On a blustery evening in early May we anchored Oystercatcher, our Crabber 26, up at the head of Newton Creek next to a pair of gaffers – Molly of Mylor and Polly. We were soon invited aboard Molly by Charles and Niki Erb and talked turned to all things sailing and how much fun it is sailing with like-minded folks. Charles, Niki and Brian sang the praises of the OGA and, after a wet ride back to our boat, the first thing I did was to join the OGA and sign up for the Yarmouth Regatta.

A few weeks later I was crawling my way tight inshore in the western Solent working against a strong breeze, foul tide and Solent chop regretting not starting early enough or sailing fast enough to get into Yarmouth sooner. As it became clear that I wasn’t making enough progress to get to Yarmouth for the Regatta BBQ I abandoned the Passage Race and started what I would find at the OGA regatta. What would the people be like and how would my modern gaffer be regarded?

Coming into Yarmouth the dressed Gaffers couldn’t be missed and the warmth of the welcome on the pontoon was immediate and sincere. I felt right at home. Great people, boats big and small, old and new and a common love of sailing traditionally rigged boats.

The wind over the weekend meant that many of the gaffers decided not to race but it just meant more time to meet people, explore Yarmouth, the enjoy the OGA social events and the Yarmouth Sea Songs and Shanties Festival. The hospitality and hard work of the OGA team, the support of both the Royal Solent Yacht Club and the Yarmouth Sailing Club and the buzz and singing from the shanty festival meant that we had an amazing time.

In the bar after the last race, between conversations about the upcoming OGA rally to St Malo and the perils of diesel bug I found myself saying “I feel like I’ve been offered a Golden Ticket to join a fantastically friendly group of likeminded sailors”. As I write this a week later, I’m still thinking about what a fun time we had and what a friendly, welcoming and enthusiastic group the OGA members are.

A huge thank you for the welcome and if you sail, or want to sail, a gaff-rigged boat then I’d unreservedly recommend joining the OGA. I’ll hope to be on the pontoon when you join to take your lines and share the enthusiasm for gaffers.

Hugh Clayton
Oystercatcher of Chichester