I never get tired of watching this video
Great vid L C.
There is a similar tradition in NZ built around the Mullet Boats.
This is the only vid I could find on them. It is mostly associated with "The Ponsonby Cruising Club" (see links).
Fishing boat racing grew because the fastest boats in the old days got to the markets first and usually got the best price for their fish.
www.pcc.org.nz/
www.mulletboatracing.co.nz/heritage.html
Thanks Cisco, very nice to look at and read the mullet boat web site where I see a certain Arch Logan was responsible for at least two of the designs still racing. For those that like all things old, Logan brothers were responsible in 1898 for the design and construction of "Rainbow", the yacht that swept all before her in NZ and Australia.
Town I grew up in SA had a fleet of similar fishing vessels. Gaff rigged with out the top bit and shorter bowsprits. Boxing day they had a sailing race around the bay. Normal working days they motor sailed with mains only. 2 cylinder Blaxland motors. Sadly all gone now and most of the fishermen.
Just magnificent , just watched it again are they from Kent , oyster boats ?
Down here our historic fishing vessels are the couta boats , similar gaf rig .
This is a yearly event hosted by the West Mersea Yacht Club and the boats are, I presume some of the local fishing smacks.
www.google.com:443/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=+&q=116+Coast+Road+++West+Mersea+++Colchester+++Essex+CO5+8PB&ie=UTF8&hq&hnear=116+Coast+Rd,+West+Mersea,+Colchester+CO5+8PB,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.244725,2.25769&spn=2.933274,8.432007&t=m&z=8&vpsrc=6
And for those people that like boats, here is this years event
Noticed the bowsprit flexing on the heavy day , nice piece of timber working beautifully !
Great fleet of boats! 
