Please select your home edition
Edition
Exposure Marine

A Demonstration of Design: The life, times and boats of Ian Proctor

by Dougal Henshall 8 Feb 2018 12:00 GMT
The original Topper dinghy © Proctor family

As the UK started to emerge in the early 1950s from the years of wartime austerity, the dinghy and small boat sailing scene would undergo a huge explosion, both in terms of numbers and variety. Indeed, the rich diversity that is such a strong feature of our almost unique sailing activity, has its roots in this wonderful period of design and development.

Two of the primary architects who helped drive these changes forward were the 'Wizard of Putney' – Jack Holt and the 'Master of Design', Ian Proctor. Back in 2012, we celebrated the centenary of Jack Holt, a man whose pragmatic approach to making easy to build, easy to sail boats, did so much to democratize the sport of dinghy racing.

Now, in 2018, we can turn our attention to the life, times, boats and innovations of Ian Proctor, as we celebrate his centenary. And what a life it was! His story will be told at next month's RYA Dinghy Show and in a detailed article that will soon be appearing here on the YachtsandYachting.com website.

These pictures and words will be interesting and informative, but the place to really see the amazing breadth of his designs has to be out on the water and on a racecourse. However, many of his most iconic boats are now 'old ladies', so the choice of venue for an event where they can be displayed had to be very carefully considered. With their wealth of experience in running the annual Classic Boat Revival, the UK's premier classic gathering for small boats, Bosham Sailing Club, on the northern side of Chichester Harbour, were the number one choice and it is with real pleasure that we can reveal that they will be hosting the main Proctor themed event of the year over the 2nd and 3rd of June.

The organizers already have a wide variety of Proctor designed boats that will be making their way to Bosham for this event. On the Saturday they will be displayed on the picturesque 'Bosham Green' that is such an eye-catching part of the area. There will be a Gala Dinner at the Club on the Saturday night, then on the Sunday the boats will head out onto the water for some racing that (weather permitting) will end with a spectator friendly run up past the club to a grandstand finish in front of the Green.

The organizers for the Gala event are keen to get as inclusive a spread of Proctor designs as possible; those classes that are still managed by active class associations will be getting invites, but that still leaves a large number of lesser known designs that we are keen to see out sailing on a race course again.

If you have a favourite Proctor themed story, any pictures or other details – or better still, one of the boats designed by the great man, then the Dinghy Show is a great starting point. The Proctor Story talk will be on at lunchtime up on the main stage (both days), this will be backed up by a number of early examples of his more iconic boats in the West Corridor, along with a number of informative display boards.

Importantly, Bosham Sailing Club will have their stand, B19, at the Dinghy Show and the intention is to hold some Proctor flavour 'clinics' at times there during both days.

The modern dinghy world may have moved on in part, but it is hard to overstate the legacy left by Ian Proctor in terms of dinghies, small cruisers, innovations, the 'Proctor Masts' story and so much more. This is a great, one-off opportunity and if you want to be a part of the celebrations then we would love to hear from you. You can either contact Bosham Sailing Club on their stand during the show or email me directly at

See you at the Show, or at the Bosham Gala event.

Related Articles

Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina. Posted on 1 Jul
Project FEAR is in the final few days
Charity circumnavigation almost over, in record time, with a record total raised Jazz Turner is expected to reach home (Brighton Marina) on Monday 30th June or Tuesday 1st July. She has sailed round the British Isles - all round Ireland and the Shetland Islands - without any assistance in 27 days so far. Posted on 28 Jun
Funding for clubs transforms sailing opportunities
During the latest RYA Participation Webinar we heard from UK clubs about their experiences During the latest RYA Participation Webinar we heard from a range of UK clubs, walking through their case studies, and then heard from experts in finance who talked us through the opportunities and pitfalls of acquiring funds. Posted on 26 Jun
A brief history of marine instrument networks
Hugh Agnew has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge One man who has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge, is Hugh Agnew, the Cambridge-educated mathematician who is one of the founders of A+T Instruments in Lymington, so I spoke to him to find out more... Posted on 25 Jun
Project FEAR turns southwards
Charity circumnavigation progress report from the Shetland Islands Last month I didn't even know that Muckle Flugga existed. Yet today, the very name of the island brought tears of emotion to my eyes, as I heard Jazz Turner scream it out in victory, in a video she took when passing the lighthouse. Posted on 22 Jun
The Big Bash
Every summer the tournament rolls into town. A short format of the game. Fun and excitement abound. Every summer the tournament rolls into town. Local and international players. A short format of the game, run over a relatively compact six-week season. Posted on 15 Jun
The oldest video footage of Kiel Week
A look back into our video archive at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s In our series of articles looking back in time through our video archive, we visit Germany. Kiel Week is been a crucial event on the world circuit, and here we look back at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s. Posted on 15 Jun
Jazz Turner's fundraising target is smashed
Already £30k raised for Sailability, so it's time to up the ante Jazz Turner has now passed the northern-most tip of Ireland and is on her way to the Shetland Islands, and at the same time her fundraising total of £30,000 has been smashed! Posted on 15 Jun
The X-Yachts Gold Cup Experience
A celebration of sailing, of X-Yachts and, most importantly of all, people Having just returned from Haderslev, Denmark - which is the home of X-Yachts and played host to the X-Yachts Gold Cup 2025 - I was left wondering if this was a racing event, a rally or a social celebration amongst close friends. Posted on 10 Jun
Jazz Turner is now nearing Ireland
Fundraising circumnavigation almost hits the £30k target after just 8 days afloat As at the 10th June Jazz is 8 days out from Brighton, and starting to near Ireland. Jazz had hoped to be further along than this, but the winds have been forcing her to stay close-hauled ever since she started. Posted on 10 Jun