The next morning it’s raining steadily, with the dispiriting permanence of British precipitation at its soul-sapping best. Still, we have all slept uncommonly well, thanks to a combination of physical tiredness and gentle rocking throughout the night.

Jonathan arrives at nine on his launch and comes aboard, zipped into waterproofs and dripping like a landed fish. We decide to sail gently upriver to Ipswich and watch the Suffolk landscape, soft and green in the rain, drift by. The spectacular engineering of the Orwell Bridge and the interesting industrial past of Ipswich docks heave into view and we negotiate the lock.

I am able to pass on my knowledge of knots as we put out fenders and tie up.

“Okay, Bertie, you tie a clove hitch.”

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“Oh, right, a knot.”

Then we sail back down the river to Pin Mill. With Bertie now confidently installed on the helm, I try to work out how Classic Sailing Club works.

The club has a stable of nine yachts, from two- to six-berth, which can be chartered on your own, if you are properly qualified, or with a skipper, as we did. The men behind the club are Jonathan and Ian Welsh. I suspect that both are completely besotted with classic wooden yachts, and that the club represents a way for them to own as many of these beautiful vessels as possible.

Jonathan and Ian’s fleet is largely based in the Orwell estuary, but they have begun to expand and now have an ocean-going ketch in the Med, which was used for the film Mamma Mia!. The club has been going since 2006 and their business plan is still evolving: they dream up seductive sail plans, from round-Britain voyages (join at any point) and gastrocruises (eat in the best restaurants on the coast) to Ransome weekends (let your children explore the waterways that inspired the books).

Jonathan’s enthusiasm and evident joy in the boats is infectious, and we realise that all the men are on deck in the pouring rain, while Janet, Matilda and Amelie have been below all morning, reading and playing cards. We decide that we’ll have lunch and call it a day. The wind has gone. The rain is heavier.

When we get home, Bertie spends an hour practising bowlines, then makes a model of Caressa. I think he liked it a lot. Freddie is still undecided.

Travel details: Classic Sailing Club (0870 300 1066, www.classicsailingclub.com ) is a points-based club, where members buy points (which get cheaper the more you buy). However, anyone can pay for a boat trip — a two-day Ransome sail is £225 per adult (13-18 £75; under 12s free). Day trips are £75 (£50/free). Prices include safety gear, skipper and fuel. Sunday Times readers get 20% off when booking two-day trips (Mon-Fri, throughout the year). Book before the end of March.

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