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OGA Deben Rally and WBTA 3rd Wooden Boat Gathering

Sat 2 May 2026 6:00 PM - Mon 4 May 2026 2:00 PM Waldringfield and Woodbridge

OGA Deben Rally and WBTA 3rd Wooden Boat Gathering

Sat 2 May 2026 6:00 PM - Mon 4 May 2026 2:00 PM Waldringfield and Woodbridge

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Booking for the Rally has now closed.

We are returning to the beautiful Deben thanks to the support of Woodbridge & Waldringfield Boatyards & Waldringfield Sailing Club.
This is an event for large and small boats and we will joining with the Wooden Boat Trade Association (WBTA) with their 3rd Wooden Boat Gathering. On Saturday there will be tours, talks and chat in appreciation of wooden boats in Woodbridge and we'll spend the rest of the weekend on the water, based from the Waldringfield boatyard.

Draft Plan, more details to follow

Non Sailing Activities	Sailing Activities
Friday
	Arrive at Waldringfield afternoon/evening, launch boats.
Saturday
Day - Wooden Boat Insights in Woodbridge Two Wooden Boat related talks in The Long Shed Gallery by Loic, owner of Nyala: read about Loic and Nyala Richard Birmingham, author of 'Boat Building Techniques', ex.Professor of Small Craft Design and Newcastle University and a former president of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects Tour of the Saxon Ship being built there Pizza Snack Lunch There will also be time to explore Woodbridge, the Tide Mill, riverside walks and shopping!	Morning - Sail from Waldringfield to Woodbridge at about 10-10.30 to be moored at Woodbridge by 11.15-11.30. Join the Talks, tour and lunch in Woodbridge. Afternoon - Before the water leaves the channels we will sail back to Waldringfield for the evening BBQ in the boatyard. Evening - Waldringfield - Bring your own food BBQ at the Waldringfield Boatyard
Sunday
Jahan River Deben Boat Trips - Two-hour boat trips along the River Deben are available on MV Jahan, from Waldringfield. Ashore - there are riverside walks from Woodbridge and Waldringfield. See the links below. On Saturday it is possible to join the sailors at The Ramsholt Arms or even The Rocks (with a walk). Why not visit the pretty Felixstowe Ferry.	Day - We will sail (or motor!) downriver, maybe to Ramsholt where there is pub (Ramsholt Arms), and taking in a picnic at The Rocks, a sheltered and scenic anchorage just downriver from Waldringfield. Evening - Waldringfield - Bring your own food BBQ at the Waldringfield Boatyard
Monday
	An opportunity for more sailing, perhaps taking in Martlesham creek. Participants can recover their boats and say their farewell as suits them.

Taking Part

Participants can choose how they want to get involved in the Rally. There are three packages available, each including the talks and lunch in Woodbridge on Saturday.

Non-Sailing Saturday Only - £30 per person
Non-Sailing Weekend including Jahan 2-hour cruise on Sunday - £45 per person
Sailing Weekend (including Saturday Woodbridge activities) - £35 per person

Tickets are also available for just the cruise on MV Jahan on Sunday, without attending other weekend activities, at £17 per person.

Launching, Recovery and Mooring Facilities

The main sailing base for the weekend will be at Waldringfield. There will be space for open boats, trailers and cars with the possibility for open boats to be kept afloat if required.
Larger boats arriving by water will be able to pick up one of the visitors' moorings or anchor above Waldingfield or below at The Rocks.
There will also be drying moorings available through the boatyard at Woodbridge.

If any boats need to be launched by the boatyard crane then they MUST book in advance - 01394 385 786.

Safety

The safety of everybody ashore and afloat is important. Particularly for those taking part in boats please read, assess and act on the East Coast OGA Risk Assessment.

Accommodation

There are hotels, B&B and AirBnB in Woodbridge and around the River Deben.

For those sailing there is a limited number of basic camping pitches at Waldringfield for tents or campervans. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis and should be booked through the booking form (green button).
There are other campsites in the area at Low Farm and Newbourne Woodland. Low Farm also has 'Pods' and holiday cottages and Newbourne Woodland has Glamping lodges.