Calling all Solent Sunbeam owners, past and present; input and photos required!
by Sarah Johnson 28 Apr 2020 18:08 BST
Solent Sunbeam fleet © Rupert Peace
With the centenary of the legendary Sunbeam fast approaching in 2023, the association of this Itchenor based fleet is keen to update the history and ownership of each of these classic boats with a view to some form of publication for the 100th celebrations.
Back in 2005, Sunbeam owner of V1, Dainty, Peter Nicholson published the stunning book, "The Brilliance of Sunbeams", with a comprehensive boat index as an appendix. This gave a potted history of this handsome, historic fleet.
In advance of the Sunbeam's centenary, the class association is asking anyone who has owned a Sunbeam, past and present, to update their history in order to update the story of this popular and enduring keel-boat.
The class association is looking for images (past and present), anecdotes, stories, restorations, regatta wins as well as details of the current owners.
For further information and details of how to access this new "Boatology", please contact Simon O'Hea at .
In normal times, the 97-year-old Solent Sunbeam keelboat fleet, based at Itchenor Sailing Club, offers competitive and extremely sociable racing throughout the season including weekend regattas, relaxed Thursday evening harbour racing as well as week-long racing events.
Over 30 Solent Sunbeams regularly sail from Itchenor ranging from 97 years in age to brand new, low-maintenance GRP yachts. The class is extremely welcoming and sociable with very supportive owners who have a common passion for the design, heritage and sportsmanship of the fleet.
If you are interested in owning a piece of yachting heritage that also has a very active racing fleet, then the class has a number of boats available for sale or part ownership, with more details available on the Solent Sunbeam website.