Forestay - Old Gaffers Association

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East Coast Old Gaffers Association Newsletter May‘10

ForestayLater in this issue you should find an interesting and perceptive article by an east coast yachtsman, famous in his own way and certainly quite unique; I know of no other sailor who, for almost half a century, has pursued with almost missionary zeal the idea of cruising for its own sake, not just getting from A to B, or racing, or socialising, but sailing for the sheer pleasure of it. And I know of no yachtsman who, having designed and built his own tiny gaff cutter, has sailed it every season for the last 47 years up and down the east coast, never adding an engine, or a GPS, not even an echo-sounder, and at the same time, producing a constant stream of articles and lectures promoting the concept of minimalist cruising. By now you will have guessed I’m talking about Charles Stock and Shoal Waters, and finally, his efforts to promote a simpler, gentler, back-to-basics type of sailing have been acknowledged by the award of the Royal Cruising Club’s medal for ‘services to cruising’.

I like to think that the OGA identifies with Charles’s style, emphasising the individual without being eccentric, with more faith in self reliance than in modern technology and a tendency to stand aside from mainstream yachtsmen, who know the price of everything electronic, but not the value of experience.

May 2010 Issue 83

In this IssueForestay

Reports of Events

Charles Stock

Forthcoming Events

Backstay

Parish Notices

Charm, winner of the Felgate points series

Shoal Waters

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East Coast Old Gaffers Association Newsletter May ‘10

Suitably fortified, the assembly then wandered along the Quay to the, fortunately nearby, Nottage Institute.

The Institute was founded in �896 by Captain Charles Nottage, notable racing yacht owner and philanthropist, to teach navigation to the local fishermen, whom he employed to crew his yachts. Although transferred to its current premises in �947, the Nottage continues to teach navigation, now mainly to yachtsmen, and is still partly funded by the captain’s original bequest. As well as navigation classes, instruction is given in a wide-ranging selection of courses in rope-work, meteorology, diesel engine maintenance, woodcarving, first aid, VHF radio and the RYA shore-based certificates. Curator Mike Downes also showed us the extensive library – hundreds of books on sailing, I could spend a week there. Mike explained that the Nottage also sees itself as the guardian of the local maritime heritage, and an

Reports of EventsQuiz Night

It’s February and wintry as Old Gaffers eased themselves painfully out of hibernation to attend the first social event of �0�0 – the Annual OGA Quiz Night, at Manningtree.

This was the third year that Sue Lewis has organised this event, and about three dozen gaffers and friends squeezed into in the welcoming surroundings the Stour SC bar on Feb 6th, for another battle of wits.

After the first few rounds, the teams were very evenly matched, and even the picture round – where contestants had to identify post-war American presidents – failed to separate the teams. It was the hilarious ‘Family Fortunes’ round where several team’s efforts began to unravel; it demanded an ability to think ‘outside the box’, and your editor’s team did itself no favours by calling ‘sex’ as the answer to every question; although appropriate, it gained them nil points.

But it was the final round that separated the men from the no-hopers; an innocuous question – name the 5 original cinque ports – came with a devilish scoring system: � point for a correct answer, minus � for a wrong one. Even the winning team had a negative score.

In the end, the winners were Jodie and John (William) and Alison and Julian (Robinetta) by � points from Margaret Wainwright and ‘Shippers’ and Yvonne and Rik (Kelpie II).

Observant readers will notice that members of your committee are conspicuously absent from the winner’s list – maybe their thoughts were on higher things.

After all that mental exercise, everyone trooped downstairs to revive the brain cells with a splendid fish and chip supper, arranged by Julie and Keith from Maryll, which brought to an end a most enjoyable evening.

Bernard Patrick.

Quiz mistress Sue Lewis

Nottage Institute

A new social event in the EC calendar, but one bound to be repeated, was a visit to The Nottage Institute in Wivenhoe, on Feb �6th. The evening got off to a rousing start when about two dozen gaffers rendezvoused at Steve Meakin’s sumptuous waterside apartment on the quay at Wivenhoe, to consume wine and pizzas provided by Mike McCarthy, while watching sailing videos on Steve’s plasma TV – as near to paradise as the average gaffer is likely to experience in Wivenhoe (or maybe I don’t know Wivenhoe that well).

