Halcyon Yachts
Well-Known Member
My involvement with Scaramouche started 3 years ago when I met the head of six form from an inner city state school in a pub on the south coast. He had invited me to meet him there so that we could talk about the boat he was about to buy. A 45ft German Frers that was built in 1982 for the Admirals Cup. The yacht had been laid up in Sandwich in Kent and was being sold for £17k. From that moment on I was hooked by the teachers’ passion and ambition to make this work. His aim from the outset was to enter Fastnet. My aim was to just make sure the yacht was seaworthy enough for the passage from Sandwich to Poole. Luckily enough, she floated well and most of the essential systems worked. We conducted the delivery with students as crew, many of whom hadn’t sailed a yacht before.
The following few years involved quite a lot of maintenance, extensive training and lots of meetings around the country to promote the project. A highlight for me was to be invited to Buckingham Palace to spend an hour with Prince Philip. Although he didn’t donate anything, I’ve no doubt the extra publicity helped encourage a few sponsors to come forward.
Well, here we are – three years in and we’ve only gone and done it… The first ever crew from a comprehensive school to finish the notorious Fastnet Race. I salute the teachers that pushed this project from the outset. A life changing experience for the 8 students that took part and a very well deserved prize at the end. We were first up at the prize giving as winners of the Media Prize. The project has captured the imagination of the nation and we have been featured in various national publications and news channels. The boys are all so chuffed, and rightly so!
I documented the race with a short film. I hope you enjoy it!
Pete
The following few years involved quite a lot of maintenance, extensive training and lots of meetings around the country to promote the project. A highlight for me was to be invited to Buckingham Palace to spend an hour with Prince Philip. Although he didn’t donate anything, I’ve no doubt the extra publicity helped encourage a few sponsors to come forward.
Well, here we are – three years in and we’ve only gone and done it… The first ever crew from a comprehensive school to finish the notorious Fastnet Race. I salute the teachers that pushed this project from the outset. A life changing experience for the 8 students that took part and a very well deserved prize at the end. We were first up at the prize giving as winners of the Media Prize. The project has captured the imagination of the nation and we have been featured in various national publications and news channels. The boys are all so chuffed, and rightly so!
I documented the race with a short film. I hope you enjoy it!
Pete
