Ullswater - Old Gaffers Assn.

It's the Old Gaffers Association 50th anniversary this year and they have been holding a series of events during the year. The last of these was held at Glenridding on the shores of Ullswater, in The Lake District, over the weekend of 13 - 15 September.

A few of us managed to get a short sail in on Friday, before it got dark, as the forecast was for very poor weather on Sunday, so we were keen to get as much sailing in as possible. The wind on Saturday never really settled and although there was a couple of races, it was just very pleasurable to sail in such a wonderful location. We managed to sail around to Howtown, where there is a free public slipway. However, the parking is very limited and it is accessed down a single track road, that runs from Pooley Bridge, past Ullswater Sailing Club and on to Martindale. If you went early in the morning you would be fine. Another option is to camp at Watersideside House Campsite but the slip here is quite small and although you'd be fine with a smaller boat, a Coaster may be a touch too big. You can use the facilities at Glenridding at other times, but it's not the cheapest. Another option is to join Ullswater Sailing Club as a temporary member for £38 for a week, which seemed a good price, with plenty of parking, good facilities and concrete slipways, although limited mooring.

There were a few other Drascombes present during the weekend, but only one Coaster to keep Kathleen company. The other boats were a varied mixture but many had been built by Character Boats, in Lytham, Lancashire. These are traditional styled boats, based on the local fishing boats, built using modern materials. The one thing that nearly all the boats had in common, were tan sails. The Saturday evening was a very relaxed affair, with a prize giving and communal music. Many thanks to the OGA for organising the weekend.

Norfolk Broads

Having not visited the Norfolk Broads for 30 years, it seemed an ideal time to return. Kathleen was launched at Martham Boats, with the car and trailer left there. They also sell the Broads Authority Licence for a 7 day visit. Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere are the most relaxed and quiet places.

I made a lightweight mast support, using a piece of plastic drain pipe with a wooden wedge in the lower end, for passing under bridges. Once under Potter Heigham bridge things start to get busy! Although most of the motor boats were keen to help and appreciated being told which side to pass.

 

Once past Ludham, the River Bure opens out and provides good sailing. There is slip at Thurne which has a courtesy box, £5 in and another £5 out. It was not locked when I was there. Not really big enough for a Coaster and it did say no boats longer than 5 metres. However, there was some parking on grass near the public toilets and someone had left a roller trailer there. There are showers in The Lion pub at Thurne for £2.

Meeting local boat owners was certainly interesting, especially the owner of a "Rover" design of boat. It was wooden, cold moulded hull, 16 feet long and designed by John Westall of 505 fame. You could see the similarity in the two boats. The owner felt there was only 14 ever built and he sailed around the Broads, spending over night stays under its forward cabin. It appeared to sail very well in the light airs of the Broads.

 

For my final night I was moored alongside two Lysander cruisers who used Swallowtail Boats to launch at Ludham. The owners explained that there was a new slip and good parking, all at a very reasonable price

Chichester Harbour

Chichester Harbour is a ideal place for small boat cruising. A number of Drascombe owners based themselves at the Marina and day sailed, over the August Bank Holiday. The Marina is very well equipped and a good price was negotiated for us, arriving on Thursday and departing Tuesday.

As well as good sailing, an excellent number of social gatherings also took place. A full range of weather, from thunderstorms to blue sky was experienced. The sail through the moorings at Itchenor was a little close at times, as was the anchoring space off East Head on a sunny Bank Holiday Monday !

 

 

With the weather not always being sunny, I did find the opportunity to try out the tarp I'd bought. Although various designs of tent are available, non are cheap and many do not let in much light. A transparent tarp from Bradshaws provided a simple solution, that provided more space and didn't darken the cabin.

 

This meeting provided an excellent opportunity to discuss all things "Drascombe". It was clear that nylon rollers were not recommended, as they do not provide any cushioning for the boat, when it is loaded on the trailer. However, with the boat in the water, I raised the front roller by 1/2 inch. This seems to relieve some of the load on the centre roller. It seems to have helped, as it is now possible to push the boat off the trailer, when launching. Previously there had been a need to initially "back winch" the boat when launching.