Mike Downes, curator

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Exhibition is mounted every summer; this year, the building will be open to the public every Sunday afternoon from �6th May to ��th September, when visitors can browse the extensive display of ship models, paintings and photographs.

The library and lecture theatre are on the first floor, while the ground floor is taken up with the Nottage’s most popular course – build your own wooden dinghy.

Fabian Bush, Rowhedge professional boat-builder and one of the two instructors, explained how the course operates; it runs on alternate Saturdays

through the winter, and all the traditional building materials – larch, oak and iroko, copper rivets and roves – are provided. About six dinghies are in build at any one time, all based on a standard design, and the course is so popular that there is a very long waiting list of hopeful amateur shipwrights. Although many students work on their boats during the week to speed up the construction, the average time to completion is about five years, and apparently very few finished boats see the water; the satisfaction for most is in the building.

All the times I’ve sailed up to Wivenhoe, gone to the yacht club or the pub, and never realised that the Nottage was there; what a hidden gem!

Bernard Patrick.

Nottage dinghies in build

Instructor Fabian Bush (R)

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Annual Dinner

The main social event in the ECOGA calendar is always the annual dinner at the Royal Burnham YC, held this year on 6th March and once again ably organised by Trevor Rawlinson and Roy Hart.

About seventy gaffers and friends gathered at the RBYC clubhouse, dressed in their best blazers and frocks (not together, you understand), for pre-prandial drinks before sitting down in the comfortable dining room for a four course meal. Once the salmon or duck had been served and Jon Wainwright’s memory toasted with his favourite sticky toffee pudding, the cheese and biscuits consumed and the port passed round, east coast president Peter Thomas introduced the guest speaker, none other than long-time gaffer and expert helm of Moonstone IV, David Lewin. David gave us an entertaining snapshot of his varied life, from trainee jeweller to forensic dentist, via motor racing correspondent and rally driver, all delivered in his characteristic self- deprecating style.

Roy Hart then had us opening our wallets for the raffle and auction of a Mike Peyton original cartoon, raising nearly £400 for our area funds, after which visiting Association secretary Robert Holden made a presentation to Brian Hammett, in recognition of Brian’s four year stint as Association president.

This was the end of the serious business, but there was another presentation to be made; east coast secretary Pete ‘the Knife’ Elliston recounted how his predecessor, Jon Wainwright, had fought a battle

over many years with the Crouch Mafia, who were determined that only local skippers should win on ‘their’ river. However, their power now seems to be in terminal decline and, as a final humiliation, Pete presented the ageing Mafia boss with a plain wrapper containing…. the dreaded horse’s head!

On this hilarious note, the dinner broke up and guests went back to the bar, to recount more ‘if only’ stories of last season and to plan for the next.

Bernard Patrick.

How are the Mafia fallen

Brian’s presentationMike Peyton

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Sail Clinic

On the evening of March �0th, about a couple of dozen gaffers gathered at Jimmy Lawrence’s sail loft in Brightlingsea for another of Mark Butler’s sail clinics. In previous years, we have been shown how sails are designed and made, and how old, tired sails can have new life breathed into them; this year it was different – several visitors had brought along their sails to be examined by Mark and an instant prognosis given as to their performance potential. Your area president brought along a jib that was so baggy it was ‘fit only for collecting water’, while another jib, though still nice and flat, had leach and foot that were so tired it was beyond revival.

About ten sails were examined, mains as well as foresails, with Mark demonstrating how to adjust sail shape and draught by changing the tension on luff, foot and head.

In summary, a very interesting, educational and worthwhile evening with lots of animated discussion…. and many thanks for the tea and biscuits provided by Mark’s wife.

Bernard Patrick

Dinghies at Ipswich

‘Never mind the width…’ area pres and vice pres feel the quality

Dr. Mark Butler gives his diagnosis

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Deputy Harbour Master Neil Glendinning and officer of the day Will Langton for an interesting and informative tour.

