. Francis Mogg was also elected as Honorary Vice President with responsibility for the North East Area of the recently merged East Coast Gaffers: from Berwick-on-Tweed to Ramsgate. Remember you can always volunteer to help with running the East Coast Area, organising events or just helping out with ideas and general activities whether or not you’re on the Committee! Email the Secretary if you’d like to help! Find a short introduction to each of the 2025 – 2026 Members of your extended Area Committee… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Eastcoaster Newsletters: November issue available now](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/eastcoaster-flipbooks/): The Eastcoaster Newsletters are now published online as ‘flipbooks’. All issues from 2023 onwards are available here. Read the November 2025 issue now!Also available to download for print dating back to 1994 here.Do let your Editor know what you think about the ‘flipbooks’.
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Harbinger'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/harbinger/): Our featured boat for November is owned by our most southerly members, Edward & Charlotte, based in Dover. Edward pens a few words about the Manx Nobby ‘Harbinger’ and asks if anyone can shed light on some of her earlier history. Caring for Ruby the Border Collie made finding time for sailing rather difficult, so after 15 years custodianship of the gaff-rigged, J Francis Jones designed, Sole Bay motorsailer ketch ‘Vega of Garth’, it seemed a good idea to hang up the seaboots. Tom Colville bought ‘Vega’ immediately, and valiantly sailed her single-handed from Dover to her new home in… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Reeuwijk Raid: 3 - 5 October, 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/reeuwijk-raid-2025/): Storm Amy wrought havoc for those intending to join the Reeuwijk Raid this year! All but two of the UK participants cancelled their ferry crossing just in time to avoid fees but Pete and Sarah were already in the Netherlands. They bring this report hot from the ferry back to Essex on Monday. Well here we are on the ferry back from Reeuwijk 2025, just Sarah and me! Several months ago we planned to go the event some 10 days before the start so as to get better value from the very expensive ferry crossing when towing a rig over… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- ['Albion' sails with the OGA: September 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/norfolk-rally2/): Updated with a video, OGA members Dave and Sarah bring us a report from this weekend event, 6 – 7 September 2025, aboard the Wherry ‘Albion’ sailing in company on the Norfolk Broads. ‘Albion’ was built near Lowestoft in 1898. She was used to carry loads to the shallow upper reaches of the rivers on the Norfolk Broads. Today, as the oldest trading wherry afloat, her cargo was 12 old (and not so old) gaffers, a skipper and four crew.  The morning briefing took place on the bank of the river Bure at 0945 following a hearty breakfast of sausage… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast Gaffers featured boat: 'Capriccio'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/capriccio/): Our featured boat for October is ‘Capriccio’, originally called ‘Wendy’, kept on the River Deben. She was designed by Morgan Giles when he was just 24 years old. Over her long life, she has had many owners and each has slightly added and adapted her to suit their needs. Despite this, all the planking is original with a few sistered oak frames. The boat has been in and out of the OGA since the early 1970s, based on records in publications and her early Boat Register no., shown on her sail, 388. She’s reported to have taken part in events… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Are you with the OGA? Join the 'Albion' adventure!](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/norfolk-rally3/): Our newest member, Roland, shares his enjoyment of the recent Norfolk Rally with his own boat and aboard the Wherry ‘Albion’. Ronnie’s and my membership is so new that the ink still dissolves in hot water (long story) and we are not quite sure if we exist. So all of the below was a complete surprise. Saturday was the day for dinghy memories, mainly because Sunday was the day for Wherry memories and the wind was even stronger than previously. I reckon Saturday was force 2 to 5 with not much in between, but I defer to others as to… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Sailing the Wherry 'Albion'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/norfolk-rally1/): Thanks go to Charlie for his report from a weekend aboard the historic wherry ‘Albion’, sailing in company with OGA dinghies, 6 – 7 September 2025. The Old Gaffers weekend on the Norfolk Broads was a great first event for us to meet some great people and stylish boats. From the very first pint of ale to the final sail home, it was packed with good food, good company and some very enjoyable sailing. Things kicked off on Friday night with a warm welcome aboard the Norfolk Wherry ‘Albion’, a pint of Albion ale fittingly enjoyed on her deck and… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [2nd Gaffling 4.1 National Championships](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/gaffling-championships-2025/): We bring a short video followed by photo galleries with results from this event which took place on Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August 2025 on Ullswater. This is the first time all six OGA Gaffling 4.1s have been available to race. The 2025 Championships were held as part of the OGA North West Rally on Ullswater. Racing was very competitive with some heats and the final being extremely close finishes. Heat 1Pete & Clare Thomas: ‘Shrimp’ | Chris Stanger & Cana Witt: ‘Essling’ | Naomi Filio & Amana Wynne-Morgan: ‘Tunstall Tide’ Heat 2Jeremy Lambert & Dave HIndle: ‘Linling’ | Steve… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [NW OGA Ullswater Rally, 2025: #2](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/ullswater-rally-2025-2/): After an excellent day sailing from Ullswater Sailing Club to Howtown on Saturday, the OGA fleet set out to sail the full length of Ullswater in beautiful sunshine, light winds but the promise of better winds for the afternoon return. This post includes a short video followed by reports and photos of the Sunday cruise. The short drift to Howtown on Saturday made members of the OGA fleet hopeful of better weather on Sunday. After the briefing at 1000 on Sunday 24 August, 2025 it took about an hour to make ready and 14 Gaffers set out to sail to… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [NW OGA Ullswater Rally, 2025: #1](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/ullswater-rally-1/): We bring the first of several reports about this Bank Holiday weekend event on Ullswater. Organised by the North West Area of the OGA it was attended by several East Coast OGA members, towing their boats up to the Lake District. Boats taking part in the event were all gaff-rigged but represented a wide range of design, rig and build: two Iain Oughtred designs, an Arctic Tern, ‘Keria’ and Willy Boat, ‘Milly, six Gaffling 4.1s, two Post Boats, a Lune Whammel, a Deben lugger, ‘Lulu’, two smacks boats, ‘Eureka’ and ‘Switha’ and a Cornish Shrimper 19 ‘Eagle Owl’. Find the… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast Gaffers featured boat: 'Jan