Wandering around Robertson’s Yard above the Tide Mill Yacht Harbour I met a bevvy of clinker craft that for sure have seen better days.

Sadly, I know one of the vessels, a Finesse 24, last seen several years ago in a mud berth in the yard. The yard has undergone some development and modernisation since that visit: the mud berths, in amongst an area of budding saltings with rotting old mooring stagings, are now hard standing.

Robertson’s was very much a ‘boat-owners’ yard, perhaps it still is but the office is now a swish modern affair much removed from its predecessor!

I spotted a Kestrel first.

The poor old girl was clearly brought ashore for a refit, a refit that died a death, something this boat is dicing with.

The old bird is no longer the flyer she was…

Close by sat two vessels side by side, gloomily overlooking the coming and going of the tides.

One, an open boat, clearly has limited time left.

Within, a veritable wild garden grows…

It’s neighbour sits neglected and unloved but could be rescued.

Closer inspection shows the ravages of time and lack of proper maintenance, but…

Above are two views of a once sweet little gaff cutter.

The last of the group I visited was a Finesse 24, a boat class close to my heart (as readers will likely know). As said, I last saw this boat around three years ago, maybe longer, but I have known her for very much longer and watched her gradual decline. She has probably had several owners during that time.

Two general views…

The general views say, ‘not so bad…’ but when I looked closer, I loosed a huge shudder…

I shuddered hugely…

The area focussed in on was typical of the numerous failed and failing areas around the boat’s exterior.

Leaving the yard, I spotted the office door ajar so popped in. It was manned by a svelte young lady who smilingly listened to an ‘old buffer’…

I intimated that I thought the boat may have changed hands, but no: the lady said a name I recognised as the owner. My thoughts were, ‘what the hoody heck is going on…’

I was told the owner visits and does things. I was lost for words, thanked her for the information and bid the lady adieu…

Sad, so very sad.