The Maldon Regatta

No wind for most of the morning. We thought we were quite near the start line when the gun went - then it took 40 minutes to get past it!

Thanks to Robin for this photo!

The course was shortened after an hour since no one was going anywhere, and we just headed for the finish line by the shortest route. We crossed the line at Osea Island at 1238; a motor boat came racing over and threw us a gift pack of Maldon Salt!

We dropped the anchor for lunch in the middle of a crowd of other gaffers.

The Parade of Sail "Race" started at 1435, and there was still so little wind that everyone just drifted up river together, Robinetta right in the middle of the pack. Julian tried poling out the jib with the whisker pole, but it ended up falling into the water. Much to my own surprise I just put the helm over and went straight back to it. One of the great things about Robinetta is how easy it is to pick things up from the water.

The wind picked up a little after that, and for a brief moment Robinetta actually sailed past other boats! They soon overtook her again, but it felt like a proper race as we rounded Hilly Pool Point.

We kept all our sails up as we entered Maldon, even the top sail, only lowering them after we turned back down river having nearly reached Fullbridge.

We had not booked a berth, and ended up docking against a fixed pier. There was supposed to be a mud berth there (which used to belong to Sea Eagle), but as the tide went out it became painfully obvious that we did not fit in it. Robinetta leaned horribly, coming to rest with her shrouds against the pier. Going to bed at an angle was an interesting experience.