At Hattiers we're always looking for the next opportunity to get out on the water and with a love of classic yacht racing we were thrilled to sponsor British Classic week for the third year running.
In its 21st year, British Classic Week 2023 attracted over 40 classic sailing and motor yachts from the UK and across Europe for a week of sailing, cruising, and socialising in the Solent. Based at Cowes Yacht Haven, the UK's premier classic yacht regatta sees all yachts berthed in the same marina, creating a hub of activity and a gathering of friendly faces. The team had a blast as always and it was brilliant to see both familiar faces and also those discovering Hattiers for the first time.
Credit: British Classic Week / Chris Brown.
Yachts ranged from a 26ft Stella to a recently launched Spirit 72DH. The oldest yacht in the fleet was a gaff rigged yacht named Eilun built in 1896. This year’s entries also included a 6mR class competing in an eight-race series ahead of the 6mR worlds later in the summer.
Despite high winds forcing postponement of racing on day one of the regatta, the race management team at the Royal Yacht Squadron managed to hold a full six-race series for the main fleet, including the 30nm NAB Tower Race and the Lady Helm Race.
Credit: British Classic Week / Chris Brown.
British Classic Yacht Club Commodore Jonathan Dyke said, “It was another fantastic week of racing and socialising for a fleet of passionate owners and their talented crews. It was particularly wonderful to see so many young people in the fleet, developing their sailing and establishing the next generation of classic yacht enthusiasts.”
Throughout the week, there was just as much happening shoreside as there was on the water. Highlights of the week included welcome drinks at the Royal Yacht Squadron and the infamous Pontoon Party sponsored by Classic Boat magazine, Dartmouth Gin and Hattiers Rum was a highlight of the week once again. The Hattiers team happily donned their deck shoes to celebrate and commiserate with crew members after a hard day's sailing, serving Egremont and Fiery Ginger Beer 'Devon Storm' cocktails aplenty until the sun went down.
Credit: British Classic Week / Chris Brown.
Regatta charity partner Tall Ships Youth Trust was onsite all week engaging with competitors and guests to promote the invaluable support it gives disadvantaged young people by providing life-changing experiences at sea.
After a six-race series in windy conditions, Laurent Giles designed sloop Whooper triumphed to win this year’s British Classic Week regatta overall. There was just one point between Whooper and second place Timoa after a competitive week of fast-paced racing.
Above: Whooper scoops the overall regatta winner prize. Credit: British Classic Week / Chris Brown.
BAR Technologies and Spirit Yachts set new all electric ‘Round the Island’ record
Alongside the stunning classic and modern classic yachts competing in British Classic Week there was another yacht making waves on the Isle of Wight.
Innovative simulation-driven marine engineering consultancy, BAR Technologies, has secured the ‘Round the Island’ record in 1 hour 56 minutes with their fully-electric, ultra-efficient e-foiler SpiritBARTech35EF.
Credit: Alex Anderson / Maritime Filming
The yacht broke the record in style, outstripping the previous record-holder by 4 hours. Cheered off by the cannon fire of the Island's Royal Yacht Squadron, the elegant vessel, designed in keeping with the traditional luxury aesthetic of Spirit Yachts, started its journey at 10am and completed her challenge in 1hr 56mins.
Congratulations to both our partner Spirit Yachts and BAR Technologies for their outstanding achievement, the new record set will be hard to break.
The dates for next year’s British Classic Week are set for 13th – 20th July 2024.