GAFFERS LOG December 2011 The Official Newsletter of the Old Gaffers Association Contents 3 From the Editor 4 Welcome Aboard 4 Cover Photographs 4 A note from your Hon Secretary… 5 From The OGA President 5 Membership Subscription Rates 6 Down the Creek without a Rudder Article by David Grainger 10 Munin’s Winter Cover One Member’s Determination - Email Jottings 12 Fifty Years of the OGA Article by Robert Simper 15 2011 OGA Photo Competition Deadline Extended to December 15 - Viv Head 16 Photos From the 2010 Old Gaffers Association Photo Competition 18-19 Notice of O.G.A. Annual General Meeting, Agenda and Major Changes to the Rules 20 Letters To The Editor 24 Trophy Report Sue Farrer - Trophy Secretary 25 All Change in the Bristol Channel Viv Head - Bristol Channel 26 DublinBay Area John Wedick - Hon. Secretary 27 East Coast Area News Bernard Patrick 29 Lake District Barry Healas 32 Medway/North Kent - Cinque Ports Area JohnCann 32 North Wales Area Report Sue Farrer 37 Conwy River Festival 2011 Bob Angell & Graham Panes 39 Northern Ireland Peter Lyons 43 Solent Area Annual Race and Rally Pat Dawson 47 Solent Report Jessica Warren 48 Trailer Section Mike Stevens 49 A Canadian Take on Yogaff By Gerry Stensgaard 51 OGA Merchandise 52 Classified Advertisements 54 Trail And Sail Small Gaffers Book Review 55 Officers of the Association and Contact Details © 2011, Old Gaffers Association ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Gaffers Log is the Official Newsletter of the Old Gaffers Association and contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the Editor. Email: [email protected] Exception to the above Copyright is granted when used to quote portions of the publication, for reviews by other media. Copyright exception is granted for non commercial use, Please credit the Gaffers Log as your source. The PDF version of the Gaffers Log may be re-distributed in whole and for non commercial use. From the Quarterdeck It seems as though it was only a short time ago, the OGA announced its 50th anniversary celebrations, but already 2013 is rapidly approaching. It’s an exciting celebration and one of the most noteworthy in our Association’s history. The timing is perfect; most of us, even retired members, lead hectic and busy lives. There is, in western society, a prevailing affinity to grasp at an earlier way of life often perceived as a simpler less complicated time in history. We only have to recall the number of period pieces adapted to screen and television or the revival of Bluegrass and Celtic music reaching worldwide audiences across the Internet, to see this happening. A couple of years ago Wooden Boat Magazine stated there are more wooden boats on the water today than in the 1970’s when the magazine first sold at the newsstands. Few of us want to return to the so calledGood Old Days, but that’s not to say we don’t enjoy reliving some great memories. What better time to promote the gaff rig and other traditional forms of sail, what better time to promote the Old Gaffers Association! Several traditional sailing items have passed across my desk, during the last few weeks. I’d like to share a couple of the most notable. For those interested in a true classic, the historic J Class yacht, Endeavour was re-launched a few weeks ago after an extensive refit. More information can be found at http://www.ibinews.com/auto/newsdesk/20110912140134syb.html or by a Google search of J Class yacht Endeavour. The Gaff Cutter,Dolphin of Leith, previously owned by Solent Area member John Lowrie and his wife, is currently on a voyage to New Zealand and skippered and crewed by John’s son and family. John has written an interesting letter, with photos (printed in this issue) about his days of ownership. More information can be read as the voyage progresses by making a search in facebook, Dolphin of Leith & The Big Adventure. Please consider visiting the Facebook page from time to time, follow their progress and leave your good wishes, I’m sure they will appreciateLetters from Home. In a few weeks the Gaffers Log will be available as a PDF file from several Internet sources. To protect the privacy of our members all phone numbers and addresses will be removed from the online edition. I also maintain an email list of OGA members and friends throughout the world that receive the GL PDF. The cost to the OGA is nothing, but is an excellent method of promoting our activities. If, in addition to receiving your regular hard copy of the GL, you’d like to be added to the list of online subscribers or if you know