But as I stood in the new machine shop and glanced out the window, I saw an unassuming little boat that without a doubt had been drawn by the inimitable Laurent Giles.

Dinghy cruising is closely analogous to backpacking/wilderness hiking, especially in the fact that you are carrying your food, water, bedding and shelter with you-but stowed in the hull space of the dinghy—thereby leaving your back and shoulders unburdened.

The class always had devotees but the fleet slowly depleted in the 1990’s as keen sailors were attracted to newer designs. Over the last 20 years the boats have been patiently restored. Soon there will be some 10 yachts regularly sailing in Victorian waters

The obvious goal being to equitably rate a full range of boat sizes and types over a variety of conditions, and while this is a tall order given the diversity of the diverse Classic fleet, during the 2022 season the racing was good and the ratings seemed reasonably fair.

So we continued with the big dog leg left, rain coming down, rolling gunwhale to gunwhale, making 7 knots. We ran watches during the night of one on two off, which just about worked, but you get a lot of practise getting in and out of you wet weather gear, PFD and sea boots!

The boat would be made at home by a boy and his dad and would be inexpensive to construct (in the 1930s the boat cost 5 pounds 7 shillings and sixpence, and the sails cost 3 pounds 5 shillings).

It’s informative to contrast the delightfully understated way Jock Hamilton tells of his parent’s voyage in last weeks film, with what happens when the Americans get their hands on the story.

The owners of JOLLY ROGER are looking for someone to take her on, gratis. She’s lying afloat, but sad, at Claremont Yacht Club.

‘The Man Who Walked Through Time’, described Fletcher’s experiences, observations and thoughts when, in 1963, he walked the entire length of that portion of the Grand Canyon contained within the 1963 boundaries of the Grand Canyon National Park. He was the first person to accomplish this feat, “all in one go.” I have fond memories of reading Fletcher’s book and those memories re-surfaced when I decided to write about dinghy cruising, due to the many similarities shared between dinghy cruising and backpacking—not the least of which is the awareness of and the meaningful connection with, the Natural World.

The 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race will be the 50th edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s premier event and excitingly, there’s a significant number of classic yachts are entered such as these young trainee sailors competing on board the 1963 aluminium classic Germania VI.

Although SALMO did not have an engine under Peter’s ownership and equipped only with an AA book (of roadmaps) to navigate by he sailed her to the Clyde. Then in 1956 he voyaged alone to Labrador and laid her up to winter in Canada. He returned to England to marry Jill, and returned to Canada to continue his voyaging to the Panama Canal and on into the Pacific Ocean.

Sixty years later I look back on this and marvel at how adventurous we were. We never told our parents of these excursions. For all they knew we were just mucking about fishing and spearing the odd blue-swimmer crab.

Over the last 2 years, I have spoken to many people associated with OLIVE MAY to try and ascertain her provenance. From descendants of convict Thomas Doherty who built the ALICE AND ANGUS in Port Davey in 1800s, to members of the Appleton family who owned the OLIVE MAY up until the mid 1980’s.

At a time when personal liberation and rebellion against authority were prevalent many expressed their individualism through new outlooks on religion, popular culture, and sexuality, and a handful through making slow and mindful voyages around the world in under prepared small boats.

The people of Penrhyn are not new to looking after stranded sailors, and there are often stories told about the odd Japanese fishing boat that has been wrecked on the island, the most recent of which was in the last 15 years.

In essence, we’re just a conceited, naked ape. In our minds we’re some sort of “divine legend” We can walk around the earth deciding who will live and who will die and what will be destroyed and what will be saved.

The ALMONTA remains on the seabed, its crow's nest and railings breaking the surface of the calm waters of Porter Bay and lilting precariously to one side.

The Chelsea Classic brings to life the excitement of sailing from the Club’s formation in 1938, to the post war boom in sailing through the 1950’s to 1970’s including Vee Jays, Skates, Rainbows, Gwen 12's, St Kilda 8's, 14 foot skiffs, Heavyweight Sharpies and timber Lightweight Sharpies, both sailing and on display.

Perhaps rowing is a metaphor. As we age we seem to spend more time looking back than looking forward, and we risk stagnation. If we don’t row we go nowhere.

Perhaps before embarking on the new build of a wooden boat, first consider if there is an existing craft that, given a full restoration, would fulfil your needs and dreams as well as one built from scratch.