Salcombe Yawl 50th Anniversary Celebrations
by David Greening 9 Aug 2016 12:50 BST
6 August 2016
Saturday 6th August saw over 50 Salcombe Yawls and crew gathered together to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of the Salcombe Yawl Owner's Association.
Salcombe Yawls have been built and sailed in the harbour since the early 20th century; initially in different shapes and sizes, but in 1966 following the construction of the ground breaking Yawl 61 Taylor Maid the Owner's Association was formed, to formalise the rules of the class, which had previously been written inside the lid of builder Jim Stone's toolbox.
The Owner's association organised a sail past of Yawls in front of Salcombe Yacht Club and Cliff House Gardens, where a considerable number of spectators ashore and afloat enjoyed the glorious morning and views of these boats which are Iconic to Salcombe.
The sail past was excellently compered by Adrian Griffin; with Bill "Scratch" Hitchin provided an informative commentary of the history of each Yawl as it sailed past.
The sail past was led by the 77 year old Yawl 14 "Blackbird" being sailed by John Smithers and Peter Hughes, this was the precursor to the modern yawl class, built by Jim Stone and who was responsible for introducing many visitors to the joys of sailing in the harbour.
Also in the fleet was the ground breaking Yawl 141 Morrison designed "Nuffin", sailed by the Rob and Heather Adams. Dave Gibbens the builder of this and twelve other Yawls was aboard one of the spectator launches.
The most recent boat, Yawl 189 "Great Bustard" designed by Ian Howlett and built by Mike Atfield brought up the rear in the hands of Charles Thompson and his family.
Following the sail past the fleet lined up abreast for a final sail past the Watch House, whilst Alec Stone, son of Jim and whose family built over eighty of these boats, rang the Yacht Club finishing bell as a lifetime of his work sailed past.
Competitors had been invited to dress their boats overall, and to wear fancy dress, class stalwarts Geof Gilson and Chris Spencer Chapman won the prize for sartorial elegance, though Class Chairman Andrew Reed and Simon Gibbens should have honourable mentions for dressing as Shags (there is a theme that most Yawls have been named after birds).
The day was rounded off with a picnic and drinks provided by the association for the sailors, families and friends at Cliff House Gardens.
It was clear from the day's events that the Owners are merely custodians of these fine craft.
The celebrations have continued into the Yacht Club Regatta week, where there are three divisions of Salcombe Yawl's racing, and the week will include the 50th Annual General Meeting of the Association followed by a dinner and dance.