Ten Footers! A Slow Start to 2026 & a Sail to Oostende

5^th February

Much of last year and the winter has been a struggle.  To keep it simple … I need to put it behind me.

Today was a good day.  Despite it being cold and raining all day, ‘Talisker 1’ was immaculately hauled out of the water and laid up by James, Oliver and John at Suffolk Yacht Harbour.  They make a very difficult job look easy.  The guys are always cheerful too.

I have acquired two contrasting Orford Dabchick Ten Footers.  ‘Nellie’ was built in 1949.  By contrast ‘Nikki’, was built by Brian Upson at Aldeburgh circa 2005.  She is the only Ten Footer not built by Robertsons of Woodbridge.  I named her ‘Nikki’ in honour of the builder’s family!  Nikki is Brian’s wifes.

I have absolutely no idea why I bought either of the boats.  I was appalled by the state of ‘Nellie’ and could not believe there was such a contrasting Ten Footer, ‘Nikki’, built this century.  Brian had barely sailed her and she is pristine.  Romance for these boats took over from any remaining good judgement I might have had.

The Orford Dabchick Ten Footer was a unique class to Orford Sailing Club and they are still sailed by elders who sailed them at Orford when they were children.  Thankfully they now interest the younger Orford Sailors too.  My friend Miranda having bought ‘Dolphin’ from me last year.  With another recently restored Ten Footer, ‘Clythie’, the fleet should number double figures again for the first time in many years.

So what to do with ‘Nellie’?  Brian said she was firewood!  Retired Super Yacht Captain, Fisherman and Boat Builder, Peter Benstead, said he would work on her.  I was in Peter’s hands.  I was allowed to help, and Matt Smy worked on her too.

The end result was a miracle of master boat building and she is ready for the next 72 years!

 

31^st June

‘Talisker 1’ was relaunched by James and the gang on the 22^nd April and we did not leave Suffolk Yacht Harbour until yesterday morning.

I am writing this in Ramsgate Marina having spent last night at anchor tucked in behind Mersey Stone Point in the River Colne.

Yesterday morning we sailed for the first time this year.

The recommission of my ship this year has taken time and I have a change of home port.  I am again a full time berth holder in Suffolk Yacht Harbour.  I will miss my mooring at Orford and in particular the reassuring sight of Doc and ‘Tuesday of Ore’ on the next mooring.   James Robinson is also back in the river in a new boat.  A Westerly Griffon!  Orford are lucky to have a very good Harbour Master in Matt Smy.  There is much to thank him for.

However, the team at Suffolk Yacht Harbour are looking after me n ‘Talisker 1’ very well indeed.  There are some very good people here in the front line jobs.

With a busy time at home, I’ve been doing some much needed cosmetic work.  I’ve always put the business side of the boat first but battered and bruised since 2014 ‘Talisker 1’ deserves to be smarter.  My chum, Andy Bennett, polished the top sides having missed a couple of years.  The result … amazing.

 

What took Andy a day would have taken me three days and it would not have been nearly so good.  After relaunch I laboriously removed the ghastly 1991 brittle and flaking decal from the coach roof sides.  I thought it would be a matter of replacing the decal but … the fibre glass underneath has not seen the light of day since 1991.  For the time being I’m not replacing it.  And I’ve repainted the deck.  I did not think International Interdeck would discontinue a colour … but they have.  So although the deck is repainted ‘Talisker 1’ now has a deck paint identity crisis. Half blue and half grey.

Rob and the team at Kemp have beautifully serviced my sails.

And two very contrasting sailing days as satisfying as each other.  A sail from the Orwell in very light airs and against a foul tide to the Colne which started with 23 tacks just to leave the Orwell under full main and stay sail.  I marvel at her light air performance.

Today we took the flood to Ramsgate in strengthening westerly winds.  We weighed anchor at 0400 and arrived at Ramsgate just after 0900.  ‘Talisker 1’ was in her element and she literally … charged.

Engine hours yesterday 0.9 and today 1.3.

It’s lovely to be back at sea with my ship.  In a world I understand!  I’m thinking of Oostende tomorrow and a catch up with chums.  I’ve not been for two years and bar covid I had always sailed to Oostende at least once every year and often several times a year.

My gorgeous Sally has sent me off for a month. 

1^st June

Arrived at the Royal North Sea Yacht Club, Oostende.  Pieter very kindly came down to the basin to take my lines.  I have not been here for two years and it was terrific to see my old friend.

I’ll admit to bricking it yesterday morning before departure for the sail from the Colne to Ramsgate.  How many times have I crossed the Thames Estuary?

This morning I woke up in Ramsgate and felt sick.  It would have been so easy to allow the marina lethargy feelings to prevail.  Safety tied up!  Again … How many times have I sailed UK to Belgium or France?  The pre departure nerves reaching new undiscovered peaks.  Of course, the moment one is underway comfort returns.  I’m in a world I understand!  I crave the solitude of the deep ocean with no land and traffic perhaps every five days.  The concentration required in these shallow waters is essential.

We sailed all the way to Belgium in steadily increasing south westerlies.  Gusts were briefly approaching 30 knots halfway.  The wind veered westerly and decreased in the final 10 nautical miles.  I’ve never seen so many work boats arriving in Oostende harbour and a few were still departing.  Bees and a hive came to mind.  Pieter very kindly came down to the basin to take our lines.

Engine hours today 2.  And that was mostly getting away from Ramsgate.  My ship is working well.  It is lovely to be here.