May. 12, 2008 - All Out on the Deben |
We had all five boats out together for the first time this season. We took them round to the Deben and had the most idylic weekend. The weather was perfect with sun splitting a clear blue sky. We rafted four of the boats together just up river from the Ramsholt Arms, explored a few creeks in the dinghy and a few of the braver souls dived in. It was bracing and very refreshing! Let's hope this weather lasts a bit longer.
On Sunday we sailed further up river and were rewarded with a sighting of the very rarely seen Deben Seal. We got them on video which you can see by clicking this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5biReIeZ1Qc
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May. 4, 2008 - Tim gets slightly more than he signed up for |
Yet another RYA Course on Caressa - April 27th to May 2nd 2008
Mike Rochfort, Tim Reynolds, Barry Webster and myself, were doing various RYA courses (Coastal/Day Skipper/Competent Crew) with Richard Wells as Instructor. We met up on Sunday evening at Wolverstone, taking the tide down to Levington on Monday morning. The genoa roller jammed on its second deployment which was just the beginning of our action-packed 5 days on Caressa. We picked up a mooring and sent Tim up the mast in the bosun's chair on main halliard with the spinnaker halliard as safety. The problem solved (a slack and twisted genoa halliard) we set off for Titchmarsh after a fairly comfortable sail via the Pye End Buoy, learning about preferred yacht tracks and sail handling on the way. Soon after arrival Mike served up an excellent chicken and rice dish which we devoured hungrily.
Tuesday saw us attempting to reach Brightlingsea, with Barry as Day Skipper. Richard thought it was a good idea to do some man overboard practice off Walton with the bucket-tied-to-a-fender routine. Spot-on maneouvering by Richard was spoilt when Dick let the boathook slip out of his hand and both the bucket and hook had to be retrieved by Barry and Ian hanging over the side. This didn't do our insides much good and several breakfasts were lost, the owners rueing the consumption of all that bacon and those fried eggs. Heavy squalls off Walton Pier had us hove to and deciding to return to Harwich and, after a rest, quietly to Ipswich Haven in the rain.
Wednesday brought a Force 8 gale in the river, so Dick's trick at Day Skipper involved no sail work. He made up for it by writing masses of gibberish in the Ship's Log! The expected calm waters of Levington Marina turned out to be a maelstrom of furious wind and rows of plastic yachts waiting to be destroyed by a rampant Caressa. However Richard, looking more like Captain Ahab every minute, roared at everyone on the mooring ropes and we managed to berth without damage, even though Dick managed to trip over the guard rail at the last minute. Many lessons were learned that day! We spent the afternoon examining Barry's Morgan Giles dinghy, currently being rigged at Levington. Dick thoughtfully cooked spaghetti bolognese whilst the others sought out the pub in the village.
Thursday opened brightly and Tim as Day Skipper took us down the Orwell in a vain attempt at circumnavigating the Whiting Bank. Strong SE winds enlivened our crossing of the Deep Water Channel on an open port reach. Quartering seas were difficult to manage and the heavy forces on the tiller became too much for one to handle. The mild broach was quickly recovered and we continued on to round the Wadgate Ledge buoy and then to recross the DWC and return to Harwich Ha'penny Pier in a dramatic thunderstorm with associated squalls. Fish & chips restored our energy levels and we ran back to Ipswich in strong sunshine with a fair wind on our stern.
A celebratory dinner at The Last Anchor in Ipswich sent us to bed very happy. On Friday we picked up on the skills we thought we had missed out on. Mike got some steering practice, Barry did some mooring up and letting go, Dick got his chance to sling Caressa around like a dinghy with all reefs shaken out between Levington and Shotley Spit and Tim anchored in Erwarton Bay in the Stour where we had lunch. Barry had time to work out a 'cocked hat' with his dinky new hand-held compass and Dick at last got a go on the radio.
Every hour of this course gave us a new lesson in yacht handling and navigation. This was partly due to the strong and varying conditions which presented us with problems at every turn. However most of the lessons we learned were due to the skill of Richard Wells in presenting us with the problems, letting us attempt solutions and being on hand to recover the situation and explain what we should have done when it didn't quite work out as planned.
A great trip!
