Beautiful ‘Ripple on display at the London Boat Show
by Hyde Sails 27 Dec 2010 15:25 GMT
Stand F2, 7-16 January 2011
The Thames Estuary One-Design ‘Ripple’ will take pride of place on the Hyde Sails stand at the forthcoming London Boat Show © Hyde Sails
The Thames Estuary One-Design ‘Ripple’ will take pride of place on the Hyde Sails stand (number F2) at the forthcoming London Boat Show, illustrating the wide range of sails the company supplies from dinghies to the Clipper Round the World Race Yachts.
‘Ripple’ is the only survivor from a fleet which was one of the country’s early one-design fleets. The boat was commissioned 100 years ago and has now been completely restored by Swiftboats.
In 1911 the Royal Alexandra YC in Southend commissioned a fleet of one-designs, designed by Morgan Giles and built in Tollesbury in Essex. ‘Ripple’ was the first of the fleet built, but she carries sail number TE2, as TE1 was a prototype.
With a varied history since, ‘Ripple’ was taken to Isle of Wight at one point in her life, later returning to Tollesbury where she raced in Mersea/Tollesbury challenges until she was laid up for a little work 25 years ago. She was eventually rescued from a garden, which was only over the road from where she was originally built!
Gerard Swift of Swiftboats recalls: ‘She was in a very poor way and much care and time had to be given to getting her beautiful shape back before a full restoration could begin.’
Swift explains: ‘She has been replanked in stika spruce, with green Engish oak for the steamed timbers. A local oak was used for the knees and breast hook.’
‘Ripple’ was in the Swiftboats workshop for a year, leaving in time for her owner to take part in Mersea Week 2010 where she showed she had not forgotten what she was built for - to win!’
For more details see www.hydesails.com or www.swiftboats.co.uk
The 2011 Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show runs from January 7-16 at the ExCeL exhibition centre in London’s Docklands. A regular exhibitor at the show for some 25 years, the Hyde stand always offers a warm welcome for visitors, so why not drop in and see our new range of 2011 sail designs and accessories.
Whatever you sail, hi tech dinghies, racing or cruising yachts, Hyde can offer the perfect solution, delivering our legendary blend of friendly advice, high quality products and great service. For more information on Hyde Sails, or to discuss your sail requirements call now on freephone 0800 389 925 or go to www.hydesails.com