Maldon Regatta

Headed up to West Mersea on Friday evening, to go to a pre-regatta meal in the West Mersea Yacht Club. It was organised by one of the Maldon regatta committee, rather than the gaffers, which made a interesting change. Nice meal, nice people. There were some gaffers in the bar, and we had a chat to them too before heading out to Robinetta. It was low water, but there was still water at the pontoon. The Maldon regatta is often at extreme springs, but was at the tail end of them this weekend.

We cast off the mooring at 0845, after Julian had a good go scrubbing off Robinetta's weed with the broom from Worm. The forecast was bright sun shine, and no wind, and they were right about the sun, but there was wind, a rather cold North Easterly.

We passed Emma Hamilton with Sue and Howard aboard in the Thornfleet, and asked her to take Worm to Maldon for us. We had her with us in case Suman Rei, a friend of Julian's, wanted to come sailing with us on Sunday and needed picking up.

There were about 70 boats at the start, and a lovely sight they made!

I messed up our start, hanging too far back and not getting the jib out soon enough, so we crossed the start line last boat but one. The one behind was Swallowtail, Kit told me later they'd decided to do the same as us since I'd been starting well lately.... They soon passed us, and came third in the class.

We did manage to pass two boats, and nearly caught Moonstone by the outermost mark, but the wind was dying and soon we began to drift rather than drive up river with the tide. At least we had rounded the marks first!

We had not even reached Thirslet by 1430, the end of the race, and Advent the Committee boat was talking about starting the Parade of Sail early in view of conditions, so we put the motor on and headed for Osea. We got there at 1520, and turned the motor off. The wind was picking up a little, enough to give us steerage way, but we're had enough of finishing last, so decided not to wait for the Parade of Sail to start officially. We told Advent what we were doing, and headed for Maldon, 15 minutes before the Smack Race started.

We had a great sail sail up to Maldon, watching the boats passing by, and being hailed by various friends. The commentator got our name right as we sailed past the Hythe, then it was down with the sails in a very busy channel, and into our pre-booked mud-berth at the chandlers. I tidied up while Julian went to get Worm and meet up with Suman. She had a look at Robinetta, and liked her, but decided not to sail tomorrow, since the forecast was rather miserable.

We had the normal great time at the Sail Locker and in the Little Ship's club, then headed back to Robinetta. Unfortunately she had settled badly into the berth, and we had to sleep on a slope. Such is life in a borrowed berth!