Phase II: Securing somewhere to store the boat

Following our earlier post, Clarion of Wight which was destined for the chain saw had been secured thanks to the intervention of a benefactor. However, after two aborted prospective negotiations we have lost time and find that we still don’t have a way forward. Meanwhile, the boat continues to deteriorate.

URGENT

We are grateful to those who have supported this so far, but we are still short of funds to get it to a safe place. We do need to cover the yard costs until we can move the boat which if course we’d like to do as soon as possible – and stop the yard breaking it up.

So do please donate straight away and if you are a UK taxpayer, do please Gift Aid your contribution. We need to reach our Phase II target fairly quickly.

Why Save Clarion of Wight

Clarion of Wight is an important boat in the history of our sport – the top scorer in the 1963 Admiral’s Cup (Derek Boyer) along with Max Aitken’s Outlaw and Ron Amey's Noryema III – the winning team – both restored and actively sailing. Clarion also won the Fastnet Challenge Cup in that Admirals Cup series. The Cup was a big deal in 1963 because the UK had won the first two (in 1957 & 1959) but then lost to the USA in 1961 so it was imperative to win it back. As a consequence fourteen boats took part in the UK trials. It was later owned by Sir Maurice Laing and again competed in the Admirals Cup in the 1970 Irish team. It is significant as the first Admirals Cup boat in the UK team not designed by a British designer. It is a Sparkman & Stephens boat, built by Lallows in mahogany and teak, and probably the first successful S&S boat designed to the RORC rule. Ted Heath sailed on Clarion which led him to order Morning Cloud from the same designer and builder. This boat will be an invaluable addition to the fleet of boats currently competing on the classic circuit. Clarion of Wight is 43ft 6in LOA, 31ft 6in LWL, 11ft beam and 6ft 8in draft.

So, we urge anyone concerned about our sailing heritage to contribute to the rescue fund. BNYA will collect the funds and claim any Gift Aid and award a grant in due course.

Appeal for Consortium Members

Thinking ahead, should a prospective owner not be identified we are planning to put together a consortium to undertake the restoration. Should you or someone you know be interested in participating in any way – funding a share, donating equipment or your time, offer discounts on purchases – please contact us.

And please send this link to all your contacts and their contacts in turn as we are anxious to get over this hurdle - thanks.

We have had to move very fast to save the boat and find somewhere safe for it. Subsequent plans for its restoration will be reported here on the BNYA web site - if you have any interest in its restoration, please contact us - thanks.