2013 Fowey Classics – 30th July to 2nd August

aug 2010 013 williams boats

Fowey Classics is a rally of vintage and modern classic sailing boats ranging typically from 12 feet to 12 tons (or more) representing a diverse range of designers stretching back to 1886.

It takes place the beautiful and historic port of Fowey (50°21´N, 4°38´W) on the south coast of Cornwall between Plymouth and Falmouth.

Anything up to a 100 boats attend from as far afield as America but largely consisting of visitors from along the south coast and the Brittany coast.

The organisers say the event is a particularly friendly annual gathering. It takes place following Plymouth Classics, with many of the participants sailing down the coast from that event to begin Fowey Classics on the the Tuesday morning (30th July this year) and continuing until the Friday (2nd August this year).

The parade of sail on the Thursday lunchtime is said to be a magnificent sight, and this year a cruise liner Silver Cloud will be moored in the lower harbour on the Friday and Gypsy Moth IV is attending and will open for all to see or sail in.

Other events include various parties, barbecues, a race or two, a cruise in company and talks about Gypsy Moth IV and the local Troy keelboat class – the last one is to be given by Intheboatshed.net regular Marcus Lewis.

If you’d like to see the event or take part, more information can be found at the www.foweyclassics.com or telephone Mike Sutherland on 01726833843.

For more intheboatshed.net posts mentioning Fowey, click here.

Tall Ships Set Out, 1964

Tall Ships Set Out 1964

The Tall Ships Race of 1964 leaves Plymouth Hoe with a good helping of British Pathé razzmatazz. The vessels taking part include Hoshi, Tawau, Etoile, Belle-Poule and the sailing ship Danmark.

At the time the presenter ruefully remarked that the British didn’t have a square-rigger – well thankfully we do now.

My thanks to Amy Davenport for pointing this one out.

Does anyone know the story of the racing yacht Mayhi?

Mayhi lines - note that this is foreshortened due to the angle from which it was shot
Mayhi lines – note that this is foreshortened due to the angle from which it was shot

Shipwright Simon Grillet is appealing for  for information about the history of the sliding gunter-rigged centreboard sloop Mayhi, the racing yacht to be used as the template for building a new vessel by apprentices on the Faversham Creek Trust’s new scheme starting in August this year.

She is believed to have been built at Ramsgate in 1908, but I gather that it is the period before the Great War that is least known. I’m curious myself about how her form was arrived at and what the references might  have been. If you can help at all, please write to gmatkin@gmail.com, and I’ll pass the information on the Simon.

Mayhi is 27ft by 8ft with a draft of 5ft 3in with her keel down and 2ft 3in  with her keel up. Her saucer shape (seen in the foreshortened photos above) is said to make her very stable, and her sail balance when close-hauled is reported to be excellent, with only slight weather helm.