TELL TALES

Q& A

Paul Leinthall-

Cowman

Classic Yacht

Brokerage

How did you get into yacht brokerage?

I began nearly 30 years ago, initially

working from an associate office in

Brixham, later Christchurch in Dorset.

My mentor then was the legendary

Peter Gregson (Wooden Ships

brokerage). I was fortunate to grow

up in true Swallows and Amazons

style in Maldon, North Fambridge,

Whitby and Penarth. My father, a

well-known yachtsman, owned many

classics including the famous 66ft

Soper-designed yawl Rose. I learned

to sail aboard the family's Illingworth-

designed Junior Offshore Group racer

Blue Magic on the East Coast.

What are the current market trends?

The 2019 classic boat market is

following the trend of previous years

with strong demand for well restored

yachts by named designers. Many

post-war classic yachts from the

1950s & 60s are available from us to

buy in sail-away condition at very

modest prices. Pre-war motor yachts

in the 40ft-50ft range are particularly

in demand. There has been a real rise

in sale prices during the last few years

undoubtedly fuelled by the excellent

work of UK restoration specialists.

How do you match boat to client?

We are able to advise on suitable

yachts on our books from tall ships to

traditional launches. A few buyers are

very focussed and know exactly the

boat they wish to buy while most new

owners are uncertain. After asking a

few important questions like intended

use and mooring location, we can

steer them to a suitable vessel or

advise when something becomes

available, which may only be ‘quietly’

on the market. We want our clients to

be happy and to develop a long-term

association with us.

What boat/s do you own yourself?

Since the late 1980s I have owned a

Harrison Butler-designed sloop, one

of the earliest of his designs, from 1911.

As authentication officer for the

Harrison Butler Association I can keep

a watchful eye on newly discovered

and lost HB’s. I also have a selection

of dinghies, an 18ft launch and a 1930s

Osborne motor sailer. Boatbuilder

Martin Higgins and I have been

restoring her for a good few years...

re-timbering, new planking, new keel,

transom and stem. She is due to go

back afloat on the day she was

registered with Lloyds 87 years ago.

What is the ideal family starter yacht?

Probably one of the Finesse Class

sloops designed and built by Alan

Platt. The clinker build makes them

easy to maintain. The shoal draught,

bilge keels or centreboard are great

for creek-hopping and exploring, and

will also dry out upright should any

navigation hiccups occur. Given the

right conditions they don’t sail on

their ear so ideal for those new to

sailing. The iroko hardwood hull

makes them durable vessels.

Do people often buy the wrong boat?

Many people find themselves over

boated with no crew, evidenced by

crowded marinas on a summer

weekend. Most good crew have their

own boats or are busy crewing for

somebody else. We sell many boats

for people downsizing to something

more manageable and, in advancing

years, changing from sail to motor.

Do you get much repeat business?

Yes, the most being four times for the

same client! These boats are like old

friends we don't see for years. Some

have lived well while others have been

less lucky. We have built up a good

archive of classic boats; many owners

are surprised to learn we know more

about their boat's history than they

do. Traditional yacht brokerage is a

niche business, full of old friends

where everyone knows each other.

CHICHESTER HARBOUR

Sunbeam fleet joined

by new-build Minty

The 96-year-old Solent Sunbeam class welcomed a brand

new yacht to its fleet with the launching of V70 Minty

which took place at Itchenor, the base for this historic and

much-admired classic keel-boat fleet.

Minty’s hull was built on the Isle of Wight by AM

Structures, and fitted out by wooden boat specialists

Haines Boatyard based at Itchenor.

Following Minty’s launch, the Sunbeam fleet on the

water and racing this season grows to 27, with new GRP

yachts and the original wooden versions, dating back 96

years to 1923, racing side by side on an equal basis.

WORD OF THE MONTH

Anti-guggler

A straw, or crooked tube, introduced into a spirit cask

or neck of a bottle, to suck out the contents; commonly

used in 1800 to rob the captain’s steward’s hanging safe

in hot climates...

The Sailor’s Word Book of 1867, by Admiral WH Smyth

Minty with Harriet

Patterson and

Roger Wickens

Proposed MCA rules threaten classics

New Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) rules for

commercial vessels could put up to 600 historic boats

out of business in UK waters, if implemented without

exemption. Provision of watertight compartments is the

biggest issue: operators of historic passenger vessels say

costs of conversion would be prohibitive or unfeasible.

The MCA says exemptions are possible for boats that

meet safety requirements "by other means". Consultation

continues with new regulation possible by autumn.

‘Big Classic Friday’ for Hamble

This year’s Hamble Classics Regatta (20-22 September)

has added ‘Big Classic Friday’ to the weekend

programme. It’s all about racing for larger classic and

spirit-of-tradition yachts, with separate class starts for

‘IRC Zero’ including Spirit Yachts rating 1.050 and above,

pre-1971 yachts of length on deck 50ft (15m) and above,

and International Rule yachts, to include the 8-Metre class

and above.

There will be separate prizes for Friday’s racing and

overall prizes for the regatta.