The sailing thread

[Amarillo]

As a recent topic on the effects of the latest corona virus has morphed into a general reminiscing about sailing, I have started this dedicated sailing thread.

To kick off, here's a sweet video of sailing in Emsworth in the 50s. About an hour long, so be prepared.

 

[ArunAlec]

As a recent topic on the effects of the latest corona virus has morphed into a general reminiscing about sailing, I have started this dedicated sailing thread.

To kick off, here's a sweet video of sailing in Emsworth in the 50s. About an hour long, so be prepared.

It's not change much, just a bit busier.
Love the standard sailing attire, tie and pullover. No wetsuits or buoyancy aid mallarcky!

 

[Hamish S]

The days when wood was not wasted but used to good effect and no fiberglass!!!!

 

[SailSki]

I grew up sailing at nearby Itchenor. The fisherman’s walk at Emsworth was responsible for totally remodeling my wooden Mirror - racing there at high tide when super windy we went straight over the submerged wall at full speed and the centre board was slammed right to the back of the boat, broken mast, ripped main etc.
insurance refused to write it off so after major rebuilding she was back on the water and still super competitive.
I always felt twitchy whenever I was back down the Emsworth end of the harbour after that

 

[Amarillo]

It's not change much, just a bit busier.

There were many more moorings by the 70s. The number has been reduced again now.

Love the standard sailing attire, tie and pullover. No wetsuits or buoyancy aid mallarcky!

Did you spot the pipes being smoked?

 

[Amarillo]

I grew up sailing at nearby Itchenor. The fisherman’s walk at Emsworth was responsible for totally remodeling my wooden Mirror - racing there at high tide when super windy we went straight over the submerged wall at full speed and the centre board was slammed right to the back of the boat, broken mast, ripped main etc.
insurance refused to write it off so after major rebuilding she was back on the water and still super competitive.
I always felt twitchy whenever I was back down the Emsworth end of the harbour after that

1980 was our great saling year.

To a large extent we had idyllic summer holidays sailing and racing through the long holiday and eventually we started to win things. But as we were only there in the holidays we always were outsiders at the sailing club.

In 1979 a new family arrived, also on holiday. No “diy special” boat for them though. Professionally made with all the go-faster gear - and he won stuff, the new kid, fancy that!

When it came to the last big event of the 1979 holidays, the team racing, no one wanted him in their team of three boats (6 people) so we asked him to join the four of us.

Team racing is different to normal racing. In normal racing (Ben Ainslie Sydney Olympic final race tactics aside) each boat goes as fast as they can to the finish line (within the rules). But in team racing you can also use tactics to slow your opponents down and help your teammates. We figured this out. We also figured out the scoring and we told Roland Smith (I remember his name) all you have to do is win each race and we will protect you and make sure neither of us come last.
It worked! It also led to the sight in the finals of one of us escorting Roland to the finish but turning round before us actually finishing, to go back and assist (within the rules). It caused quite a sensation among those who hadn’t got to grips with the tactics.

It remains one of my favourite childhood memories.

1980, and the four of us cleaned up in regattas around the harbour - seniors as well as juniors. Team Crispin first, team Crispin second.

 

[ArunAlec]

There were many more moorings by the 70s. The number has been reduced again now.

Did you spot the pipes being smoked?

Thought I spotted a fag but a pipe would be more in keeping!

 

[ArunAlec]

1980 was our great saling year.

To a large extent we had idyllic summer holidays sailing and racing through the long holiday and eventually we started to win things. But as we were only there in the holidays we always were outsiders at the sailing club.

In 1979 a new family arrived, also on holiday. No “diy special” boat for them though. Professionally made with all the go-faster gear - and he won stuff, the new kid, fancy that!

When it came to the last big event of the 1979 holidays, the team racing, no one wanted him in their team of three boats (6 people) so we asked him to join the four of us.

