Classic Sailing Club

Jul. 13, 2010 - The Maid is back in the Water

Jonathan has beavered away all winter and since the other boats
went afloat and has now got Hampshire Maid back in the water.
If you fancy spending some time with a film star, you know where to come.

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Jul. 10, 2010 - Young sea dogs and seals

This was the perfect week-end for Alex, 7, Charlotte, 7, and Theo, 5, to enjoy their first sleepover on Myfawny.
Destination, a tiny creek up the Walton Backwaters where we'd heard that seals may be waiting for us!
And they were there, so many of them basking in the sun and diving around the boat that we did not dare go swimming in the river! We managed our way up the creek at high tide and anchored right in front them until the ebb reminded us we ought to find some deeper water for the night.
The next day, great sunshine and plenty of wind from the south-west to push us back into Harwich harbour. So much wind, we ended up sailing with the jib alone so the kids could still enjoy the deck. Final pleasure for the kids was some crabbing off the boat in front of Pin Mill before we returned to Levington where Ian was waiting for us.

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Jun. 9, 2010 -

The weather was set fair and the tides times were good for a pleasant
weekend sailing from Levington to West Mersea and back. Two of us
initially signed up for the Club weekend so thought we would ask to take
Night Wind which is a delightful 25 footer and the oldest boat in the
fleet. At the last minute another club member was able to join us so we
were upgraded to Caressa, the largest boat in the fleet at 37 feet. The
boat was conveniently brought into the marina from it's swinging mooring
before we arrived so after a quick chat with Ian Welsh we were ready to
go.
Light winds on the Saturday meant we had to motorsail some of the way but
it picked up again later and we had a good sail on the Blackwater. Picking
up a swinging mooring at West Mersea was a smooth affair after a call to
the harbour master secured us a deep water mooring.
We had heard of a fish restaurant called the Company Shed at West Mersea
where they sell platters of freshly caught fish but discovered it shut at
17:00! Anyway we pumped up the dinghy, hooked on the outboard and headed
off to the yacht club for an excellent meal at reasonable prices.
An early start on the Sunday saw us catch the ebb tide towards Levington
and with a force 3 in the east, we made good progress. Our peace was
shattered off Clacton when a fast police RIB intercepted us (along with
other yachts in the area) to ask where we had come from and where we were
going.
Mid afternoon found us approaching Levington. Ian gave us instructions
over the phone to refuel in
the marina and pick up a CSC mooring in the river off Levington. He then
came out in the Club launch to pick us up after a suitable interlude to
clean the boat.
The logistics of the weekend were very good with those that wanted able to
travel on the Friday night and stay on the boat and the others arriving
Saturday morning.

Ian Winters
Member since 07

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Feb. 26, 2010 - Re-decking Hampshire Maid

The tent is finally up and finished. Having had some problems with the prevailing winds, we have now managed to properly secure the beast to the relief of all around us.
Hampshire Maid has been in the tent since Christmas having a new deck. The work, now complete, has been undertaken with the help of volunteers and CSC staff.

Hampshire Maid with her deck off, being treated to a new deck beam

New deck fitted and being sheathed.

She will make way for Caressa who moves in next week to prepare her in time for Easter trial sails and RYA courses starting in April.
The weekend of March 6/7 sees the start of 'Launch Party' an opportunity for old and new members to come to Levington and try their hand at some of the annual jobs we carry out on all of the boats including engine maintenance, painting, varnish and electrics.
If you are interested in getting involved contact Jonathan on jonathan@classicsailingclub.com
When the season gets going properly and you come to our new base for a sail, you will get to appreciate the hard work of all our members who will have contributed to this years re-fit schedule.

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Jan. 21, 2010 - Maria as in Carey, not as in 'how do you solve a problem like'

We are very pleased to add such a fine boat as Maria to the fleet.
She's fast and beautiful and in very good nick to say she was built in 1866.
She has been looked at since and won
Classic Boat Restoration of the Year Award in 2008.
If you fancy a day on on of the best yachts on the East Coast
follow this link for details
http://www.classicsailingclub.com/html/Maria.html

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Jan. 15, 2010 - How To Avoid Gaff Gaffes

Michael Emmett our resident Gaff Guru shows a couple the ropes
You can find us in the North Hall on the Classic Boat Feature stand

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Jan. 8, 2010 - A Bit of Fanny on the Classic Boat Stand

To launch Maria, the new addition to our fleet, we decided to have a gaff feature
at this year's London Boat Show.
Maria's rig is too big so we borrowed the rig off Nigel Waller's Fanny of Cowes.
Our contentious statement that real sailors prefer gaff certainly kept us busy.
Thanks to all the members who came to say hello.
When we launched at the show in 2006 we didn't see many familiar faces,
now we see at least 20 members in a day

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Nov. 25, 2009 - We have moved our base to Suffolk Yacht Harbour

We are very excited to announce that we have moved the Classic Sailing Club base to Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Levington
Below is a (not very good, sorry) photo of four of the boats lined up by the tent.

Finally we will have everything in one place. The tent and an area of hardstanding designated for our use is directly behind our lock up unit which serves as workshop and storage facility.
The launch will be in the marina and the yachts on moorings just outside on the river.
Levington is on the North side of the Orwell but downriver so we will be about 45 minutes closer to Harwich Harbour. This has the added advantage of shortening journeys to the other rivers but also making Pin Mill and Ipswich a worthwhile destination for a day sail.
Suffolk Yacht Harbour is a very friendly, independant marina and as host to the East Coast British Classic YC Regatta they are also keen on classics.
It has a complete set of fabulous facilities including; chandlery, restaurant, sail maker etc.
By road or rail it isn't any further than Pin Mill/Woolverstone.
See the Suffolk Yacht Harbour site for more details.
http://www.syharbour.co.uk/
We'd also like to say a big thank you to Gus and his team at King's in Pin Mill for all the help they have given us since starting up in 2006.

