Sailing – Page 5 – A Broadsman

Rigging & 1st sail

The first week afloat – it was odd to be honest. I drove multiple times to Oby, just to check on everything. Nervous and excited, I got to grips with ensuring that the bilges were pumped, and that ‘Corsair’ lay on her mooring well.

Oby was (is) a DIY affair, it’s a reed bank, with a selection of rickety platforms or moorings posts for you to choose from. My mooring had some posts – but no platform. It’s amazing how confident you could get, striding into the reeds before taking that final leap from the squidge onto the side-deck! Hesitation was futile, and often damp up to about the knee.

Another bonus, was its location meant I was in prime sailing territory, on the river Bure about 1 1/2 miles from the confluence with the Thurne. I could literally pick any of the four compass points, and sail in that direction.

But yes – rigging. Approximately 400ft of cordage, and steel wires, and blocks, all there for me to make sense of. Sticking to a principle installed by Don Street and his ‘Iolaire’, I kept things simple. Gear should be easy to use, straightforward to repair and reliable!

I know that ‘Corsair’ is a Broads Yacht, and it’s an almighty leap to compare her to ‘Iolaire’ an ocean-going cruiser. Bear with me. Any boat is only as good as her crew and her rig/gear. Keep it simple. You’ll have enough on your plate with everything else that goes wrong when sailing. I do occasionally sail properly (at sea), so I hope I’ve some good advice in my head.

One thing I am forever grateful for, is that the halyards are different colours. Being able to shout ‘Pull the blue one’, to the foredeck in times of crisis is not to be sniffed at…

‘Corsair’ had in fact two rigs. One dated from 1961, and was a snug Gunter rig. The other, was purchased by Joe in 1988 from a much larger River Cruiser – a class known as ‘Sabrina’s’. Crucial differences were about 5ft LOA, wider beam and draft (to the advantage of Sabrina). Of course, being 21 and invincible, the choice I made was inevitable!!

Corsair – Wroxham Broad (1960’s)
Corsair – river Yare (1990’s)

Rigged, with sails bent on – the first sail was to commence. Aboard were my Mother, and my girlfriend. What a learning curve! (in so many ways) – we sailed upto Womack Water, downhill on the way, but tacking home.

First impressions… Powerful, and responsive… But oh she heeled, she heeled! ‘Grace’ my previous boat was very firm bilged and stiff, so had very different stability characteristics. ‘Corsair’ will heel readily until the toe-rail kisses the water, it takes you being very stupid to go further… which I would in time!

Overall, it was a tremendous amount to absorb. ‘Corsair’ carries her way for about a fortnight, draws 3ft 8″ compared to 2ft 6″, and is much more likely to be tide-rode than blown sideways when mooring. VERY different from a 20ft halfdecker.

Most memorable about the first sail. Difficult to choose from, but I’d say being chased by the River Inspector – complete with blue light for non-payment of river toll. That’s the memory that’s stood the test of time!

It is bewitching to sail ‘Corsair’ – she sails like a little big boat. It’s an odd way of putting it, but it makes sense I promise. Makes me smile everytime.

The rudder however was odd, very odd. It just had a neutral sensation, and didn’t really feel like it gripped. Control felt ‘marginal’ at times. I made a note to address this that winter.

During those first few weeks sailing, I learnt a lot. Fast. Some good, some bad. I only had to be rescued from a reedbank once thankfully, but the rescue cost me precious funds (£20) which I didn’t have to spare.

However, you will learn fast when you mostly sail single-handed, and without an engine. For good reason. One, I believe if you can make a boat sail, and mooring, manoeuvring, etc without an engine – you’ll be in good stead when the engine won’t start.

Secondly, when carrying the Outboard my mooring was a chest bursting, face reddening, knee buckling 10 minute walk from the carpark (field) at Oby. Sod that!

Next time, we plan a good old-fashioned sailing holiday. What could possibly go wrong.

Getting started, a big learning curve…

So. 21 & a wooden boat owner. That was… interesting. Most of my friends were perplexed when I started dropping out of the usual Friday or Saturday night pub trips… instead I would mutter about ‘the yard’ or somesuch before disappearing off.

Work colleagues soon grew used to seeing my finger nails sporting either primer, varnish or remnants of gloss paint – almost all of them by this point were fed up listening to me talking about the boat!

The only photographs I had of ‘Corsair’ complete and in commission were from the 1990’s;

My finances dictacted most of what I could do at this stage. Jobs were strictly completed on an absolutely essential basis. The gas stove remained unconnected, as did the cabin lights.

The bilge pump was wired in, using a defunct battery from my Father’s car, the sum total of my electrical systems until 2018.

I was lucky, very lucky in that J&J had spent the money on ‘Corsair’ throughout their ownership. I could see that she had been comprehensively looked after, which made my life easier in that first fit-out. They generously passed over everything associated with ‘Corsair’, warps, rigging, sails, covers, mattresses, cabin curtains. I think I only put aboard fenders and some crockery. Apart of course from a Tilley Lamp & Primus. No electricity or gas you see…

At this point in my ownership, I knew very little of her history – except that she had been owned by Jamie Campbell’s father. Who I wrote to, asking about the boat. His reply was fascinating.

I learnt that ‘Corsair’ was built by Chumley & Hawke in Horning, 1951. She was one of a class of 6, being named ‘Clipper VI’. He provided some early photographs which gave me an exceptional opportunity.

My favourites date from 1961, showing her freshly purchased and made ‘yachty’ for the Campbell family. I like to think that they were as thrilled with her as I, although I suspect they were more sensible.

Corsair – Wroxham, 1961; Landamore’s slip.

I think it was April, when she was ready for launch. Keeping this quite secret – I’d booked the day off, and headed upto Thurne. Apprehensively, I stood back and watched as the strops were placed, she was hoiked onto a trailer and began the 1/4 mile journey to the river.