Blank'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/jan-blank/): Our featured boat for September is a regular participant in East Coast events based in the Netherlands. Dutch OGA member Rik Homan shares the story of her design, build and some of the places she’s visited. In 1991 a friend of Rik Homan bought a nice clinker build wooden lifeboat and asked Rik to make drawings of her as he intended to build luxurious motor launches in fibreglass. After about 200 boats of this type had been built, Rik started thinking about a sailing version. In 1993 Rik modified the design and acquired one hull to complete as a sailing… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [RIP Mike Robertson](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/mike-robertson/): It is with sadness that we bring news that long-standing East Coast OGA member, Mike Robertson has passed away this month. Mike Robertson from Holbrook died on 1, August 2025 in Ipswich Hospital after a short stay, having had dementia for the last three years. Mike worked in IT at Anglian Water for many years, whilst serving on the East Coast OGA Area Committee and continued his involvement later into retirement. He discovered, during his time with us and in the company of Jon Wainwright, that they both shared a passion for model railways. I remember several sub-committee meetings ‘playing… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Youth Fund grant report: Day Skipper & sailing 'Excelsior'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/youth-fund-excelsior/): Thomasina Mallett, aged 18 was awarded a Youth Fund grant by the East Coast OGA to complete her Day Skipper Course in order to take more responsibility aboard ‘Excelsior’. She has successfully completed the course and provides an illustrated article about her experiences. Over the period of two months this summer, I had the incredible opportunity to complete my RYA Day Skipper theory followed by the practical course in Largs, Scotland, thanks to a grant from the East Coast OGA. The aim of taking the course was to improve my sailing skills, which I could then apply to traditional sailing… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [A new boat joins the Summer Cruise, 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/summer-cruise-2025-louisa/): When do you put a new (to you) Cornish Shrimper in the water on Wednesday and take off cruising on Friday? When it’s the EC OGA summer cruise. To be fair, I knew the engine and wiring were both good. I met ‘Reverie’ on the Halfpenny Pier, managed a sail in company to Orford Haven and my first time entry to the river Alde. All the buoys were visible and, following instructions to find the deep part, I was able to talk from the boat to people on the beach. Rafted with ‘Reverie’ in the Butley River, the kind crew… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast Summer Cruise, 2025: results & photo galleries](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/summer-cruise-2025-photos-results/): The East Coast Summer Cruise broke many records this year, including the start in a new sailing area for many boats: the Rivers Ore and Alde. It was organised by the Young Gaffers to attract over 30 boats coming from as far south as the River Thames and Dover as well as across from the Netherlands by sea and road trailer. The week included a wide range of activities including socialising, racing, cruising and just ‘messing about in boats’. A new boat joining the fleet for the first time was ‘Louisa’, find her report here. There are four results sheets… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast Summer Cruise 2025: a summary](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/summer-cruise-2025/): More than 30 boats and over 55 people joined the Cruise, starting in the River Ore on Sunday 27 July, 2025, hosted by Slaughden Sailing Club and sponsored by the Mighty Oak Brewery. After a couple of days exploring the Ore and Alde, the fleet cruised or sailed south to Harwich Harbour and the River Stour, finishing at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club, River Orwell for a sit-down supper and prize giving on Saturday 2 August. Three boats arrived from the Netherlands, ‘Jan Blank’ on a trailer and the other two sailing across: ‘Sotra’ and ‘Snoopy’. The rest are based… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Norfolk Wherry 'Albion', Breydon Water, 2019](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/albion-breydon-2019/): On 6 – 7 September, 2025 the East Coast Gaffers are holding an event where the Norfolk Wherry ‘Albion’ will act as a ‘mother ship’ for a gathering of small boats to enjoy sailing from Bureside Campsite on the Broads. This article is reproduced from one written in November 2019 for Gaffers Log, the Newsletter of the OGA. The Norfolk wherry ‘Albion’ is one of just two survivors of the 300 ‘black sailed traders’ which once sailed the waterways of the Broads. In Edwardian times wherry skippers would scrub out the holds of the boats in summer and take holidaymakers… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast Gaffers featured boat 'Caryta'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/caryta/): Our featured boat for August is ‘Caryta’ (Careeter), a Tradewind 25′ gaff cutter finished in 2002 by an ex RAF Engineer in his Scarborough garden. Over the past few years her new owner, Tim has been updating some of her systems. He’s fitted AGM to LiPo with new solar panels and chargers etc., removed the propane and gone to an all electric galley. There’s an electric outboard on the tender but he’s retained the good old Yanmar 20 under the cockpit. With a new suit of sails and a hydrovane on the stern, she’s ready for some adventures now that Tim… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Young Gaffers at Swallows & Amazons, 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/swallows-amazons-2025-2/): Thanks go to the winners of the Eel Totem Trophy (youngest participants), Evie and Alfie for this article about their first visit to Swallows and Amazons, 27 – 29 June, 2025. It was a hot and sunny Thursday afternoon, when we arrived at Walton and Frinton Yacht Club.  When we got there, we met our Grandma and Grandpa, who had sailed round in their Dutch barge ‘Sietske’ the day before. Our Granny and Grandad had also just arrived, towing our nutshell dinghy ‘Chase’ for us, because dad had already got the Brightlingsea One Design ‘Janice’ on the back of his… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [A first-timer at the East Coast Race reports . . .](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/annual-race-2025-report/): This year was my first OGA East Coast Race, Saturday 5 July, 2025. I was thrilled to be sailing on the Aldous smack ‘Hyacinth’ built in 1900. She’s a 36ft oyster smack built in Brightlingsea and currently skippered by James Frankish.  We left Heybridge at 7:30pm on Friday night and were firmly on the pints at Stone Sailing Club by 9:15pm, having had a lovely sail down the river. The rest of the evening is a bit of a blur but was huge fun. We headed for breakfast ashore in the morning and the race brief from OGA organiser, Ed… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast Race, 5 July 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/annual-race-2025/): Here’s the results table and a few shots of participating smacks from Sandy Miller at the East Coast Race on Saturday 5 July, 2025. Read the full report with photos by Seamus Masters here.
