Osprey Class - The South East Tour 2025

The chase is on - Osprey South East Tour © Lawrence Head

Burnham 23rd - 25th August - by Alex Willis

The first mark on this East Coast exploration started with nine Ospreys turning up at Burnham-on-Crouch. The RO at Burnham sometimes throws in some courses that gets you thinking like "Where's that mark?" and "How many times do we have to go back and forth between those marks?" Round the cans racing it is not - with many snakes and ladders!

Day 1 was a great example of this, with a long distance race to start. 1382, having gone the wrong direction in previous years due to navigational errors, Roger and Jamie Blake wriggled clear at the start and were never headed followed by 1116, Dave and Steve Carroll. The day was rounded out by a Classic Shaw BBQ in the evening, enjoyed by all.

By the end of day 2, there were three races in total so far and four winners. Yes you read that right, you'll see why in a moment. In the second race, Alex and Nick Willis in the Class boat 1385 (using 1291's sails as that's what they had originally entered with before bending their mast at the Nationals) aced the start and led to the finish followed by the Blakes.

In the third race in a F4-5 Russ and Mark hit the pin end at speed and disappeared into the distance. Unfortunately, due to an administrative error they missed the last sausage and left it to 1349, Rob Shaw and Ian Little to take the win. Steve Carroll was heard to say "Russ, you won the race you sailed".

Day 3, The Willis's started off with the Blake's and pulled away from the fleet until the Burnham mud claimed another victim and left the Blake's to take to win from Shaw/Little which was repeated for the final race.

Blake's first overall for the Burnham Open with Rob & Ian second and the Carroll's third. Unfortunately the Blake's had prior commitments so wouldn't be at Margate or Sheppey.

It was really good to see so many Ospreys at Burnham this year. Nine of us battling it out on the Crouch, but not so much of the Roach this year.

Thanks to Rob Shaw and the Royal Corinthian YC for a superb weekend on the water and for Rob & Helen for the great socials. The Ospreys will be back next year.

Tuesday travel day, we have a convoy...

Still smiling - Osprey South East Tour - photo © Mr Malcolm

Margate 27th - 28th August - by Mark Mawhinney, Dave Caroll & Chris Hatcher

With a mix of exotica and vintage Ospreys, Margate YC hosted the midweek leg of the Osprey SE tour.

Wednesday - Margate Day one, 3 races. Might have been a bit windy but it made for some very special Osprey sailing. Apart from a few retirees after two races and a pasty, It became apparent that a heavy crew was the way to go. Despite an average start, 1383, Russ Wheeler and Mark Mawhinney showed blistering speed. Mark commented on the first race; "We battled our way to 2nd place, chasing 1116 into the final run.

Russ asks me why are they sailing straight to the finish from the windward mark? Not sure but that's not the course. We finish, and see 1116 turning around to complete the race having tried to skip the leeward mark. I remember what Steve kindly said to us at Burnham where we made a similar blunder... "Steve you won the race you sailed" Dave can be heard mumbling something I'd assume to be rude in reply.

With 2 seconds Steve Carroll - 1116 observed that "Smiles were abundant on everyone's faces as they arrived ashore albeit completely knackered." All except 1292 took a swim at some point during the day and Alex in the class boat was clearly suffering from the 1 to 1 on the mainsheet having capsized whilst leading the second race so a gybing strop fitted for the next day.

The class boat in flight - Osprey South East Tour - photo © Lawrence Head

Great hospitality and cheap beer awaited some very tired sailors and the evening was won by the same top two as the days sailing, except for Russ who was clearly focused on writing his winning speech based on Thursdays forecast.

Thursday came and it ended as a tale of two halves. Russ and Mark wanted an 8 hour postponement but the rest of the fleet wanted an easy life. Racing was tight and very slow with bugger all wind. Alex and Nick showed epic pace to get them back in the mix with a first and 2 seconds. All in all a truly epic battle on both days with some fantastic conditions. Fantastic racing and most importantly some great hospitality and effort put in by team Margate. You are all amazing.

A view from Chris Hatcher, Bird of Prey 3

With a borrowed boat 50 years old, a new team weighing just 135kg and 30mph winds forecast - what could possibly go wrong? Day 1 big winds and many capsizes.

Race 1 - kept it upright placed respectably 2 amongst MYC boats but it was purely survival conditions for us whilst being so light the visitors were lapping up the conditions for ahead.

Race 2 - dropped tiller on spinnaker hoist - big luff went swimming. Too old for this. With a good view of the underside we found a large crack in the hull. No more racing for us. Disappointment wrapped up in relief for me, being in later life!

For Winter, my 14 year old crew it was a tragedy. He was loving every minute - fearless and adventurous. I do remember those days. With the whole fleet going swimming at some stage during the morning session, sense took over and just four brave teams headed out for race 3. I felt vindicated.

Thinking our damage was terminal I was looking forward to a lie in on day 2. No chance - Youthful enthusiasm ensued with a trip home to get his hairdryer!! Patience was rewarded with a dry boat and experienced fixer Robert Shaw, who actually once owned the boat, sprang into action to deny me of my lie in. Epoxy, tape left overnight day 2 was on for us.

Day 2 - The morning delivered moderate winds better for us allowing us to deploy tactics. Managed some good starts only to be once again trounced by the visiting rocket ships. As predicted the wind came in with gusto around lunch time but the race officer had managed to get all three races in. With winds building further we managed one final blast back into the harbour. My crew was in heaven.

