From the Chairman
Dyth da pub oll, (Hello everyone)
As I wandered in the sun today through Ashley Butler’s Boatyard at Penpol, having checked that my own boat, “Tehidy,” was having a comfortable winter, there were all the sights and sounds indicating that we’ve turned the corner of the winter and it’s not long before boats start going back in the water. The sounds emanating from various electrical tools sanding and grinding together with the dust in the air meant people were busy; from the depth of cabins and cockpits under the tarpaulins, radios could be heard together with the occasional technical descriptive word as people fought with cables and pipes in the back of deep lockers. All of this is indicating that the sailing season will soon be with us and Falmouth Classics Regatta 2025 is not that far off.
The format of FCR25 will differ little from the event last year, (hopefully without the dramatic weather we experienced on the Friday), to that end, the Falmouth Classics Crew have awakened from their brief rest period and are actively planning to ensure that this year’s event, in June, has all the bits that make it such an enjoyable feature in our sailing calendar.
Once again, we are partnering up with the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival where the traditional maritime spirt will flow right across the town ensuring a good time is had by all.
Our website will be publishing details of the events social programme to include the Haven reception with a pint and a Pasty on the pontoon. A Reception in the Falmouth Art Gallery and Classics Supper at RCYC. You will also be able to order your merchandise to commemorate your participation in the event.
The Classics Crew are looking forward to seeing friends old and new in June, (it’s only just over 4 months away!!), so don’t delay get your entries in now via the website. If you haven’t already, follow the event, and wider, on our Facebook page, (@Falmouth Classics), and I would encourage joining the FC25 WhatsApp page, (use the QR code below or follow this link), where any updates to both the sailing and social events will be posted.
Until then, fair winds and a following sea and Oll an gwella, (all the best), from the Falmouth Classics Regatta.
Paul Hobson
Entering the 2025 Event
The website was ready to accept entries from the 4th February. Please visit our shop page to enter and to shop for merchandise.
The first two vessels to be entered on day one were the 1924 West Solent “Arrow” and the Heard 35 “Alice”. Well done skippers for keeping an eye on the website.
When completing the entry form please provide us with a second phone number that is land based and can be used in an emergency.
Some past participants may have received confirmation of a past order. We apologise for this, but in updating the e-commerce package an incorrect option was selected. We can confirm that no funds were withdrawn from accounts.
Sponsors and advertisers
The Association is delighted that the following have agreed to sponsor or advertise in the programme. Their contributions together with your participation enables the event to take place.
Partner Sponsors
Teamac, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and Falmouth Haven, Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, Classic Boat, West Briton
Major sponsors
Butler Boatyards, Dynamite Brewery, Falmouth Town Council, KML, Mylor Yacht Harbour, Noble Masts. Truro Sawmills
Event sponsors
Ben Harris Boats, Cockwells, Heather and Lay, Falmouth Art Gallery, Fal River, Falmouth Watersports. Musto, National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Port Pendennis Marina
Advertisers
Ancasta International Boat Sales, Cornish Horizons, Falmouth Hotel, Gaffers and Luggers, Greenbank Hotel, Hine Downing, Holiday Cottages, SKB Sails, Pascoes Boatyard, Pendennis Shipyard, SKB Sails, Simon Winter Marine insurance
If you have any contact with any of the sponsors or advertisers please do mention the Falmouth Classics Regatta.
The team
We are delighted to welcome several new members to the organising team:
Chief Race Officer Nigel Sharp
Parade Director Kevin Maclean
Merchandise Richard Pugh
Briefing Jim Totman
RCYC Liaison and Supper Alex Tullett
Berthing and Mooring
The Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and the Falmouth Haven are kindly providing discounted berthing alongside on the Haven and on swinging moorings from 11.00 on Thursday 12thJune. Unfortunately, despite this support we still need to request a contribution. Vessels over 16m LOA need to enter and then contact Falmouth Harbour to book a mooring. If you choose to anchor then Harbour dues will be collected by the Falmouth Haven staff.
If you wish to moor alongside or have a swinging mooring early application is recommended. Often all the berths are filled by early May.
For those arriving early on Wednesday or staying over on Sunday there will be a 15% discount this year. The Harbour will also be providing discount cards for use in the town’s shops.
If you are making your own arrangements for a mooring you will need to provide us with the location on the entry form. This is to enable the Race Committee to be able to check that everyone is safe following any climatic events such as the squall on Friday in 2024.
Racing
We say goodbye and thanks to Kaye Price who has been Chief Race Officer and was previously the deputy. Kaye will still be around, probably we hear in registration.
The new Chief Race Officer, Nigel Sharp, has been working hard at putting together some good courses for the 2025 event. The committee boat this year will be the 18 ton Hillyard “Maffick” kindly provided by Alex Tullett and family.
There will a change in vessel identification this year for both racing and parading. Vessels with sail numbers will not be issued with boards only those without a sail number. Still got your boards from 2024 or earlier then Sue Treneer would love to hear from you. Please email: treneglos@hotmail.com.
Teamac, the paint people, will be providing £100 vouchers for the winners of each class in Race 3 – The Teamac Race and Musto and Noble Masts will be providing some valuable prizes for overall winners.
