Bosham boat revival is another classic

Saturday saw an active front swept along the south coast, bringing autumnal heavy rain and unpleasant, blustery strong winds. Sunday dawned to a near perfect morning, clear, bright and fresh which saw the thermometer climbing sharply to almost unseasonable highs, with the light to moderate breezes just enough to provide welcome cooling.

In this, the sixth year of the Classic Boat Revival, the status of the event as the UK’s premier classic dinghy event is clearly established.

Sadly, the forecast and a fixture clash on the east coast saw numbers slightly down from last year, but it was a case of ‘quality not quantity’.

As the boats prepared to go afloat on Saturday morning, event organiser Andrew Young and primary race officer Nick Fox could be seen trawling through weather forecasts that indicated that the wind and rain would arrive at 10am, but by early afternoon would be clearing the area to leave more kindly conditions.

The fleet were kept ashore for an extra two hours before setting out. The wind had started to ease, but early on this improvement was only marginal, with conditions such that even the heavyweight Yachting World Dayboats and Devon Yawls were seen to be enjoying some rare moments of planing.

Many sailors found themselves in, rather than on, the water. After completing two out of the scheduled three races, some tired sailors returned to the club for hot food and soothing jazz.

In contrast, Sunday was the sort of day only this most picturesque part of West Sussex can deliver. The sun shone, the skies were blue and the gentle breeze built through the day to give champagne sailing.

Slick race management by the team from Bosham SC saw races run smoothly and without delay, allowing the lost heats from the previous day to be run. Little wonder competitors were heard talking about the day being ‘one of the best that they could remember’. After a full day afloat it was back to the clubhouse on Bosham Quay for afternoon tea.

Proceedings were brought to a finale with a well-attended prizegiving in the afternoon sunshine. With sponsorship from Chichester surveyors and estate agents Stride & Son, Haines Boatyard and Pussers Rum, Bosham SC’s Classic Boat Revival has become the showcase for not only the best of beautiful boats but for the charm and hospitality of the Bosham peninsular.

Results- Slow: 1 John & Charlotte Fildes, in Aldburgh Lapwing 18, Kingfisher, Aldburgh SC; 2 Peter Shaw, in Tideway 220, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Bosham SC; 3 Howard Mackenzie Wilson, Uffa & Ralph Wilson, in a Kittywake 14, Firebrand, Bosham SC. Medium: 1 Ben Davis & Charlie Taverner, in Devon Yawl 168, West Wind, Bosham SC; 2 Will king & Rich Kershaw, in Devon Yawl 53, Foudre Bleu, Bosham SC; 3 Will & Mandi Henderson, in Firefly 2319, Gigi, Itchenor SC.

Fast: 1 Richard & Mags Watney and Paddy Mirrams, in Classic National 18 225, Finola 2, Bosham SC; 2 Brian Hoolahan, Tim Reynolds & Michael Scott, in Classic National 18 368, Theorette, Bosham SC; 3 Matthew Gray, George Storton & Kit Chapple, in Classic National 18 316, Ocatillo, Bosham SC.

DAVID HENSHALL

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