CLASSIC BOAT APRIL 2016 27REBEL
Rebel Reiver proved to be very responsive and exciting
to sail. With just two adults, Rebel Reiver’s cockpit felt
extremely spacious and can easily take up to four adults
for racing in high winds or leisurely river trips. The
pedestal-mounted winch in the middle of the cockpit can
be lifted out, which is a useful feature for those hardy
souls who fancy the idea of camping onboard under the
shelter of an awning rigged over the boom. Like the
majority of the area’s indigenous sailing craft, the Rebel’s
mast is mounted in a tabernacle for easy lowering or
raising, to shoot the various bridges that cross the
Broadland rivers. This feature would also come in handy
for any owner who wants to trail a Rebel, helping to
keep launch and recovery time to a minimum.
To purchase a new Rebel to the same specification as
Rebel Reiver from Belaugh Boatyard will cost £28,000
plus VAT. Alternatively, Belaugh Boatyard has drafted
plans for a two-berth version of the Rebel in response to
enquiries. Initial calculations indicate that this is likely to
cost approximately £36,000 plus VAT depending of
course on the final specification. Such a boat would
follow in the wake of Rebel Rothay (R3) which once had
a removable cuddy and a small inboard engine. Her seats
are flatter and lower than those fitted to the other Rebels
so that they could be used at night as two single berths.
The engine was subsequently removed to bring her back
into class while the cuddy was last seen rotting away in a
boatyard several years ago.
Hopefully, the combination of Belaugh Boatyard’s
craftsmanship and an improving financial climate will
help to finally unlock the Rebel One Design’s
untapped potential to ensure it gains the overdue
recognition it deserves.
Chartering
a Rebel One Design
Rebel Reveller (R9) became the first
member of the class to be available for hire
when she joined the Ludham-based Hunter’s
fleet in 2000, following an extensive 18-month
restoration. She was the ninth Rebel to be
completed when she was launched in 1956. She
was commissioned by H Collins who sailed her
as Rebel Hood until 1966 when she was
purchased by ID Coutts and renamed Rebel
Reveller. Andy Beardshaw bought her in 1982
and sold her to Gerald Thomas in 1988. She
looked set for a major restoration two years
later when Paul Williams took her on, but he
never had the time to carry out the work, so
Hunter’s yard acquired her in the autumn of- Seventeen years later she was joined by
Valiant Rebel (above) in 2014.
Each Rebel can take up to four people with
prices ranging from £96 for a weekday charter
through to £355 for a week. For the less
experienced or those who have never sailed,
but always wanted to, Hunter’s also offer two
or four-hour skippered sailing sessions, while
the more adventurous may appreciate the fact
that they come complete with a camping
awning. The 2016 season for Hunter’s half
deckers starts on 16 April and will finish
on 7 October.
Hunter’s Tel 01692 678263
Email [email protected]Below: Rebel
Rothay shooting
Potter Heigham
bridge on the
River ThurneLOA
REBEL
LOA
22ft 9in
(6.9m)
LW L
18in (5.5m)
BEAM
7ft (2.1m)
DRAUGHT
2ft 9in (0.8m)
SAIL AREA
300sq ft
(27.9m²)
DISPLACEMENT
2,800lb
(1,270kg)