Historic fleet welcomes latest addition at Itchenor

The 98-year-old historic Solent Sunbeam class welcomed its newest addition to the fleet with the launch of a new boat at Itchenor.
The new addition to the Sunbeam fleetThe new addition to the Sunbeam fleet
The new addition to the Sunbeam fleet

The 98-year-old historic Solent Sunbeam class welcomed its newest addition to the fleet with the launch of a new boat at Itchenor.

This latest launch is the 11th GRP Solent Sunbeam to be commissioned in the highly competitive and growing classic keelboat fleet based at Itchenor.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The owners of V72, Adrian and Nikki Edwards have named her Serendipity in keeping with the tradition of having names ending in ‘y’.

Serendipity owners Nikki and Adrian EdwardsSerendipity owners Nikki and Adrian Edwards
Serendipity owners Nikki and Adrian Edwards

Nikki said she first saw a Solent Sunbeam while sailing around Chichester Harbour last year with husband Adrian. A Sunbeam passed close by and Nikki was so captivated by her beautiful lines she turned to her husband to ask if they could have one.

After two trial sails, a purchase was agreed and the hull was moulded on the Isle of Wight and the yacht finished by wooden boat specialists Haines Boatyard at Itchenor.

Adrian is an experienced racer and is looking forward to the challenge of racing in the competitive and sociable fleet, having competed in a variety of dinghies and keelboats over the years, most recently in the Victory Class in Portsmouth.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Victory Class is another local, classic design which has also embraced wooden and GRP boats racing on an equal basis.

The Solent Sunbeam class offers competitive and sociable weekend regattas, Thursday evening harbour racing and a number of week-long racing events at both Itchenor and Cowes, from April through to September.

Thirty-plus Solent Sunbeams regularly sail from Itchenor Sailing Club ranging from 98 years in age to several new GRP and newly epoxied yachts ensuring excellent one-design racing in a competitive and very sociable fleet.

Newcomers are welcomed into the fleet with tips and advice on ownership, rig set-up and maintenance freely available from the long-standing owners and enthusiasts.

For more information on sailing and owning a Solent Sunbeam contact the Class Association via the website at www.solentsunbeam.co.uk