I wasn’t to know it at the beginning of the season, this was the year where things became more challenging, and I damn-near lost the boat. Looking back, I hadn’t realised it was coming (or failed to recognise it) – and it was tougher than I was willing to acknowledge at the time.
Despite many grumbles, numerous letters, indignant P.C. members & a planning visit where again, we were told ‘no, very naughty, NEVER AGAIN, etc, etc’. ‘Corsair’ & her pals wintered ashore, adj. to that friendly pub…
By spring though, we were resigned that we’d pushed our luck as far as it’d go, we dispersed to our moorings in the spring, beaten by the pen-pushers of this world. Still, it was good whilst it lasted, put primer on the boat, have a pint, wait for primer to dry, have another pint… etc.
Right at the beginning of the season, I was made redundant. Not integral to the history of ‘Corsair’, but useful context for justifying alot of what follows this year. Essentially, our season was then savagely curtailed, and even the most basic task was beyond my pocket. Taking to working part-time, I tried my hand at repairing boats, something which I’d become semi-proficient at over the past 5 years. One of my first tasks was to sand & re-varnish a large (32ft) Broads yacht.
It’ll be a post for another time, but Somerleyton is a beautiful place to spend time in, with the ghosts of industry nestled around the boatyard & village. You’ll find the remains of brick kilns, sand pits & if you walk far enough, you’ll find out this was the birthplace of the modern hovercraft (yes, really).
The brick works were VERY established, most of London Liverpool Street station is made from Somerleyton, and at the top of the path to the boatyard, you’ll see 22 terraced cottages, all built from Somerleyton reds (originally workers accomodation).
‘Corsair’ found herself rather ignominiously tucked on her mooring at Brundall, only being used for the occasional day sail for much of the season. Looking back, I suspect this was to do with the fact I’d deferred on paying my Broads toll (!) something I can’t recommend at all, genuinely it was only because I was skint.
It’s quite embarassing to admit now, one of my first jobs on ‘Corsair’ after she was launched, was to refurbish her mast. This was being used not only as a spar, but also a ridge-pole for the winter cover. And if I’m honest there was barely a scrap of varnish left on it! Truth be told, it’d suffered (and would cause me many issues later), at the time I recall buying some Cuprinol wood-stain (B&Q’s finest!) – and using this liberally I managed to conceal alot of the stained wood, enough to make it look deceivingly servicable.
Although I did manage a short cruise in August, to attend a job interview, the 2013 season was mostly forgettable. We simply didn’t use ‘Corsair’, although in June, we did manage to host a water-borne treasure hunt for the sailing club – which was hilarious! Imagine a dozen boats, all buzzing up/down the river for an afternoon trying to find all the clues & solve all the puzzles. Great fun!
Our cruise north, took us to West Somerton – then up the Bure to Wroxham. The central focus of the ‘holiday’ being that I had a job interview with a local charity. In retrospect, I’m not necessarily sure it was the best move to bring a (if I’m kind) ‘shabby chic’ Broads yacht to an interview where your principle responsibility is to restore/preserve historic vessels! Heyho, you live & learn.
Highlights from our cruise included seeing our eldest sister ‘Clipper 1’ – who had returned to hire (she’s still available for hire, from Martham Boats https://www.marthamboats.com/hire/yachts/24-clipper)
It’s always interesting to see ‘Corsair’ next to one of her sisters, you can clearly see the differences in construction. I would never say ‘Corsair’ is boxy… but without her bowsprit & larger rig, I definitely think the other ‘Clipper’s’ were more sleek. Our visit to Salhouse broad did allow me to take a break, sit back & admire ‘Corsair’ on her mudweight. Despite what I’ve written above, she was my favourite Broads yacht.
We found a neat ‘work around’ for the mooring fees at Salhouse – at that time there wasn’t a fee to mudweight, so we put ‘Corsair’ as close as we could to the beach & walked ashore! Also, we noted that when at Ranworth, there was a newly installed sign, declaring ‘NO CAMPING’ … Fame for our misdemeanours last year. (even now, I still smile when I see that sign).
Returning from our cruise, it was hard not to be disheartened at being unsuccessful at interview. The reality was, I was running out of time & money – and would ultimately need to get a ‘proper job’, working on boats kept me happy, but certainly didn’t pay my rent. It certainly didn’t allow me to look after the boat properly.
Our 2023 season may not have been our best, but it certainly ended in the most memorable way! But that’s for next time…
A Broadsman 