Swale Match

On Saturday Bonita took part in this year's Swale Match - the 44th year it has been held. We always enjoy the Match as it is the only event where gaffers, Thames barges and assorted other old boats race over the same course. This combination adds interest and excitement, especially when tacking alongside the bigger boats in a confined channel. Bonita rarely does very well in this race unless we have strong winds. 

Today we had a fine bright day with a force 3-4 SW, and Allan, Alice and Sarah as crew. Alice steered for the downwind leg when she overtook several boats, though some of these later passed us on the windward stretches. There was some uncertainty aboard about the exact course and we might have gone the wrong side of one of the buoys as a result. However this would not have significantly affected the outcome and sadly we won no prizes. We did however have a good sail and a fine day so many thanks to the Kentish Sail Association for their excellent organisation of the event.

The prize-giving as usual was a convivial affair at the Shipwrights Arms in Hollowshore. We met up with some old friends including Simon and Sharon who have just returned from sailing round  the west coast of Ireland in Cygnet, a lovely 1906 yawl.

2015 Swale Race

Alice on the race

Saturday 8 August, the day of the Swale race, began with dense fog and complete calm, but by the time of the start the fog had burned away and we had a light NE breeze. As always the race was a fine spectacle with lots of gaffers old and new, sailing barges,  assorted old motor boats and bermudian yachts. Our crew on Bonita consisted of Dave Patuck (now fully recovered from last year's Dutch trip) Allan and Alice. Although we had a fine day Bonita's performance was sadly not at her best. I attributed this to unwise use of cheap antifouling rather than any lack of skill or concentration among the crew. The first picture shows Alice with one of the few boats we overtook in the background.

Geoff Jones and his prizewinning crew

The evening prizegiving in the Shipwrights Arms was a very jolly affair as always and it was nice to catch up with some old friends. Geoff Jones on Calismarde got the cup and pennant for the first classic Bermudian yacht. The picture shows Geoff together with his skilled crew and admirers and their prized pennant.

We are now heading off down Channel...