We are all so sad to hear the shock news today. Sailing has lost a great man with so much passion for the sport who always had a smile.

All our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone at Ovington Boats.

This is truly tragic.  SIncere condolences to Glynis, the boys, and all the boys & girls up at Tynemouth.

I don't know what else to say...

A sad day for sailors and the sport of sailing

A bloody good bloke, funny, honest, dedicated and talented.

Sailing is immeasurably richer because of Dave and a lot poorer for his loss. He was such a good kind friend to me and my family, we are devastated. All our thoughts are with Glynis and the boys.

A tragic loss of a true gentleman. He will be deeply missed by his many friends in the sailing world!

All out thoughts to Dave's family and friends. 

It is very difficult to express how I feel. The world is a poorer place for the loss of Dave.

He was the "DAD" of the UK Skiff world and will be greatly missed by us all.

All our thoughts are with Glynis and the boys.

There is only one word for the man, Legend. 

I saw him not more than a couple of weeks ago, he was on the phone so I just waved, I wish i'd taken the time to say hello now.  My heart goes out to his family and everyone at Ovington boats. 

He will be sadly missed

My thoughts go out to his family and friends

He is a massive loss

 To a great boss and a better friend. He will always be in our hearts and minds.

 Dave Ovington was an innnovator and sportsman. From 14s, through Skiffs to the Mumm keelboat he offered a path to enjoyment through quality and design.

His contribution to our sport and enjoyment lives on through many brilliant classes. I'm sure we all offer his family our greatest sympathy along with heartfelt thanks for his great passion, humanity and sheer exuberance for the sport of sailing.

Chris McLaughlin, Ian Southworth, Nigel Smith, Andrew McLelland and Sean Dwyer

Dave was a gentleman both on and off the water and always had time for anyone, regardless of their status.  He was a pleasure to do business with and always sought perfection.  He and the late Chris Benedict kicked off the current generation of skiff style dinghies, for which we all owe our thanks.

My condolences to his family.

David Greening

To a great mate, a privilage to have sailed with him, devistation to have lost him.

Graeme Oliver

Musto Skiff GBR 161

Not a good day at all, at least he leaves a successful legacy for us to remember him by.  

when the 49er was announced as olympic i ordered a boat immediately. in typical aussie fashion i turned up with only half the cash. most englishmen would've told me to tell my story walking. dave said sort it out next week and let me take the boat..... to me he epitomised everything that sailing is and should be about... and more... trust, friendship and willingness to share the magic of the sport. a great bloke.

sincere sympathies to his family

A great man, and tragic loss to our sailing world....my sincere condolences to his family.

I remember years' ago whilst working with the International 14's of Neal MacDonald and James Hartley that Dave's boats were the first ever 'proper' built boats that were twice as strong as the rest. He was a true professional and did amazingly well to build up such a solid and respected business through tough times. Ovington Boats was so well thought of because of Dave's personality and love of the sport that shone through everything the company did. He will be sorely missed but well remembered.

Our thoughts are with his family and Dave Hall. I am sure we can plan a fitting memorial race for all the Ovington classes. From all the team at Yachts & Yachting.

I was so shocked to hear of Dave's death. I have known him for twenty years as a customer and friend. I will miss our chats at his yard.

Dave was a true gentleman, I will miss him!

Jonathan

I am absolutely shocked at Dave's passing.  We will all have our stories to tell about this "greet blerk".  The UK is blessed with great boatbuilders and sailing characters, Dave was all of this and more.  He touched so many people in so many classes all around the globe.  He leaves a massive hole in the world of sailing and I sincerely hope that his name will live on with Ovington Boats, continuing his legacy.

My very best wishes to Glynnie and the boys.

Mark Nicholson ("Mad Jack like")

I am deeply saddened by the news of Dave passing away. I'm sorry to say that I never met him, but have always had a great admiration for him and in many ways he has acted as a role model for my future aspirations within the sport as I'm sure he has for many other people. In many ways Dave will never leave us because he will always live on within the heart of the sport, through his boats and the fond memories sailors will have of him. My deepest sympathies are sent to his family and friends.

I along with the rest of the sailing world am shocked and saddened by the news of Dave passing away. I was lucky enough to sail, travel and socialize with Dave, on those occasions I learnt what a great bloke he really was.

My deepest sympathy to Glynnie and the boys.

Neale Fitzgerald (Kiwi bloke)

Like so many I never met Dave, but I have sailed on boats built with his guidance.  It is a sad loss and my thoughts go to his family and all at Ovington Boats that I have met and who have always had great things to say about Dave.

Paul Clarke - Musto Skiff GBR 176

There are a few things you hear about in your life that really stop you in your stide. Sundays news was one of them. I was very lucky to sail with Ovi a few times on the Mumm 30's. But for me, the best bit about the racing with him, was usually in the evening. I just wish I could remember a bit more about them now. A true Gent. A massive loss for everybody.

Reading through all these posts shows you what a man he was, how many people he touched. The number of people who have only posted about this topic show you what it means to people.

I wish I could say more than I never actualy got to meet the man, I just know of his reputation.

I didn't know Dave all that well, but remember him around Tynemouth SC when I was younger. I remember how he always had a smile on his face and he'd always make some chit chat with you even if he didn't know you! I also remember training at Tynemouth on a Friday night with his son Adam, whilst we messed around in Toppers!

Dave was an inspiration to sailing up here in the North. May it long continue. He does us Northerner's proud!!

Sincere wishes to his family and all his close friends, namely, Ian and Lorry at Ovington Boats.

A really nice bloke, a true professional and a canny lad.

For those of you who might want to come along the funeral  service will be held at Holy Saviours Church, Tynemouth on Wednesday 6^th April at 11.45 hrs. and afterwards at the Grand Hotel on the sea front at Tynemouth.

Family flowers only, donations please to the British Heart Foundation c/o E.Turnbull and Son Ltd. Albion Road.  North Shields,  NE29 0HE,  UK

If you need directions or further information and in particular if you are coming from some distance away I will try and help with sorting out accommodation.  Please contact me on any of the numbers below.

Regards,

John Williams

mailto:jrw@blueyonder.co.uk - jrw@blueyonder.co.uk – h

mailto:jrw@nemi-cai.com - jrw@nemi-cai.com – w

+44 (0) 191 253 1477 – h

+44 (0) 191 293 7000 – w

07711 753 759 - m

Very shocked.

Was fortunate enough to meet and chat to him on a couple of occasions. A genuine guy who always seemed more than happy to help and truely loved his sport for what it is.

A very sad loss

A truly tragic loss.

Dave was the inspiration behind so many modern skiffs and could easily be thought of as the 'father' of uk asymmetric sailing. But of course, he never turned his back on the more traditional classes, seeing the value of all types of sailing and supporting it all.

By careful design and attention to detail and of course superb quality he also raised the standard of boatbuilding to new heights - especially in glassfibre / foam sandwich etc.

Yes  - lets have an event to celebrate his life and acheivements - and lets have it at his home club at this time of year - preferably in aid of a suitable charity.

Dave Hall at Ovington Boats has forwarded me this message from the family of Dave Ovington.

The family of Dave Ovington would like to extend their thanks and gratitude for all the wonderful messages, cards and letters they have received. Knowing that Dave was held in such high regard has helped us in this difficult time. Our thanks also for the generous donations received at the funeral and by J.Turnbull, Funeral Directors on behalf of The British Heart Foundation.