The 'W' Boat Association

West Solent One Design

Designed - H G May

Built - Berthon Boatyard, Lymington 1925 - 1931

LOA 34’ 6”  LWL 24’ 0” Beam 7’ 6” Draft 5’1”

Disp 4.4 tons. Sail Area 530 sq ft.

Elegant thoroughbred Edwardian yachts, originally built as the "W Boats" as one of the first production cruiser racers, and adopted by a number of yacht clubs around the coast including Lymington, Torbay and Burnham. A total of 31 boats were originally built including six exported to Argentina and one built under licence in India. They participated as class in a number of regattas around the coast until the 50's whilst their distinctive classical lines sometimes earned them the nickname of "the little J-Class"

A resurgence in interest in the class in the 90s and early 00s, particularly around the East Coast, resulted in 8 - 10 of boats being sympathetically restored to the early one design rules whilst using modern boatbuilding techniques to solve some of the fundamental structural problems of the original boats. Others are currently under restoration or awaiting new owners seeking projects. In 2010 the lovely new "Winnie Marie" W-39 was launched.

Something of a purist's boat with a big rig, running backstays and normally engineless, they offer a superb sailing experience in all conditions, and gather appreciative glances and comment as one of the most beautiful boats around, in whatever company. Whilst the current fleet is a bit scattered, a number regularly participate in regattas and local races, both in classic events or racing to IRC or local handicap amongst modern raceboats where, given the right conditions, they can carry away the silverware. Highlights of the season are the Levington Classic Regatta in June and Mersea week in August.

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