- [Sailing to St Malo: the Younger Gaffers report](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/st-malo-young-gaffers/): Younger Members of the OGA were well represented in St Malo for the Rally organised by the OGA, Vieux Gréements de France: 6 – 8 June, 2025. Eight crewed on ‘Rely’ and ‘Cygnet’, crossing the channel from the East Coast and another six arrived by ferry. They bring some photos and log of the Channel crossing below. Find more photos, video and reports from other participants here. Everyone enjoyed the festivities and sampling cidre, biere, vin rouge and moules frites! The weather wasn’t too favourable to sailing but during a brief break in the rain, I went out in the smacks… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Ipswich Heritage Harbour Project launched!](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/ipswich-heritage-harbour-project-launched/): Ipswich Maritime Trust (IMT) has received a National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) grant to launch the Ipswich Heritage Harbour Project, to celebrate and enhance Ipswich’s status as a Heritage Harbour.  “Ipswich is the oldest continuously occupied port in the country. Even today, it is the UK’s leading agricultural export port, and, with some 2,000 yachts on the Orwell, is at the heart of a thriving recreational boating scene. We have appointed a five-strong Project Team who are working with local schools and communities to bring alive awareness of the town’s maritime heritage,” says Ben Good, chair of the Ipswich Maritime… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Swallows and Amazons: June 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/swallows-amazons-2025/): We bring reflections in words and pictures from the recent East Coast Gaffers 2025 edition of Swallows and Amazons. Smacks boat ‘Joy’ enjoys her first Swallows and AmazonsBoat trailing for me this June has been quite epic. Firstly the comical chaos of La Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan followed by the French OGA St Malo weekend. Then only a couple of weeks later the drive to Essex from landlocked Wiltshire. Three and half hours the satnav said, pah. Anyhow, some six hours driving on a Thursday afternoon was little price to pay for an absolutely fantastic weekend. I really enjoy… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Laerling'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/laerling/): Our featured boat for July is ‘Lærling’, commissioned as a training project to develop the skills of young people in the conservation, maintenance and operation of traditional vessels of all types. Designed by Paul Spooner and Jim Dines, she was built by the registered charity Heritage Marine Foundation. ‘Lærling’, a powerful gaff ketch, takes her inspiration from the classic Colin Archer design and other famous double enders. Built  over four years at Downs Road Boatyard in Maldon, Essex with young people honing their skills under the supervision of Jim Dines and Ernst de Groote, she went on to be the winner of… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [An international affair at St Malo: 6 - 8 June, 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/st-malo-report-2025/): At the beginning of June, 2025 OGA members converged on St Malo for the grand festival, organised by the French OGA. Over 60 boats arrived from the Netherlands, Belgium, England, Wales and, of course, France. Les Old Gaffers – Association des Vieux Gréements de France was set up in 1975 after a chance meeting with some Solent and East Coast OGA boats in Le Havre and the Channel Islands. Their HQ is the garrison room inside St Malo’s Grandes Portes walls. Find a report from the Younger Gaffers here. Firstly, thankyou to Philippe Ferrand Photographe who has given permission for us to… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast Gaffers gather in St Malo!](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/st-malo-2025-2/): EC Gaffer, Marion (latterly of ‘East Breeze’) is crewing on the SW Gaffer boat ‘Ester’ and brings us an update with photos of the OGA fleet gathering in St Malo at the start of the Vieux Greements Rally this weekend. She reports that, sadly, the weather is not looking great but some larger boats may venture up the Rance tomorrow whilst smaller ones enjoy fun and games in the Vauban Basin. EC Young Gaffers Will and Ed Roberts are crewing aboard ‘Cygnet of London’, the beautiful gaff rigged yawl, built in 1906 by the Burgoyne brothers of Kingston on Thames.… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Concord of Mersea' #2](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/concord-2/): James Boyd continues his story of the transformation of ‘Penelee’ back to ‘Concord of Mersea’, eventually becoming a concert. Part 1 recounts how Jamea was ‘pulled’ north to find ‘Penelee’ in Scotland, purchase her and bring her back to Cornwall for restoration. The work of course was huge but Peter was right; she was ‘Bloody Brilliant’ – not a single sister frame in her, all floors and timbers original English Oak and Rock Elm. We only replaced a few feet of planking in one pitch pine quarter. She still, of course, cost me as much as a small house and… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [EC Gaffer ‘Cachalot’ takes part in the Return to Dunkirk, May 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/cachalot-dunkirk-2025/): 2025 marks 85 years since Operation Dynamo, when a fleet of ‘little ships’ evacuated over 300,000 Allied soldiers from the beaches of France. The ADLS (Association of Dunkirk Little Ships), founded in 1965, has run an Anniversary Return to Dunkirk every five years. It took place this year for the first time since 2015 and there were several East Coast boats in the 65-strong fleet. ‘Letitia’, who made the crossing in 2000 with East Coast members Mike and Sue Feather was there, with her new owners Don and Linda. The Cornish fishing boat ‘Our Lizzie’ has a remarkable history and tales… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Concord of Mersea' #1](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/concord-1/): Our featured boat for June is ‘Concord of Mersea’, with her story told by James Boyd in two parts. In this first instalment he tells how he was drawn to Scotland where he found her, then known as ‘Penelee’. I was on passage from Fowey to Falmouth when I first saw her: a grainy photograph in the back pages of a dog eared Classic Boat magazine. She was leaning to a press of wind on her starboard quarter and she looked powerful and pretty. I peered more closely but the capture concealed as much about her as it revealed; an… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [River Stour Rally report: 23 - 26 May, 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/stour-rally-2025/): New OGA member, Peter Smith brings us a report from the first sailing event on the East Coast this summer following cancellation of our Easter Egg Rally. Typical of the English weather, our early spring sunshine and gentle breezes turned against us for this Bank Holiday weekend! What a blistering introduction, as a new member, into to the East Coast OGA. I know that I’m preaching to the converted, so this is just a reminder to all you members of what a fabulous Association you are all part of. Like any voluntary organisation, it really is only as good as… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Looking back to 1963: the East Coast Race](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/east-coast-race-1963/): The first East Coast Race, held on 20 July, 1963, attracted 27 starters on a calm day off Osea Pier. It was won by ‘Fanny of Cowes’ in 1963. She’s pictured above, still winning races, in 2018. Read a report written by Kathleen Peyton in 1963. RESULTS TABLE, 1963The winner of the race was one of the oldest boats in the fleet, ‘Fanny of Cowes’, but most of the fleet retired, with the last arriving at 1.30am. 27 boats began the race and there were seven finishers:1st ‘Fanny of Cowes’ D. Cook2nd ‘Fly’ Roy Clarkson3rd ‘Lora’ Philip Allen4th ‘Corista’ C.N.… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [EC OGA Annual Race: two archive videos, 1987 & 2018](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/annual-race-archives/): The East Coast OGA has run an Annual Race every year since 1963, apart from 2020, when it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Why not join us for the EC Race this year? It’s on 5 July, 2025: sign up now. Watch two videos of races 31 years apart: 1987 and 2018. Do you recognise any of the boats? The weather is certainly very different on the two occasions, and so is the attire of skippers and crew! 1987 East Coast RaceAlong the south shore of the Blackwater Estuary is a quiet place, Ramsey Island. This it is… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: ‘Transcur’ part 2](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/transcur-2/): Our featured boat for April is the Essex smack ‘Transcur’, CK365, built in 1889 by Aldous & Sons. In this post, Pete Thomas continues the story of her restoration up to the launch in 2001. Read the first instalment here: ‘We wanted an Essex Smack!’ The cover photo shows her racing with the OGA, Summer 2019 by Beverley Yates. Eight months after arriving in Barham Green the basic hull was complete; new keel, keelson, sternpost, apron and planking. She was taking shape but still a huge amount to do. I carefully worked out what timber I would need for the decks… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Songbird'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/songbird/): Our featured boat for May is ‘Songbird’, an 18ft Heir Island Sloop, no 23 and the last to be built. The cover photo shows the Irish fleet sailing in their home area, Heir Island. ‘Songbird’ was built in England by a boatbuilder in Totnes, Devon. The other 22 were built by Gubby Williams of Heir Island and are raced and cruised in Roaring Water Bay near Baltimore, south west Ireland. The blurb from Gubby reads: “The boat is fast and well mannered. The decent displacement, a third of it amidships makes her powerful and buoyant. Hollow waterlines forward maybe be villains responsible… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Classic Boat Magazine Awards: 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/laerling-cb-awards-2025/): On 9 April Classic Boat Magazine announced their annual awards at a champagne reception hosted by the Royal Thames Yacht Club, London. Four East Coast boats had been nominated for awards and we’re pleased to report that ‘Laerling’ was a winner and ‘Sparklet’ highly commended. This is the 19th year of the Awards and there were a record-breaking 20,000 votes. A notable feature of this year’s awards was the higher-than-usual number of sailing yacht restorations. WINNER 2025 Spirit of Tradition: ‘Laerling’Design Paul Spooner, Paul Spooner Design & Jim Dines, Build Downs Road Boatyard, 2024, 52ft (15.8m), Gaff ketch‘Laerling’ (Norwegian for ‘apprentice’)… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Transcur' part 1](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/transcur-1/): Our featured boat for April is the Essex smack ‘Transcur’, CK365, built in 1889 by Aldous & Sons. Pete Thomas provides the story of her restoration in two parts. The first, published here, is entitled ‘We wanted an Essex Smack!’ The cover photo by Beverley Yates shows ‘Transcur’ racing at Southwold with the OGA, 2024. We had sailed our old Poole smack ‘Margaret Catchpole’ for many happy years from the Orwell estuary, going on trips to the Netherlands and cruising along the Suffolk and Essex coast. ‘Margaret Catchpole’ may sound like a local boat but the ‘Catchpole’ was added when… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast Gaffling 4.1 dinghies for hire](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/gaffling-hire/): Did you know there are two OGA Gaffling 4.1 dinghies which may be hired by East Coast Gaffers? These have been built by teams of East Coast OGA members led by Pete Thomas ‘Suffling’ and Pete ‘the knife’ Elliston ‘Essling’. Both boats are available for hire. The process for hire is quite painless, fill in a form, pay the fee (starting at only £10 for a day) and arrange collection. The dinghy has a trailer, so you’ll just need to bring a numberplate for the lightboard.
