Page 20 - Folk Boat Year Book 2022

Round the Island Race 2021 on a lighter Mistress

Mistress (Missy to the family), a British folkboat built in 1968 by Shepherds of

Windemere, was ashore for repairs when I had the call from Phil Jenkins, Smokey’s
owner. Would I like his entry in the Round the Island Race? Phil had entered the 2020
race, which was cancelled, and he couldn’t make the 2021 race. It’s hard to refuse a
free entry, so I had to get a move on with repairs.

The previous year, I removed the inboard engine in an attempt to make Missy more
competitive. I fitted the new Yanmar 1GM in 2001, so 18 years trouble free is pretty
good. I sold it, via Tony Smee, to the new owner of Sandpiper, a Varne Folkboat
which used to belong to Roger Hayward, now owner of Blue Mist. Small world!
At 2020 Folkboat Week, Missy was faster, and 160kg lighter, but the leaks were
getting worse, and only the bilge pump was keeping her afloat. After consulting the
wooden boat oracle, Bernie Bull of Jerramas fame, it was diagnosed that the keel
bolts needed attention. The second lockdown was the perfect opportunity, so over
the winter, 5 keel bolts were replaced, new floors fitted and 24 broken ribs replaced.
Fortunately, Bernie was on hand to ensure that all went well. I also removed the Lav
Vac toilet, so no holes in the hull. She can’t leak now, surely?

On to the race. Bernie agreed to sail with me. We had an early start time, and with
an electric outboard, we didn’t have the range or speed to sail from Portsmouth to
Cowes if there was no wind on the day of the race; so we anchored in Osborne Bay on
Friday night and enjoyed a pleasant, well-lubricated, evening. Good planning,
because Saturday morning was flat calm and we had to motor to the start.

The start was the usual scrum, made worse by very light airs and tide taking you over
the line. Starting in a mixed fleet with 50 footers taking what wind there is, can be a
challenge, so we opted for more room away from the Island. This gave us a clean
start, but out of the stronger tide by the Squadron. We drifted along with the fleet
for a good hour before the wind filled from the west, giving us the usual beat to the
Needles. We could see Blue Mist ahead, sailing well, but couldn’t close in on her. It
wasn’t until well past Hurst that we finally got past her.

When rounding the Needles, I don’t take risks, but this time our timing was perfect.
We caught two Nordics, or they caught us, not sure which, so we just followed them.
The lead boat got caught by a Contessa 32 and had to tack away. We followed the
remaining Nordic inside the Varvassi, making big gains.
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