09/05/2026
Margate Open Margate Yacht Club

South East Series

by Chris Hatcher

With ever growing numbers of Streakers in the South East corner, Margate Yacht Club, located on the North Kent Coast (Thames Estuary) was invited to host their first ever Streaker open meeting.

Despite forecasts of very strong winds for the weekend of 9 and 10 May 2026, 17 hardy entrants came 'Down to Margate' as the song goes, to the sea side.  Whilst mostly sailors from nearby local clubs, the visitors travelled for many hours from Warsash on the south coast and from Stone SC on the Blackwater.

Saturday delivered Champagne sailing with bright sunshine and a steady F3-4 cross shore breeze.  Due to the threat of gales the next day, the RO amended the programme to get four races on the first day, two back-to-back, lunch and then out again.

Both morning races got off to a clean start with tight racing, the front runners being a mix of locals and visitors.  A pasty for lunch was a welcome interlude allowing sailors to refuel for the afternoon races.  The wind however was starting to show signs of what was coming the next day.  More onshore and gusting F6 as launching got under way!  Many bailed out at this stage with only ten reaching the start area, and even then the sail to the start was too much for two sailors, opting to return unscathed.

Again, tight racing was the norm with only one capsize despite the conditions and that was eventual winner, Lee Goodey (Broadstairs SC), before race 3.  Was it deliberate to show off his new PINK (sorry magenta) underside?

Following racing and discussions with entrants the RO decided that the forecast for the following day was pretty certain and, by mutual agreement, day two was cancelled.  A really nice gesture followed as the RO gave all entrants a small bar credit to help compensate for the loss of the next day's racing.  With this, many of us stayed a while enjoying the late afternoon sunshine with a beer, courtesy of our host Margate YC, with many commenting on the great sailing, location and friendly atmosphere of this small seaside club.

As ever, the event wouldn't have been possible without the enormous efforts of shore crew, galley and race management sat out to sea on the committee boat in cold lumpy conditions.  Many thanks to Margate YC for delivering an outstanding event in testing conditions.

Overall Results: