CLASSIC BOAT APRIL 2016 25REBEL
notable exceptions of the oak tabernacle, and Douglas fir
spars and cockpit floor, African mahogany has been used
for all of the woodwork.
Rebel Reiver made her public debut at the beginning
of May 2015 when she took centre stage during Belaugh
Boatyard’s successful open weekend before joining Rebel
1 on Wroxham Broad a few days later for her maiden
sail. Interestingly, Rebel 1 had taken to the same waters
55 years earlier to enable her designer to assess the
handling characteristics of his latest creation. Afterwards,
Alan Buchanan stated that he was impressed by her
performance and that there was no need for any further
refinements before work commenced on the next boats.
Over half a century later, Rebel 16 enjoyed an equally
successful set of sailing trials in company with her older,
rejuvenated sister. Free of any growth below the
waterline and powered by a fresh suit of sails, Rebel
Reiver inevitably enjoyed a slight advantage over her
older sister. As the two boats sailed closely together,Above: the third
GRP Rebel on her
maiden sail
Below: The Rebel
fleet enjoys
regular racing
mainly on the
River Bure in
Horning and on
the nearby Black
Horse Broadnot least thanks to its ability to be sailed beyond the
Broads at other locations within the UK as well as the
inland waterways of Europe.
The conversation coincided with Mike’s recent
decision to sell Valiant Rebel (R10) due to increasing
work commitments. Having undergone a staggered
restoration over several winters, Valiant Rebel was in
very good condition and they were concerned that she
would start to deteriorate through a lack of regular use.
The Hornes followed the fleet’s usual convention of
notifying the other Rebel owners of their intention to sell
Valiant Rebel before placing her on the open market. As
the owner of Rebel Reveller (R9), the Ludham-based hire
company Hunter’s leapt at the chance to add another
example to their fleet. Although R10’s departure to
Ludham reduced the Horning fleet by one, the Hornes
hoped this would be counteracted by the introduction of
a wider audience to the joys of sailing a Rebel.
Despite parting with their beloved Rebel, Mike and
Sue still wanted to sail on the Broads. They had already
decided that a GRP boat would stand up much better to
the prolonged spells of inactivity imposed by their hectic
lifestyle when Mike and Gerry discussed the Rebel’s
untapped potential. As the conversation unfolded, Mike
said that he would be prepared to put their theory to the
test by funding the building of a new GRP Rebel, if
Gerry, in his capacity as Belaugh Boatyard’s senior
partner, was prepared to build it. The yard had
maintained Gerry’s Rebel Sailer (R8) for about 20 years
and was already in the process of restoring the first Rebel
(R1) so it would prove to be the ideal follow-on project.
The finished result is an impressive statement of intent
by Belaugh Boatyard’s team of craftsmen. Rebel 16’s
striking deep blue hull is complemented by the ivory
cove and boot lines and grey antifoul to give the design’s
classic lines a surprisingly contemporary feel. With the