"Saga" was a 22 feet gaff sloop, carvel built of teak on oak in Yarmouth IOW in 1954.

I bought Saga in the early 1970's, if you look at the main photograph, that's not some special effect, it's just how it has faded over the years.

Based at Yarmouth, Saga gave me some very enjoyable sailing, cruising to nearly every port, river and bay between Langston harbour and Weymouth. It was aboard her that I learned to sail properly.

A highlight of the year was the Old Gaffers Race. One year I was last to start, a few drinks the night before meant that I was half an hour late crossing the start line. The main fleet, of about 70 boats, had gone inshore on the island side to avoid the flood. By the time I started the tide was starting to turn, so I went down the middle of the solent with the flow behind me. By the time I turned the mark, I had overtaken 30 boats. At the finish I had won a little trophy for 4th in my class and the Anchor Trophy for starting last and finishing within the time limit. As a bit of a novice, I was well chuffed.

In the end my partner and I split up, so Saga had to be sold and the money divided between us.

I haven't see or heard of her since (that's both my ex-partner and Saga).

Saga taking part in the Old Gaffers Race

Stripped down, varnished with new green topsides