Thames Sailing Barge “Reminder”

What could be better than sailing away from the hassles of modern life with family and friends on a weekend of relaxation along the beautiful East Coast ?

You will love gathering around the stove on colder evenings for board games and cards, music (why not bring an instrument) or just to chill out and chat. Contrast that with summer evenings up on deck watching the sunset with a cold drink in hand and you’ll see that there is something special for everyone.

Reminder is crewed by a qualified skipper and experienced mate and are licensed by the Marine and Coastguard Agency.

Reminder

Tradition has it that after the 1928 Thames Barge Match, Fred Horlock promised his victorious rivals that he would give them a “reminder” of the speed of his barges. The following year 1929, “Reminder” was launched at Mistley and fulfilled his expectations, becoming Champion Barge on the Thames and Medway. “Reminder” was also one of the last barges built.

Working in trade until the early 1970’s, she was restored to sailing condition in 1975 and since then has given hundreds of people the opportunity to experience “barging” under sail.
Reminder is based in Maldon, a lovely old town at the head of the River Blackwater in Essex and home to the largest surviving working fleet of these historic vessels. The barges moor at Hythe Quay where ships have traded for centuries.
She also visits Mistley once a year, working from the yard where she was built in 1929.