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September 2023
Sunbeam

Sunbeam

The Solent Sunbeam - a classic keelboat with great performance

Few of today's one design classes are as long-lived or as successful as the Sunbeam, still racing hard after ninety-five years. Solent Sunbeams enjoy close competitive racing in Chichester harbour and in the Solent.

The key attributes of a Solent Sunbeam:

  • A classic keelboat, the largest of the Alfred Westmacott designs, the Solent Sunbeams at Itchenor range from 95 years of age to new all-GRP and newly epoxied yachts, yet all racing on level terms.
  • Highly competitive regular racing in a one-design fleet with no restrictions for tides on most weekends and Thursday evenings from March to October.
  • Beautiful lines with great handling across the whole wind spectrum.
  • Often just one crew member needed in boats that are suited to both men and women.
  • A well-organised crew/helm request system as well as training sessions and a welcoming attitude to new sailors.
  • Annual racing at Cowes Classic Week and Cowes Week with passage races
  • Sheltered moorings in beautiful Chichester harbour.
  • Great camaraderie and community spirit in the Class and Club with many social events.

© Kelmar Photo © Kelmar Photo
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Show news Glorious Race Weeks
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107 boats racing on Saturday 24th August
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Falmouth Celebrates a Century of Sunbeams
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The oldest footage of Cowes Week
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Cowes Week Day 7: A classic finale
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Cowes Week Day 6
Close racing and clear winners
Posted on 1 Aug
Cowes Week Day 5
Gladiator wins Britannia Cup
Posted on 31 Jul
Cowes Week Day 4
The short series has now concluded, with nine of the 12 scheduled races completed
Posted on 30 Jul
Cowes Week Day 3
Sun, spectacle and tight finishes
Posted on 29 Jul
Cowes Week Day 2
Families rise to the fore
Posted on 28 Jul
Cowes Week Day 1
Sun, sea breezes and thrilling competition
Posted on 27 Jul
16th Cowes Classics Week overall
Widely praised as the best so far
Posted on 26 Jul
Cowes Classics Week Day 1
The sun will come out... tomorrow!
Posted on 10 Jul
Cowes Classics Week sign-on process moves online
You can now provide all the required sign-on information online
Posted on 22 Jun
Cowes Classics Week Social early booking discounts
Available only until midnight on Friday 14th June
Posted on 11 Jun
Successful Keelboat Endeavour in Burnham
Ben McGrane, representing the Flying Fifteen class, wins the title
Posted on 22 Apr
Cowes Classics Week 2024 entries now open
Early Entry fees are discounted to encourage the majority of entries well before the closing date
Posted on 9 Mar
Cowes Classics Week preview
The second biggest annual regatta in Cowes is run by sailors for sailors
Posted on 28 Feb
Entries open for Cowes Week 2024
Hoping to welcome around 500 boats racing in up to 36 different classes
Posted on 5 Jan
New Solent Sunbeam Launched in Centenary Year
Odyssey sets sail as a testament to timeless elegance
Posted on 6 Oct 2023
Bosham Regatta 2023
A perfect day on the water for the 140 boats and 250 sailors
Posted on 7 Sep 2023
Cowes Classics Week surveys needs your help
Competitors can influence future decisions
Posted on 17 Aug 2023
2023 Cowes Week day 7
Enigma wins White Group, and the week overall too
Posted on 4 Aug 2023
2023 Cowes Week day 6
Less wind, but more tide, and no discards
Posted on 3 Aug 2023
2023 Cowes Week update
Winner of inaugural Youth Trophy announced
Posted on 2 Aug 2023
2023 Cowes Week day 4
Women's Day highlight's the huge impact women have at Cowes and is to inspire
Posted on 1 Aug 2023
2023 Cowes Week day 3
Royal Navy Day and Charity Day in the presence of HRH the Princess Royal
Posted on 31 Jul 2023
2023 Cowes Week Day 2
Strong winds force abandonment of racing
Posted on 30 Jul 2023
2023 Cowes Week Day 1
Off to a thrilling start with winds gusting well over 20 knots
Posted on 29 Jul 2023
Cowes Classics Week overall
Strong winds all week for the 125 competing yachts
Posted on 18 Jul 2023
Links
Sunbeam UK Nationals Attendance
see the full nationals attendance table here

Photos

Show photos from

2024 Sunbeam Open Centenary Championship
© Miles Carden / Falmouth Harbour
2024 Sunbeam Open Centenary Championship
© Miles Carden / Falmouth Harbour
2024 Sunbeam Open Centenary Championship
© Miles Carden / Falmouth Harbour
2024 Sunbeam Open Centenary Championship
© Miles Carden / Falmouth Harbour
2024 Sunbeam Open Centenary Championship
© Miles Carden / Falmouth Harbour
2024 Sunbeam Open Centenary Championship
© Miles Carden / Falmouth Harbour
2024 Sunbeam Open Centenary Championship
© Miles Carden / Falmouth Harbour
2024 Sunbeam Open Centenary Championship
© Miles Carden / Falmouth Harbour
Sunbeam V19 Audry leads the during the 2024 Sunbeam Open Centenary Championship
© Miles Carden / Falmouth Harbour
2024 Sunbeam Open Centenary Championship
© Miles Carden / Falmouth Harbour
16th Cowes Classics Week
© Tim Jeffreys Photography
16th Cowes Classics Week
© Tim Jeffreys Photography
New Solent Sunbeam launched in centenary year
© Harriet Patterson
New Solent Sunbeam launched in centenary year
© Gayle Palmer
New Solent Sunbeam launched in centenary year
© Gayle Palmer
Day 7 of Cowes Week 2023
© Ingrid Abery / www.ingridabery.com
Day 5 of Cowes Week 2023
© Ingrid Abery / www.ingridabery.com
Day 5 of Cowes Week 2023
© Ingrid Abery / www.ingridabery.com
Day 5 of Cowes Week 2023
© Ingrid Abery / www.ingridabery.com
Sunbeam Centenary Regatta at Itchenor
© Kirsty Bang
Sunbeam Centenary Regatta at Itchenor
© Kirsty Bang
Sunbeam Centenary Regatta at Itchenor
© Kirsty Bang
Sunbeam Centenary Regatta at Itchenor
© Kirsty Bang
Sunbeam Centenary Regatta at Itchenor
© Kirsty Bang
Sunbeam Centenary Regatta at Itchenor
© Kirsty Bang
Sunbeam Centenary Regatta at Itchenor
© Kirsty Bang
Henry Chisholm Weekend Regatta 2023 Winners: Joe & Cathy Burnie
© Strange days at sea
Henry Chisholm Weekend Regatta 2023
© Sula Riedlinger
V4 Judy and V1 Dainty in 1926
© Sunbeam class
Sunbeam fleet in Chichester Harbour 2022
© Kirsty Bang