The annual Finesse Rally which was started by a local group of like-minded souls with me as their ‘appointed’ head has, I am pleased to say, continued to thrive.

Last year’s event at Brightlingsea was somewhat marred by inclement weather preceding and during the Saturday of the event. It being, in the main, rather blowy! Only four vessels mad it to the venue. Others made stalwart efforts to get there and decided that enough was enough – trying to bash round The Naze at the northern end of the wallet channel. Two crews in the event sailed up the Stour and berthed at Mistley … later arriving by taxi! Others arrived by vehicle too.

So, it was with a little trepidation that the organiser began arranging the 2018 event. A large number of vessels were initially booked and as time passed by, numbers fell. However, on the day we had a fleet of seven plus an associate – a past Finesse owner with his current craft and crew. This is always nice to see…

Beyond the sailing barge Margery the Finesse 24 Pippit spotted clearing Sheerness Harbour, Chatham bound…

 Whimbrel departed in company with two Island YC sisters, Gypsy and Calluna – all ’24s’. The wind was a little fitful, but I am pleased to say that other than the deep water channel transit little diesel was used!

The organiser and most of the group sailed directly for Chatham whilst Whimbrel stopped over in Queenborough to meet any who were late getting down the coast or round the Swale.

Finesse 21 Ivy May, a gaff cutter, reaching through Queenborough Harbour.

During the afternoon I was able to spot some of the fleet ‘marching’ towards Chatham. Thames spritsail barges were coming into Queenborough too: the 2018 barge match on the R. Medway was starting outside Queenborough and finishing there too. Sadly only seven turned up…

The Mate and I had a delightful amble around Queenborough and its historic creek, enjoying a coffee at a new café next to the Admiral’s Arm (where we later repaired…)

Whilst ashore in the evening I spotted a Finesse 24 in the distance and sure enough she soon pitched up in the harbour. The crew of the boat, Sandpiper, were soon ashore getting some food inside them before joining us at the Admiral’s Arm… We had earlier bumped into Dick Durham who had moored on the buoy next to us. We also met his crew ‘Glum’ who is far from a nick-name that is decades old! Cheers boys…

Whimbrel on the Medway – Lucy Vinten-Mattich

The next morning, early, at 063 we cast off Chatham bound, followed out of the harbour by our new found friends aboard Sandpiper… I took ‘them’ across Queenborough Spit, but they strayed too far in and ploughed a furrow with their centre plate. Their first Medway lesson!

Sandpiper from Whimbrel off Oakham Ness.

In good time both boats arrived off the lock and we were soon ‘in’. Wow, wasn’t it nice to be met by a band of Finesse sailors, calling their good wishes, etc, etc, from the dock wall…

Whimbrel and Sandpiper locking into Chatham… Picture: Rob Hardy

Once berthed we did the rounds and the Mate had a scamper ashore to the Marks & Spencer outlet store, coming back a little disappointed!

Here are some of the boats…

Awel-O-Wynt a Finesse 21.

Finesse 24 Gypsy.

I spy Pippit, another ’24’…

We had an intimate and enjoyable buffet in the evening, being joined by other owners and also a Sea King owner who ‘graduated’ from a Finesse 21. Here, again, I must give my thanks and for all the others, to the two ladies who organised the buffet. Well Done.

Some of the evening’s revellers…

Sadly, all too soon, Sunday dawned and movements were soon noted as early breakfasts were enjoyed before departure preparations… Upon Whimbrel leaving the dockside, only two boats remained plus our friends aboard the mono-hull Ocean Magic.

We sailed away down river in company, again, with Calluna and Gypsy, the later returning home directly, whilst we enjoyed another night out…

Whimbrel from Calluna…

It was a good rally. Those who attended enjoyed themselves. New owners were astounded by the bonhomie and advice that abounded. A new organiser (s) were duly ‘elected’. Well done you two!

But, I was a little disheartened by the large number of boats that could have attended. The shores in my own locality are ‘littered’ with 21s and 24s. I fear that interest is not high, however, without some commitment, this little group could unravel…

I hope not!