Altogether a good event to start the season.

Mel Fox/Bernard Patrick

Easter Rally and Supper

Those readers with reasonably adequate memories will recall that the weather last Easter was superb and provided a splendid start to the sailing season – which then went downhill until September. However, Easter is a moveable feast and can happen any time between March ��nd and April �5th, leading to wide variations in the likely weather – those guys at the Council of Nicaea in AD��5 have a lot to answer for, didn’t they ever go sailing early in the season? Anyway, this year Easter was April �nd – 5th and quite chilly, but several boats attended the rally in Shotley marina, including Emma Hamilton, Mike McCarthy’s plastic motor cruiser, of which he is rightly ashamed. Two smack boats made the trip across to Harwich, to raid the Bell pub, ably supported by Emma Hamilton, packed to the gun’ls with foot soldiers, intent on rape, pillage and a pint or three.

On Saturday evening, the numbers at the fitting-out supper in the Shipwreck bar were boosted to a healthy 47 by more sensible folk who came by car, to enjoy a good curry or chilli and then music by the Naze shanty band, all organised by Mel Fox, who handed out the traditional Easter eggs to boat crews.

On Sunday, hon.sec. Pete Elliston arranged a visit to the Harwich VTS control, and several gaffers attended, again courtesy of Ms Hamilton (maybe plastic pop-pops have their uses). Many thanks to

The Naze shanty band

Organiser Mel Fox thanks the Shotley staff

Brian (R) receives his pennant

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Charles StockCharles Stock and his diminutive cruiser ‘Shoal Waters’ have been a regular sight on the east coast for many years. Charles built ‘Shoal Waters’ on a Fairey Falcon hull forty-seven years ago, and has sailed her up and down the east coast every year since then. But time catches up with us all, sooner or later, and in this article Charles describes what may prove to be his last extended cruise, north up the Wallet to Ipswich and south to the Medway, and in doing so gets across some of the magic of cruising our lovely east coast, which has brought him back, year after year.

There’s also quite a lot to be learned from his narrative: where to anchor to wait for a favourable tide, the optimum time to pass through the Havengore, and he’s not afraid to admit to staying in his bunk and missing the tide, when it’s pouring with rain!

This piece might have been called ‘Never Say Never Again’, but Charles has given it the rather wistful title of –

My Swansong

My favourite yachting writer and source of my love of small boat cruising, was Francis B.Cooke, who sailed small yachts from Fambridge on the River Crouch. Although he lived to be over �00, he gave up sailing up the Wallet to Harwich at the age of seventy and from then on restricted his adventures to the shorter, safer trips within the rivers Crouch, Roach, Blackwater and Colne. I have carried on sailing my �6ft cutter ‘Shoal Waters’ a little longer, but well before the age of eighty, a ‘final trip to Harwich’ became a regular feature of each season. I had long since left the storm trysail and the topsail at home and I haven’t used the standard stays’l for several years, becoming content with the jib and full main, or small stays’l and reefed main. Both foresails are on Wyckham-Martin furling gears, so I don’t have to venture out of the cockpit to attend to them, but my greatest fear is falling overboard when reefing the main – however, I have managed to avoid going over the side for many years.

At the end of the �008 season I was determined never again to stray out of my local waters, but as the �009 season developed, I had the urge to see Harwich one last time from the water.

At the end of July, a forecast of light winds overnight proved irresistible and I was rewarded with a glorious, lingering sunset, and then the glistening track of a quarter moon gave me a night

to remember as I trickled down the Blackwater and north towards Harwich.

By morning, the wind was lighter still, too light for me to try the busy Harwich harbour under sail, so I retreated into the Walton Backwaters and anchored for a couple of hours’ kip. By the time I had washed the porridge saucepan, the sun was scorching from a clear blue sky and a rising breeze from the south begged me to get under way. I had a glorious reach past Harwich and up the River Stour, where I anchored in the bay beyond Wrabness for lunch and to admire the harvesting going on ashore, until there was enough water to sail past Mistley and on to Manningtree where I picked a flat piece of soft mud for an early night.

