Classic Sailor

05/12/2025

Been working on a new book with Mike Smylie. Called The Catch - a sweep of Britain's trad fishing boats – how they evolved and how they were used. It's a lovely little book - 40 concise chapters taking us all round the coast of Britain... and you can buy it from Classic Sailor!
https://classicsailor.com/product/the-catch/

07/10/2025

Fantastic film on how pine tar (Stockholm tar) was made... https://www.facebook.com/reel/1144448407648771

17/09/2025

Leigh Bawley Hilda Marjorie wins the Dick Norris Memorial Cup. Dick owned Stormy Petrel - the 1890 Whitstable oyster smack, he restored and sailed for more than 40 years out of Gillingham, Kent. He died last autumn aged 88.

The 2025 Colne Smack & Barge Match saw the introduction of the Dick Norris Memorial Cup which is awarded to the fastest traditional smack.

Dick was a staunch traditionalist who maintained his smack Stormy Petrel largely as built for over 50 years, passing on his knowledge of traditional skills whenever he could.

The committee would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Christine Norris for providing and presenting this trophy in memory of her late husband with the first recipient being Hilda Marjorie - pictured below at the 2025 Colne Match courtesy of Sandy Miller.

29/08/2025

Tuiga, the 1909 Fife 15-M, loses her mast on the second day of the XXI Copa del Rey in Menorca earlier this week. The 1909 Fife 15-M – campaigned by the Monaco Yacht Club, was laid over under full sail, in a 53 knot rain squall before coming about and then losing her rig while racing close inshore near the uninhabited Isle of Aire. Another Fife 15-M, The Lady Anne also suffered damage (to her bowsprit and spreader), in the bad weather on Wednesday 27th August.
Racing had been cancelled on the first day of the five day event, based in Mahon harbour. But on day two, the fleet of 49 vintage and classic yachts were able to set sail on a short course with the big class going out of harbour. Following the squall the Big Class race was suspended by the race committee and both the damaged 15s have retired from the event.
There were no injuries reported after the breakages but from this video it looks like Tuiga's bowman leaves the bowsprit, as the mast comes down.