Dick Houghton |
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Apr. 28, 2008 - RYA Course on Caressa 14-18th April |
Two Couples, the Klegg-Smiths and the Crowleys took RYA courses with Richard Wells on Caressa. You can see Charles Crowley's other photos here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlie_c/sets/72157604622875895
and Sekeeta made the following comments;
We had a great time. The weather behaved too.. started off v calm and built up over the week, but much less rain than forecast.
Richards Wells was very patient with us, made us do everything hands on, so we learnt loads, inc safety. We got on well with the other couple too, and hope to all meet up again in June.
It is funny looking at your email about the Gastro weekend, we also ate extremely well during the week, and I was daydreaming yesterday as we sat in the Butt and Oyster (the Ship at Levington was pretty excellent too) musing that you could easily run a sailing and eating trip with all this fabulous food around... and it just shows great minds think alike!!
Feedback:
Good course
Good instructor
Good boat; Caressa is lovely and as a beginner I felt really safe
Good company
Good fun
Member Sekeeta Crowley
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Jan. 26, 2008 - Painting Intent |
We need to have all five yachts painted, varnished and back in the water by mid April. The problem is it's too cold for the varnish to dry at this time of the year.
Solution: heat up the tent. Only trouble is this causes condensation which drips on the lovely new paint and varnish.
Solution: Will and Lee have rigged up a polythene inner tent with a de-humidifier.
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Jan. 26, 2008 - Elsie Ada |
This is Elsie Ada kindly donated to the Club by member Mathew Knight .
She needs a little bit of work but we hope to get started on her once the yachts are back on the water. She has a sailing rig so we are looking forward to towing her around and being able to explore creeks |
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Jan. 24, 2008 - Raffle Winners |
Congratulations to the winners, commiserations to those who weren't lucky, thanks for entering
Earls Court Show
1st Prize Day on Ierne at Fife Regatta, Martyn Webster
2nd Prize Weekend on East Coast, Adrian Donovan
3rd Prize Day on Caressa at BCYC Regatta, Cowes, Alison Noice
Excel Show
Day on Ierne at the Fife Regatta Jon Ogden
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Jan. 2, 2008 - London Boat Show Excel : Half Price Tickets |
Sponsored by Classic Boat magazine, International Paint and Old Pulteney, the Classic Boat feature is approximately 25 per cent larger than in 2007. New to the feature will be the inclusion of the much-publicised Cutty Sark restoration project drawing interest from classic boat enthusiasts as well as other members of the general public.
 The area will provide an opportunity for visitors to watch, learn and most importantly talk to enthusiasts about classic boats and find out about the traditional skills involved in their restoration. There will be four examples of classic boats at the feature this year. The oyster fishing smack Boadicea is the oldest working sail boat in the UK and will celebrate its 200th birthday at the Show. Mylor Yacht Harbour is providing a 25ft Solent Sunbeam. Yalton Marine will showcase an 18ft classically styled small open yawl, built using modern materials. Meanwhile the Classic Motorboat Association will re-introduce its 10 10 classic wooden speedboat, Colliwobble, after she first exhibited at the Show back in 1962.
There will also be other working aspects to the classic boat feature, such as sail making or fiddly canvas work. Jeckells Sails will provide advice and continual demonstrations on sail making while boat building students will build a classic dinghy during the Show. The feature will also have a lecture area with a host of vocational speakers keeping the area busy, entertained and educational.
If you are thinking of visiting the Show at Excel, Classic Sailing Club has a discount code to get half price tickets.
Just call Ticket booking telephone number: 0870 190 9911
and quote Classic Sailing Club Reference Code JG 72
Dates for the show are 11th - 20th January.
Full details here http://www.londonboatshow.com/home/
We will be on the Classic Boat Feature area so drop in and say hello
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Dec. 11, 2007 - Fifes take Centre Stage |
It's no exageration to say Ierne and The Truant stole the show at Earls Court. Ierne, fresh from an 18 month renovation, was jaw droppingly gorgeous. Did we detect a quiver of recognition as these two majestic old ladies were reunited for the first time since 1914? Maybe, certainly there will be no love lost when they Duel again in June.
The Duel of the Fifes will take place over ten days, each day with places for six guest crew, three on each yacht. You spend a morning on one, pause for lunch then switch to the other for the afternoon so you get to compare how they sail. Members can come as individuals or why not get two crews of three together and make a match of it. 75 points per place including lunch. |
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Dec. 11, 2007 - Maid in a Pond of Plastic |
Thanks to all those members who came along to the new Earls Court Boat Show and visited us on Hampshire Maid in the pool and the Fifes either side of the stage.