Saturday morning was overcast for a start, but a fine NW breeze carried me rapidly down river to Shotley where I turned north for a reach and a beat, passing under the A�� Bridge to Ipswich and then returning to Pin Mill for an afternoon nap over the forecast hour of rain, which in fact lasted until ��00hrs and put me off my plan to leave at midnight to pick up the flood off Walton for the trip home. There is something distinctly discouraging about a dripping wet cockpit when viewed from a cosy sleeping bag. This delayed me until 0�00hrs Sunday, when a useful north-westerly enabled me to carry the last of the flood to halfway between the Walton and Clacton piers as the wind eased and backed SW. The six and a half hour beat under scorching sun was pleasant enough, apart from visitations by scooters [wet bikes], and I reached the Colne Bar by low water, anticipating an easy beat up the River Blackwater with the flood, but the wind died completely off Bradwell for ninety minutes until a sudden strong southerly appeared, to get me to my mooring at ��0hrs, after a seventeen-hour trip. Next morning I caught the 09�0 bus home in time for my daughter and son-in-law to take Joy and me out to lunch, to celebrate my 8�nd birthday.

There is nothing like a successful trip to encourage thoughts of another. Thus a forecast of a steady north-westerly for the following Friday sent me on board to get away as soon as ‘Shoal Waters’ floated (two and a half hours before HW) with visions of a night passage through the Swin Spitway and into the Thames estuary. In fact the wind came and went time and time again. In one calm patch, I was visited by ladybirds, a sort of wasp and masses of tiny black bugs, which I continually washed off the decks. Such slow progress made me cancel my plans for the Spitway and settle for the slower

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passage inside Foulness Island via the Roach and Havengore. The Rays’n channel dries at the southern end these days (it was twelve feet in �900!), so when my sounding cane indicated four feet, I anchored to fry a steak and snooze until two hours after LW. A good breeze had filled in from the north, so I ran carefully under jib in case of grounding, until I reached the deep water of the Outer Crouch. It was a full moon in a clear sky, but as I turned into the River Roach, the wind was dying and only the strong flood tide carried me into Potton Creek, where I anchored at 0�00hrs, noting the phosphorescence swirling past the chain as ‘old cold nose’ took hold.

It was still flat calm next morning with thick fog. What luck I hadn’t taken the outside passage! I got under way at about �000hrs as the fog cleared and a breeze grew from the east, passing Shelford and New England Creeks and on into Narrow Cuts between Foulness and the mainland. The only road link is by a lifting bridge. The flood runs SE towards the watershed about a mile away and meets the tide coming across the three-mile-wide sands one to two hours before HW, depending on whether it is springs or neaps. This tide is earlier and sweeps inland under the bridge until HW. Most craft need several feet of water over the Broomway, as the

watershed was known when it was the only road to Foulness, so the bridge keeper only arrives to lift the bridge just before HW. With the wind from the SE, I would be unable to beat through the bridge until the ebb set in, which would mean losing the benefit of the last of the flood into the Thames.

My answer is to reach the bridge with the first of the flood, drop my mast to pass under and reach the Broomway as the tides meet. This gives me some two hours of southbound flood and two hours less ebb to fight. All went well. A gentle working breeze under a warm sun enabled me to steer due south towards the middle of the Isle of Sheppey. When the ebb set in it took only an hour to beat to Warden Point and race down the eastern end of the island to the eastern entrance to the Swale. By this time the wind had risen enough to blow me westward over the strong ebb. I dodged a lot of it by passing north of the Horse Sand to Harty Ferry, where I would normally have moored, but in view of the glorious weather and fair wind, I pressed on to Elmley Ferry. The advantage of anchoring here is that although the first hour of the ebb runs east, it then turns west and I can sail under Kingsferry Bridge with my mast up, two hours either side of LW.

At 0500hrs Sunday, a red ball rose over a mass of smooth water sweeping eastward, then entered some hazy cloud giving various delightful pastel shades of yellow and orange. By the time I had heated some porridge, the tide had turned westward to carry me past Queenborough into the River Medway for a lazy day in the southern

Charles Stock

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marshes and in particular Lower Halstowe, which I first visited in �949. They were still making bricks then, and the tiny village had two shops. The sun scorched down all day and I bedded down early on the mud of the Sharfleet, happy with the forecast of SW next day.

0�00hrs Monday was overcast as the first of the ebb carried me into the Medway and on to the Thames. I always steer due north in order to cross the shipping lanes as quickly as possible and then head more easterly for the West Shoebury buoy and the chain of old friends marking the edge of the Maplin sands: the Blacktail, the Maplin, the Maplin Edge, the NE Maplin and the Whitaker Beacon. Once, there were many more of them, before the days of modern navigational aids. About 0900hrs the wind eased enough for me to brew up before it suddenly increased, to give me a hectic run through the Spitway, after which I steered into smooth water in the lee of the high and dry Buxey Sand to pull down a reef, ready for a hectic reach in the lee of the Dengie Flats to the mouth of the River Blackwater. The sheer strength of the wind at the river mouth killed any idea of my getting home that afternoon. After an exciting romp across the wide entrance, I raced through West Mersea moorings to a quiet anchorage off Ray Island, a long sleep and a quiet trip home, early on Tuesday.

All in all, two very satisfactory trips; about �7� nautical miles made good in about �70 hours afloat over twelve days, and perhaps a good time for me to give up the bolder trips, before Father Neptune steps in to do it for me. Somehow the cabin seems to get smaller and every task a little harder, in particular getting the anchor.

It must be over seventy-five years since I first went afloat, in one of the open sailing boats from Southend beach. They carried some ��-�0 passengers each trip; tanner [�.5p] a time and kids half price. My delight was that, either going out or coming back, as the boat heeled I could reach the water and feel it racing through my fingers.

A lot of water has flowed under my keel since then!

Charles Stock

‘Shoal Waters’

Forthcoming EventsBy the time you read this, we should be well into summer, whatever that brings; but your committee have not been put off by the uncooperative weather of the last two years and have arranged an interesting series of events through to the autumn. The main events are outlined below, and dates and venues of other events to which gaffers are welcome are shown on the attached �0�0 programme.

Also attached are entry forms for the main events; send them off promptly to our treasurer Clare Thomas at;

Green Barn Farm Barham Green Ipswich IP6 0QF

Swallows and Amazons; June 12th – 13th

First off, after the May rallies which were publicised in the last issue, is our premier event for open boats, to be held on the weekend of ��th-��th June. Unique on the east coast, this is a race and rally essentially for traditionally built and rigged dinghies. Don’t ask what we mean by ‘traditional’, everyone knows what it means, but no-one can define it; suffice to say that a Walker Tideway is, and a Laser isn’t, and if you’re in any doubt about your own boat, call hon.sec. Pete Elliston for guidance.

The event takes place in the Walton Backwaters and once again we are pleased to be able to have the event at the Walton and Frinton Yacht Club and heartfelt thanks go to the Club, for without their support with Race Officers, safety boats, use of the club facilities and the help of the Committee, we would not be able to hold this enjoyable and unique event.

The tides are middle of the day again this year, so most of you may wish arrive on Friday ��th. If so, then this needs to be confirmed with the organisers prior to the event, particularly if camping. (Pete Elliston 078�� 5�5��).

Registration will be on Friday evening in the clubhouse – ask for Brian Hammett – or on Saturday morning for late-comers; briefing is at 09.00, followed by a race around Horsey and Hedge End islands in the Backwaters.

After the morning’s exertions, the pace slows after lunch for the building and racing of paper boats, and then there’s a dinner at the W & F YC and prize-

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for registration at the Race Office; this is on the ground floor of the new waterside development and marina – you can’t miss it – where competitors pick up their sailing instructions and race numbers from �7.00.

The race itself starts in the Colne, on the Bateman’s Tower line off the harbour entrance, from 09.00 Saturday and, weather permitting, the course will take the fleet down to the Wallet Spitway and back.

