Happy Birthday Bootlegger!

Can you believe it?! Our very own Bootlegger is 100 years old! We are celebrating her throughout the sailing season in 2023 with a launch party on Friday 24th March when we will officially announce the Bootlegger100 challenge!

So, what is the Bootlegger100 Challenge?

We are looking for crews to take on the challenge of SAILING Bootlegger to all the ends of navigation on the Northern and Southern Broads! From Horsey to Horning, Barton to Beccles and even into Norwich, we need your help to make this happen!

Once you are booked on, we will ask you to choose which area of the Broads you want to explore. As each crew completes their leg, we will tick that area off our map, adding photos and stories from their journey. We want competent crews to be involved who are interested in SAILING for the majority of their week, with as little motoring as possible. This is a real challenge, if you think you could be up for it please do get in touch!

Not a seasoned sailor? Book a skipper for the week to be part of this exciting event!

Launch Day Friday 24th March 2023

On the 24^th March Bootlegger will be launched by the team at Eastwood Whelpton for her 100^th year on the water. This will be a community event with a chance to watch Boot being lifted in, with taster sails on offer and coffee and cake to raise money for a local charity.   

Quote:

Annie Hamilton, Eastwood Whelpton Director said – “Bootlegger is a true piece of Broads history. We are thrilled that she remains part of the Eastwood Whelpton fleet and we would love our local community to come along to this event and celebrate her 100^th birthday with us”.   

So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch today to find out more!

Consider a skippered week on the water for your next holiday adventure

Have you always wanted to explore the Norfolk Broads by boat? Do you love the idea of learning a new skill with the support of an expert? Would you like to observe the local wildlife from a different vantage point?

If so, then perhaps you should consider a skippered holiday with us this summer?

You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy a skippered sail, in fact you don’t need to have any experience at all – just a willingness to learn and an interest in trying something different!

Itinerary:

Our starting point is always a conversation about your expectations for the week so we can plan the perfect holiday for you. A typical itinerary might look something like this:

⛵ Meet and greet with your Skipper for the week including refreshments as your holiday begins! This is a chance to chat about your plans for the week , including places you would like to visit and explore.

Our Recommendations:

⛵ Your first afternoon with us will include a safety briefing and familiarisation with your yacht, before your Skipper sets sail to your chosen destination for your first night on the water.

⛵ Every morning your Skipper will meet you at your latest mooring spot and the adventure begins again. Your Skipper will take into account the wind and weather conditions and adapt plans if needed. And if you fancy a change of course? Just let your Skipper know!

⛵ Your Skipper can assist in lowering the mast, negotiating bridges and tide time tables, meaning that you will be able to explore the quieter and slightly harder to reach parts of these beautiful waterways.

⛵ We usually recommend that your final night is spent moored at Eastwood Whelpton. There is a fantastic pub, The White Horse, within 10 minutes walk that serves up good pub food for the final night of your holiday. We also have shower facilities here at the yard which your are welcome to use the next morning before your journey home.

What is included in a Skippered holiday:

Welcome refreshments on arrival ☕

Fuel, life jackets, safety briefing, onboard manual and free parking ?.

Bedding, a fully stocked galley kitchen and a local produce welcome pack ?.

A dedicated skipper for up to 7 hours each day ⚓.

Optional extras:

Restaurant recommendations and reservations ?

Local food hamper with groceries for the week ?

A small dinghy/rowing boat – great for the kids and handy if you like to mudweight ⛵

Excursion suggestions ?

Pick up and drop-off at local train station ?

So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch today to find out more!

Celebrating a fabulous week of competitive sailing

Now we are back on dry land, and reflecting on another glorious week on the water, it is time to celebrate the trophy winners of Barton Regatta 2022!

Whilst the racing is always friendly, fun and good humoured, let’s not forget there is a competitive edge to it, with crews battling it out for those coveted trophies at the end of the week.

Thursday evening is the Regatta Awards ceremony, when we are pleased to host a sit-down dinner for competitors and boatyard teams, to mingle and exchange stories and highlights of the week. Competitors get to swap their waterproofs for posh frocks and sharp suits and the team get to relax after a hectic week keeping everyone safe and happy on and off the water. But back to those all-important trophy winners…

The 2022 Barton Charter Regatta Trophies go to:

Mr Mark Anstiss and the Lutra Crew – winners of the Easticks Yacht Station Trophy for most improved performance, the Shakedown Shaker Trophy for best handicap performance and the Radio Norfolk Cup for fleet A crews’ race.

The Seven Seas Crew – winners of the Tyrone Marshall de Silver Trophy for best results, the Blakes Cup for fleet A best 6 out of 8 races on handicap, the Eastwood Whelpton Trophy for fleet A best 6 out of 8 races sailed level and the Norfolk Broads Yachting Trophy for fleet A Tuesday’s all comers races on handicap.

The Lydia Crew – winners of the John Kirk Memorial Trophy for the best on handicap over all classes, the Camelot Trophy for fleet B best 6 out of 8 races on handicap, the Funnel Trophy for fleet B best 6 out of 8 races sailed level, the Upton Yacht Station Trophy for fleet B Tuesday’s all comers races on handicap and the Sandanne Tankard for fleet B crews’ race.

The South Seas Crew – winners of the Martham Boats Trophy for best newcomers.

Mr Ben Perks – winner of the Tim Whelpton Friendship Trophy.

The Leading Lady Crew – winners of Der Deutsche Preis Trophy for most consistently late starter.

Mrs Val Millward and the Bootlegger Crew – winners of the Michael Egginton Trophy for best overall performance and the Sandanne Trophy for fleet B ladies’ race.

Mrs Janice Woods and the Jacindar Crew – winners of the No Barry No Trophy for the crew that entertained the fleet with its unusual or accidental exploits and the John Williams Boatyard Trophy for fleet A ladies’ race.

Mr Nick Eastwood – winner of the owner’s race.

As you can see, our very own Seven Seas Crew made quite a splash this year winning 4 trophies all together!

Booking for Barton Regatta 2023 is now open, please get in touch to find out more.