Sail on, John! SB20 sailor and Class Chief Measurer John Outhwaite passes away
by SB20 Class UK 28 Mar 2025 14:20 GMT
SB20 sailor and Class Chief Measurer John Outhwaite passes away © Anna Zyk
It was with much sadness that we heard of the passing of our fellow SB20 sailor and Class Chief Measurer John Outhwaite. John has been supporting the class for over 20 years and many people have been touched by his support and helpfulness.
The thoughts of the fleet are captured by our UK Class Treasurer Charlie Whelan:
The first time I properly met John was when we came alongside the mighty Baloo (GBR 3057) at the first SB20 Europeans in Weymouth, 2007. As we followed them into the dock, we were enthusiastically welcomed by his wonderful wife, Gail, who thrust food and beer into our hands before we'd even tied up. I'm not sure John, his son Carl, or their superb helm — the talented and very sadly late Martin Boatman — had even eaten yet. Such is the generosity and kindness of the Outhwaites.
I was (and remain) gutted when I heard the news on Sunday that we would no longer enjoy his joyous company. Like many of us, I've shed more than a few tears. John was a charming guy, with a cheeky smile and a sharp wit.
Universally acknowledged as a "top bloke," John was a solid, dependable guy who would do anything for you and was always genuinely interested in what you'd been up to. He was a pretty decent helm, though he preferred crewing — and from what I understand, he was always regarded as one of the North's top crews through the '80s and '90s.
Ian Turnbull said to me last night, "He loved sailing and just being out on the water." John wanted to share that passion, particularly with younger sailors, for whom he helped launch many sailing careers. To take charge of that ambition, he first bought a Cork 1720, which he raced with Ian Turnbull and other youth sailors in the late '90s. Then in 2005, he bought *Baloo*, which he raced for several years — including a second-place finish at the 2008 UK Nationals with Ian and Martin. He later handed Baloo over to Mikey Mathews to helm with Carl and others. When not on Baloo continued racing with his great sailing buddy Dave Atkinson in the SB20, and with Dave and Ian on Dave's J/70 and Dragon.
John had countless friends across the J/70, Dragon, and 1720 fleets — and no doubt many more classes, too.
In addition to being a great competitor, John was also a top-level international measurer. He was the one who uncovered some serious shenanigans in the J/70 class, and again when similar issues arose in the SB20s. He was scrupulously fair, and the John-and-Gail team carried out their vital work to the benefit of us all. Thank goodness Gail was there — she kept John from getting too frustrated when we SB20 sailors weren't quite doing things as we should!
One of the highlights of every Worlds event for me was always spending time with John and Gail — over coffee, beer, or dinner. He was a true supporter of each and every one of us, of the UK SB20 class, and of the SB20 class as a whole. We all owe him a debt of gratitude. I only wish I could buy him one more beer. It's so unfair that we can't. Ian summed it up perfectly: "He is a massive loss. He was one of our best."
Our thoughts and love go to Gail, Carl & Nick and their lovely family.