Fowey River Class 70th anniversary
by Andrew Dellow 5 Apr 2020 15:44 BST
Royal Fowey Regatta 2016 © Marcus Lewis
This year is the 70th anniversary of the first Fowey River being built in Fowey from the plans first published in Yachting World and Motor Boating Journal in April 1939. Since then 73 boats are thought to have been built and the class has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the past twenty five years.
This is thanks to some hard working individuals who had the vision to reinvigorate the class, that had fallen into decline, in the early nineties. The first boat was built by Hunkins in Polruan for a local dentist E.Mogg or 'Moggy' as he was known to everyone.
The success of the class is borne out by attendance at the class championships where 19 boats competed last year and the annual Royal Fowey Regatta where 36 boats attended. This year there are plans to hold a number of events to mark the anniversary but these are currently on hold and under review for obvious reasons.
Other than the championships and regatta there are plans for a sail parade before regatta, a display of historic documents, artefacts and photographs at Fowey Gallants Sailing Club as well as an art exhibition at the Royal Fowey Yacht Club.
A book recounting the history of the class from the first publication of the original plans to the restoration and planned relaunch of one of the older boats in the fleet later this year is planned to be published in May or June. The book will includes historical information, personal recollections from some of the sailors and a photo catalogue of each boat.
A register summarising all the information known about each boat will also be included along with a summary of results from major events. Another chapter describes the building of a new boat.
Let's hope we are able to return to the water later this year but of course everyones health and well-being is foremost in our minds. If necessary we will hold these events in 2021 and call them the 70+1th celebrations! In the meantime the class is staying safe via Zoom quiz nights, dinner parties and song-writing clips on the WhatsApp group.