The annual trip to Cowes to race onboard Z75 ‘zilch’ a Victory class one design comes around very quickly, always applying pressure to get sails ready, so I can close Suffolk Sails for a week of top racing. Cowes week has shrunk significantly since my first week where over 1000 yachts took part; however, [...]
As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on what has been another eventful 2024 – a year marked by a mix of economic challenges, inspiring customer stories, and unforgettable moments spent sailing with family. First, I must mention the team sailing on the yacht Ngaire, a local East Coast Nicholson 32 [...]
As we get into our stride with winter servicing of sails and covers and manufacturing new sails ready for the 2024 season, a brief post of some of the sailing / events I got to in 2023. Last season saw a different style of sailing for me, mostly time in a small boat sailing / [...]
"Sumer is icumen in" is the incipit (gosh straight off with complicated words, anyone know a lawyer / solicitor / english teacher?) of a medieval English round or rota of the mid-13th century; it is also known variously as the Summer Canon and the Cuckoo Song. This rota is the oldest known musical composition [...]
The Methersgate Race One definition of Mether is a drinking-vessel of Celtic origin used in Ireland to drink mead, an alcoholic beverage made of honey, water and yeast. An excuse for some Irish Rover! Early examples found in bogs are four sided wooden cups with three or four handles elongated at the end, so [...]
Race 4 Early summer series The sun has started to shine, the heat is building, the wind...yes well the wind is still from the North, but nevermind that right now we are off to FFSC for Race 4 of the early summer series. A 10-15knot NE (yes really!), a flood tide (HW approx 2040hrs?). [...]
Did you know that Australia has 66 different venomous species, that's fewer than Brazil (79) or Mexico (80!). However like the Aussie cricket team they pack a punch, proudly packing more deadly venom than any other nation, one thing Australia doesn't have are Tigers, the planets biggest cat. Panthera tigris can weigh up to [...]
Race 1 & 2 Early Summer. The above quote is from Horatio Nelson, arguably Britains greatest sailor. "Time is everything; five minutes make the difference between victory and defeat" is another gem from the great man. These two quotes are perfect for sail boat racing. Time is EVERYTHING, time to get ready, time to [...]
I've been sailing at Felixstowe ferry for more than a decade or two now. Nothing changes, the same boats, the same faces, a little older, a little wiser. On the Felixstowe side, the clubhouse, Boatyard and other buildings; and on the Bawdsey side, the houses, trees of Bawdsey Manor create a unique start area, [...]
After a weekend enjoying Coronation Beer (i was one of the 'lucky' ones invited to attend the coronation at Westminster Abbey) and with friends enjoying a stag party in London town, i found myself wondering if i could make it back to the Boisdale in a fortnight to watch Kid Creole and the Coconuts; [...]