With a very respectable showing of 8/6/8 from 12 entries with race 5 being the leading local boat we are proud of our achievement. Overall not so good having to count a DNF we ended up way down the results.

Margate YC put on an amazing event with such energy and commitment from the team of volunteers, enhanced by glowing praise from the visiting Ospreys. The visitors showed themselves to be a very friendly engaging group all pulling together to ensure the class remains strong. 'I'll be back' didn't someone once say?

Margate summary

Margate open winners - Caroll's (1116), 1383 2nd and 1385 3rd by virtue of their last race win.

A huge thank you to Antony Shaw and the whole team at Margate - it was such a fantastic event with a very warm welcome!

Friday was a travel day.

The Heavy Weights - Osprey South East Tour - photo © Lee Marriott

Sheppey, 30th - 31st August

Unfortunately due to a knee injury Alex sustained at Burnham and aggravated at Margate, the Willis's in 1385 would no longer take a part in the proceedings.

Day 1 at Sheppey. 3 races

Russ & Mark: 1383- Being our home club we wanted to make a good impression in front of fellow club members including ex Osprey die-hards Mick Greenland and Lee Marriott on the Committee boat. Fortunately the wind arrived in time for Race 1. With the tide coming in, it was a straight forward tack out into the tide and get in the lay line. Simple, except no one told us about the big headers we would encounter and complete lack of tide (due to neaps). Extra tacks required to get round the windward mark. Hang on, we are doing sausages first.

Best get back downwind without gybing. Some gains were now being lost due to our Mirror sized kite, however once we got back upwind, gains were made again. Then it was a case of limiting the risks, so no gybing for us. A brief show of the kite on the first reach nearly had us over, the gusts were big. Boat and bodies, in what appears to be a series of attrition, held up well. Roll on day 2 with wind at Sheppey.

Race 4 - view from Lee on the Committee boat

A new day and fresh optimism. The wind started as SSW 15kts with the forecast to build throughout the day. The course was set and the big powerful Ospreys got off the line, 1116 making the most of a fairly conservative start by fleet. They held the lead rounding the windward mark followed by Paul Heather and Jonathon Osgood in 1292 and 1383. The fleet bunched on the run; 1292, over taking 1116 with 1383 also creeping ahead but they went wide out of the turn allowing the brothers to sneak inside. As they proceeded up the next beat a 50 degree shift allowed those who went left to gain on those who went right. The reach was now too tight for spinnakers and made the gybe mark spicy. 1349 (Shaw/Little) made the most of the shift & overtook everyone to create an appreciable lead which they held on the run.

1383 having a blinding beat to take second at the leeward mark followed by Mike and Viola Scott in 1314, 1292 slipping to 3rd but it was 1116 who suffered the most. Despite the sea sailing conditions, it was definitely clear the pond sailors were able to spot the shifts, 1349 extended their lead which left 1292 & 1314 to fight for 2nd place. Another shift and spinnakers now flying, positions changing every minute.

It was a photo finish for the remaining 4 boats, separated by just 5 seconds, the poor PRO couldn't sound the hooter quick enough.

Race 5 - Wind building to 20/25kts and shifting 20 degrees either side of the base course. It was a clean start and evenly spread across the line. Richard Marshall and Jerry Dixon in 1373 getting the best start, 1383 trying to tack off and make use of the now changing tide but was held by the fleet and nearly capsized to windward. It didn't matter as once 1383 was clear they pulled ahead, leading round the windward mark and onto the run. The fleet was tight, but 1383 was first to the zone by the leeward mark, however....

What looks like a tiller extension failure turned the boat just before the mark and allowed the entire fleet to pass.

It was snakes and ladders up the next beat and 1116 led on to the reach. Only 2 boats risking the kite in a strengthening wind and the speed differential was phenomenal. 1349 entering hyperspace as they passed 1116 and 1373 in a matter of seconds. 1116 maintained her place at the gybe mark and hoisted the kite to pull away from 1373. The final run saw all 4 leading boats together.

Shouting for room but clearly no overlaps. 1116 did a perfectly executed gybe but then failed to head up tight straight away allowing 1314 & 1349 to creep in above. The criss-crossing continued up the beat and along the reaches. 1349 took the win, but the excitement came from 1116 & 1314 with a photo finish. Again the RO unable to hoot quick enough but 1314 just pipped 1116 by a cats whisker.

Sheppey Open winners - 1383 Wheeler/Mawhinney, 1349 2nd, 1116 3rd.

Overall South East Tour

Series results: Caroll's 1116 1st, Shaw/Little 1349 2nd, Wheeler/Mawhinney 1383 3rd.

Highlights as always were the socials with the BBQ at Burnham, Margate Yacht Clubs Fish and Chips, they always taste better by the seaside. Finally the Sheppey Grand Prix on Saturday Night, think model car racing with no rules. All accompanied with the traditional drinks.

A very special shout out to John Shenton, who participated in the travelling, and whose help was invaluable in launching and recovering Ospreys as they came and went!

A great event as the last (planned) hurrah to Paul Heather, as he (for now) retires from the open circuit sailing 1292. He will be missed from the circuit.

Finally, a huge thank you to all host clubs, volunteers, caterers, and competitors for making this a very special event!

More photos at www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B1n5M7GFPVskFN

David and Steve Carroll, overall winners - Osprey South East Tour - photo © Lawrence Head

Burnham Weekend Results:

Margate Open Meeting Results:

Sheppey Open Meeting Results: