Sunbeams shine their light on Mylor's classic skills
by Louise Midgley 7 Sep 2014 12:12 BST
7 September 2014
Roger Graffy sailing Milly © Cornwall Marine Network
A select group of fine old ladies of the sea have been celebrating their 90th birthdays throughout 2014 and as the classic Falmouth Sunbeams emerge from their racing season one of the oldest sisters of the fleet is showing off a new facelift completed by the expert hands of Mylor Yacht Harbour's master shipwrights.
Looking like miniature J-Class yachts and sailing like a dream, there are few fleets more "classic" than the Falmouth Sunbeams. Gentlemen and women of the twenties and thirties thought them quite the thing to race and the same applies today – with an ever more competitive edge.
This year as they celebrate 90 years of racing in the beautiful waters surrounding Falmouth, Mylor Yacht Harbour is taking pride in the skills that have ensured the class flourishes and grows.
Two hundred years ago in the great days of sail Mylor was England's smallest naval dockyard in one of the world's most strategic ports; with consistent investment through the last 20 years it is now Cornwall's busiest boatyard and marina – and the only yard in recent years to build new, wooden Sunbeams on exactly the same lines as their elder sisters.
"At Mylor we share a passion for these fantastic vessels and for boats in general," says Managing Director Roger Graffy, "and our team of master craftsmen with decades of experience between them nurtures younger talent to make sure we take those brilliant skills into the future."
Through the decades Sunbeams have only been found as a racing class around the Isle of Wight – where most of them were originally built – and Falmouth. But while the Solent fleet has allowed new fibreglass versions into their competitions, all Falmouth Sunbeams – even the newer ones – are wooden with everything from the size of the pitch-pine planking to the length, beam and draught exactly to the specifications of Alfred Westmacott's design of the early 20's.
Roger Graffy's passion for these vessels goes back to childhood trips to Cornwall – and the building of his own Sunbeam, "Milly", at Mylor fifteen years ago, was a dream come true.
"I think I started the idea when I was about ten when I used to come down to St Mawes and sail Sunbeams," he says, "but I never really thought I'd actually achieve it. Now we've built three beautiful new Sunbeams and we are all so proud of that achievement.
"We have the skills here at Mylor and we've wanted to put them to good use and show people what Cornwall can create. The Sunbeam's are one of the most respected classes in the Fal - it's very serious racing and they are such things of beauty."
In total agreement with that sentiment is Jeff Martin who has sailed all his life, all over the world and is now the proud owner of 90 year old "Wendy" who recently emerged from Mylor's Sunbeam shed looking like a new girl on the fleet.
"We're not really owners of these boats," he says, "just custodians and when John Pickup was looking to "retire" from racing Wendy I stepped in to his place.
"There's nothing quite like an old wooden boat. They need a lot of attention to keep them going but our Sunbeams are raced very hard and they have stood the test of 90 years so they'll probably go on for another 90."
The Sunbeams's aren't the only fleet kept in tip top condition at Mylor. The boatyard itself thrives and expands with its Marine Team of expert craftsmen and technicians with the expertise to match any vessel – ancient or modern - from re-building or restoring the sleekest of classic yachts to the complete refurbishment of Cornish fishing boats.
If materials and methods change through the years, quality remains absolute: the latest laminates, state of the art electronics and revolutionary hybrid power are all employed with precision and pride alongside the timeless values, skills and a great respect for the graceful leisure craft of the past.
Several of the Falmouth Working Boat fleet have their home at Mylor – protected and maintained whether fishing under sail for oysters through the winter or racing like furies through the summer.
The Marina, meanwhile, welcomes yachts of all kinds both locally and from around the globe with the finest facilities and most scenic and sheltered setting anywhere in the world. It's not often that "development" involves removing a building to open up a stunning view but that's what Mylor Yacht Harbour has done with the demolition of the dilapidated former Yacht Club for the preservation of the historic Listed quay.
"Falmouth Classics and Falmouth Regatta Week are among the highlights of our year," says Roger Graffy, "and it always gives us a real sense of pride and pleasure as we look around the various racing fleets to see just how many of the vessels – old and new - are maintained to their fighting best by our team here at Mylor.
"But for me personally it's the Sunbeams that get my heart pounding and when I'm out racing Milly and look around at my friends and competitors in the other boats I sometimes have to pinch myself to believe we are part of what keeps this wonderful fleet fit for the future."