We have received the sad news of the passing of Honorary Member John Booty who died last Sunday afternoon at home. John was the last of the original members of the club and remained active until a few years ago. With four others he built and sailed one of five Medway Bawleys, a traditional design which they constructed in Ferro-cement. He later inherited a green MacWester 28, then named “Kermit” due to it’s colour. This boat remains active in the creek but is now blue and called “Lethera” after a renovation by current owner Ken Milburn. He continued to sail, “crewing” for Lou Milsted-Williamson on “Trident” and “Shearwater”. As well as sailing John was an active and competitive cyclist riding with Wigmore cycling club.
Our condolences go to his friends and family.
John Booty. RIP
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Very sad. A one off as they say. We will always fondly remember him in the club as Lou’s helm winning races and to his vast sailing experience in getting Catherine 2 off bottle beach by ‘walking’ her down the beach. Always something to say whether he agreed with your point of view or not. Will be missed.
Way back when John was building his Bawley I had an 18 foot Foxcub just off Church Farm slip. One afternoon as I was about to go off round the creek on the tide John decided to take a break and invited himself aboard which rather surprised me as I thought he would consider my little boat too tame. We reached the time of HW with still a good way to go to the Medway and I was for turning back but John was adamant we could get round Stangate spit. I soon became resigned to getting back too late to make the mooring. Not so however, I learned more that afternoon than any since, lee bowing, the difference between a making tack and just covering the ground to tack again as quick as possible, and a bit of improvement to my sheeting and set of sails. Despite a rapidly strengthening ebb all the way back we just about scraped or ploughed our way back on to the mooring. Ever after I had great respect for his sailing knowledge.