- [Whitstable Harbour & Boatshow: 9 August, 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/whitstable-boatshow-2025/): Whitstable has a maritime heritage that includes the former boatyards of Island Wall. Today the craft skills required in creating a wooden craft that is both functional and pleasant on the eye, are at risk. Join us on 9 August, 2025 when expert craftsmen and women from across the South-East will be sharing their love of working with natural materials and designing beautiful boats using traditional tools. They are keen to share their expertise and help if you have always wanted to build your own boat but lacked the skills; or wish to enter the industry. Or, you just wish… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Annual Dinner, 2025: report](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/annual-dinner-2025/): For so many years and only too few tides, we have been going to the Royal Burnham Yacht Club for an Annual Dinner. This had been arranged by Trevor Rawlinson (Trev) for as long as anyone could remember. Indeed, no-one could be found who could testify to his length of service! We asked him and it was 37 years.  Since Trev had decided to resign his position on the East Coast Committee at the 2024 AGM, it seemed fitting to break with the ‘Burnham Dinner’, as it had been called for all those years. Following a consideration of many other… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [‘Nyala’, a valiant nonagenarian](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/nyala/): We bring an article originally written by Pascal Lutz for the French OGA Newsletter in November 2024 where he reports on ‘Nyala’ and her current owner, Loïc. This translation is published with permission from the Fédération des Vieux Gréements de France (French OGA). It tells the tale of ‘Nyala’, now resident in France, built at the Woodbridge Boatyard, River Deben in 1933 to a design by Maurice Griffiths. ‘Nyala’ and Loïc are now part of the landscape at the ‘Ponton des Classiques’ in Breton waters at the port of Paimpol. This endearing couple deserve to be introduced. ‘Nyala’ arrived in… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Part 2: a new gaff for 'Excelsior'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/excelsior-2/): We bring our second part of the story of making a new gaff for ‘Excelsior’ from our ‘sawdust maker’ at the Excelsior Trust. Initially, when I started working on boats I believed that it would mean I just had to learn which end of the chisel to hold. Reality though is much different. My first wooden boat was an absurd learning curve. To make progress, you need to try most things. Or know someone who can. Thinking like this, well it needs to sit with an understanding of causes of failure, or how to improve something. For any boat, the people who sail them will… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Part 1: a new gaff for 'Excelsior'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/excelsior-1/): We bring part I of a series of articles about the Lowestoft trawler ‘Excelsior’, contributed by one of the volunteers at the Trust. ‘Excelsior’ was built in 1921 and fished under no. LT472 before being sold to Norway in 1930. Unlike many of her sisters, the Lowestoft trawler ‘Excelsior’ is still very active in the North Sea, accruing a tremendous annual milage.  The 2024 season included a trip to the Faroe Islands, the Orkneys and the Shetlands. Later on, she revisited Svinør – the Norwegian island she was sold to, having been retired at Lowestoft. It’s incredible to see her at… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Grand Day Out in London: a tale of two Victorian cargo ships](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/london-day-out/): Having set sail from ports all over the east coast, 32 Gaffers mustered at Trinity Buoy Wharf on Sunday, 23 February, 2025.  Trinity Buoy Wharf was the base where lighthouse keepers were trained by the Trinity House brethren before being sent to keep watch on distant shores around the UK. Our guide to the historic buildings was Eric Reynolds, founder of Urban Space Management, who in 1988 won a bid to keep this historic waterfront for the benefit of the community when the Docklands were decommissioned by the London Docklands Development Corporation. He is still very active on the site and you may… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: Gaffling 4.1](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/gafflings/): The East Coast featured boat for March is the Gaffling 4.1, a new class of dinghy developed by the OGA and, in 2025, being promoted by the OGA East Coast Area. Back in 2020 the East Coast OGA decided to invest in building not one but two of the new ‘OGA dinghies’, later known as the ‘Gaffling 4.1’. 2020 was not a good year to start a project, as many will remember . . . The two boats were finally launched, built by teams of East Coast OGA members led by Pete Thomas ‘Suffling’ and Pete ‘the knife’ Elliston ‘Essling’.… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Sailing opportunities from the Excelsior Trust](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/sailing-opportunities-exelsior/): Excelsior Trust is excited to offer some adventurous trips for both adults and young people this season. If you haven’t sailed with ‘Excelsior’ before, and you love boats, you should definitely give it a try. The rigging and the way she’s sailed is still authentic to when she was first built, so it’s a very special heritage experience. Everyone on board is involved as crew – you’re divided into your watch teams and take your 4 hours on/8 hours off shifts, as well as taking in turns to cook for everyone else. It’s a very intense team-building experience and adults… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boats: Deben Luggers](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/deben-luggers/): Our featured boats for February are, once again smaller gaffers. Not one but a fleet or class of locally built boats, The Deben Lugger. The Deben Lugger is a traditionally styled dayboat. Built solely in Suffolk, constructed in GRP with 2-pack foam buoyancy and oiled iron hardwood, the hull form has been designed to give superior performance over more dated designs. The Deben Lugger may be described as ‘Family Daysailing at its Best’. As their name implies, many may be found on the River Deben and Deben Luggers join in with many East Coast OGA events. The rig, fully complementing… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Winter talk and social: January 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/winter-talk-january2025/): East Coast Gaffers and friends gathered this afternoon at the Ipswich Unitarian Meeting House for their first social event of the 2025 calendar. This wonderful building has its origins in the 17th century when a group of Dissenters (also known as Presbyterians and Independents or Congregationalists) met in Ipswich. Following this, the Presbyterians built the Meeting House in 1699. Now a Grade I listed building it has recently undergone extensive restoration work. The timber interior frame retains many historic features including wig pegs, a huge Dutch brass chandelier and spy hole used in times of persecution to check for approaching… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [OGA Photo Competition results, 2024](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/photo-competition-2024/): At the OGA AGM in Gloucester, 11 January, 2025 the winners of the 2024 competition were announced. East Coast Gaffers were awarded several of the prizes amongst an excellent collection of over 60 high quality entries. Thanks go to Sandy Miller for judging the competition and providing citations for the winning photographs. Find a report of the Gloucester AGM weekend here. Life at Sea Photographs focusing on a human story, situation or atmosphere. The best