Showcasing the longevity of the Europe class at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
by Ben Harris / UK Europe Class Association 18 Feb 15:08 GMT
21-22 February 2026
The restored Europe class dinghy GBR 289 © Ben Tudor
The Europe class is set to make a strong impression at this weekend's RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, exhibiting a beautifully restored boat built in the late 1980's, ahead of an exciting 2026 season!
GBR 289's story began in 1989, one of only a handful of boats in the UK built by Argentinian Olympic legend Santiago Lange. When she was rediscovered in Scotland in 2021, it was clear that significant structural work would be needed to return the hull to sailing condition.
As the scale of the repairs became apparent, the owner offered the boat to the UK Europe Sailors Facebook group, where Ben Tudor immediately saw the potential in a refurbishment project. After coordinating her journey from Aberdeen down to Surrey, Ben set about bringing the boat back to life, with the boat spending its time between Ben's living room and the Solent Boatworks workshop to carry out the repairs!
With another older boat keeping him on the water in the meantime, there was no rush. The brief was simple: create a robust, competitive hull, without the cost of buying new. Gradually undertaking the repairs whilst sourcing new fittings, rigging and parts, the project has given this boat a new lease of life! The opportunity to showcase such a great refurbishment story on our stand at the 2026 show is testament to the hard work put into so many sailors in the fleet who have carefully restored older Europes, growing the class and ensuring that older boats can still be just as competitive as when they disappeared into boat parks, gardens and garages decades ago.
Alongside this restoration, the 2026 show is an opportunity to look towards the future of the class. Suffolk-based builder Synergy Marine (Stand L32) will also have a Europe on display. Designed and built in the UK, and finished in a striking colour scheme, this nearly-new boat is actually for sale - an opportunity to walk away from the show with a boat that will surely be in competition with GBR 289 for the attention of the Concours d'Elegance judges.
After a successful season which saw Hayling Island Sailing Club host the 2025 Europe Masters & Youth European Championships, the momentum continues into an exciting 2026 season, with some fantastic events at world-class venues around the country.
- 21st/22nd March - Start of Seasons - Staunton Harold SC
- 25th/26th April - HISC Europe Open - Hayling Island SC
- 26th-28th June - UK Europe National Championships - WPNSA
- 18th July - Chichester Europe Open - Chichester YC
- 5th/6th September - Stokes Bay Europe Open - Stokes Bay SC
- 24th/25th October - UK Europe Inland Championships - Rutland SC
Having grown steadily over the past 10 years, the UK Europe class is excited to showcase the strong community built around the fleet. Whether your boat has been pulled straight out of the brambles, is fresh out of the mould, or has been carefully restored in your garage, the UK Europe Class Association is excited to welcome you to the fleet!
There are a number of boats currently advertised for sale, ranging from entry-level boats to nearly-new packages, available to view on our website for the duration of the show! Head to Stand D22 to take a look at GBR 289's immaculate refurbishment, and to chat with lots of our friendly sailors who will be on the stand throughout the weekend!