A report on the Maldon regatta 2021 an off-cuff story of events with Greensleeves, and sailing with a parson!

I cast off on my own at 4pm Friday 24th Sept from Battlesbridge taking the ebb down to
north Fambridge just under large jib. It was a beautiful warm afternoon. On mooring up I
decided that my 19’ memory’ Greensleeves was my forever boat. I could have turned until
morning, but had two appoints next morning. One in a hay barn and then in our 900-year-
old church!

Saturday 23rd I drove down to Fambridge many queues for petrol at all the garages. Nick the
crew arrives with monster baggage for the long weekend. Full main and jib, a very relaxed
sail, down the river crouch cutting across the buxley sands. We only draw 1’18” and
motored into west Mersey. I have an unusual morning there! The company shed my
favourite fish restaurant was closed but I can recommend the victory, we turned in at 9pm.
Cast off at 6.30am in ‘pea soup’ asked a charter fishing boat at anchor where’s the channel
out ‘sir’ keep going in the direction you are pointing!! I made out a keel boat and moored up
on the next mooring stern first. Pointing down the fairway, the fog cleared. We tried in vain
to set the topsail with a new jack yard to no avail.

We made a reasonable start, water sail out within 5 mins plate up for the long run out of the
blackwater our usual tactile follow, Jamie Clay I have never known him to put a foot wrong
over many years. I then set the 2oz balloon jib we made the 2nd mark unfortunately many
others failed. The wind was extremely light almost non existent at the time. Off Bradwell the
wind went we spent ½ hour trying to round the 2nd last mark even trying to row with our
long boat hook. Fanny of Cowes was at least 1.5 miles in front we were the only 2 boats still
racing. With great sadness we motored up river past Osey island where the second race had
started over an hour earlier. Still hardly any wind. We motored round the whole fleet. Set
our sail just round the second from last bend, put a tack in crossed the finish line to a great
cheer and got the gun. We were considered the only lone boat to finish, it was great fun, we
were presented at the prize giving with a cup I think it was for persistence. The free bar and
social was also very enjoyable, we made our way to the queens head the food and company
was also very enjoyable and when graham got his violin out to accompany the regatta coral
society. The land lord intervened quite loudly ‘stop all the enjoyment, we have no licence
for this’, so we all made our way back to the boat. The crew and I took a wrong turning but
retracing our course found little Greensleeves after a considerable time at least an hour and
a quarter! We took the EBB out, the navigation buoys out are essential to follow and quite
clear. The dawn broke fishing with just the jib up trawling for bass. Unbeknown to us
another small gaffer came from behind just to say good morning! Promptly got hooked on
my best lure, the line snapped we waved each other good bye. We sailed back following the
sea wall for 6 miles in light wind and watched a wonderful air display over head by a
lightening jet (Southminster air show). Had very heavy wind of 6 + a more in the gust as weentered the crouch! Motor sailed with just a full main slightly eased.

We actually made our mooring alongside the hazel may 72 Dutch barge against a very strong ebb.
It was a wonderful 3 days sailing especially after the lock down and racing and meeting
many old palls some over 40 years of sailing against each other and a big thank you to the
Maldon town regatta committee for there faithful organisation. My father unfortunately
died in 1961 who passed on many sports to me but said, son there’s only two things you
must never do. One is to never marry a Swiss lady and two - if you ever own a boat do not go
anywhere near Maldon!

Good gaff sailing to you all
PS. Of course my old crew of hundreds of miles was well known east coast character, Nick
Parsons.

Roy Hart