You’ll note the unusual rudder. More of that later…

At this stage, I hadn’t yet fitted the canvas ‘bellows’ around the roof, so it couldn’t be raised. I spent the first night aboard, roof lowered, awning off, listening for the bilge pump. If you’re interested this is the most uncomfortable way you can stay on a Broads yacht. A fact affirmed to me by my girlfriend at the time. She adamantly stated that I needed to resolve the lack of canvas bellows. One green, antique Scout Tent duly butchered, we had bellows, which smelt gorgeous being actual canvas.

(n.b. I fitted this canvas myself, with ferrous grip-fast nails… into the MAHOGANY CABIN SIDES… I inwardly cringe now when I look back)

The next day, we motored slowly to my mooring at Oby Dyke. What little I did know, you had to wait for a wooden boat to ‘take up’ before sailing her. So the first sail would wait.

But yes! Here she was! My very own river cruiser, afloat!! Looking lovely. (Invoices mostly paid, or rather most invoices paid).

Next, we (I) learn to sail a River Cruiser, and I explore more of her early history.

The beginning – purchase & realisation.

Approximately a week after I had spoken with Joe & Julia at Somerleyton, I was on my way to meet at their house. A telephone conversation, and some email traffic had resulted in my knowing certain particulars about the boat.

One, she was a wooden Broads River Cruiser, sail number 64.

Two, Joe & Julia had owned her about 20 years, but had purchased another larger River Cruiser, hence the sale.

Three. I had been expressly forbidden by my parents, and close friends to buy a larger, wooden boat.

So. One grey morning, I duly arrived at J&J’s house. ‘Come in, Come in’ was bellowed from the end of a tiled corridor. Duly, as I went in – I was passed by Julia who waved and disappeared to the Co-Op. This was my first meeting of Joe (referred to as Old Joe, to avoid confusion). Briefly we discussed the situation, my lack of money and dry cabin… Before setting out to a nearby boatyard.

Above is one of the first photographs I have of ‘Corsair’. I remember now, how surreal the day felt. Old Joe’s deft driving, chain smoking and friendly chatter meant we arrived at the boatyard before the situation had sunk in.

I was stood, looking at a beautiful, large wooden boat. And I was talking as if I could buy it. What was I doing? How could I pay?! All these thoughts were absent as I stood there, peering under her tarpaulin.

Struck by how spell-bound I was, I must admit I took a cursory look, before saying to Joe ‘she’s perfect’. At which point it was agreed we’d talk business.

Days later, having agreed the terms. I found myself sneaking back – to have a look more thoroughly. I had a River Cruiser. She was PERFECT! A sweet shear, a cabin, two bunks. A cabin. Reasonable size, pretty chrome trim, a gaff rig, a cabin (have I mentioned this).

In all honesty – I never thought I would own a yacht like this. She was (is) a beauty. Twice I just appeared, and stood there on deck or next to her. Just absorbing everything.

Bewitched by thoughts of nights afloat, sailing adventures and the like – I broke the news to friends and family. Some were more enthusiastic than others. Unfortunately a staunch friendship was tremendously damaged by the purchase of ‘Corsair’ – something which took many years to rectify.

Meanwhile, I was then faced with the prospect of making this yacht work, she had to be commissioned. My half-decker ‘Grace’ had to be sold. Many things overlooked suddenly came to light.

But. I had a river cruiser. A thought which occupied my mind as a smile played on my lips.

After about 4 months, ‘Grace’ moved onto new owners – I was incredibly sad at her departure. However, it was very apparent that Joe, Julia & myself were to become staunch friends. We started sailing on their boat, whilst I rummaged through sheds to find awnings, covers, sails, ropes, shackles, outboard motors… I was hooked.

My abiding memory of this time was the first attempts to make ‘Corsair’ take up. I rigged up a series of hosepipes to the yard standpipe, and got busy. Down in the forepeak. 3 years ashore hadn’t been kind, and every seam gaped.

I knew nothing, I know that now – but ignorance is bliss. I just watched as the water poured STRAIGHT out from underneath the hull, as I pottered about screwing things into the cabin, or deciding which locker would hold the ropes, etc. In truth, it was so bad that I kept a 1/2 oil drum underneath the boat. About every 20 minutes, I could pick this up and empty the collected water back into the boat!!

Still – I had done the most important thing I could think of…

Introduction

Hello. I wanted to write. Anonymously if possible. Odd being a private person, and wanting to write publicly at the same time.

I am a Broadsman. I own an old wooden sailing boat, which I adore. I wanted to share with the you my experience of owning her, some history, and recount some anecdotes.

C&H 1951. — Clipper VI – how she originally appeared in 1951.

My sailing is typically shared with my wife and two dogs aboard, together we navigate the rivers of Norfolk & Suffolk. In terms of influences, think Ransome, Griffiths, and Stock. ‘Sailing just for fun’ about sums it up.

In terms of myself, I am the owner/skipper. Most of the work on ‘Corsair’ is done by me, and most of it not to a high standard. Cheque book sailing may at some point feature in my life, but for now I am the one who ‘enjoys’ make do & mend, repairs and often having to turn my hand at all sorts of tasks to keep her in good order.

2007 – the beginning.

I was 21. I owned a sensible, easily handled gaff halfdecker called ‘Grace’, who had been one of the staunchest friends I had ever known.

Cutting my teeth sailing solo, camping holidays afloat, getting into trouble, getting myself out of trouble, all happened on this boat. I can honestly say that during my 6 year ownership of ‘Grace’ I never once doubted her.

So. Why change? Well. I’ll start writing the story of how I came to own ‘Corsair’ – and I’ll publish it very soon I promise.