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On Sunday 2nd March 2025, Madoc Yacht Club rowers took on the Ffestiniog Railway Spooner’s Boat in a sprint race. The course starts at Boston Lodge and runs the length of The Cob, a mile long embankment across the Glaslyn Estuary built by local MP William Alexander Maddocks in the 19th century to reclaim 7000 acres of land from the sea. The race is a celebration of the history of Porthmadog, whose prosperity was built upon the slate trade. The slate output from the quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog was brought to the harbour on the narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway where it was loaded on to ships for destinations across the globe.
Fleetwing, one of MYC’s Celtic Longboats is named after one of the last slate carrying ships built in Borth y Gest.
All four of MYC’s Celtic Longboats lined up in the estuary and when Spooner’s boat emerged from Boston Lodge in full sail, the starter sounded his horn and the race was on, however, the weather conditions on this occasion were in favour of the rowers with no wind at all. The Boat could not make progress and Rob Collins decided to get off and push with Matthew Wolstenholme aboard.
With flat calm water, the rowers pulled hard and Celtic Longboat Ysbryd Eryri claimed first place. In crew were, Pippa Owen (Cox)  Ruth Taylor, Hettie O’Brian, Rachel Carlyle and Matt Hill. In second place was Fleetwing, third was FFestiniog Sailboat, fourth was Glaslyn with a crew made up from Railway volunteers and employees, Geoff Wood (Cox), Kaz Spring, Ash Wiseman, Clare Oates and Dave Thurlow. The final boat home was Madog.
The spectacle proved entertaining for the supporters lined up on Y Cob and they soon gathered around the The Boat pulled up at Harbour Station. Spooner’s boat is a unique gravity and sail powered railway vehicle. Built in the shape of a boat, with a full sail, the replica was completed in 2005 and can be seen operating on the line during special events. The Boat which has brakes but no form of power other than gravity and sail is towed up the line behind a train and then allowed to gravitate back down as far as Pen Cob. The sail is then raised for the journey across The Cob to Harbour Station.  (information supplied courtesy of Festipedia).
After the race the competitors and guests returned to the hospitality of Madoc Yacht Club for refreshments and prize giving. A trophy, created by Geoff and Sarah (MYC) from parts donated by Mr. Andy Lance, a local rail enthusiast, was presented to the winning crew.                         

This was the opening event for MYC Rowers competitive year, our next event is the Montford Challenge a 14 mile river race in Shewsbury.

For more information about rowing please contact us at rowrotaman@gmail.com or have a look at madog-rowing.co.uk
For more information about Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway please check out the website festrail.co.uk

As you can see, we have made extensive updates to the website for 2025

The ONE PARKING number plate recognition system has been LIVE since April 2022, and is still going well. If you haven't already registered your number plate or if you have a new car, please email madocyachtclub@gmail.com to avoid any unnecessary fines. For those attending club events/quiz, etc please log your number plate each visit at the bar. This will be on the system for 24hrs only. Madoc Yacht Club Car Park is privately owned by Madoc Yacht Club. FINE QUERIES - If you have been fined, please contact OPS directly to discuss as MYC has no control over the cancellation.

GOOD MOOD restaurant is still open, situated within Madoc Yacht Club.

They are open all week 5pm till 10pm - and on Saturdays, 12noon - 2:30pm. Head over to there Facebook page for more details. If you are visiting GOOD MOOD, please do not park in the members only car park at MYC, this will avoid any unnecessary fines.