Passage Race Opportunity
How about participating in a passage race from Dartmouth to Falmouth? Dartmouth Classics precedes Falmouth from 7 -8 June. Please register your interest by contacting info@falmouthclassics.org.uk
Another discount
The Musto store in Events Square will be offering 20% discount from the 12th – 15th June providing wrist bands are worn. A very useful offer and just a short walk along from Regatta Registration in the Windjammer.
Parading
The fancy dress theme for the Parade of Sail and Power is “Under the Sea” to reflect Falmouth and Truro Harbours efforts to improve the natural environment. So, get thinking about what to wear. The best dressed crew and vessel will win a prize.
Heather and Lay Steam and Small Boat Parade
The director will be contacting past participants to encourage them to participate, but we would like to see entries for classic boats less than 20’ powered by sail, oar, engine or steam that have not previously entered. There are prizes for the best presented boat, the best handled boat and the best dressed – the fancy dress theme will be “Under the Water”.
Merchandise
Do visit the shop to order your 2025 merchandise and dress your crew, relations and friends as well as yourself. This year’s colour is Royal Blue. We hope to add a sailing smock very soon.
Falmouth Classics Maritime Village
The village will be entirely on Custom House Quay from 10.00 on the 13th to 17.00 on the 15th. There are now a limited number of remaining spaces. We expect there to be two chandlers also Drascombe Boats, Cornwall Marine, Royal Navy, RNLI and marine related crafts and some fast-food outlets so, do visit.
Rowing and Sculling Competition
At 16.30 at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club on June 14th. The rowing and sculling competition was well attended in 2024 and was great fun. The participants had an added audience when the band ended their set at the Greenbank Hotel who clearly need some additional entertainment!
Not yet participated? Then have a go. Use your own boat or one generously provided by the local sail training vessel “Hardiesse”. Entry is free and there are prizes.
West Country Classic Series
The West Country Classic Series, sponsored by Hattiers Rum, prizegiving and lunch was held at Saltash Sailing Club in late November when over thirty skippers and crew attended the event.
Fifteen boats in 2024 completed two or more of the three events with one racing in all three. The trophy winning boats were first “Sheila” the 1923 Herreshoff built 6 metre, second “Lulotte” and third “Sarabande of Dart”.
In 2025 there will be four Classic events which will provide an opportunity to qualify for the series. Again, it will be necessary to race in at least two.
Dates for the diary
Dartmouth Classics 7 – 8 June
Falmouth Classics 13 – 15 June
Looe Lugger Classics 25 – 27 July
Fowey Classics 29 July – 1 August
Classic Boat Awards
Visit the 2025 Classic Boat Awards site at awards.classicboat.co.uk and vote for the three vessels linked with Falmouth Classics.
Saiorse, a 1936 Harrison Butler rescued from Gillan Creek and renovated at Gweek Classic Boatyard. She sailed in the 2024 Classics and lost her mast just before the squall. The 1937 motor boat White Rose renovated by Classics sponsor Ashley Butler at Penpol Boatyard and the 1881 St Ives Lugger Barnabas. Barnabas, owned by the Cornish Maritime Trust, has been shortlisted for the Gstaad Yacht Club’s Centenarian of the Year. She missed the Classics last year as she sailed to Ullapool for new spars. We expect to see her in Falmouth is 2025.
Yachts in 1919
Before Christmas the Editor was contacted by an antiques dealer in Penrith who specialises in cameras and scientific equipment. He had on offer 20 stereoscopic photographs which featured yachts in Falmouth in 1919.
With the help of retired Falmouth pilot David Barnicoat and marine journalist Nigel Sharp we managed to find out information about four of the yachts: Mignonette, Flamingo, Cynthia and Kathleen.
Three were built by Thomas Jacket in Falmouth including Flamingo, a six tonner built and designed by Jacket and launched in 1904 and owned by the artist H.S.Tuke, Kathleen an 8 metre built in 1909 and Cynthia built in 1910, a current Classics participant. Mignonette, a 7 metre was built to a Mylne design by S.G Fay and Co in Southampton in 1908.
The twenty images are still for sale at cool-antiques.co.uk.
Boat Yard News
Ben Harris, a Classics sponsor and regular participant, has started the construction of a John Alden, Malabar IV Schooner, a boat that he has wanted to build for a while.
A half model has been made and the frames are being prepared in his emporium at Gweek Classic Boatyard. Ben is seeking an owner for what will be a grand vessel. He would like to see her participate in the 2027 Fastnet against the Albert Strange “Tally Ho” thus recreating the Fastnet of 1927. Visit: www.benharris.co.uk
Falmouth International Shanty Festival
The Classics once again takes place at the same time as this great event. To date eighty groups will be participating around the town from the 13-15 June in a variety of locations, and apart from the Pavilion Concert all are free.
More groups are expected from Brittany, one from Orkney and possibly a group from the USA.
Visit www.falmouthseashanty.co.uk for more information. There is a pre-Festival event on March 1st in the National Maritime Museum Cornwall from 19.30, tickets £11.00. Line-up includes the Oggymen.
