Discussion on Classic boats

[Rum_Pirate]

This has been puzzling me.

There are many people in influential positions in the yachting world that are of the fixed opinion that to be a 'classic yacht', the yacht must have been built 'long' ago.

By way of explanation these persons in control of many yachting competitions etc pour unadulterated scorn on yachts that are recently constructed of relatively modern materials and methods although built to the same plans of the 'originals'.
The yachts that are alienated are called replicas, although they really are 'sister ships'

The yachts that these influential persons consider eligible to be a 'classic' boat are constructed at the times the 'original' plans and design were done and must be built of 'solid' timber etc and other materials at that time.

Can anyone in the yachting fraternity please advise if these 'original' yachts; that are held in such high esteem regarding original status; use
a) manila hemp/hemp/linen/cotton/coir/jute/straw/sisal etc. ropes and not made of modern fibres,
b) have and use sail of cotton/flax/linen/canvas or other such material available pre-WWI
c) have modern engines (ie not the originals)
d) modern blocks (ie with ball bearings) and not 'lookalikes'.

If these yachts use ropes made of 'modern' materials eg nylon etc, and/or hoist modern material sails instead of traditional materials aren't these yachts just of 'guilty' of yachts (made to the same plans) from eg epoxy covered timber strips, etc and as such using the very criteria of these 'influential' people and cannot be called 'originals' ?

Either you are original (100%) or it is not.

Where does one draw the line in the sand?

Your view?

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

You've answered your own question, Pirate --

"Rum is the answer. Now what is your next question?"

Having said that, I think you have a good argument. Though I'm not proposing to answer it point by point, I nevertheless observe that, for instance, it's almost impossible to get real hemp rope these days, at any price. The same goes for wooden blocks on plain pins and so on. So I guess the answer really depends on the hull -- design, construction, and age (though I observe in passing that there's no age cut-off point for classic boats as there is for veteran or vintage cars, for instance). In my view, there's nothing that would preclude a f/g boat, say, from becoming a "classic" if it lives long enough. But most of them don't seem to.

Mike

 

[penfold]

The 'classic' regatta rules used in the Med are bogglingly complicated and mildly perverse; common sense doesn't really enter into it, although the handicapping does seem to work after a fashion.

 

[old_salt]

It's called a "re-fit".

Ships in the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy go into dry dock every so often for a re-fit where all things that have run their serviceable life are restored or replaced with a more modern and serviceable item.

As for old wooden boats like my 1905 Gaffer she's in dry dock for a re-fit (has been for far too long now) and when finished she will still be a classic.
But no she won't have any plastic or fibreglass resin in the "re-fit" which is the term I prefer to use other than "Re-build". Which is not a nautical term.

 

[Rosie1963]

I have to say I have never really been bothered about how to "classify" a classic.

In my opinion there is a certain aesthetic that needs evoke some individuality of character - sadly, plastic is not good at as good as wood at giving that "feel" - it is was, I suppose we would all have fibreglass doors in our homes.

 

[sideshowbob]

I think one should just get on and enjoy your boat whatever it is, whether its a classic in anyone elses eyes or rules is irrelevant. Just enjoy and be thankful you are using it. Every boat is somebodies pride and joy! I always remind people of that if they say to me 'look at that horrible little boat' or the like.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

'Classic' and 'classic style'.

 

[chal]

I agree that a lot of it is bonkers. As I've posted elsewhere on this forum, my boat is old (1939) but had new aluminium spars fitted in the early 70s. They were custom made to the same size and shape as the originals, retained the original galvanised fittings, and weigh a ton! I've seen one set of rules that would exclude Chal from the Classic category because of this, but would have allowed her if I'd had new lightweight hollow wooden spars with much more modern rigging made last week. Chal came with a set of blocks that were probably not original but were wooden, ancient, and rusty, and made hauling on anything very hard work. I've replaced them all with tufnol: I couldn't afford wooden and the tufnol look fine and work. So, Chal has a mostly-original hull (though new covering boards, toerails and a little planking a few years ago to replace rotten wood), and that's it. She's on her 2nd set of spars, 4th engine, etc etc. And that's a lot more original than some classics I have seen, that have been more professionally restored than I could afford but only really have the odd plank left from the original.

Broadly speaking, I think most people know a classic when they see one, and the rules are largely silly. Anyone who can't deal with that should probably take OP's advice and have a glass of rum first - maybe several!

And +1 to sideshowbob - every boat is someone's baby.