CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 31Restoration over 40ft Kelpie of Falmouth
Francis Sweisguth is best known as the designer of the 1910 International
Star keelboat. This schooner was built to his design in 1928. She was found
in the USA by Charlie Wroe, skipper of the schooner Mariette, and restored
at Gweek Quay with a team led by carpenter Ken Wilkinson. We’ve been
serialising her restoration with a six-part series in Classic Boat over the last
winter. Kelpie was a clear winner from our voters with about a third more
votes than the next rival.Spirit of tradition under 40ft Solent Sunbeam
Four years ago, Solent Sunbeam sailors Roger Wickens and Alan Stannah, with our
own Theo Rye as naval architect, set about offering Alfred Westmacott’s lovely 1922
Solent Sunbeam in GRP. It has, frankly, been highly controversial, but we have sailed
both wood and GRP and they are, at least in terms of sailing experience, inseparable.
Misty, V67, is the seventh GRP Sunbeam and she was launched this summer from
Haines Boatyard in Itchenor, Chichester Harbour. The GRP boats have reinvigorated
interest in restoring wooden boats as well as their new, glass sisters.EMILY HARRISC/O ALAN STANNAHPETER WILLIS
CB323 Awards 2015 winners.indd 31 24/03/2015 14:52