Team racing is different to normal racing. In normal racing (Ben Ainslie Sydney Olympic final race tactics aside) each boat goes as fast as they can to the finish line (within the rules). But in team racing you can also use tactics to slow your opponents down and help your teammates. We figured this out. We also figured out the scoring and we told Roland Smith (I remember his name) all you have to do is win each race and we will protect you and make sure neither of us come last.
It worked! It also led to the sight in the finals of one of us escorting Roland to the finish but turning round before us actually finishing, to go back and assist (within the rules). It caused quite a sensation among those who hadn’t got to grips with the tactics.

It remains one of my favourite childhood memories.

1980, and the four of us cleaned up in regattas around the harbour - seniors as well as juniors. Team Crispin first, team Crispin second.

Back in the 70s I used to windsurf over the other side at Northney and now occasionally canoe at Emsworth or Bosham.

 

[Borris]

Only been sailing once............ We sunk!

When I was at school in the sixties there was an after school club where members (not me) had built a Mirror Sailing dingy (at least I think that's what is was called). During assembly one summers morn, it was announced that this craft had finally been finished and crew were needed for it's maiden voyage. Looking around the room I was surprised to see only one hand in the air. Clearly it's builders had little confidence in their own handiwork! Anyway, I felt my hand go up and as a result, that evening I found myself making up the crew of three, one school master and two clueless third years. We set sail on a large complex of man made lakes formed after gravel had been extracted. Up until this point the whole adventure had looked quite promising. However, Mr Wyburn hadn't bothered to check the competence of his crew or issue any training before launching. So when he shouted "Lee Ho" or some such nautical command, the other cabin boy and I just looked at each other and shrugged. The result was that said dingy skimmed along on its side wall before going down with all hands.

To his credit Mr W kept his cool whilst his crew were windmilling around in the oggin. With his guidance we did manage to right it and bail out the mud and water but that was the end of my only ever attempt at sailing. Not been that fussed since!

However, Mr W did get slightly ruffled once he discovered he had lost his pipe a baccy.

 

[Amarillo]

Back in the 70s I used to windsurf over the other side at Northney and now occasionally canoe at Emsworth or Bosham.

Now you mention it, I remember that Northney had an early colony of windsurfers.

 

[Erbster]

I love sailing, but this thread seems to conform stereotypes about sailing - the demographic is getting older and older, fewer young people are taking it up. Either I came to it late, or I’m younger than you lot - I never benefited from sailing as a youngster, but in making up for lost time!

CaliVentures

Adventures in a VW California camper van

caliventures364847572.wordpress.com

 

[Amarillo]

I love sailing, but this thread seems to conform stereotypes about sailing - the demographic is getting older and older, fewer young people are taking it up. Either I came to it late, or I’m younger than you lot - I never benefited from sailing as a youngster, but in making up for lost time!

CaliVentures

Adventures in a VW California camper van

caliventures364847572.wordpress.com

It's not the same for kids now. Gone are shorts, tee shirts and bare feet. In are wet suits, life jackets and helmets.

Here's a pic of my nephew (left) in a laser of some type.

 

[ArunAlec]

Now you mention it, I remember that Northney had an early colony of windsurfers.

Those were the days when the bumper stickers read “Hayling is like Hawaii” !

 

[Ch1pbutty]

We used to belong to Brighton Cruising Club (No jokes please and be careful with any Google search!).
They ran a youth club on a Monday night and that's how we all got into canoeing, surfing, rowing, sailing, skateboarding etc. Spent a large part of our youth messing around in the water. The club also arranged RYA Dinghy sailing course for us all at Piddinghoe lake (near Newhaven); Two of the club members manufactured Canoes under the brand 'GAYBO' (again no jokes please, was short for Graham & Bob), which were also tied with Perception.