or the worst: peace, excitement or misery! Highly Commended ‘Lazing about’ by Alison Cable (Scotland) “Cleverly done. There are plenty of elements in this. The… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Report on the OGA AGM: Gloucester, January 2025](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/agm-gloucester-2025/): The Association AGM was held on 11 January, 2025 in Gloucester, East Coast Secretary, Pete Elliston, brings us this report. OGA President, Mike Beckett opened the proceedings with a thankyou to the Scotland Area team who organised the weekend’s activities, enjoyed by many of the Members attending the meeting at the historic Llanthony Secunda Priory. Activities included guided tours of the city, an excellent supper with live music and a visit to T. Nelson & Co. Boatyard. After the meeting, Awards were presented for winners of the annual Photo Competition and Association Trophies to those who were present. The formal… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Cachalette'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/cachalette/): For the first few months in 2025, our ‘featured boats’ will be smaller gaffers and our January 2025 boat is ‘Cachalette’. She was built by East Coast Gaffer Steve Yates in his garden high above the River Derwent in Derbyshire and launched in 2010 on a local reservoir. She’s named after ‘Cachalot’ the ‘big boat’ Steve was restoring at the time, an East Coast ‘featured boat’ in 2023. The cover photo is by Sandy Miller, taken during the 2024 OGA Deben Rally. Hidden away amongst the trees in his back garden, ‘Cachalette’ began to take shape, above the workshop where… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [EC Gaffers' blogs, social media links & Newsletter flipbooks](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/links/): Several East Coast Gaffers have blogs and other social media channels, do let your Editor know if there are other people you think we should follow! Our cover photo shows ‘William’ at The Rocks, River Deben taken during the 2024 Summer Cruise by Jodie Warren. ‘Bonita’Blog for Mike Becket’s 135 year-old boat, who took part in the OGA60 Round Britain Cruise, 2023. ‘Cachalot’Full story of your Editor’s boat, from 10-year restoration to sailing again, celebrating her 125th birthday in 2023. ‘Meandering Molly’YouTube channel for Cornish Crabber ‘Molly of Mylor’, OGA Solent member who sailed to OGA60 on the East Coast… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Maritime sketchers . . .](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/maritime-sketchers/): A great day was had by a small but select group of East Coast Gaffers at the wonderful Sprat Shed, Robertsons Boatyard, Woodbridge on Sunday 8 December, 2024. We now have eight more confident artists, following two excellent workshop sessions with Claudia Myatt. Rather than write, let’s allow the photos to tell the story and illustrate our growing confidence in making marks, sketching the sea and drawing boats on a variety of papers with pencil, ink and watercolour. Thanks go to everyone who came to the workshops during the tail end of Storm Darragh, to Claudia for her patient, helpful… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: WB18 'Sea Jade'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/wb18-sea-jade/): In December, 2024, we’re featuring the Winkle Brig. Gerard Brown tells the story of how he and his family bought and got to know ‘Sea Jade’ which they trail to sail from Scotland to Cornwall. We bought ‘Sea Jade’, our Winkle Brig, during the lockdown in 2020, and initially, we worried that she was just an extravagant holiday romance. But almost five years later, the relationship has proved much more durable than that and ‘Tinky Winky’s’ place in our lives has been assured. As a family of four with differing ambitions and ideas about what sailing was for, we’d bought… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boats: Winkle Brigs #3](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/winkle-brigs-3/): Our third post about the Winkle Brigs provides a comparison between ‘Tab Nab’ and ‘Philomena’, belonging to two East Coast Gaffers, Francis Douglas and Yvonne Mitchell. Find out more about our East Coast Winkle Brigs here. COMPARING TWO WINKLEBRIGSThe Winkle Brig metrics (approx)Sail Area/ Displacement Ratio (Mainsail-Jib-Topsail) = 21.62Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (Mainsail-Jib) = 18.3Sail Area/ Displacement Ratio (Mainsail with one reef plus Jib) = 16To interpret the above:12  is considered Low and would typically be found on a Motor Sailer.20 is considered High and would typically be found on a racing yacht.Displacement/Length Ratio = 207.4To interpret: Ultra-light <100; 140-175 is… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boats: Winkle Brigs #2](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/winkle-brigs-2/): Our featured boats for December are Winkle Brigs. This is the second post provided by two East Coast Gaffers who sail ‘Tab Nab’ and ‘Philomena’. A brief history of the class is here. Watch out for a third where they make a comparison of the two boats. Winkle Brig ‘Tab Nab’My own Winkle Brig ‘Tab Nab’ (she was named ‘Tab Nab 3′ but I shortened it) was discovered by my brother Mark and myself in a boatyard in Wisbech sitting on her trailer in a very sorry state. Her mainsail and topsail together with their associated yards were missing. Almost… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- ['Lindy' joins the OGA Heineken Rally, July 1974](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/heineken-rally-1974/): Long-standing OGA member, John Beale brings a report of the 1974 OGA Heineken Rally which he joined in ‘Lindy, a 5 ton sloop built by David Hillyard in 1924. Find out more about the history of ‘Lindy’ here. The invitation to join the Heineken Rally came as a surprise but an opportunity not to be missed. A crew had to be found. I knew of a retired Master from P&O, Peter Hufflet, a near neighbour of ours who seemed to have the right qualifications. I had only been a First Mate in the Bankline and General Steam. Neither of us… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boats: Winkle Brigs #1](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/winkle-brigs-1/): Our featured boats for December are Winkle Brigs. East Coast Gaffers Francis, ‘Tab Nab’ and Yvonne ‘Philomena’ have already provided material for two or possible three articles so we’re publishing the first one a bit early. We’ve also found a video by ‘Sea Jade’ from 2022 and there’s going to be more about her from Gerard Brown . . . [one of the Winkle Brigs may be on the market soon!] History of the Winkle Brig designThe original Winkle Brig was developed on the East coast of England to fish for winkles and oysters. This type of vessel evolved to… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Area AGM, 2024: brief report of proceedings](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/reports-agm-2024/): The East Coast OGA held their Area AGM at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club on Saturday 2, November 2024. After gathering in the bar for a drink and chat, 37 members sat down for the meeting at 5.30pm, chaired by Paul Masters, Area President. 