Please select your home edition
Edition
Sunstorm Marine - Mesh Bag - RIB

Falmouth Classics 2025

by Don Garman 18 Jun 20:06 BST 13-15 June 2025
Cynthia, built Falmouth in 1910 by Thomas Jacket in the Teamac Race - Falmouth Classics 2025 © Jim Totman

An eclectic fleet of classic vessels gathered on Thursday 12th June in Falmouth Harbour for the 2025 Falmouth Classics Regatta. Vessels ranged from the 48m Dutch Brig Morgenster to Teuk a 3.8m West Mersea oyster smack's tender. This year a high proportion of the 159 boats were built before 1950 with the oldest entry, Emma, a Leigh Bawley, built in 1845.

A great start to the event was provided by Dynamite Brewery's reception on Falmouth Haven with shanty singing from local group Rum and Shrub. The event got seriously under way on Friday when, undaunted by the rain, 90 left their moorings and berths to race in the Carrick Roads and Falmouth Bay. Despite getting a soaking, crews enjoyed the courses set by the new Chief Race officer Nigel Sharp. The fickle wind in the afternoon saw boats in some classes struggle to achieve the time limit.

The evening Polgoon Vineyard and Gweek Classic Boatyard reception in the Falmouth Art Gallery and Council Chamber saw crew enjoying some warmth and dryness.

The strong westerly breeze on Saturday provided great sailing and the fleet increased to well over 100 with the addition of Falmouth Working Boats and some additional local G Class gaffers. The Carrick Roads was filled with lug, gaff and Bermudan sails and the large boat classes raced out into Falmouth Bay. A number of the fifteen classes raced around a mark in St Mawes Harbour.

Several crews and a Royal Navy team participated in the rowing and sculling competition at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club after racing. A local pair won the rowing whilst a Salcombe Yawl skipper won the singles race. There was stiff competition in the sculling with Zak Clarke, from West Mersea in Essex, showing the way around the course.

The weather on Sunday proved ideal for the Parade of Sail and Power. Three Royal Navy Archer P2000 patrol vessels led the parade in an arrow formation (not the Red Arrows but the Grey Arrows!) followed by the current Falmouth lifeboats and two vintage life boats.

The sailing fleet was led by Morgenster with some of her square sails set, a sight providing a reminder of a long-gone era in Falmouth, she was followed by the sailing fleet and gigs. Several boats had dressed according to the underwater fancy dress theme. There were mermaids, octopuses, crabs and an abundance of seaweed to be seen.

The guests on the Fal River MV Moyanna voted on their selection of winners. The winner of the fancy dress was local boat Tumblehome IV closely challenged by the gigs Pennarrow and Governor. The Heather and Lay small boat parade followed in the inner harbour with traditionally built and rigged boats under 20' dating from 1882 to 2024. Winner of the best presented small boat was Shringle, a 1940s Falmouth lug rigged boat recently rebuilt and launched earlier in the week.

The event culminated in a prize-giving at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall where prizes of Tregothnan tea, Polgoon wine, Musto clothing, chandlery vouchers provided by Heather and Lay, trophies and glassware were presented to class winners. Prize-giving ended in time for skippers and crews to watch the final shanty festival performance.

The event was run by 50 volunteers including the 15 members of the organising team. The organisers would like to thank the sponsors and advertisers for the wonderful support given to this year's event.

The next Falmouth Classics Regatta will be held from 12th - 14th June 2026.

Event website: www.falmouthclassics.org.uk

Related Articles

British Classic Week Day 2
An early start for Classes 1-3 as they prepared to race around the Isle of Wight It was an early start for the British Classic Week fleet on day two, as Classes 1-3 prepared to race around the Isle of Wight. Posted on 8 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts. Posted on 7 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC One preview
Beyond the French legends there is plenty of international talent with podium potential With 17 editions of the Rolex Fastnet Race to his name, including five class victories along the way and an outright victory in 2015, could anyone bet against Géry Trentesaux doing it again? Posted on 4 Jul
A Royal Pageant on the Thames
RTYC Celebrates 250 Years in Spectacular Style The Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) proudly marked a historic milestone on Saturday, 28th June, with a magnificent pageant along the River Thames - a highlight of its 250th Anniversary celebrations. Posted on 4 Jul
Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy Preview
Promising another colourful and memorable chapter in the history of this exceptional race The date is set for Thursday, October 2nd in Saint-Tropez for the 14th edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy. This one-of-a-kind regatta is exclusively reserved for classic yachts that are at least 100 years old. Posted on 3 Jul
Robert H. Tiedemann Classics Regatta concludes
A triumphant start to the Classic Yacht Challenge Series The 2025 Robert H. Tiedemann Classics Regatta, hosted by the New York Yacht Club, delivered a spectacular start to this year's Classic Yacht Challenge Series. Posted on 3 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Offshore classics set to race
IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it IRC Zero has a rich seam of ocean-going history running through it. While French round the world race legend Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (aka VDH) isn't competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, two of his former steeds will be on the IRC Zero start line. Posted on 2 Jul
Strale wins the XII Monaco Principality Trophy
Calm seas and a light breeze from the South-East in Venice Strale (1967) by Antonio Bandini of the Circolo Velico Ravennate wins the Overall of the XII Principality of Monaco Trophy. Posted on 1 Jul
2025 Tiedemann Regatta
Experience shines alongside the brightwork at the Nw York Yacht Club A century ago, R Class yachts were the sports cars of the yachting world, sleek and low to the ground, nimble in the corners and quick around the course, and, above all, demanding to drive. Posted on 30 Jun
Rolex Fastnet Race at 100 – the making of a giant
At present 469 yachts have entered this special edition - a far cry from its humble origins in 1925 One month remains until the 26 July start of the Rolex Fastnet Race, this year celebrating both its centenary as well as that of the club it spawned: the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Posted on 27 Jun