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Nov. 19, 2009 - London Boat Show 2010

We have a special feature at January's Boat show, details to be released soon.
In the meantime we have a fabulous ticket offer.
You'll need a code to get the offer but we can't publish it so just email us and we'll send it to you by return.

.
Tickets can be purchased right up until the last day of the Show
.

Two types of ticket – After entering the above Booking Code on the LIBS official website, or when telephoning the LIBS ticket agency, you will have the following option:

£11.00 – Admission any day including Preview Day and a Free Drink
£10.00 – Admission any day including Preview Day

Website bookings – www.londonboatshow.com
Telephone bookings – 0844 209 0333

IMPORTANT NOTES

Free Drink: A voucher will be sent with each purchased ticket which can be redeemed for a pint of beer or larger, a glass of house wine or soft drink at the Clubs & Associations Bar which is situated next to the Classic Boat Feature in the North Hall.

Group Bookings: The above telephone number and website are for orders of less than 10 tickets in any one transaction. Orders for 10 or more tickets (still at the same price & with the free drink option) can only be made by phoning National Boat Shows group booking ticketing agency on 0207 014 8444.

Under 16’s go free: Up to two free child tickets can be ordered with each purchased ticket. Regrettably, the above free drink offer does not apply to these child tickets.

Single transaction fee of £1.25: Applies whether ordering one or any greater number of tickets.

Postal Delays: Because it could take up to 7 days or so for them to arrive by post, any tickets purchased shortly before or during the show can be collected on arrival from the advance ticket box office at the main (DLR station) entrance.

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Oct. 10, 2009 - Poirot presents Cup

David Suchet (on the left) presented the Oyster Run Cup to Paul Winter, owner and skipper of the smack Maria.
The Oyster Run Cup was last competed for in 1975. In our own little bit of sleuthing we tracked the magnificent trophy down to Fishmongers Hall and resurrected the race.

Originally planned for early September it was cancelled due to forcasts of force 10 winds in the Thames Estuary. When re-scheduled for early October there was a modest entry of only four boats. It was however very popular and we already have lots of entries for next year.
See the details on http://www.thamesfestivalclassicrally.com/html/Oyster_run.html

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Sep. 19, 2009 - Thames Festival Classic Rally 2009

We organised the first ever Thames Festival Classic Rally
All involved thought it was a great success for a first try

Caressa and Marcita were among the 36 boats of all types which came along

Brian Gascoigne's pond yacht was the smallest but most elegant

see www.thamesfestivalclassicrally.com for details and more photos.

We shall be running it again next year so book early to get a place on one of the club boats.

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Jun. 20, 2009 - Marcita in Round the Island Race

With a crew that had never sailed her before and without the local knowledge so crucial for a successful RTI, Marcita came a very creditable 10th in the Classic Racing Yacht class. She would have done even better if not for a lenghty untwisting of the spinnaker when rounding St Catherine's Point

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May. 25, 2009 - Marcita at the Semaine du Golfe

Member Brian Gascoigne has taken Marcita away to France for a couple of months.
The main reason for the trip was to enter the bi-annual Semaine du Golfe, a 1000 strong classic boat festival over a week in May in and around the Golfe du Morbihan.
Brian's blog http://www.sailblogs.com/member/marcita/ gives you all the details of the trip but I thought I'd post up a couple of of photos from my week there which was just perfect

Working boats assembles in Vannes

Marcita moored up in Vannes

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Mar. 9, 2009 - Marcita is Going on Tour

From April 25th, member Brian Gascoigne is off on a two month adventure. Think a less lachrimose Ellen Macarthur with facial hair and fabulous french food in place of freeze dried curries and you're getting there.

The main aim is to be part of La Semaine du Golfe, a week long classic boat festival which fills the Golfe du Morbihan. He's taking three weeks to get there and then a leisurely 4 weeks to get back.

If you fancy some Breton with your Buchanan you can join him (?150-250 per week) or bareboat charter her (?675) while she's over there.

Details of the programme here: http://www.classicsailingclub.com/html/marcita_cruise_2009.html

Keep track of the trip on his blog

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/marcita/

To book a place just email Ian

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Mar. 9, 2009 - Sunday Times Article

David Mills and Family came on a two day trip with us at the end of last season. The weather was atrocious but they still managed to enjoy themselves.

Read the whole article here

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/holiday_type/water_sports/article5857786.ece

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Mar. 4, 2009 - Classic Boat Article

Click here to see the article

http://www.classicsailingclub.com/images/CB%20247%20BS%20Classic%20Club.pdf

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Feb. 10, 2009 - Myfanwy has been Collared - some clouds have a wooden lining

I haven't got a photo yet but we are very pleased to say that Myfanwy is all repaired and waiting at Suffolk Yacht Harbour to be re-launched for the new season.

Jonathan Dyke's team have done a fabulous job as have Rig Magic who rigged the new wooden mast.

The aluminium mast she had was the original from 1967. The only aluminium alternative was a modern style which would have looked very out of place. The insurers kindly consented to a wooden replacement which goes perfectly with the existing wooden boom.

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Jan. 20, 2009 - Welcome to new members from Excel 09

We were invited to Excel again by Classic Boat to share their stand on the Classic Boat feature area. We had a great week meeting many new members. It was particularly nice to be visited by so many existing members. There were lots of new ideas hatched for the coming year so watch this space.

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