The Old Gaffers Association: Formed in 1963 to promote Gaff Rig

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Welcome to the Old Gaffers Association Web-site

The association for gaff-rig and traditional boat sailing

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So what's a Gaffer?

Some kind of tape? The chief electrician on a film set? The Boss? Yes, but in the OGA we think of a gaffer as a boat with a gaff rig - that's where the main sail has 4 sides rather than the triangles you see on most modem boats. The 'gaff is the wooden pole across the top of the sail. It's a pretty old type of rig, and early in the 20th century it was largely replaced by the triangular Bermudan rig, which was thought more efficient. Of course in the OGA we still think gaff is best!!

Photo (Ray Steadman - Holyhead Lifeboat) - "Holyhead Lifeboat goes "Gaffer"

Site updates:

28/04/2009: General upadte: Restorations page added - if you have a restoration, send details to the webmaster for inclusion here: New events added.

25/03/2009: General update; the OGA at 50 added: Gaffers Log edior's address changed: Lake District details added: Events page updated

30/01/2009: Photographic competition results and 2008 Trophy winners added

30/12/2008: General update, including initial list of events for 2009 (click on "Events" in the sidebar), and new membership fees

28/10/2008: The annual general meeting of the OGA will take place at the Cruising Association on 17 January 2009 @ 18.30. All members are welcome. Solent area photos added. November is the last month to get in your nominations for the OGA Trophies. Contact Sue Farrer. The posts of Hon Treasurer and Gaffers Log Editor have now been filled - these posts will be ratified at the agm

22/09/08: General update. Photos of Holyhead added. Don't forget the OGA agm at the Crusing Association 17th January 2009. For more details contact the Hon Secretary

9/07/08: General update. We are looking for a new Hon Treasurer (post filled) and Newsletter editor: if you are interested in one of these positions, please contact Phil & Lynn Slade - see officers page

2/05/2008: General update. Photos from Antigua Classics added.

2/02/2008: General update: Trophy and photo competition winners announced

8/12/2007: Events list for 2008 added

5/12/2007: Several minor updates to the site. Photo competition finalists added to competition pages:

26/09/2007: UK members can now buy OGA merchandise on line. Click on the merchandise link.

21/09/2007: Details of the new photographic competition added. More photos added to the gallery.

11/06/07: Yogaf 2007 photos added

1/04/07: General update: Association Rules added (Introduction & Membership pages) and USA & Canada areas added.

4/03/07: Easter sale of merchandise added - see merchandise page.

29/01/07: You can now join online - see membership page

26/09/06: More photos of Yogaff 2006 added.

18/09/06: More photos from Seafairhaven, and from Ullswater added.

25/07/06: Details of the OGA trophies added - see trophy page.

2/07/06: Photos from Seafair Haven and the Trailer Section added on the photos page.

20/06/06: An important notice about the Derwentwater Small Boat Gathering has been added to the events page.

12/06/06: Photos from Yogaff 2006 added: Results of the photo-competition 2006 added

28/01/06: Music page added for those apres-sail events

16/01/06: The OGA has a new President. The result of the ballot for President was announced at the agm last Saturday. With effect from then, Brian Hammett (East Coast Area) has taken over the helm of the Association. I am sure that Brian will make an excellent President, and can count on the support of all members. Our thanks go to the outgoing President, George Jago for all the hard work he put in during his time as President.

08/01/06: Photographs from Southwold 2005 added

05/01/06: 2 Solent area events added

03/01/06: A link to the old website has been added.

27/12/05: The discussion forum server has been mended and is now available for use. Hoorah!!

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Subtopics: Introduction OGA at 50 Membership Officers Gaffers Forum British Isles Areas International Areas Events Merchandise Restorations Gaffers' Services Boat Archive Gaffers Log Trophy Page Photo Competition Photos of Gaffers Links Marinas Etc Music Page