News

The Sunbeam Keelboat Class Looks to the Future

Meetings of both the Solent and Falmouth Divisions of the Sunbeam Class agreed the Sunbeam lines will be used to build a boat
in GRP.

This boat is now being built to race on level terms with the existing wooden boats. It is planned that the new boat will be ready to race at this year's Cowes Week. The Sunbeam already has a modern rig and it is hoped wood shy sailors will be tempted to join the Class to enjoy the unsurpassed sailing qualities of this classic racing keelboat. The Sunbeam is acknowledged to be the design masterpiece of Alfred Westmacott, who fathered many of the popular Solent dayboat classes.

The Solent Division is also investigating the feasibility of epoxy treatment of existing boats to reduce the annual maintenance requirements. The Sunbeam was designed using first class building materials and because of this the older boats have been well maintained and are in excellent condition.

The first seven Sunbeams raced in Cowes week in 1923 and a total of 48 Sunbeams have been built in wood using traditional methods.

The Class, which has a unique and varied history with many colourful characters amongst its past members, inspires extraordinary camaraderie amongst its owners. These exquisite yachts regularly race both midweek and weekends at Itchenor in Chichester Harbour with an annual migration to Cowes Week and at Falmouth in the Carrick Roads and the Bay with an annual migration to Fowey.

For further details please contact classcaptain

Two Complementary Resolutions have now been passed
by the Solent Division and Falmouth Divisions.

RESOLUTION 1:
“That Alan Stannah and Roger Wickens be permitted to use the existing CAD
Sunbeam drawings and patterns to develop and build a new GRP boat at their own
expense. The boat to be built with the intention of racing on level terms with the
existing Sunbeams and thus having the same overall weight, weight distribution, sail
area, rig and other significant features of the existing boats.”
NB italics added by Falmouth.

RESOLUTION 2:
“That the meeting notes that when this boat is built it will be permitted by the
Solent Division to race with the Division in all their normal races with sail number
V51 for a period of time reasonably sufficient to determine if it can be fairly judged
to perform on level terms with the existing wooden Sunbeams, if necessary making
modifications to it to achieve this aim.

Available for ownership, share holding, syndicates crewing and charter

Come for a trial sail.Contact Us

 

Lifejackets

Are yours serviced and ready for next season?

Sunbeam For Sale

For buying an Itchenor boat, a part share or a season's charter, Email Class Captain

 

SUNBEAMER ON EVEREST

Petra Tanner ran, climbed,scrambled and slid in the 2009 Marathon round the foot of Everest on 4thDecember 2009 and do please take a moment to read her letter.

Also have a look at www.everestmarathon.org.uk  and under previous races the2007 race report to have an idea of the challenge ahead for Petra.  From mid November you will be able to follow the Marathon by looking at www.SLEEPHUNTERS.

Sunbeam in Classic Boat's Next Top 50

Just a small photo and little copy, but Dainty, "First of the Solent Sunbeam Class", listed 20th of the 160 applicants
for Classic Boat's Top 50 More -  being added to their earlier Top 200.

See Classic Boat, December Issue, Page 44

 

Sunbeam at Voiles de Saint-Tropez, October 2009

 

Cambria, built 1926, from Sunbeam, built 1922/3, just before the camera got swamped.

 

Julian Money succeeds Richard Pearson as Class Captain

Retiring Captain Richard Pearson, with Sarah, presented with a picture of Fay painted by John Ford
in grateful recognition by the Class of his achievements over the past four years.

Programme Season 2009 - - You can open the full programme in Excel

Our Man In General Committee and on Haines Board.

Anthony Robinson continues to represent the Sunbeam Class onGeneral Committee of Itchenor Sailing Club and on the Board of Haines Boatyard.

 

The Brilliance of Sunbeams Book ?
or Sunbeam Calendar 2010 ?

Peter can supply books.
Please Email Webmaster to arrange with him to collect, pay and add postage and packing if required.

 

Points Week 2009

This year Swallows, XOD and Sunbeams all raced in ISC’s “Points Week Keelboat Regatta” with 50 plus boats taking part. The Classes also joined together in a number of excellently organised social events including: A BBQ lunch at the Club and visit in the evening to Chichester Theatre to see “Oklahoma” on Monday. A Cocktail Party at Jetty House, Itchenor on Tuesday. Games and pig roast at Rye Cottage, Itchenor on Thursday evening. Tennis was also available for the more energetic during the week at various locations. The Sunbeams and Swallows combined in one Prize Giving supper on Friday evening. The XOD’s had a supper on Wednesday and prize giving lunch on Friday. This all created a marvellous buzz both on the water and ashore. ......Full Report

 

Melody Refit

See full report on this amazing restoration project.

Bosham Brooch

Won by Anthony and Jill Robinson
The Bosham Trophy, presented by Rolly Boissevain, won by Roger Wickens

 

Cowes Week 2009

Day by day report

Cowes Week Results

Press

Sunbeam 85th

Report in Yachts and Yachting - both the 2009 at Falmouth and the 2008 at Itchenor in same issue!
Click for our own Photos and Report

"Let The Sunbeams In"
Article by Kathy Mansfield in the July / August edition of Watercraft
To find your nearest stockist see: http://availability.mmcltd.co.uk

Classic Week

See report and ad in Classic Boat

Little Lady and Dainty leave Chichester Harbour on Dainty Dish ......Photo Anne Colbourne

 

 

Congratulations to Gayle Palmer
and her all lady crew, Mary Ross and Sue Smith, in winning the ladies race.

 

 

Bosham Supper

On 4th June the Thursday evening race finished at Bosham, where 48 Sunbeamers had a most enjoyable supper before being towed back home to Itchenor under the light of the moon.

 

............................

Photos Toby Spreckley

 

 

 

 

Photos PWN

Chittagong

The Chittagong was won by David & Rena Miller in Why with 4 races completed of the 5 race series. Two races were abandoned due to a lack of wind requiring the spare to be raced on Monday afternoon which decided the whole series. After taking into account one discard David & Rena won by one point from John and Val Davis - a splendid victory.

 

 

Anne Colbourne's Photos

 

 

 

 

 

Cowes Week 2008

 

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The Skandia site has the daily reults, but over all they just taken the best 6 rather than best 7.

 

 

 

Cowes Classic Week - watch the excellent video !

Photo Susan Kent

Congratulations to Tim Hill on an outstanding week in Query. Second came John and Val Davis in Fleury. Third Julian Money in Penny.

Wins during the week also for Viv and Anna Williams in Spray, Richard and Sarah Pearson in Fay and Peter Nicholson, Mike Hollis and David Giffard in Dainty. Click for result sheets for the Metre Regatta plus the Thursday Racing

No one could remember a happier week's sailing at Cowes. Wonderful parties. Many congratulations to the organisors.

Photo Susan Kent

Photo Kathy Mansfield

"Dainty Strikes Gold in Olympics" -
To be strictly accurate, Dainty came first in a commemorative race on the Thursday round the square course off Ryde used in the 1908 Olympic Games

 

 

6 Metres and Darings head for Ryde Olympic Centenary
Photo kindly supplied by Kathy Mansfield www.Kathymansfieldphotos.com?

 

Photo Paul Dewing - See more onPaul's picasa site

 

 

RLYC Dinner on Balcony - Photos Bill Dickson (with long arms, technology or a little help?)