Classic_Boat_2016-08

NEWS

The Blue Peter, captained by Matt Barker, stayed stateside this winter

20 CLASSIC BOAT AUGUST 2016

TELL TALES

The International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) has received two

monetary gifts totalling $680,000 (c£480,000) that will go towards

advancing their facilities and programmes.

The Hagerty Education Program at America’s Car Museum has

given a grant of $10,000 to the IYRS School of Technology and

Trades, to support scholarships to students enrolled in School of

Composites Technology. In support of their recent Campaign for the

Future of IYRS, the van Beuren Charitable Foundation has given

$670,000 to support the construction of a 20,000 sqft (1,860m^2 )

structure on land adjacent to the Newport campus, an estimated

$6m total cost. With another $1m going towards equipment and

tools, IYRS hopes to eventually house four full-time accredited

programmes under the roof of the new structure, along with space

for collaborations and projects with external bodies. Work will begin

mid-summer, with plans to have the building in service by autumn

2017. IYRS is the school that has been conducting an extensive
      restoration on the legendary sailing yacht Coronet. See iyrs.org.

It would make sense to hold a regatta focused on sailing

experience and good stewardship in the place often claimed to be

the birthplace of the American Navy. From 12-14 August, this

seaside town just 18 miles north of Boston will host a fl eet of

classics as Panerai kicks off the fi rst of four New England regattas.

Founded in 1885, the Corinthian YC has cemented itself as one

of the capitals of yachting in the region. They have been hosting

classic yacht regattas since the early 1980s and teamed up with

Panerai in 2010.

Though the fl eet will be missing the beautiful Spartan – off

racing in the European circuit this year – there is already a large

group of local yachts among the entrants, with more vessels sure

to come. One of those yachts could be The Blue Peter, captained

by Matt Barker. The Blue Peter has won hearts across the East

Coast after brining its quick pace and Mediterranean fl air to the

regattas of the USA in 2015. The Alfred Mylne design has stayed

stateside again this year, and is listing Marblehead among its

itinerary in the summer ahead.

Maine is known to sailors for its many

unpronounceable rivers, ports and islands;

the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta carries on

that tradition, writes Matty Oates. Organisers

Steve White and Frank Hull came up with the

idea back in 1985, originally to bring wooden

boat owners together and strengthen the

sailing community.

It appears to have worked, as the regatta

has now grown to 125 boats and is co-hosted

by both Brooklin Boatyard and Rockport

Marine; two yards that have extensive

experience building and restoring wooden

yachts. The 15-mile course has not deviated

since the fi rst race, and its popularity has

now brought in the Camden Feeder Regatta

and the Castine Classic Yacht Race on either

side to make a spectacular three-day event

of classic sailing on some of the most

beautiful coastline in the USA.

The regatta takes place on 6 August from the

start line off Torrey Castle in Penobscot Bay.

More at erregatta.com.

HARBOUR SPRINGS, MICHIGAN

IYRS receives two grants

totalling $680,000

MARBLEHEAD, MASS

Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta

EGGEMOGGIN REACH REGATTA, MAINE

A classic three-day weekend

GRETCHEN DORIAN

ME HARBORS ME HARBORS

WWW.IYRS.ORG