Above: The Swale Estuary as a variety of vessels gather for the start 
of the Smack and Sailing Barge Match

Below: The staysail barges prepare for the start line. For the purpose
 of identificationIt is helpful to know sail bob colours. The bob is the
small flag at the top of the mast. The vessels lined up below are
 (left to right) Lady of the Lea, Orinoco, Repertor, Greta , Decima
and Phoenician. In the background Wyvenhoe is making its way to the start.

Left: The Swale Estuary with
 Staysail Barges (Lady of the
 Lea Orinoco, Decima,
 Wivenhoe) make their way to
 the start line. 

In the distant background,
the bowsprit barge Gladys
 awaits  the start of her class.

Below: Start of the staysail class 
 

Right: Staysails Orinoco, Greta and
 Decima  make  headway from the Swale

Below: Staysails (Repertor, Phoenician, Decima, Greta, Orinoco, Lady of the Lea)
make their way to the open sea with the coast of the Isle of Sheppey on the port  side.

Left: The Bowsprit Class with Marjorie
leading Gladys in the Swale estuary. 
The bowsprit  pole at the 
bow of such vessels allows sails to be 
set further forward. As a result,
 the total amount of sail available
 can be quite phenomenal! 

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