On the radio the other day someone who tars all with the same brush, blithely announced that the rich could spend their money on their yachts in a discussion about those that ‘have’ and those that have not.
Now, yes, there are ‘rich’ yachting folk. But, in the main, we yachting folks are normal hard working people (or have worked in the case of the retired amongst us) who have scrimped and saved to buy that boat that we have fallen in love with. Whilst others, these could be football supporters, spend huge sums chasing their favourite teams around the country hollering and bawling for their ‘boys’ (or girls too for that matter) to ‘kick ass’! These people aren’t stereotyped as being rich…
From a tidy looking unpretentious motorboat a lady readies her little lug-sail dinghy…
So, being down on the Swale with intentions to follow the Kent Sail Associations, barge, smack, traditional yacht, modern and dinghy matches, my thoughts fell on these vessels – all lovingly maintained and cared for by ordinary working people – a man and wife, a chap with a caring girlfriend, a single lady who loves the joys of boat owner ship and the companionship of the sea…
The craft in the foreground is the lovely Nancy Grey, a little barge yacht built back in the 1930s, lovingly maintained.
Instead of spending a pot of money on football match tickets, this owner spends it on paint, hopefully helping the UK paints industry.
Leaving aside my ‘gripe’ at the BBC and its flunkies who flock to chatter, I’ll give a taste of what the ‘man in the street’ does for the reservation of our maritime traditions…
The Twee Gerzusters, a ‘Dutchman’ now registered in London is home to a family.
They vessel is kept in very good order and often comes to the Swale to enjoy the event. They came home late, sailing the course, long after all others. Grand!
This is a grand little boat originally from N. America – lovingly restored by an owner to grace our waters…
Small can be beautiful – this little run-about was for the scrap heap, but her owner, always brimming with enthusiasm, fixed a few things and now youngsters are enjoying it too…
The Edwardian yacht Bonito has been carefully maintained by a family over many years.
Two little craft giving owners a salty taste as they harness wind and water to garner that little extra…
Yes, these are a little bigger, but, no less, both were restored by the owners and their families, saving two historic cargo carriers from an age before thundering lorries…
Ah yes, the Twee Gerzusters again, finishing that sailing match.
I don’t suppose any of the boats seen here have what could be termed rich’ owners – they’re lovers of the sea, believe in maintaining something fit to hand on to the next generation, doing something for this little corner of our country…
I can’t remember who you were on ‘that’ BBC Radio 4 programme but you slandered the ordinary working person who just loves a boat.
I take my hat off to all these ordinary people, and they exist all over our country. Bless them!