Sadly it closed in 1994 as most of the seafront has now been developed into restaurants, bars etc...Found a bit of history within the below link:

Brighton Regatta | Brighton Rowing Club Info and History

Brighton Regatta | A potted history of Brighton and Hove Rowing Boat Club and Brighton Cruising Club Rowing section | Some facts about their achievements

brightonregatta.com

 

[ArunAlec]

We used to belong to Brighton Cruising Club (No jokes please and be careful with any Google search!).
They ran a youth club on a Monday night and that's how we all got into canoeing, surfing, rowing, sailing, skateboarding etc. Spent a large part of our youth messing around in the water. The club also arranged RYA Dinghy sailing course for us all at Piddinghoe lake (near Newhaven); Two of the club members manufactured Canoes under the brand 'GAYBO' (again no jokes please, was short for Graham & Bob), which were also tied with Perception.

Sadly it closed in 1994 as most of the seafront has now been developed into restaurants, bars etc...Found a bit of history within the below link:

Brighton Regatta | Brighton Rowing Club Info and History

Brighton Regatta | A potted history of Brighton and Hove Rowing Boat Club and Brighton Cruising Club Rowing section | Some facts about their achievements

brightonregatta.com

Small world, a chap I worked with in Brighton was mates with one of the Gaybo owners. They are still in business, Ive got a Wavesport kayak which they manufacture.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Small world, a chap I worked with in Brighton was mates with one of the Gaybo owners. They are still in business, Ive got a Wavesport kayak which they manufacture.

The Brighton Beach community was great, from the connections made we ended up working University holidays in Ancona, Italy finishing Superyachts for a Falmouth based company (Jacksons Superyacht finishing); It was dirty work, long hours but excellent pay. Also did a bit of work in Plymouth on BT Challenge yachts which wasn't as glamorous as was mid winter in a freezing cold dry dock!

Later in life shipped an America's Cup yacht on the deck of one of our bulk ships ex Japan to Southampton; The Americas cup shore team discharged it straight into the water using ships gear, mast+rudder carefully attached & then towed to Isle of Wight by a Rib to be prepared for the race.

 

[Karlos]

Only been sailing once............ We sunk!

When I was at school in the sixties there was an after school club where members (not me) had built a Mirror Sailing dingy (at least I think that's what is was called). During assembly one summers morn, it was announced that this craft had finally been finished and crew were needed for it's maiden voyage. Looking around the room I was surprised to see only one hand in the air. Clearly it's builders had little confidence in their own handiwork! Anyway, I felt my hand go up and as a result, that evening I found myself making up the crew of three, one school master and two clueless third years. We set sail on a large complex of man made lakes formed after gravel had been extracted. Up until this point the whole adventure had looked quite promising. However, Mr Wyburn hadn't bothered to check the competence of his crew or issue any training before launching. So when he shouted "Lee Ho" or some such nautical command, the other cabin boy and I just looked at each other and shrugged. The result was that said dingy skimmed along on its side wall before going down with all hands.

To his credit Mr W kept his cool whilst his crew were windmilling around in the oggin. With his guidance we did manage to right it and bail out the mud and water but that was the end of my only ever attempt at sailing. Not been that fussed since!

However, Mr W did get slightly ruffled once he discovered he had lost his pipe a baccy.

Mirror Sailing Dinghy takes me back to learning on the Mersey in one trying to get the thing to go in the direction I wanted, happy days shorts T shirt and some life preserver that could have extra polystyrene inserts added if required.

 

[Trebor]

Mirror Sailing Dinghy takes me back to learning on the Mersey in one trying to get the thing to go in the direction I wanted, happy days shorts T shirt and some life preserver that could have extra polystyrene inserts added if required.

Hi Karlos . I started sailing in Mirror no 19 in 1965 on a reservoir in the Pennines . Was said to be the Boat Show Mirror in dark mahogany ply . After that 3651 . Slightly bigger boats these days .

 

[stephen watson]

I used to do a lot of sailing in a Wayfarer when younger. Seriously impressed by these 2 guys who circumvated UK in 18 days in a 60 year old Wayfarer last year.