by David McClellan — East Coast Secretary

2/3 May — THE OAKS, RIVER ALDE

Three boats attended: Rebell, Stanley Dean; Mirror 10, Bernie and Katherine Doherty; Roamer, David and Gail McClellan (+ Sue and J Beare for Saturday).

The Rebell sailed up from the Blackwater; Roamer and Mirror were launched at Orford.

The wind on Saturday was fresh, giving a cracking sail under reefed main and storm jib, four up in Roamer. The Rebell was going fine too. Bernie and Katherine had a chapter of delays which caused them to miss the tide up-river; consequently they arrived after dark, muddy and cold. Soup aboard Tai Tai (R96) soon warmed them up.

Sunday brought a gale with vicious hail squalls, not the ideal sailing wind, so we stayed ashore until the evening tide, by which time it had moderated to f5-6. We tacked down Troublesome Reach which lived up to its name; leaving 2 hours after hw is not ideal, but somehow we managed (plenty of swearing and gybes cures all!). Arrived at Orford Quay just as it got dark. The slipway was in a perfect lee, completely calm, and together with the street light illuminating all we made a speedy recovery. Rebell had to be left on moorings as Monday’s forecast was as bad as Sunday, but she was safely sailed back a couple of weeks later. The Mirror had been sensibly recovered over the beach at Iken. (Dowsing on Sunday was f9).

6/7 June — BLACKWATER SAILING CLUB RALLY

How do I do it — another gale! Three boats from the Midlands launched on Friday, but too early for me to meet them: Jason Friend — YW Dayboat; David Smith — GP14 and David Wilkinson — Cornish Coble. They spent a fitful night in Lawling Creek to be greeted by strong to gale force winds on Saturday. After a fortunate coincidence and the use of the BSC launch, the boats were safely returned to the slipway. The visitors spent the night in the BSC hut, returning home on the Sunday.

Not a successful weekend and very disappointing considering all the effort and planning that went into it. Perhaps 3rd time lucky — I’ll try again for ‘88.

3/4 July — PAGLESHAM, RIVER ROACH

Something went seriously wrong here — NE 2-4, sunshine, warm, cloudless sky. A gorgeous weekend!

Five boats attended on Saturday, plus a brief glimpse of Hugh Clay on Sunday. They were: R10, David and Gail McClellan; R112, Peter Bick; Mirror 10, Bernie Doherty; Rebell, Stanley and Dot Dean; Devon Yawl, Jim and Rene Bailey.

All boats had sailed a good distance: Peter from Bradwell via the Spitway; David, Gail, Stanley, Dot and Bernie in company via the Ray Channel from the Blackwater; Jim and Rene from Southend via the Havengore; Hugh Clay via the Wallet from Walton Backwaters. Quite a few miles slipped under our keels. Well done to Bernie in his little Mirror; he’s been wanting to do this passage in company for ages, an excellent cruise for such a small boat.

We sampled the beer at the Plough & Sail, but it’s full of yuppie types now so it’s not as good as it was.

Sunday dawned bright and fair, just perfect for the sail home. Four boats in company to the Blackwater, the others alone. A magic weekend. If only it could always be so.