Long-standing OGA member, John Beale brings a report of the 1974 OGA Heineken Rally which he joined in ‘Lindy, a 5 ton sloop built by David Hillyard in 1924. Find out more about the history of ‘Lindy’ here.
The invitation to join the Heineken Rally came as a surprise but an opportunity not to be missed. A crew had to be found. I knew of a retired Master from P&O, Peter Hufflet, a near neighbour of ours who seemed to have the right qualifications. I had only been a First Mate in the Bankline and General Steam. Neither of us had crossed the North Sea in a small boat before. Lewis Ridgeway was the third member of the crew. He lived in Maylandsea where we kept ‘Lindy’ and had purchased his own boat at the same time we bought ‘Lindy’. Our families were similar and a friendship had developed. At that time there were many boatyards scattered around the coast. The one at Maylandsea was Cardnell’s, run by two brothers who were very helpful to us newcomers. As long as you had a wooden boat it was no problem, glass fibre was a definite ‘no no’ back then. Lewis was an Accountant and also a keen musician and he played his violin in several amateur orchestras.
I guess I had joined the Old Gaffers Association for the help they would provide in overcoming some of the problems of owning an old Gaffer. If you could afford the cost of converting your old gaffer to Bermudian then you did back in the 1970’s, it did not come cheaply and some conversions were not successful. The OGA also ran a Boat Insurance scheme, it was difficult if not impossible to get insurance on old boats until the OGA came up with their scheme which solved the insurance problem for many an old boat owner.
The Rally started after the OGA Annual East Coast Race where ‘Lindy’ had come third in her class. Our wives were frantically removing the cases of lager which Heineken were so generous in giving us! The wives wanted their husbands home safely and sober after the trip was over. After the race we managed to pick up a further crew member, a stranger name Alex McMullen. We had been asked if we would take Alex, who was the Editor of ‘Motor Boat and Yachting Magazine’. This we were delighted to do as to have an experienced small boat sailor was definitely a bonus for us three first timers. Once the crew were on board we spent the night at anchor off Stone.
The morning of Sunday 28 July 1974 dawned fine and clear with a westerly wind blowing force four to five. At 0945 hrs. we weighed anchor and proceeded to the start line where we crossed at 1002 hrs. having set the middle jib. By 1500 hrs. the wind had increased, the log showed 17 miles and we were at the NE Gunfleet Buoy, a little while later we reefed the mainsail. By midnight we had completed 60 miles but the sea was rough and we struck the mainsail. I remember after all these years that we did it because although the main was reefed the boom kept catching on waves and pushed it inboard and then it crashed out snatching on the mainsheet. I think we tried various things but we were very low in the water. By 0830 hrs. the following morning the sea had moderated and we hoisted the main once again with three and half rolls on the reefing.
By 1200 hrs. on the Monday we had removed the reefs and the log was showing 98 miles. Bill our P&O Master got his sextant out for a meridian altitude which gave us a latitude and the confidence that we were heading in the right direction. By 1445 we sighted land, but it was not until 1950 hrs. that evening that we entered the breakwater at IJmuiden. At 2121 hrs. we were secured on the pontoon at IJmuiden Yacht Club having completed 157 miles in 33 hours and 48 minutes at an average speed of 4.65 knots. We were looking forward to a good sleep. There was not a lot of space with four people and their luggage including Lewis’s violin in its case and Bill’s sextant in its mahogany box.
We spent four days enjoying the delights of Amsterdam. Once again Heineken provided us with more stores. This time no wives were present to remove them! A Heineken reception was put on for us at the KNSM Building, followed by a film show. On the Friday Heineken arranged a Brewery Tour followed by a canal trip in the afternoon. In the evening Heineken hosted a dinner once again at the KNSM building.
The Saturday was spent racing on the IJsselmeer. This involved all the boats getting to IJsselmeer as well as the race. 25 yachts took part with ‘Lindy’ coming 7th in her class. The Dutch Royal Yacht was present to view the racing so we were informed and we were asked to extend the necessary courtesies as necessary. In the evening there was a traditional Dutch ddinner and prizegiving by Mr. Freddie Heineken, followed by dancing which was the official end to the rally. We also got the good news that the yacht which had finished its trip over on the beach to the south of Amsterdam was back in the water with the help of Heineken and members of the OGA.
The following day Sunday 4 August ‘Lindy’ slipped her moorings at 0740 hrs. and headed west towards the North Sea. At 1415 hrs. ‘Lindy’ cleared the outer breakwater and streamed the log. The weather was showery with an easterly force 4 wind blowing. The main was hoisted with two reefs. By 2020 the wind had increased and the main was struck. By 2100 hrs. the wind was gale force in a northerly direction, the jib was struck and ‘Lindy’ was running under bare poles. There was little sleep for our crew of three, Alex McMullen had returned by ferry to write up about the rally. It was not until 0730 hrs. the next morning that the weather had improved to enable us to hoist the storm jib. By 0920 hrs. we were able to hoist the mainsail again. At 1200 hrs. the wind was in a northerly direction force 3. It had stopped raining and it was fine and clear.
Pictured above is the crew of ‘Lindy’, left to right: Peter Hufflett, Victoria Burgoyne (John’s daughter), John Beale, John Hufflett (Peter’s son) and Captain Mortleman-Lewis with Victoria holding the Heineken trophy!
On Tuesday 6 August at 0047 hrs. ‘Lindy’ passed the Sunk Light Vessel. By 0800 hrs. the anchor was dropped at Brightlingsea to clear customs. At 0915 hrs. we were granted ‘free pratique’, the anchor was raised and we headed towards Maylandsea. At 1355 hrs. we picked up our mooring, having completed an estimated total distance of 143 miles in 40 hours and 13 mins at an average speed of 3.4 knots. The following weekend the local paper had an article about our trip which puzzled me at first, then I discovered it had come from Heineken. There is no such thing as a free lunch!
Report by John Beale, OGA member for over 50 years, skipper of ‘Lindy’ at the Heineken Rally, 1974.
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