14 members sent their apologies and the minutes from last year were duly read and approved. The East Coast OGA has 30 new members since last year’s AGM and several were welcomed to the meeting, putting names to faces: Elizabeth Reynolds, Koren & Robert Williams, Joyce & Trevor Brown and Nicholas Hall. Hopefully, many more new… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Lindy'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/lindy/): Our featured boat for November celebrates her 100th anniversary in 2024. In the same family for 52 years, Victoria looks back on some happy memories. Her skipper 50 years ago, John Beale brings a us a report of the 1974 OGA Heineken Rally. On 1 June 2024 ‘Lindy’ was in the Walton Basin, surrounded by her friends including ‘Bella Ropha’ and ‘Cobweb’ to celebrate her 100 birthday. A lovely evening was enjoyed remembering voyages, meeting friends and looking back over the 52 years she has been in our family. To mark her centenary, a book has been written outlining her… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Dutch & East Coast OGA: an Anniversary Presentation](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/deva-presentation/): During the recent NL20 celebrations, East Coast Gaffers presented the Dutch OGA with a half model of ‘Deva’, owned by EC member, the late Jon Wainwright. Many East Coast Gaffers remember Jon Wainwright fondly, he was East Coast OGA Secretary for many years, a fiercely competitive sailor and always great company at the bar. Perhaps his greatest legacy was the help he gave to a small group of Dutch and Belgian Gaffers to establish the Netherlands OGA in 2004. Jon was well known in the Netherlands, regularly crossing the North Sea to race in the Dutch Classics at Hellevoetsluis and cruising… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Reeuwijk Raid: two views of this fabulous event, 2024](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/reeuwijk-raid-2024/): Read two reports of this event, one from Clare, an East Coast Gaffer and the other from a ‘Lowlander’ Roland, member of the Netherlands OGA. Sun, sailing, socialising and fabulous Dutch hospitality – what more could we have asked for on the weekend of 4-6 October, 2024 at the Reeuwijk Raid? A small deputation of Eastcoasters set off on Thursday 3 October, hopes high of another fabulous weekend of Dutch hospitality. Once again our friends across the North Sea played host to a truly memorable weekend of sailing, friendship, sunshine and even an Oktoberfest thrown in – what was not… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [RIP Captain Richard Woodman](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/captain-richard-woodman/): It is with great sadness that we bring news of Captain Richard Woodman’s passing and arrangements for his funeral.  Richard died peacefully on 2 October 2024, after a long illness tolerated with great courage. Deeply loved and greatly missed by Christine, Abi, Ned and Arlo. Also remembered by his wider family and many friends. The funeral will take place atWeeley Crematorium on 29 October 2024 at 11:45amAll welcome.Family flowers only please.Donations to Myositis UK, c/o Harwich & Dovercourt Independent Funeral Service Ltd, 8 Oakley Road, Harwich, CO12 4QR East Coast Gaffers may remember Richard when he owned ‘Kestrel’ and ‘Andromeda… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Youngest Gaffer joins the EC Cruise, 2024](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/young-gaffer-clytie/): Josh Masters shares his thoughts of taking baby Max, aged 18 months, on the 2024 East Coast Cruise.
- [A young gaffer reports on the Summer Cruise, 2024](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/2024-cruise-lilly/): We hear from Lilly, aged nine, who was sailing with her Granny and Popsie on ‘Charm’ for the 2024 Summer Cruise. She has spent several weeks to ensure her report misses no details of the adventure. Her carefully handwritten four pages have been transcribed for your Editor by Granny. I started my journey at Titchmarsh Marina on Wednesday where Charm was berthed. We were given a lift by Josh in his car to Walton and Frinton Yacht Club where we had dinner and talked to everyone. I had ordered chilli and I said to my Granny. ‘Hopefully it won’t be too… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Rely'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/rely/): Our featured boat for October is a well-known member of the East Coast OGA fleet, the fine Zulu pilot vessel and fishing boat, ‘Rely’ ‘Rely’ was built in 1911 by Nobles of Fraserburgh commissioned as a ‘Zulu’ pilot vessel without an engine and two lug sails. Her life as a pilot boat was short lived and she was purchased by three ladies in Aberdeen who fished her out of the Orkneys. The boat fished off the beach in the Orkneys and was fitted with an auxillary engine in 1915. Her ‘Zulu’ stern was adapted to allow for a shaft and… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Delivery passage: ‘Diamond’, CK250](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/delivery-diamond-ck250/): Tony Judd shares his memories of purchase and delivery of the smack yacht ‘Diamond’ in autumn 2013, based on extracts from his Log. No longer in his custodianship, she’s now based at Pin Mill looking forward to joining OGA events again next year.  After the shock of selling the 108 year old ‘Alice & Florrie’ following 23 years ownership, it was an open question whether to give up the sea; buy a period motor boat to give easy travel on the East coast which we were experiencing on Midlands rivers with ‘Ivy May’; or to buy another sailing boat. The… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [RIP Bernard Patrick](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/bernard-patrick/): It is with sadness that we bring news that Bernard Patrick passed away on Sunday 15 September, 2024 after a short illness. He will be remembered by many East Coast Gaffers as an active Committee member, editing Eastcoaster for many years and sailing his beloved ‘Molly Cobbler’. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTSMonday 14 October 12.30pmChelmsford Crematorium, South Chapel, Writtle Road, CM1 3WQ. We would be more than happy for any of Dad’s Old Gaffer friends to attend. Family flowers only, there will be a collection box for any donations for the RNLI at the Chapel.Following the service the family invite anyone who wishes,… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Summer Cruise, 2024: updated race results & video](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/cruise-results-2024/): The East Coast Summer Cruise is a mixture of racing, cruising and socialising. This post includes a short video providing a snapshot of the week and the updated racing results [22 September, 2024]. There are reports elsewhere from participanting boats ‘Catsnip’ and ‘Minnie’ as well as an overview of the whole event. The Sailing Committee have reviewed the Summer Cruise racing. In doing they have identified some errors and made some changes to the previously published results. The corrected results may be downloaded below: The changes made are as follows: The affected boat owners have all been contacted and the… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [NL20: the log of 'East Breeze'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/east-breeze-nl20/): Skipper, Marion, recounts her adventures in ‘East Breeze’ on the Dutch OGA Anniversary Cruise, 3 – 17 August, 2024 and delayed return to the UK. Ten years ago, I conceived the idea of taking my Tamarisk 22 foot gaffer, ‘East Breeze’, to the celebrations for OGA10 in the Netherlands. If I could sail west from Southampton as far as Yarmouth, I could sail east to Shoreham. Then I could get to Eastbourne and, when I could see the other side, I would cross the Channel. So, early one morning, I crept away from a gaffers’ rally at Bembridge and that… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [OGA and Heritage Harbours](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/heritage-harbours/): Ramsgate and Gloucester officially become Heritage Harbours this weekend, Saturday 7 September, 2024. They join 12 other locations across the UK already recognised for their contribution to saving our maritime heritage. The Heritage Harbours project is supported by National Historic Ships UK, Historic England and Maritime Heritage Trust. “We are very pleased to welcome on board Gloucester Docks and Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour, during Heritage Open Days 2024, the largest festival of history and culture in the UK,” said Henry Cleary, Heritage Harbours’ convenor and chair of Maritime Heritage Trust. “Heritage Harbours are about capturing the interactions between navigable water and… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [RIP Peter Maynard](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/peter-maynard/): After a long and happy life, Peter Maynard has crossed the bar. