LUMINARIES
THEO RYE naval architect
LUKE POWELL BOatBUilDer THESE dAYS, WE COnSIdER nEW, TRAdITIOnAL PILOT CUTTERS In WOOd TO bE THE nORM. MEET THE MAn WHO STARTEd IT ALL “A classic must represent a type of vessel from a particular period in time. For example, one immediately has an image of a victorian cutter or an Edwardian motor yacht. We all have preferences for different eras and social groups, and the boats we like must personify this. The people I admire most are the 19th-century captains of West Country trading ketches and schooners, and for me Garlandstone sums up these brave little ships so well. Sadly neglected at the moment she needs help, long may she live.”
“A ‘classic’ in my terms is a boat that by accomplishment raises itself above the commonplace of its type. The accomplishment can be mere longevity, or something like making a remarkable sea voyage, or combine elements of both the ordinary and the exceptional. Craftsmanship, beauty, provenance and ability are all usually present in some combination, but are not prerequisites by any means. My favourite classic is Ayrshire Lass, the 24ft (7.3m) 1887 William Fife II gaff cutter. She’s a typical Clyde dayboat from the era, which gave Liz Todrick the freedom of the Western Isles for more than 50 years. Paul
C/O THEO RYE
OPPOSITE: C/O MARK HORTOn; PETER WILLIS
THEO IS A SPECIALIST In CLASSIC YACHT RESTORATIOnS And HAS An EnvIAbLE Cv OF WORLd-CLASS PROjECTS
Goss had Ayrshire Lass restored by Michael Kennedy in dunmore East, back as close to original as could be determined. She was never notable in design terms, has very limited pretensions as a racer, and is almost entirely unglamorous; but she has an honesty, which has helped ensure her exceptional survival. And she’s fun to sail.”
“a ‘classic’ in my terms is a boat that by accomplishment raises itself above the commonplace of its type”
nIGEL PERT PhOtOGraPher
jOnATHAn GRIFFIn cUratOr
“I think of a classic as a wooden boat, but then steel is also a classic material. Long overhangs and a bowsprit might be part of the definition but it’s all about the look. Photographing RùM for the March issue (CB297) I didn’t think she was especially a classic… but I think she will be a classic in the future, so in that sense the design of Spirit of Tradition boats is a good thing. But you can’t do better than an Essex Smack for a definition of a classic boat – they have just beautiful lines and they always look great on the water.”
C/0 nIGEL PERT
nIGEL HAS bEEn A MARInE PHOTOGRAPHER SInCE THE 1980S And CAn STILL bE FOUnd SAILInG And SnAPPInG, PARTICULARLY AT EvEnTS In HIS AdOPTEd HOME, FRAnCE
THE nMMC HAS WOn COUnTLESS AWARdS FOR ITS ROSTER OF ExHIbITS, FOCUSInG On FOLK HISTORY And SMALL bOATS. jOnATHAn HAS bEEn AT THE HELM SInCE THE START
C/O jOnATHAn GRIFFIn
“Instantly recognisable, a classic has elegance, style, beauty, craftsmanship, quality of finish, and timelessness. She sits on, and moves through, the water with grace. She can be a small design, like a Firefly, or individual with the ability to stand out in the crowd like a Fife. not all superyachts are classics but modern yachts like Rebecca are classics, as they can stand comparison with Mariquita, which is currently sitting serenely outside my office window.” CLASSIC BOAT AUGUST 2013
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