Oakleaf Class

[Athene V30]

I have seen a couple of Oakleafs locally (Brightlingsea / Blackwaters) and like the look.

Has anyone first hand experience of how they sail / handle under power etc?

Thanks in anticipation

 

[Casey]

Oakleafs - I have one which sails beautifully and is very strongly built. I have thouroughly enjoyed owning her for the last six years. Also, mine is for sail if you are interested!

 

[Casey]

My reply yesterday was very short for which I blame a very long and thoroughly enjoyable lunch with a group of very old friends. I was very 'tired' when I caught up with e mails etc.

There were only about twelve Oakleafs built at the Chandler and Smith yard in Great Wakering, Essex. The same yard built the smaller Maple Leaf which was a racing class somewhere in the Thames Estuary. They occasionally come up for sale but the last one I saw was in Gosport Boat Yard and was, I thought, beyond redemption.

My Oakleaf, Kala Sona, was first owned by David and Joan Hay who wrote several books from her and their experiences aboard are featured in at least some of them. Their books were Cruising in Strange Waters, The Solent from the Sea, East Anglia from the Sea etc etc. They also wrote several articles for the yachting press in the late sixties and seventies.

I have attempted to discover more information about the class but no-one seems to know who designed them or where the others are although there has been one for sale in Essex recently.

If you want any details of the Maple Leaf I have a copy of an old magazine article which I will send or details of my boat; both can be had for a PM.