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On Sunday 11th June, 10 of our younger members boarded the last surviving operational Tamar Barge, Lynher, for a day sail along the River Tamar. They were greeted at Mayflower Marina by Lynher’s crew including the ship’s dog “Tazio”.

The mainsail was hoisted before we left the pontoon.

Hoisting the headsails.

Approaching the two bridges.

Dancing a jig and singing a pirate song to entertain the onlookers at Saltash.

Helming Lynher under the watchful eye of skipper, Dom.

Anchored for lunch off Landulph.

Preparing lunch.

Time for a swim afterwards – young people only, as adults not so keen!

We sailed home ready for a pick-up back at the marina at 5pm.

Coiling the ropes tidily onto the deck.

Our seadog, Ralph enjoying being crew for the day!

We are sad to have to report that the Big BBQ on 23^rd June 2023 has had to be postponed.

This is because we have not found enough volunteers to help out and also one of the up-river clubs are not able to attend this year.

If enough support can be found, this previously well attended event will return next year!

Our moorings officer, Matthew Newton is selling his yacht “Lonely Cloud”.

Full details can be found on the club website For Sale & Wanted page.

Twin Keel, 23’, 4 to 5 Berth with good headroom, Bermudan Sloop

Date of Build: 1973

Sail Number: 325

Laurent Giles Design

Roomy small sailing cruiser with good sailing performance, shallow draft and capable of taking the ground. GRP hull and deck with GRP spade rudder and self-draining cockpit.

Cost £1,999

If you are interested, contact Matthew by email at Moorings.wqsc@gmail.com

The club’s sailing year got off to a good start with fine weather and plenty of sailors at our First Friday Evening Dinghy Session on 7th April.

The allocation of boats and crews being checked by Alan.

Friday 7th April was also the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Tamar and Tavy Gig Club, so we had to share the road and slipway space for launching and recovery as they also took groups out for some evening rowing sessions.

But soon enough, our crews were ready to go out on the water and listening to the evening’s briefing from Steve.

The wind strength was a kindly Force 3 but the temperature was steadily dropping to remind us that this is still early in the season!

A little dinghy named “Dabchick” is For Sale.

She is a robust double chined pram dinghy, a Selway-Fisher Surf 8 and would suit a youngster or could serve as a yacht tender.

Similar size to an Optimist but has far more room due to the deeper hull.

For further information, go to our For Sale & Wanted page!

Thanks are owed to the skilled efforts by Andy Morton, Ian Brooks, Mark Reynolds and Rob Kirby who worked on the barge last Friday.

The superb new transom, made by Andy, has been fitted and the serviced outboard re-installed, connected up and the Mooring Barge is returned to service and ready for work again next week.

Also 2 new strops made by Dick have now been fitted so it is secure on its mooring again.

The team involved with barge repairs this year was:

• Andy Morton transom manufacture & supply.
• Ian Brooks skillfully helping Andy with the fitting.
• Rob Kirby labour
• Mark Reynolds connecting up the engine.
• Matthew Newton project supervision, coordination and labour.
• Jim Barnes & Mike Street cut lengths of chain & brought them down the day before.
• Martin Hunter, Doug Hinge & Dick Brown spotted & made the barge safe earlier in the week when a strop failed.
• John Mawer improved the steering & electrics on a previous day.

A big Thank You to all involved for your help in returning this essential piece of club equipment to full working order!

Last weekend was the final event in the club’s Cruising calendar with a sail to the upper pontoon on the River Yealm followed by a meal ashore in the Yealm Yacht Club in Newton Ferrers.

8 Cruisers sailed over in light airs on the Saturday and assembled on the upper pontoon. The crews included 3 of our youngest members, Thomas, Edward and Noah as well as 16 adults. The afternoon and early evening were spent chatting on each other’s boats while the youngsters busied themselves with exploring the yachts and fishing off the pontoon.

Then it was off ashore for the meal and a very enjoyable get-together with a chance to share some of our cruising experiences from the past year.

The wind became rather strong on Sunday and we had some difficulty at first deciding how to safely get the boats away from the pontoon with a racing ebb tide and strong head-wind pinning some of the boats alongside. This was resolved with everyone’s help and we were all safely away at last. There was a fast sail home in the strong southerly breeze and brilliant sunshine.

A great way to finish off our cruising season with the club!

The annual Jelly and Ice-creams Party for the club’s Dinghy Sailors took place last Friday at the St Andrews Church Hall in Bere Ferrers.

The evening followed its much-loved theme, with a quiz followed by pasties and then the famous jelly and ice-creams. Everyone had a great time and it was a very enjoyable way to celebrate the year’s achievements.

The Dinghy prizes were presented by our Commodore, Allan Seward and the winners were:

• Tamar Bridge Trophy – Neil
• Best Attendance throughout the season – Tegan
• Most Improved dinghy sailor – Moss
• Best Contribution to Friday evening sailing – Daisy

Now all there is to do for the Dinghies is the de-rigging that will take place at the Hub Club next weekend, 15th October starting at 11am.

On Sunday 11th September nine cruisers from the club hosted groups of our dinghy sailors for a day sail from Weir Quay to Plymouth Sound, followed by rafting together in Jennycliff Bay for lunch and fun on the water.

The dinghy sailors enjoyed the chance to take turns at helming and to experience life on board their host boats.

At the end of the day, the cruisers sailed back to Weir Quay and took their happy and now tired sailors ashore after a very enjoyable day out in the fine weather.

I would like to say thank you all the lovely volunteers that helped make the BIG BBQ 2022 such a wonderful evening. 

I think everyone that came down will agree that all who attended had a great time, the sky was blue, the sailors had fun, the cakes were amazing and the burgers weren’t too bad either!

We managed to raise about £250.

Thank you once again – many hands made light work!

Best Wishes from – Katherine Duncan and the Big BBQ team 2022