The River Deben DCA Rally - 1999

This is a page of pictures and comments about the Dinghy Cruising Association Rally held over the long bank holiday weekend of 1st-3rd of May, 99. We had a great time exploring the tidal River Deben in Essex, UK. This river is a picturesque estuary of about 8 navigable miles. We sailed mainly in company, with stops at suitable landing places where refreshments were taken, new friendships made and old ones renewed.

Harriott

A Weekend with 'Harriott' - My Roamer Dinghy That bank holiday weekend was a test for the boat and myself, since it was our first sail together. I wanted to discover my weaknesses and those of the boat. The un-accustomed exercise of kneeling and sqeezing one's body through the bulkhead hatch to gain access to the forepeak brought about sore spots and bruises on appropriate parts of my anatomy! I found there was a surprising amount of space under the boom tent - even with sitting headroom on the side benches. Cooking on the single burner camping Gaz stove meant I had to keep a constant watch, making sure it didn't fall over when there was any movement of the boat. A small gimbal stove which could be temporarily and speedily fixed to the floorboards would make a lot of difference. Alternatively the stove could be made secure in a metal box retained by a quick fixing device to the floorboards. Such a box should be of the correct dimensions to retain a medium size saucepan or kettle.

 

Harriott with tent Specification of the Roamer Cruising Dinghy LOA 14'0" LWL 13'3" Beam 5'10" Draft 3'5"/9" Sail Areas - sq ft Main 67 Genoa 48 Jib 29 Storm Jib 12 Trailing weight 560lbs Ballast 56lbs + 80lbs c/b

Willa, John Adye's Drascombe Lugger. Aurora, a Topper Cruz owned by George Saffrey.

Ness Yawl Alan Glanville sailed from the river Ore to the Deben Rally in his Ness Yawl, where seven boats in total rendezvoused. We were blessed with excellent sunny weather and gentle winds over the three day period. On the last day I awoke at 5.00 am to see Alan and his beloved Ness Yawl fade into the early morning mist. Intent on reaching the entrance of the Deben by low water, he purposely rowed downstream - using the last of the ebb. It was a grey, windless and misty dawn, its quietness only broken by the honk of a heron. That quiet moment was so perfect I dared not raise my voice to wish him 'bon voyage'. Un-observed, I watched his departure from within the seclusion of my tent. With no wind and no engine I pondered how Harriott and I would make progress against the inevitable flood tide which would shortly begin. But I need not have worried, because John Adye kindly towed Harriott and Aurora behind his lugger. His outboard engine was powerful enough to propel all three boats over the tide to the vicinity of Felixstowe Ferry slip, where our craft and trailers were reunited ready for the journey home. It was the end of a perfect DCA cruise.

Lowly Worm 111, owned by Alan Glanville.

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