Fourteen gaff rigged yachts and thirty skippers and crew enjoyed the idyllic scenery of the Helford for three days.

Many of the boats joined the South West Gaffers' annual Helford rally from the very well attended Falmouth Classics.

Boats from the Fal, Plymouth, Dartmouth and Brixham joined four local Helford boats for the event whilst gaff yawl “Gwenili”, built in 1910 in Bordeaux, had travelled from the River Thames and called in on her way to the celebrations in Brest.

Several boats moored off Tremayne Quay for a barbecue ashore on Monday evening where the crew from classic yacht “Mat Ali” joined them.

This boat was once moored in the Helford and in the 1930s was wintered ashore at Port Navas.

Thirteen boats gathered at noon on Tuesday between Durgan and the Voose cardinal mark for a race. A light breeze from a variable direction was experienced at the start but as boats neared Nare Point it picked up providing a fetch. “Gwenili”, the yawl, was soon ahead but overstepped the mark and enabled the next two boats to overtake her.

By the time the lead boat, “Mary Ritchie”, a local cutter had rounded the first mark the fleet had begun to divide into groups. “Mary Hay” an Andrew Wolstenholm designed Kite, vied with the larger craft for the lead and on the run with little displacement was soon ahead of “Mary Ritchie” with “Gwenili” seeking to catch the leaders. “Ester”, an Oysterman 22, having made a late start, was soon moving through the fleet and eventually was almost in a race of her own. The lead boats were able to sail from the Meudon mark to Central without tacking but others were not so lucky and ended up beating in light airs, meanwhile the three lead boats had begun lap 2 and were on their way to Nare Point. The race officer decided to turn the boats at Nare Point and return to the finish line.

The wind by this time was providing a challenge but the leaders picked up a breeze just past Toll Point to enable “Gwenili” to cross the line first with “Mary Ritchie” and “Mary Hay” in hot pursuit. The tail of the fleet saw two retirements but the remaining eight were rewarded with a steadier breeze. “Ester” finished 50 minutes behind the leaders but on handicap won Class 2 and the David Cade Plate, whilst “Mary Ritchie” won Class 1 and the John Scarlett Memorial Tankard for the third year in succession with the Heard 28 “Aeolus” second and Gwenili third. Second in Class 2 was “Mary Hay” with Helford Shrimper “Julia Neale” in third place.

Prize giving took place at Helford River Sailing Club where prizes were given by John Denner, a long term member of the OGA,the international parent body of South West Gaffers. Thirty six skippers and crews then enjoyed a rally dinner provided by HRSC staff and members.

Organiser Don Garman from Port Navas said: "Once again the Helford was kind to us enabling a barbecue in wonderful surroundings and the wind, although a challenge at times, enabled racing to take place and the majority of the fleet to complete. I would also like to thank Ashley Butler of Butler and Co Traditional Boatbuilders of Penpol Boatyard for sponsoring moorings.”