On their return to Brightlingsea, crews are invited to free drinks at the Colne Smack Preservation Society Quay, by the CYC jetty, from �7.00, followed by prize-giving outside the Race Office at �9.00.

The day will be rounded off with a supper and live shanty music at the Colne YC.

After a nice lie-in, Sunday begins with rowing races on the Boating Lake near the harbour from �0.�0, then in the afternoon there is a race for open boats and a Parade of Sail for everyone else, up to the Wivenhoe SC for their famous hog roast and home-made cake ‘tea’, starting about �7.00.

On Monday, the fleet returns home, if they can remember where it is.

giving in the evening. There are umpteen different classes and loads of prizes, so you’re almost certain to win something.

Sunday’s programme is less demanding; a lie-in, some hectic pirate-themed sailing, then a cruise to Stone Point for the usual picnic.

It should be a great weekend, just pray for good weather.

East Coast Race; June 18th – 20th

The following weekend, June �8th-�0th, the action moves south to Brightlingsea, where the big boys get their turn to shine in the main east coast event for traditionally rigged boats – that is, with four cornered mainsails (including gunter rig); owners of classic bermudans will have their own race, competing for separate prizes.

There is always a big and varied turnout for this race, including smacks large and small, bawleys, cocklers, prawners, gaff rigged cruisers old and new, wood and plastic.

The weekend starts on the Friday (�8th) with a passage race to the Nass Beacon off W.Mersea, followed by a sea-food lunch at the famous Packing Shed and a relaxing cruise back to Brightlingsea

Mantra in the �009 event

Fanny of Cowes, last year’s winner

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RHS Rally; June 26th

The popular Royal Hospital School’s Trafalgar race and rally is on Saturday �6th June, on the River Stour at Holbrook, but most skippers will plan to arrive on Friday evening (LW Harwich �7.40 BST) and pick up a vacant mooring on the south shore at Wrabness, or anchor off, out of the fairway.

On Saturday morning, the fleet will sail across and anchor off Holbrook creek entrance and crews should plan to be ashore by �0.�0, in time for school dinner at ��.�0 in the imposing dining hall.

HW is at ��.50, so don’t anchor too close in, and be prepared to be away by �4.00, in good time for the first race start at the committee boat line at �5.�0.

Hopefully, everyone will be back at Wrabness for the beach barbecue at �9.00 – don’t forget to bring a plate and irons – followed by prize-giving and admiration of the stunning sunset.

North Fambridge YC

Also on June �6th is an open day at the NFYC, from ��.00 to �6.00. There will be racing and other on-water activities, cream teas, an exhibition of the history of this very old and famous club and a display of the development of the ‘Fambridge One Design’.

Southwold Rally; July 17th – 18th

Southwold is about as far north as the east coast gaffers venture these days, but it is a delightful town and the harbour entrance is not too fearsome, except in a strong easterly. The event itself is small but perfectly formed, like its organiser Lorna Hill and, under her guiding hand, has the right blend of social and competitive events to persuade folk to return each year – or maybe it’s the thought of fish and chips and brewery tour?

This year, the weekend begins on Friday �6th July with a Chinese meal in the Sailing Club and on Saturday there will be a couple of races in the bay, a beer festival, party and prize-giving.

A dinghy cruise up the river to a Blythburgh pub is planned for Sunday, so bring a tender or inflatable. If you can’t spare the time to sail up, join us by car and put a dinghy on top or in the boot, or maybe transport a competitor’s dinghy for them.

Sunset at Wrabness

Relaxing at Walberswick

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August Classics Cruise; Aug 21st – 30th

This is certainly our most popular event in the east coast calendar, mainly due to the enjoyable blend of relaxing, socialising and racing. Present plans are for the fleet of gaffers and classic bermudans to meet up at Ipswich Haven marina on Saturday ��st for an informal evening reception in Brian Hammetts water-front penthouse.