The 10% show discount has been extended to the end of December so those who couldn't make it to the show can still take advantage.
You can now buy points online at
http://www.classicsailingclub.com/acatalog/index.html
Welcome also to all the new members who joined up, we are looking forward to seeing you on your Classic Day Out in the New Year.
If you couldn't make it to this show, we'll be at Excel on the Classic Boat stand January 11-20th |
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Nov. 28, 2007 - Maid goes paddling in the pool, Ierne is unveiled |
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Earls Court Show opens on Saturday the 1st
What do we have there? Well Hampshire Maid is appearing in character as 'Cassandra's Dream' from the Woody Allen film of that name. She is acting as our floating clubhouse, so bring your membership card to get on board for a breather and a half of Adnams, generously supplies by the Butt and Oyster. We've also got the two 'Dueling Fifes', Ierne and The Truant. The gaffer Truant has been in the water this yaer after her restoration but Ierne is only just finished. Her mast went in for the first time yesterday and she is stunning. I think it's going to be difficult to put her in the water, she should really be in a display case! Our stand is behind Ierne and although the public aren't officially allowed on board I'm sure if you are interested in coming along for the Duel we might be able to sneek you a peek.
For our special Boat Show Offers see the home page www.classicsailingclub.com
After much hand ringing and prophecies of doom from all quarters James Brook and his team have put together a really exciting and interesting show.I haven't been able to see it all yet, we're still varnishing and building the stand, but it seems a lot more approachable than the more corporate Excel show.
The theory went that London could not support two boat shows, I'm not so sure. Most of the exhibitors at Earls Court aren't able to get into the Excel show so there's no duplication. They are both worth going to: Earls Court for your bits and pieces and the smaller marine businesses, Excel to be impressed by the big boys and the latest shiniest technology.
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Nov. 10, 2007 - Floating Clogs |
Welcome to those new members from the Dutch Classic Boat Show at Enkhuizen. We shared a stand with Seafair Milford Haven http://www.seafairhaven.org.uk/
It was a very modest show with the friendliest atmosphere. Why are the Dutch always so happy? Are they detirmined to sieze the day because tomorrow they may be under the North Sea? Come to think of it, everybody in Pin Mill always seems in a good mood too.
I think their traditional boats are an acquired taste. I'd like to have a go in one sometime. Sailing on the East Coast has produced the hithertoo unthinkable effect of finding Maurice Griffith's boats attractive. So maybe after sailing one on their hime waters I will learn to appreciate their design. |
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Nov. 8, 2007 - Will we? won't we? (get wet feet watching tele) |
This is the Butt and Oyster on Friday morning at high tide waiting for the 3 metre surge that was predicted. All the furniture was upstairs. Last time conditions had been similar in the North Sea in 1953, Pin Mill was flooded up to level of the downstairs window ledges. Luckily conditions eased at the last minute and the surge did not materialise.
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Oct. 16, 2007 - First time at the Bar and my First Oyster |
Last weekend's trip up the rivers Ore and Alde was a fantastic end to my first season with CSC and to think I would never have heard of the Club if I hadn't stumbled upon their stand at the boat show.
The weather was glorious but not much wind. In fact it felt more like late August than mid-October as the three of us, Ian, Nick and myself motored Caressa the 10 miles north from Felixstowe to Orford Haven . We got to the river entrance rather earlier than predicted and after a quick debate on tidal heights, decided we could have a go at getting over the bar on the rising tide. All very exciting getting propelled through the narrow entrance at about 8 knots with the engine on tickover! At the inner entrance we bumped along the bottom for a few yards, we couldn't have come in a minute earlier. With the wind on the beam and a flood tide we were able to sail up past Orford and Aldeburgh and halfway up to Snape before the water got too shallow and we had to turn back to Aldeburgh for fish and chip lunch. After a tour of the lifeboat station it was back to Caressa, courtesy of a free water taxi service, and a beat down to Orford for the night.
Ian proved a worthy CSC tour guide taking us for a tour of Orford castle and the local graveyard! Dinner was oysters, a local speciality, in the Orford and Butley Oysterage washed down by a couple of bottles of vino before adjourning to the village pub to watch England wop the Frenchies in the rugby.