anyone interested in the receiving the PDF edition please forward the information to me. My thanks to everyone that contributed material to this issue. Please keep sending your adventures, photos, letters, Classified Advertisements (they are free to members) and anything else you would like to share with other Gaffers. Many of our members own some of the finest boats on the water and fortunately many are excellent photographers. Viv Head has extended the deadline of this year’s OGA Photo Competition; please see the advertisement in this issue. No single publication unites members from all areas as does the Gaffers Log. Our advertisers are an important part of our team and really do help to defray the cost of production. Please, whenever possible, consider supporting them and let them know you saw their advertisement in the GL. I wish each of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Colin Ming - [email protected] 3 Welcome Aboard Area # Boats Member Address BC 5536 Mr Roger Wallington 20 Millrace Close, Lisvane, Cardiff, CF14 0UR CWL 5535 Ellenor Josephine Mr Ian McLellan 6 Carvear Moor, Par, Cornwall, PL24 2TB DEV 5524 Puff Mr Richard Hayes Sideways, Moreleigh, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 7JQ DEV 5525 Mr Simon Deighton 8 Rectory Park, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3AJ EC 5527 Barbarossa Mr Robert Hart 69 Point Road, Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 7TT EC 5528 Mr John Benford 13 Prospect Place, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4AL EC 5532 Mr Andy Croft The Old School, The Street, Lympne, Kent, CT21 4LQ EC 5537 Ms Clare Ausitin 9 Bradfield Drive, Martham, Great Yarmouth, NR29 4UP LD 5523 Mr John Groves 4 Firs Avenue, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1NA NWA 5526 D’sel Mr Spencer Hollands Lees Farm, English Frankton, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 0JX NWA 5533 Mr Marshall Rubin Norcliffe Cottage, Altrincham Road, Styal, Cheshire, SK9 4LH SCO 5531 Mr David Pimm 29 Courthill, Rosneath, Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, G84 0RN SOL 5529 Mr Andrew Woodhouse 10 Ambleside, Botley, Southampton, SO30 2NS SOL 5530 Speedwell Mr Charles Coxwell 11 Deanes Park Road, Fareham, Hants., PO16 0DG SOL 5534 Mr Andrew Peter Hind 23 Central Road , Leicester, LE3 5EJ Front Cover Zebu- floodlit on the pontoon during Gaffers at Holyead. Photograph - Viv Head. Rear Cover Michael and Jessica Warren in the cockpit of Roma; Solent Area Annual Race 2011. Photograph - Keith Allso A note from your Hon Secretary… I write to let all members know that I will be standing down at the January 2012 AGM. I have very much enjoyed the role and wherever possible have enjoyed meeting many of you in your areas as well as others outside of our Association. I stand down a year early, mindful of our 50th birthday celebrations in 2013, and the desire to give time for my replacement to have a little breathing space in the year leading up to summer 2013. It has to be said I have not been overly involved as such with the actual 2013 work – the Hon Sec role rolling on much as it always has.Very little of the job involves the writing of real letters anymore – my time in office has seen the complete transition from ‘letterbox’ (hole in the front door variety) to ‘mail box’ (the electronic one out in the ether). Jan, my wife, Minute Secretary and ‘Hon Sec Support’ has to be thanked by me for her supporting efforts. We came as a team and we go as a team. We both thank you for your support. Robert 4 From The OGA President The 2011 sailing season is over, the moorings deserted, the marinas, creeks and hards packed solid with winterised boats. The Met man promises us a winter of snow and freezing conditions. Let us hope he is as right about this as he was about our promised BBQ summer. It seems remote as I write this in bright, still, autumn sunshine, the water like a mirror. We certainly had a varied season with some mighty blows and good weather at the beginning and end of the season. In The Solent, we had a sensationally exciting day for our Annual Race. It tested both boats and crew. Your GMC continues to work on plans to celebrate our fifty years and you can watch our progress on the OGA 50 website. Do continue to post your thoughts and suggestions on the forum pages. A full newsletter is enclosed that sets out our plans so far. Do give us your reactions so that we can take account of what you want. As you will see from the agenda for the AGM much is changing, including the Association’s Rules.