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on 31 August, 2024 aged 90. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTSDate: Friday 4 October, 2024Chelmsford Crematorium, Writtle Road, Chelmsford, CM1 3BLTime: 14:30Afterwards at 4, London Road, Maldon CM9 6HD Peter has been the OGA’s ‘man in Maldon’ for many years. Maldon was where the OGA was founded and where Peter was proud to be the reviver of the Maldon Town Regatta at the beginning of the century. His quiet, warm, friendly approach to others made them want to help him and be part… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [My first Summer Cruise, 2024: a passage of enlightenments](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/minnie-cruise2024/): A Cape Cutter 19, I have been back on the East Coast for three seasons. I had the indignity of remaining trailer-bound for the first of those seasons in 2022, awaiting my prospective crew to earn their ‘Sail-Fit’ badge. When they achieved this, early in 2023, plans for the season were solidified, including OGA60 and the East Coast Summer Cruise. This time it was the weather-elves who frustrated my plans. So, just over a week ago, I was delighted to arrive in Shotley Marina for the start of the 2024 Summer Cruise. I won’t log the details of the itinerary,… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Summer Cruise, August 2024: a summary](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/summer-cruise-2024/): The East Coast Summer Cruise was later this year to allow those travelling to the Netherlands for NL20 time to return. The week began with registration at Shotley Marina on Sunday 25 August, in somewhat stormy weather with ‘Clytie’, ‘Transcur’ and ‘East Breeze’ still awaiting a calmer weather window to cross the North Sea. All three finally reached the East Coast in time to join the last few days of the Cruise. ‘Kestrel’, ‘Sniff’ and ‘Cachalot’ met the fleet on Monday at Ramsholt after the passage race from Shotley to Woodbridge Haven Buoy. The fleet spent a couple of enjoyable… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [OGA Summer Cruise, 2024 in 'Catsnip'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/catsnip-cruise2024/): Despite commitments preventing us from doing the full week, ‘Catsnip’ and her crew had an enjoyable time on this year’s East Coast Summer Cruise. Highlights for us included a rather wild downwind passage from the Backwaters up to Shotley, surfing our way north into Harwich under reefed and scandalised mainsail to meet up with everyone on the first evening. The following day we said a temporary ‘fair winds’ to the fleet as they headed up to the River Deben. Instead we returned to Titchmarsh in thankfully calmer conditions taking advantage of our shoal draft to beat all the way into… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Minnie'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/minnie/): Our featured boat for September is not even 20 years old, ‘Minnie’ is one of the sizeable OGA fleet of ‘new’ gaffer designs. With obvious influence from the Cornish Shrimper, Dudley Dix drew the Cape Cutter in the late 1990s for Cape Yachts in South Africa. The design is for both plywood and GRP build. Cape Yachts built 55 in GRP, many of which were exported to the UK. Production then transferred to Honnor Marine in the UK and they have so far built a further 80. As well as the GRP production boats there have been a number of… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [NL20 end of the tour: Hoorn - Enkhuisen](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/hoorn-enkhuisen/): Having arrived in the 17th century town of Hoorn after the ‘Battle of the Zuiderzee’, the OGA NL20 enjoyed the last few days of the Tour mooring up together in the somewhat crowded historic harbour. Hoorn used to be a major shipbuilding centre until the surrounding waters silted up. Tuesday night was dinner party time as each boat hosted another for supper, with many skippers and crews dressing up for the occasion. The Dutch Gaffers had also organised a ‘contest’ on the Zuiderzee before sailing on to Enkhuisen. “Yesterday we had a sort of competitive sail in company (but not… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [NL20 fleet moves on: Haarlem - Durgerdam](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/haarlem-durgerdam-hoorn/): The fleet continued from Kaag, stopping for a couple of days to visit Haarlem, mooring three-deep on the quayside. After exploring the town and re-stocking with provisions the fleet took the last leg of the ‘mast up’ canal route before reaching Durgerdam and the open water of Markermeer. This was the opportunity to sail again and take part in the long awaited ‘Battle of the Zuiderzee’. In this post we bring a selection of photos along with extracts from two skippers’ blogs. “On Sunday 11 August we started early and spent all morning motoring the few miles to Haarlem, much… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [NL20 fleet: Hellevoetsluis - Kaag](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/hellevoetsluis-kaag/): After a weekend of racing, socialising and taking part in a fine tour of Hellevoetsluis led by Admiral Michiel de Ruyter himself, the OGA NL20 fleet departed on passage to Dordrecht on Monday 5 August. The sailing instructions were updated regularly, especially to assist many of the English gaffer skippers unfamiliar with systems on the Dutch canals and waterways. The fleet, now numbering about 40 gaffers, sailed past the beautiful houses of Dordrecht to moor in the Wijnhaven on floating jetties. Leaving Dordrecht on Wednesday, the fleet continued to Gouda for a couple of days before moving on to Kaag,… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Stoned at Bench Head: 27 July 2024](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/annual-race-2/): The 60th OGA Annual Race was held at Stone Sailing Club on 27 July, 2024. This race report has been written by James Boyd, ‘Concord of Mersea’ illustrated with photos from Seamus Masters and Sandy Miller. The day dawned clear and with little wind as I clambered out of Concord’s cabin, cast off her mooring at Clamp House and motored up the misty Ipswich river. I locked into the dock and was pottering down below when the thump of a seabag on the deck heralded the arrival of Timbo Plummer. ‘Right mate! I’ve brought tea and sugar and milk and… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Hellevoetsluis: start of the NL20 Tour](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/hellevoetsluis-1/): After crossing the North Sea and traversing the Dutch canals the Dutch and English OGA fleets have arrived in Hellevoetsluis for the start of the OGA20 Netherlands OGA Anniversary celebrations. On 1 August several members of the Dutch and English fleets met for the ‘pre-Tour’ party in warm sunshine, followed by torrential rain, at Wemeldinge. They then moved on to Willemstad along the Heringvliet to Hellevoetsluis for registration and official welcome to the NL20 Tour on Friday 2 August. ‘Lahloo’ reported “about 1 metre clearance under Heringvlietbrug”, looking up to take a video as she passed beneath the bridge. Due… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Dutch and English fleets reach Wemeldinge](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/netherlands-tour-3/): As English Gaffers cross the North Sea, the Dutch OGA is making final preparations for the OGA20 NL Tour to celebrate their 20th Anniversary. In the last post we heard several English boats had arrived in the Netherlands, ready to join the party at Wemeldinge before moving on to Hellevoetsluis.  ’Hussar’ arrived into Ostend from her home port in Harwich on Saturday 27 July, meeting with more challenging paperwork on entering Schengen than other English boats, but moved north to join the growing fleet. ‘Transcur’ also crossed from Harwich, arriving into Roompotsluis. Dutch OGA members offered help and advice to… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [60th OGA East Coast Race: results](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/annual-race-1/): This is the first brief report from the East Coast OGA 60th Annual Race held on 27 July, 2024. 27 boats assembled at Stone Sailing Club early on Saturday morning for the Race. It was sunny and warm but westerly breeze frustratingly light at the start. With the strong ebb-tide, keeping above the start line was a challenge. The wind filled in during the morning allowing everyone to have a good day’s sailing. There were a few noteworthy events including a tender that didn’t like being left behind, a RIB-lift of a First Responder from one of the fleet and… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Gathering in the Netherlands](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/netherlands-tour-2/): Several UK boats have been arriving in the Netherlands this week, taking various routes across the North Sea from the south and east coasts of England. With EU entry paperwork duly stamped for those with British passports at Ostend, Niewpoort and Vlissengen the boats are all on passage towards the rendezvous in Hellevoetsluis. We’re expecting more to leave the UK in the next few days and Dutch OGA members are also on the move to meet up on 3 August. ’Moon River’ and ‘Indian Runner’ both reported poor visibility around Dungeness with plenty of lobster pots to look out for… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [East Coast featured boat: 'Catsnip'](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/catsnip/): Our featured boat for August is ‘Catsnip’, a 17ft production catboat built by Com-Pac Yachts in the USA, shipped out new in 2006 to her first owner here in the UK. She is believed to be the only ‘Sun Cat’ to make it across the Pond, albeit in a shipping container. Daniel Stoker purchased ‘Catsnip’ with his father in 2021 after seeing an advert on eBay during lockdown. He discovered she was already listed on the OGA Boat Register. This prompted him to join the East Coast OGA and ‘Catsnip’ has become a regular participant at OGA events along the… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- ['Essex Melody' & the founding of the OGA: reflections](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/essex-melody/): OGA Member, John Rogers reflects on his responsibility of being the custodian of John Scarlett’s boat ‘Essex Melody’ and the significance of Maldon Little Ship Club, of which he is also a member, to the founding of the OGA. Our cover photo from the OGA Archive shows the first East Coast OGA Race, 1963. The Cherub sailing under sail no. CC19 is ‘Sea Pig’ with Tom Titheridge at the helm. My wife Diana and I found ‘Essex Melody’ in 2008 languishing in a caravan storage facility near Nottingham and brought her back to Maldon for a full restoration. Recognising that she… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [On passage for the Netherlands](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/netherlands-tour-1/): We hear from the first few East Coast Gaffers making passage across the North Sea to join the Dutch OGA for their 20th Anniversary celebrations. Boats intending to depart from the East Coast this week are ‘Transcur’, ‘East Breeze’, ‘Onward of Ito’ and ‘Plum’. Several OGA members are also setting out from the Solent and English south coast soon including ‘Indian Runner’, ‘Moon River’, ‘Puffin Bach’ and ‘Molly of Mylor’. Participating trailer sailors will be taking their boats across on the ferry later this month. There will be a warm welcome from the Dutch Gaffers who are organising a tour… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Looking back 50 years: Heineken Rally, 1974](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/bonita-3/): The Dutch and East Coast OGA areas have always had close ties and in this post Tim Beckett recollects the OGA’s first formal event held in Holland, 50 years ago. 2024 finds several East Coast OGA boats, including ‘Bonita’, preparing to cross to the Netherlands for the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the Dutch OGA. It was the Heineken Rally of 1974, a year that is probably better remembered for Abba winning the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo. I’m not sure whose idea the Heineken Rally was but Ian Hunter-Edmond, a founding member of the OGA and East Coast Area Secretary… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Three Rivers Race with 'Catsnip': 2023 & 2024](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/three-rivers-race-catsnip/): East Coast OGA Member, Dan Stoker reports on taking part in this 24-hour race on the Norfolk Broads. I first took part in the Three Rivers Race (3RR) in 2019, crewing on the Wivenhoe One Design, ‘Elise’ with fellow member of Wivenhoe Sailing Club, Rob Maloney. During lockdown my father and I became the proud owners of the catboat ‘Catsnip’. ‘Better to have started and not finish, than to not enter at all’ I remembered from 2019 and we entered ‘Catsnip’ for the 2023 Three Rivers Race (3RR). Arriving in Horning a day early, a quick shakedown sail confirmed we… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Three Rivers Race: an introduction](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/three-rivers-race-2019/): OGA member, Dan Stoker recalls his experiences of the Three Rivers Race (3RR). I first learned about the Three Rivers Race (3RR) in 2019 when asked by fellow member of Wivenhoe Sailing Club, Rob Maloney, local boatbuilder, if I would be up for crewing on his Wivenhoe One Design (WOD), ‘Elise’. She’s a 14ft clinker dinghy designed and built in 1935 for sailing from Wivenhoe on the River Colne.  A quick bit of research indicated the 3RR was Europe’s toughest inland sailing race, covering close to 50 nautical miles non-stop in 24hrs, with four marks placed across three rivers of… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals
- [Southwold Rally, 2024: results, Race photos & video](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/southwold-results-june2024/): The OGA was invited to join Southwold Sailing Club for the Harbour Festival at the end of June, 2024. Read a report for the full weekend which included socialising, sailing and racing with live music and a beer festival. Here is a gallery of photos from the Race and results from all events. The Club set a course in Walberswick Bay starting and finishing south of the Harbour entrance and turning at marks off Southwold Pier. SSC provided excellent safety boat cover as well as the Committee boat ‘Spirit’ skippered by Henry Walker, the Commodore. 17 boats arrived at the… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals

## Pages

- [Privacy Policy](https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.uk/privacy-policy/): Who we are East Coast Gaffers are members of the OGA: Association for Gaff Rigged Sailing [formerly known as the Old Gaffers Association].Our website address is: https://www.eastcoastgaffers.org.ukThe full Privacy Policy for the OGA may be found on the Association website: https://www.oga.org.uk/policies/website_privacy_policy.html Embedded content from other websites Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website. These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content,… Read More »A winter sail: rainbows and seals


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