After a lie-in on the Sunday morning we motored down river with the delicious smell of fried brekkie wafting up to the cockpit. As we scoffed our breakfast a seal came out to play near the boat - a common sight on this river. Next comes the exit from the river! This involves approaching the channel with the engine at full chat and being slowed to a crawl by the incoming tide. The channel is so narrow that if you had a dog on board you could chuck it ashore for a run-a-round. In fact, if it was a huskie you could use it to pull the boat a bit quicker! Anyway, safely through and out to sea. The wind had picked up to a F3 and we enjoyed a pleasant sail down to Felixstowe and motored up to Pin Mill in the late afternoon sunshine. Brilliant - can't wait 'til next season!
Ian Winters |
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Sep. 24, 2007 - Late summer week end sailing around Mersea waters |
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Last w-e I decided to go with a friend and try out the Classic Sailing Club for the planned sail to Mersea Island. I took all the foul weather gear not knowing what to expect of the end of the British summer and the East coast. We arrived there on Saturday morning after an early train from London and the views from the Butt & Oyster Inn in Pill Mill made up already for the early wake-up call. The river received us with warm sun and a complete blue sky, while in front of us we had the river Orwell that has the best landscapes I have seen so far with typical english unspoilt countryside shores. Once we arrived at the boat, Ian showed us around the teak and mahogany wood that makes Caressa such a unique lady. She sails faster that the new plastic boats once she gets under way, handles the sea with much more gentle manners and makes you feel like at home as soon as you step into the quarters. We spent an amazing 2 days discovering the inner shores of Wivenhoe, Brightlingsea and West Mersea. Two english breakfasts later and a late indian take-away on Saturday night (the indian restaurant in Brightlingsea is as good as they say but try to book or risk dissapointment!) left me looking forward to sailing again with the Classic Sailing Club. The rivers of the East Coast have an amazing number of unexplored and mostly unspoilt shores so I'm looking foward to another w-e of exploring and looking for the best anchorages. Some ideas we had for next trips: lunch at the "Company Shed" in West Mersea, seeing how far we can go along the Pyefleet Channel and Geedon Creek, trip to boatyard in Ipswich and a long w-e trip to St Katharine's Docks in London & back...
Francisco Viyuella | |
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Sep. 20, 2007 - It's bad luck to break a Mirror, What happens when you sink one? |
Everything was going according to plan. Having met up on the Friday night at the Butt and Oyster, we made our way to Caressa on a icy calm river in the pitch darkness. First thing in the morning, we decided that it would a good idea to take the Mirror dinghy. So, Adrian and I together with his daughter Ruth and member Ian sorted out an intricate plan to liberate the Mirror from the tent and get it to Caressa.
An hour later and we were on our way, motoring down river on a flat calm hoping to pick up a bit of breeze outside Harwich. Sure enough, the wind picked to about 12 knots and we sailed East for about an hour to get a feel for the boat. Then turned about and headed for Pie End and onto the Channel for Walton.
We had decided to pick up a mooring in the Twizzle outside the Marina and then spend some time on the dinghy rigging and sailing it before dinner. An empty mooring immediately outside the entrance to Titchmarch seemed to be winking at us and within minutes, we were tied up and mustering on the deck of Caressa to get the mirror rigged and ready to go. Adrian made the running and was on board hoisting the mast and hanking on sails. It was around about this time that we noticed the flood had come to an end and the ebb had kicked in. Several knots of tide were running past the boats as we put the finishing touches on the Mirror. Not in the plan was that the wind was blowing exactly in the opposite direction from the tide making hoisting the main almost impossible from the side of Caressa. So we cast off Adrian and let him pull away on the little jib to try and set the main further up stream. Minutes later he was back having raised the sail and found it difficult to make any headway into the wind. So we tried another set of sails and this time I went out for trial run. Having nearly permanently grounded myself on the mud bank trying to hoist the main, I eventually made my way off and blasted around for about five minutes making a triumphant lap around Caressa. Moments later and on the very next tack, there was an almighty crack! My foot - no my whole leg had gone clean through the bottom of the boat. I yelled out;
"You better come and get me..........I'm going down fast!!"
That was the end of our evening of dinghy sailing, and sadly the end of the Mirror dinghy too. The damage was too great she wnsas salvaged and laid to rest on the bon fire maybe to be rescued by an enthusiast with more time on their hands. We'll move on and get another Mirror, next time not off Ebay, sight unseen and having been sailed by the local Scout troup for last 25 years.
Jonathan. |
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