22 CLASSIC BOAT APRIL 2016REBEL
Facing page
clockwise from
top left: Lines can
be handled from
Rebel Reiver’s
cockpit; sheets
led aft through
the cockpit
coamings; gaff
jaws; detailing on
cockpit lockersoccasions when they pooled resources to buy boats when
they were put up for sale to make sure they remained in
Horning until new owners could be found to race them
as part of the fleet. Although their actions saved the
existing fleet, they did not resolve the dilemma of how to
encourage the building of any further examples.
A potential solution emerged in the mid 1980s when
Colin Facey offered to develop a GRP mould thereby
following the example of the region’s other one-design
classes which had authorised the construction of GRP
derivatives. His offer was vetoed by the other Rebel
owners due to their concerns about the potential
implications for the existing boats. The issue remained in
abeyance until the turn of the century when Colin raised
it again by offering to take a mould from Rebel Maid
(R4) during her forthcoming restoration. Fortunately,
times had moved on since the issue was last discussed. In
the 1980s such proposals were viewed by many as a
threat to the future of the original wooden boats yet
experience has shown this to be the reverse. Instead of
deserting their old wooden boats in droves and opting
for an easier life courtesy of GRP, the old stalwarts, who
had kept the classes alive through difficult times, have
stood by their original boats while the GRP craft have
drawn a much-needed fresh group of sailors attracted by
the combination of lower construction and maintenance
costs. This in particular struck a cord with the older
Rebel owners who were keen to secure the long-term
survival of the class and voted in favour of Colin’s plan,
which led to the launching of the first two GRP boats,
Rebel H (R14) and Rebel Rascal (R15), in 2008.
Even though the new boats generated considerable
interest, the timing of their completion proved to be
extremely unfortunate. The subsequent economic crash
and prolonged recession blighted the prospect of further
orders until a conversation between two existing Rebel
owners, over a pint in 2014, triggered the construction
of Rebel Reiver (R16). Mike Horne and Gerry Hermer
had been Rebel owners for 20 years and were convinced
that the design’s potential remained virtually untouchedT
he Norfolk and Suffolk Broads boast an
impressive array of indigenous classic
sailing craft, including the 22ft gunter
rigged Rebel One Design, probably one
of the area’s best kept secrets. Designed
by the late Alan Buchanan for the
Wroxham-based R Moore and Sons as a modern
alternative to the then 41-year-old Yare & Bure One
Design (Y&BOD), the first example took to the water in- With its varnished mahogany hull, cream coloured
cotton sails, fulsome lines and lack of bowsprit, Rebel
offered local sailors a real alternative to the
celebrated Edwardian half decker.
Within two years, five Rebels had been completed for
the princely sum of £465 each. However, by the time the
eighth Rebel was launched in 1955 the cost had risen to
£510 which exceeded the price of a new Y&BOD and
marked a turning point in the expansion of the class.
A ninth boat was commissioned the following season
before the orders dried up. To generate interest in the
fleet beyond its initial strongholds of Wroxham and
Horning the first Class Captain, Colonel PH Jones, took
Rebel Phiz (R3), subsequently renamed Rebel Rothay, to
sea off Lowestoft in 1957. Even though the half decker
acquitted herself well in the moderate sea conditions, the
feat has never been repeated despite initial enthusiasm
from some members of the class. When the order was
placed for Valiant Rebel (R10) it triggered a final
two-year building spree to bring the fleet up to 13 boats
by the end of 1962.
Having enjoyed the enthusiastic support of the
owners, the future of the class hung in the balance during
the 1970s as the numbers actively competing on the
regatta circuit fell. For a while, it looked as though the
class might become extinct as the dwindling numbers
only sporadically competed at the Horning Sailing Club
which adopted the Rebel in the 1950s. Fortunately, a
dedicated group of its members ensured the fleet survived
at Horning throughout its peaks and troughs. The
strength of their commitment was illustrated on several
CB ARCHIVES
The Rebel OD was
designed by the late
Alan Buchanan
in 1950