Remembering an Old Friend

Bigplumbs

Bigplumbs

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I was reminded when posting in another thread of my Old Boss and Friend who when he became ill wrote a book called............ 'Only So many tides'........ I never forgot that title..... Sadly he is no longer with us any more.

Mind you Having a Gaff Rigged wooden boat he also used to say 'There is nothing naffer than a Plastic Gaffer' He was big in the Old Gaffers Association

I wonder if any of you on here Knew him
 
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Jon Wainwright was a leading light in the East Coast Gaffers - I only went to one event where I saw him speak but clearly a very strong character. At the end he owned three boats and I believe died mid channel on one of them. The boat he did most of his racing in, Deva, a Morecombe Bay Prawner, is being restored at Pin Mill after being out of the water at St Oysth for quite a few years.

Repair and Restoration — Tom Curtis Boat Building

Plum is the secretary of the OGA, I'm sure he knew him well.
 
Yes it was Jon. I worked with him for about 15 years and sailed with him in Deva a couple of times. Great that Deva is being restored
 
Bigplumbs said:
Yes it was Jon. I worked with him for about 15 years and sailed with him in Deva a couple of times. Great that Deva is being restored
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What did Jon do professionally? I believe he had his offices at Mistley Quay or close by, and that was where the EC gaffers used to meet a lot.
 
ianc1200 said:
What did Jon do professionally? I believe he had his offices at Mistley Quay or close by, and that was where the EC gaffers used to meet a lot.
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John was an Architect (Buildings not Boats). He was chief Architect for Mid Suffolk District Council for many Many years. He became management at a very young age so didn’t actually design many Buildings. His real love was sailing and his pipe:)
 
An excellent book, a cracking good read. Never met the guy, but always wish I had. I saw the boat quite frequently a couple of decades ago.
 
FullCircle said:
An excellent book, a cracking good read. Never met the guy, but always wish I had. I saw the boat quite frequently a couple of decades ago.
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He was a very nice guy but in some ways as mad as Badger. I think too much Salt air caused that ;)
 
ianc1200 said:
Jon Wainwright was a leading light in the East Coast Gaffers - I only went to one event where I saw him speak but clearly a very strong character. At the end he owned three boats and I believe died mid channel on one of them. The boat he did most of his racing in, Deva, a Morecombe Bay Prawner, is being restored at Pin Mill after being out of the water at St Oysth for quite a few years.

Repair and Restoration — Tom Curtis Boat Building

Plum is the secretary of the OGA, I'm sure he knew him well.
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I remember lots of OGA races trying to catch John Wainwright and leant a lot from him, particularly local knowledge! I also remember, the day after an OGA event, sailing out of Maldon in the early hours in thick fog trying to stay in the deeper water and then catching that familiar reassuring smell ahead of John's pipe.

OGA, The Association for Gaff Rig Sailing:- www.oga.org.uk
www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Bigplumbs said:
I was reminded when posting in another thread of my Old Boss and Friend who when he became ill wrote a book called............ 'Only So many tides'........ I never forgot that title..... Sadly he is no longer with us any more.

Mind you Having a Gaff Rigged wooden boat he also used to say 'There is nothing naffer than a Plastic Gaffer' He was big in the Old Gaffers Association

I wonder if any of you on here Knew him
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Old harry
 
ianc1200 said:
Jon Wainwright was a leading light in the East Coast Gaffers - I only went to one event where I saw him speak but clearly a very strong character. At the end he owned three boats and I believe died mid channel on one of them. The boat he did most of his racing in, Deva, a Morecombe Bay Prawner, is being restored at Pin Mill after being out of the water at St Oysth for quite a few years.

Repair and Restoration — Tom Curtis Boat Building

Plum is the secretary of the OGA, I'm sure he knew him well.
Click to expand...
 
NickvanRaaij said:
Translation of the text of the article. Jon Wainwright, on the left in the photo, is one of, if not the most important initiator in 1995 to visit Steenbergen in the run-up to Hellevoetsluis. He was not allowed to experience the Shipmate Classic Yacht Regatta of 2007 in Steenbergen. Jon died during the crossing from England to Steenbergen. Gr Nick
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1670590312100.jpeg
 
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