On Sunday we have the usual hilarious ‘regatta’ in Ipswich dock, before the serious stuff starts on Monday with a pursuit race to the Walton Backwaters and a barbecue at Stone Point. Tuesday it’s racing around the cans in Pennyhole Bay and the ladies get a turn to be in charge in Wednesday’s race to the Deben. Thursday is a day of rest with a gentle cruise down to Ramsholt, but it’s racing again on Friday, back to the Orwell with a barbecue at Pin Mill.

The fleet are on the Stour again on Saturday, with the Two Rivers Race from Levington to Wrabness, continuing up to Mistley Quay for tea at the Thorn pub.

Sunday is the final day, taking in the President’s Race to Pin Mill and rounding off the week with a dinner and prize-giving at Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s Lightship.

There are lots of prizes to be won, but if you’re not the competitive type, not to worry, all are welcome to

come along to watch the action and join in the socialising. You can join and leave at any time, although of course we would like you to stay all week, and if you get your entry in by August �st, you can buy a T-shirt with your boat’s name included on the back! A great time is guaranteed, all we need is the weather.

Pin Mill Regatta; Sep 4th

Here’s a bit of advance publicity for an event, while not organised by the OGA, is worthy of your support. The Pin Mill SC are such a friendly lot and they helped us out last year when our barbecue location was washed/blown out, so we thought we should repay them by supporting their regatta - and bar takings; and it’s such a stunning location. More details in the next Eastcoaster.

Molly Cobbler on the Deben, �008

Pin Mill

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BackstayLet’s get technical and discuss ‘propwalk’

We all know what it is, the way a boat’s stern will move sideways through the water when the engine is engaged, but with no forward motion. But why does it occur? The explanation usually offered suggests that that the lower blade of the prop, acting in deeper and hence more dense water, exerts more force than the upper blade and walks the boat sideways. This has never sounded very convincing to me – the density difference over a few inches of prop diameter must be minute – but I recently came across another explanation, which suggests the effect has all to do with the fact that the prop shaft is (usually) not horizontal but slopes down towards the stern. Imagine a right-handed prop on a steeply angled shaft; because of this angle, the descending, right-hand blade is operating at a higher pitch than the ascending blade(s), producing more thrust and trying to pull the stern to starboard.

Are you convinced? And how about self-pitching props like the Brunton? Do they work themselves into a frenzy, changing pitch with each half revolution? Please let me know if you’ve heard any more plausible theories.

Parish Notices2011 Calendar

As mentioned in the last issue, your committee plans to produce a �0�� calendar in time for sale at the next AGM in November, using pictures produced by you, the membership. The theme is east coast traditional sail through the season and photos should be in digital jpg format. Send your pictures to the secretary Pete Elliston before Mid September; even if they don’t make the calendar, they might appear in Gaffers Log or on the website. Get snapping!

EC50

Sailing is one of the most enjoyable outdoor pursuits, but its pleasures are denied to some would-be sailors if they are disabled. East Coast 50 is a partnership between two established disabled sailing charities and is organising a series of races and events through the season to raise both money and awareness. Their event on the Stour on �6th

June coincides with our RHS rally, so if you see folk shaking buckets, give generously. There are more details on their website www.ec50.org.uk.

Boat Register

The east coast boat register continues to grow on-line but there are still many craft still not included, so can I ask those of you who have not yet done so, to go to our website, follow the links and have your pride and joy placed on the Register; it’s quite easy and your details will be quite secure.

That’s all for this time. Send any articles, pictures, comments, details of items for sale etc. to me:

Bernard Patrick 80 Rickstones Rd Witham Essex CM8 �ND tel: 0��76 5�64�0 e-mail: [email protected]

The next issue of Eastcoaster is due out in mid-August �0�0, so submissions by mid-July please.

Finally, could I remind members who may have changed address to tell me, please? On the other hand, if you have told us of your move but are still not getting the newsletter, let me know. Thank you.

Production by Steve Daley-Yates; [email protected] by Reprohouse of Marks Tey, tel: 0��06 �� 76

Two well known gaffers, Quinque and Fleetwing get some TLC at Downs Rd boatyard Maldon.

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Forestay - Old Gaffers Association