Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December
Product Feature
Hyde Sails Spinnaker Snuffer
Hyde Sails Spinnaker Snuffer

Falmouth Classics 2023

by Don Garman 23 Jun 2023 07:36 BST 16-18 June 2023
Falmouth Working Boat Victory Racing in the Teamac Race © Paul Gibbins Photography

Blues skies and sun welcomed the 90 vessels arriving in the port on Thursday 15th to participate in the Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management Falmouth Classics.

Craft arrived by sea from France, the Essex Coast, the Thames, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, Solent and other parts of the West Country and joined local boats from the Fal, Truro River and the Helford. With 206 entries, numbers returned to pre Covid levels. Volunteers, with the support of Falmouth Haven staff worked hard on Thursday to berth 68 boats from 4- 16 metres on the Haven and larger craft in Port Pendennis Marina and on moorings. The home ports of many of the vessels reflected the location where they had been built with the exception of Scotland, Denmark. Malaya and Norway.

The event attracted a brig, ex fishing luggers, crabbers, a post boat used in Scilly, oyster dredgers, gaff and Bermudan cruisers, Bermudan rigged racers and gigs. A new introduction was a fleet of steam boats including the National Maritime Museum of Cornwall's steam launch Emma. Thirty percent of the entrants were built before 1950 and the oldest participant was the St Ives Pilchard Driver Barnabas (1881), with the Gorran Haven Crabber, Ellen and the Falmouth Working Boat Victory just a year younger. Ellen and Barnabas are both owned by the Cornish Maritime Trust which entered three of its four vessels.

Racing on Friday and Saturday was challenging for both the Race Committee and participants owing to the fickleness of the wind in both direction and speed. The Teamac sponsored race on Saturday attracted 103 entrants including Falmouth Working Boats.

Crews enjoyed two shore side receptions, one hosted by Dynamite Valley Brewery on Falmouth Haven and another by the Fal River Distillery in the National Maritime Museum Cornwall. They also had the opportunity to enjoy the 79 groups participating in the Shanty Festival.

The rowing and sculling competition held at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club attracted a good number of participants including crews from patrol vessels HMS Blazer and HMS Ranger and a crew member from one of the French boats. Unfortunately, the skills of the Falmouth and local entrants were too well honed.

The Sunday morning parade of sail and power was led by the two Royal Navy Patrol Vessels. Both crews were attired in fancy dress. The guests watching the parade aboard Fal River's M.V. Moyanna chose HMS Blazer crew as the best dressed pirates. The sailing craft were led by the brig Phoenix which looked splendid as she sailed down the St Mawes side of the Fal with her square sails filled.

The public ashore were rewarded with a second on the water spectacle when the Heather and Lay Steam and Small Boat parade got under way in the inner harbour. Sailing boats 20' and under were joined by nine steam boats, their brass shining, that puffed and hooted their way around the course. The oldest steam boat dated back to 1899 whilst the oldest craft under sail was built in 1882 at Gorran Haven.

Vice Chairman Don Garman said "The 2023 event was a veritable spectacle on the water. The crews enjoyed sailing and parading on the Fal and in Falmouth Bay and onshore the opportunities provided by both the Classics organisers and the Shanty Festival. The fifty plus volunteers worked very hard to ensure the event ran smoothly and I would like to thank our generous sponsors and advertisers for their valued support".

Next year's Falmouth Classics will once again coincide with the Falmouth International Shanty Festival from 14 -16 June with boats arriving on the 13th.

Find out more at www.falmouthclassics.org.uk

Related Articles

12th Classic Yacht Symposium closes
An international audience of 350 gathered to hear a series of world class keynote speakers HM King Harald of Norway received the Singoalla award for his lifetime dedication to sailing and the preservation of classic yachts. Posted on 30 Mar
Register now for Vele Classiche di Puccini
A gathering for vintage boats to the music of Giacomo Puccini in Tuscany Registration is now open for "Le Vele Classiche di Puccini", the only gathering for vintage boats to the music of Maestro Giacomo Puccini scheduled for 26-27 April 2025 in Torre del Lago, Tuscany on Lake Massaciuccoli. Posted on 30 Mar
Tumlaren Victorian State Titles day 1
Fleet revel in Port Phillip's 19 knot conditions With the City of Melbourne as background, Port Phillip, with its infamous short and one metre choppy conditions put out the challenge to six of the best (Tumlarens that is). Posted on 29 Mar
2025 Tumlaren State Titles preview
88 years of Tumlaren One Design yacht racing on Port Phillip This weekend, 29th and 30th March 2025, the 2025 Tumlaren State Titles, will showcase one design racing that has survived and thrived over 88 years of weather tantrums thrown up by Melbourne's Port Phillip. Posted on 24 Mar
CYA Summer Series 2024/2025 on Port Phillip
The eight race series title was a last race, down to the wire, close run thing The eight race series title was a last race, down to the wire, close run thing. On Mercedes IV's heels, point score wise, were the Arthur Robb designed, Akala, a multiple Sydney to Hobart contender and the New Zealander, Marama, designed by Alan Wright. Posted on 17 Mar
Tumlaren State Titles Preview
88 years of competitive one-design racing on Port Phillip waters Now in their 88th year of one design racing, the world's largest fleet of the Knud Riemers designed Tumlaren are still at their hard racing best. Posted on 10 Mar
2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua overall
Close competition and perfect sailing conditions For four exhilarating days, the stunning waters off Antigua played host to the 14th edition of the Superyacht Challenge Antigua, bringing together a fleet of majestic yachts, passionate sailors, and an atmosphere charged with competition and camaraderie. Posted on 10 Mar
Falmouth Classics 2025 set for June
One of the largest classic sailing events in the UK The Fal and Falmouth Bay provide one of the most attractive sailing environments in the UK and will host the 38th Falmouth Classics Regatta from 13 - 15 June. Posted on 10 Mar
2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua day 3
Super Saturday and questionable fashion choices The second race of the series was held in superb conditions off the South Coast of Antigua with a light to moderate easterly wind at the start. Posted on 9 Mar
2025 Superyacht Challenge Antigua day 2
Sailing skills and paddleboard thrills A tricky first day of racing for the Superyacht Challenge Antigua with 9-13 knots of breeze from the southeast oscillating throughout race-time. Posted on 8 Mar