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 on local rivers with home ports on the River Ore south as far as the River Thames and Dover.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday skippers and crews enjoyed a variety of activities which included taking shallow-drafted vessels (or the six-mile ‘Sailor’s Walk’) to Snape Maltings for tea and cakes at the River View Cafe, visiting Fishers Gin (another of our sponsors) only ten minutes walk from the Sailing Club, racing within the three-mile stretch of river between Orford and Slaughden, exploring the village of Orford including the impressive castle and joining the exclusive 3-hour guided walking tour of the Orford Ness Nature Reserve.
On Thursday 31 July those wishing to race competed for the Seaways Bells trophies in a self-timed race from Orford Haven Buoy to the finish on the Orwell before taking berths in Suffolk Yacht Harbour and meeting for supper and drinks at the Lightship. The following day found the fleet enjoying the challenge of ‘Gafferteering’ (orienteering in boats, testing navigation and local knowledge as well as sailing skills) or just pottering about in the river before anchoring of picking up a buoy at Wrabness. As the tide receded enough to reveal the beach at Wrabness, skippers and crews came ashore for more beer from the Mighty Oak Brewery and a barbecue with meat pre-orders available from local award-winning Becky’s Butchers. The large party ashore enjoyed the sunset and socialising into the twilight.
The final day’s Two Rivers Race started at a line off Wrabness beach, finishing at Pin Mill before boats berthed at Royal Harwich Yacht Club or Woolverstone Marina ready for the final night supper and prize giving at the Club. On Sunday 3 August, boats departed for their home ports or to continue enjoying a cruise on the east of England’s coast.
The event was organised by our team of ‘Younger Gaffers’: Ed, George, Vicky, Josie & Evie. Thanks are also extended to our sponsors: Mighty Oak Brewery, Fishers Gin, Burnt Mill Brewery and Sam Clemance Graphic Design. We are also grateful for the welcome from our hosts: Slaughden Sailing Club, River View Cafe at Snape, National Trust at Orford Ness, Orford Sailing Club & Harbourmaster, Suffolk Yacht Harbour and Royal Harwich Yacht Club.
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