Chichester Harbour on the south coast of England is a lovely place on a sunny June day. Of course, when we gathered there for the Home Built Boat Regatta it rained.

The main event was scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Cobnor, a house and estate at the heart of the harbour which operates a slipway, activity centres for kids, and a camp site. The plan was to enable everyone to get down for to sail on the evening tide. Next morning, we would get out on the morning tide, if anyone felt fit enough at 0640.

First to arrive was Phil Oxborrow with his Selway-Fisher Prospector canoe Tonawanda, who, being English, instantly sheltered under it and brewed tea.

First to arrive was Phil Oxborrow with his Selway-Fisher Prospector canoe Tonawanda, who, being English, instantly sheltered under it and brewed tea.

After a nasty thunderstorm at lunchtime, conditions settled into a gusty, grey and damp afternoon.

The breeze blew in two unusual boats. I would like to report that they voyaged from exotic far-flung ports but they actually came from Dell Quay (three miles) and Hayling Island (six miles).

To the left is Titwillow, a pocket gaffer designed and built by Chris Waite. He says it is a half-size trial, to put his ideas to the test before embarking on construction of the big boat he really wants, but it works so well he may stick with it as it is. She is certainly a looker, with her swooping sheer line, and the raised coaming round the cockpit keeps the crew dry.

Alistair Law arrived in his Paradox, Little Jim (right), named after a character in the Goon Show who wailed ‘I’ve fallen in the water!” after a huge splash. Of course, falling in the water is not a problem for Alistair, secure in the closed cockpit of the Paradox – you can find out how it works on his excellent website at www.little.jim.freeuk.com.

A maiden voyage always makes a meeting memorable, and Mike Wooldridge and family launched his Northumbrian Coble for the first time. Designed by Selway-Fisher, the as-yet unnamed boat is amazingly spacious for its 15ft and Mike has made a superb job of it. Despite the absence of the unfinished mizzen, the boat sailed majestically under its gaff main. Mike had a smile a yard wide.

Mike Wooldridge and family launched his Northumbrian Coble for the first time.

The other show-stopper was Chris Perkins’ Scotch Mist, a MacGregor canoe designed by Iain Oughtred that had just won first prize in Water Craft’s boat building competition at the Thames Beale Park Boat Show a few weeks earlier.

Scotch Mist is an object of beauty and awe, varnished overall, but Chris had no hesitation in slinging her in the water and using her as nature intended.

Chris Perkins’ Scotch Mist, a MacGregor canoe designed by Iain Oughtred.

Graham Neil was another builder of a specially lovely boat, the Oughtred Whilly Tern Caitlin, who braved the dangers of the harbour mud. Chris Perkins took this photo.

Peter Nobes and his daughter Lata arrived with his Waterman canoe Serafina and her Ranger canoe that she built herself (though Dad did the epoxy bits). Two boats meant the whole family had fun, with the kids taking turns in the small boat. [Pic 7]

Peter Nobes and his daughter Lata with his Waterman canoe Serafina and her Ranger canoe.

Phil Oxborrow kindly lent me the jib from his restored Mirror dinghy to see if it would improve windward performance of my Conrad Natzio designed Sandpiper Nessy. It certainly put on speed, as Chris Perkins’ picture shows, but mainly sideways…