Solent OGA’s biggest annual event took place between 30 May and 2 June. Quite a few of our regulars couldn’t make it this year; through illness, boat problems or being elsewhere, but we still had some 56 boats attending.  If absent regulars would like to buy a Yarmouth pennant to keep their collection complete, we have a few spares – please get in touch. Wind and rain on the Thursday made it a hard and wet passage for those coming from the East. On Friday evening, Gaffers enjoyed music from JC and the Dance Preachers after their meal, and on Saturday evening we had the unexpected treat of hearing Hughie Jones (of Spinners fame) who had been performing at the concurrent and excellent shoreside Festival of Sea Songs and Shanties. A gaffer’s whip round raised £75.50 for the festival charity, the National Coast watch Institute.

Friday’s Dutch gaffel race was won by David Pennison in Golant Gaffer “Satellite” and the Saturday main race/drift was won by Miles and Emily Atherton in “Mouse”; their (very!) newly rigged Oysterman 16. Lack of wind made it a day for the smaller boats and only two managed to cross the start line against the tide! The passage race was won by Jeremy Retford in “Margherita”, with a fast beam reach from Poole, instead of the usual miserable wet and bouncy beat.  He also won the Concours. 

Full results are in the table below.