River Cruiser Open at the Norfolk Punt Club

One of the unique qualities of the River Cruiser class is that boats can easily lower their masts to get under the low bridges that exist throughout the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.

And despite the horrendous forecast for heavy rain, 40 mph gusts and thunder on Saturday, 8 visitors duly lowered their masts to get under Ludham bridge and complete their journey up to the wide expanse of Barton Broad for the Norfolk Punt Club's River Cruiser Open held on the 7th and 8th June 2025.

Norfolk Punt Club River Cruiser Open - photo © James & Fan Arthur

Joining the 8 visitors were 3 local River Cruisers, meaning 11 boats arrived for the 1pm briefing and saw first hand that the weather forecast is not always accurate, with the rain staying away until the evening and the wind reasonably light.

The first race at 2pm took place with the wind never quite making its mind up between a southerly or south westerly (around a force 2-3). Jessie May 262 and Ladybird 13 both encountered gear issues with a loose bobstay and torn jib respectively causing retirements. Those who mastered the wind shifts the best (or were in the right place at the right time) could make some real gains up the fleet. The A fleet was won by Skylark 419 (Martin Thompson with a whole host of crew) from Mischief 307 (Steve and Di Seeney) then Bewitched 338 (Colin, Liz and Adam Chettleburgh). The B fleet was comfortably won by Nutcracker 303 (Phil, Su and Kate Davies) from Pickle 429 (Phil & Sarah Montague and Jo Sanders) and then Mystery 218 (Matt and Jo Ford with Kath Mason).

Norfolk Punt Club River Cruiser Open - photo © James & Fan Arthur

With dark clouds looming in the distance (but never coming directly overhead) the wind was very confused by the time of the 4pm race. All 11 boats started in a light North Westerly but all reduced to crawling speed after turning round the top mark. The odd puff kept them moving for enough of the time, but with the wind coming from all points of the compass at various times, the officer of the day shortened the course to 1 lap after 50 minutes of racing. Results were 1st in the A fleet was Jessie May 262 (Sally and James Dugdale), from Bewitched and then Mischief. Fleet B was won by Mystery (who caught up with the fast fleet) from Nutcracker and Pickle.

One of the appeals of the Norfolk Punt Club is the club is based on pontoons in the middle of the broad. Competitors enjoyed mooring up for the evening and enjoying catching up over food and drink, mostly under cover as the rain eventually came.

Nutcracker (303) during the Norfolk Punt Club River Cruiser Open - photo © Rachel Clayton

On Sunday the wind had filled in to a steady North Westerly, force 3 with the odd gust almost pushing 6. Helms and Crews debated between themselves over whether to reduce sail plan and if done, by how much. The end result was some marvellous gust control on show from those boats who kept the full sail plan. Race 3 was won by Mischief from Ladybird 13 (Paul Davies with Nick, Ben and Jasper as crew) and Skylark for the A fleet. The B fleet was won by Pickle, from Nutcracker and Sprite 290 (Mark and Finn Elson). Race 4 for the A Fleet was a repeat of race 3, Mischief from Ladybird and Skylark. The B fleet was won by Mystery from Nutcracker and Sprite.

With thanks to Alastair and Henry Drew for office of the day duties, Kathy Gill, Simon Leamont, Nigel Williams, Michael Palmer and Rob Black for providing safety boat cover and Lena and Eleanor Elson, Charlotte, Emily and Jessica Drew and Carolyn How for providing refreshments and cakes.

Four trophies were awarded:

Skylark won the Achievement trophy for boat with a handicap faster than scratch
Mischief won the Barton Broad Cruiser Challenge trophy for the A fleet (Skylark 2nd and Bewitched 3rd)
Nutcracker won the Moonshadow Knob trophy for the B fleet (2nd for Mystery and Pickle 3rd)
Nutcracker won the White Horse Trophy for the overall weekend, with Pickle in 2nd and Mystery in 3rd

Overall Results: