Please select your home edition
Edition
Sailingfast 2018 2 728x90

40 Years of Sovereign Trailers

by Pat Blake 22 Jul 2016 15:07 BST 22 July 2016

Whilst researching for the 70th Anniversary of the Merlin Rocket Class I recently spoke to Robert O'Neill who, with his brother Geoff run the Welsh Harp Boat Centre. They make Sovereign Trailers at their premises in north-west London.

It transpires that they too have a big anniversary this year as it is 40 years ago that they made their first trailer. It was a Combi trailer for a Merlin and was sold to a sailor at Cookham Reach Sailing Club.

It all started because the Welsh Harp Boat Centre were dealers for various trailer manufactures and had a lot of quality problems with one particular brand. So rather than continue returning trailers or trolleys, they brought in a part time welder and effected the repairs on site.

Sovereign specialised in manufacturing dinghy combi trailers but sold Snipe Powercraft trailers as part of their ongoing business. In the 1970's the biggest trailer ordered was a Snipe A7500 and it was delivered to Stansted airport for President Idi Amin. In the 80's Rob O'Neill found himself in Swansea High Court giving evidence after unknowingly supplying a trailer to a gang who were landing drugs on an isolated beach in Wales!

More recently they have eschewed the more dodgy aspects of their past by embracing the European directive 2007/46/EC and the need to comply with this ruling to be able to legally sell a trailer for the roads in the UK. The business had to change dramatically. Many manufactures just gave up, the huge costs involved with 'Type Approval' was the last straw. Sovereign do not make any braked trailers but have increased the range of combi trailers. Interestingly the purpose made cradles – they have cradles for most classes, and even for individual designs in development classes - were made by an ex-employee of Rondar Boats when they were based in New Milton. He would make a monthly London delivery. He is now in his 70's and still makes the deliveries but now from the West Country. Their welder Charlie, a relative youngster at 66, has worked for them for 30yrs. He appeared on the national news with other employees discussing how small companies will vote in the last General Election.

So they remain a close knit family business that has developed an excellent product.

welshharp.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=8

Related Articles

Conversation with Ben Willows: CEO RS Marine Group
Some people's passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA There are some people whose passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA. Ben Willows is one of those people. Posted today at 7:00 pm
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 4
Balanger dominates qualifying, storm cuts Gold fleet racing short Day four of the 2025 Moth World Championship opened at dawn with another early start for the 137 athletes from 25 nations competing on Lake Garda. Posted today at 5:47 pm
iQFOiL Worlds in Aarhus overall
Thrilling Medal Series closes out a spectacular week of high-stakes foiling in Denmark The 2025 iQFOiL World Championship wrapped up in Aarhus with a spectacular Medal Series showdown that saw Emma Wilson (GBR 7) and Andy Brown (GBR 360) rise to the top and secure World Championship titles. Posted today at 5:37 pm
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Three preview
This has produced the overall winner of two of the last six editions IRC Three may consist of smaller, slower and in some cases older boats than those that will garner headlines in the first couple of days of the Rolex Fastnet Race. Posted today at 4:12 pm
Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship preview
This year's regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe - 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore! Posted today at 3:00 pm
Setting sail to support life after injury
Charity Stride Forward looks set to stand out at Cowes Week With some 500 boats and more than 4,000 sailors taking part in this year's Cowes Week (2-8 August) the crew on board charity entry Stride Forward will be sure to stand out, both on and off the water. Posted today at 2:51 pm
18th Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona day 1
Opening victories and nautical splendor This week, Barcelona once again takes center stage in the world of classic sailing as the 18th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica gets under way. The opening day delivered ideal conditions for a spectacular display on the water. Posted today at 12:28 pm
Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries. Posted today at 10:36 am
ILCA 6 fleet at the German Europa Cup
ASC Performance Academy sailors join in Warnemünde Woche Seven international sailors were joined by Performance Academy Head Coach Charlie Linsell, for the German Europa Cup 2025. Posted today at 10:24 am
Big Breeze, Big Hair, and Big Hopes
Scorpion Nationals Runners & Riders 2025 Has your summer even started if you haven't read the Scorpion runners and riders?! Posted today at 9:23 am