The Smack Race

The Excelsior Celebrates Her 100th Birthday!

Now it's time for party games!

Really serious party games.

There hasn't been a race like this in Lowestoft since the mid '90's and it's going to be quite a spectacle.

You can learn more about our lovely LT472 at the Excelsior Trust website here.

The Guests

Participants and Guest Vessels

Large Smacks & Drifters

There are several vessels registered with National Historic Ships as is Lowestoft’s Excelsior

From Lowestoft
Excelsior LT472, built in 1921, a Lowestoft Smack

From Arendal, Norway
Boy Leslie LO392, Built in 1911, Brixham Trawler

From Lerwick, The Shetlands
The Swan LK243S, Built in 1900, Shetland Herring Boat

From Penryn, Cornwall
Gleaner LT64, Built in 1874, Lowestoft Lugger

From Brightlingsea, Essex
Pioneer CK18, Built in 1864, Colchester Smack

Great Yarmouth’s steam drifter Lydia Eva will also be attending to support the event

Small Smacks and Drifters

From Pin Mill, Suffolk
Transcur CK365, Built in 1889, Colchester Smack

From Wrabness, Essex
Daisy Bell CK451, Built in 1895, Colchester Smack

From Southwold, Suffolk
Bona LO178, Built in 1903, Thames Bawley

From Pin Mill, Suffolk
Gladys LO195, Built in 1904, Leigh Bawley

From Brightlingsea, Essex
Priscilla MN76, Built in 1893, Maldon Smack

From Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue, France

Sybil of Wivenhoe CK349, Built in 1901, Colchester Smack

From Walton on the Naze, Essex
Rely LK ?, Built in 1911, Dandy-rigged Zulu

Beach Boats

From The Deben, Suffolk
Three Sisters IH81, Built in 1896, Suffolk Beach Boat

Old Gaffer Guests

From Woodbridge, Suffolk
Clytie, Built in 1922, Gaff Cutter

From Kent
Cygnet, Built c.1904, Gaff Yawl

From Harwich, Essex,
Hussar, Built in 1949, Vertue

From Mistley, Essex,
Kelpie 2, Built in 1902, Canoe Yacht

From Woodbridge, Suffolk,
Titch, Built in 1978, Memory 19

The Schedule (updated July 23)

A Schedule for the Smack Race and Vessels Festival

Timetable:

07.45 Large smacks travelling through Bridge Viewing area just west of the Bridge on the south side, then from the South Pier.

From 08.10 Large smacks making sail Sea wall anywhere between Lowestoft Ness and Tramps Alley (at the end of Gunton Cliff)

09.20 Smaller smacks travelling through Bridge Viewing area just west of the Bridge on the south side, then from the South Pier

From 09.00 Other smacks and old gaffers start to leave the Yacht Basin South Pier.

From 09.15 Small smacks and Old Gaffers start making sail Sea wall anywhere between Lowestoft Ness and Tramps Alley (at the end of Gunton Cliff)

09.30 Large Smacks Race Start Gunton Cliff or Corton Road (above Gunton Warren). Best with binoculars. 10.15 Small Smacks Race start Gunton Cliff or Corton Road (above Gunton Warren). Best with binoculars.

09.00 – 1700 Vessels Festival with Stalls, Displays, Food, Drink, Music at the South Pier

13.45 Target finishing time for leading vessels Gunton Cliff or Corton Road (above Gunton Warren). Best with binoculars.

14.00 Vessels start taking in sail for return Sea wall anywhere between Lowestoft Ness and Tramps Alley (at the end of Gunton Cliff)

14.30 First Bridge Opening for inward bound smacks South Pier and viewing area just west of the Bascule Bridge on the south side.

15.00 Second Bridge Opening for inward bound smacks South Pier and viewing area just west of the Bascule Bridge

16.00 Third Bridge Opening for inward bound smacks South Pier and viewing area just west of the Bascule

Bridge Timings are for guidance only as operational considerations can result in variations.

The Best Places to Watch

The ships will berth at the Lowestoft Haven Marina and the RN&S Yacht Club. They will travel up and down Lake Lothing as they sail in and out, and leave in groups when they are scheduled to race. That schedule will be published before the race and could change if the weather is uncooperative. Watch for more news on the homepage of this website.

There will be two main areas to watch the ships. One is at several viewing locations on the South Pier in Lowestoft and the other is out on Ness Point to watch the races. Look at the map on this website to see where good locations are and if they are readily accessible to you, especially if you have special needs.