What are the oldest yachts in the world which are competing in organised races?

[jerrytug]

The oldest I know of is Boadicea, a very original Mersea Oyster smack built in 1808, 3 yrs after Trafalgar, I was lucky enough to crew on her once and she can mix it with the modern, Edwardian smacks.
She has some technology and design. the ends of the halliards are tied tigether so they can't get lost up the mast.
She tacks through the wind quickest by leaving the staysl backed for a few seconds to knock her head round.
There must be older boats racing, any takers?

 

[KINGFISHER 8]

There must be some old ones among the Falmouth working boat fleet. I remember Frank Cock had one, can't remember her name now, which was built around 1830 ... sank on her moorings up Restronguet Creek a couple of times ... kept coming back. Dear old Frank long gone now but kept going well into his 90s. Anyone got info on the boat ... still afloat?

 

[jerrytug]

There must be some old ones among the Falmouth working boat fleet. I remember Frank Cock had one, can't remember her name now, which was built around 1830 ... sank on her moorings up Restronguet Creek a couple of times ... kept coming back. Dear old Frank long gone now but kept going well into his 90s. Anyone got info on the boat ... still afloat?

I will ask D Carne when I bump into him, he will know. Mr Cock, an easy name to remember.

 

[Somersault]

The thing to do is establish the oldest racing specific yacht still racing, ie non commercial vessel.
We helped rebuild a 1886 yacht and she still races and the story goes the original owner wanted the boat built for racing although the build is still very smack-ish

 

[oldbilbo]

One would struggle to find a more illustrious 'old timer' than Jolie Brise - the first winner of the Fastnet Race, and the iconic trigger for whta became the RORC...

Here's a page from the RORC annals.... http://fastnet.rorc.org/history/race-history/the-first-fastnet-race.html

 

[Topcat47]

And for class racing, what about the J-Boats.

 

[Woodlouse]

There are lots of old boats out there still racing. Just look at the classic circuit in the med. The Falmouth working boats are probably one of the oldest 'classes' still sailing as a fleet but many of the boats are relatively new.

 

[jerrytug]

Yes plenty of old boats racing , I am also curious as to what is the oldest *design* of boat still raced in an organised way, if not so organised as the Solent etc. Feluccas race on the Nile, the design is seen on old Egyptian carvings.
I would guess some Pacific outrigger types which go back before the invention of writing? I am fascinated by prehistoric boats, the oldest boat found now goes back about 30,000 yrs I believe. And if two of them were going the same way, it would have been natural to try and get there first..

 

[Boreades]

Eh oop lad, some say it was t'Yorkshire folk, with the North Ferriby boats.

http://www.ferribyboats.co.uk/

 

[KINGFISHER 8]

I will ask D Carne when I bump into him, he will know. Mr Cock, an easy name to remember.

Good idea .... Victory must be pretty old ... was Toby West's.

 

[Woodlouse]

Good idea .... Victory must be pretty old ... was Toby West's.

1880 something. Possibly 1888?

 

[Seajet]

There must be a lot of old boats which ' nearly qualify ' like Endeavour ( though rebuilt ) and the lovely 12 sq m Sharpies, once at Langstone SC and a club on the Norfolk Broads, now just in Holland - apologies, I forget the clubs concerned -.

How about the Thames barges, Wherries and Bristol Pilot Cutters ?

There's a reasonably old oyster dredging boat now offering pleasure trips in Chichester Harbour, the ' Terror ' but I don't think she's that old.

Bembridge Redwings ?

 

[lw395]

.....
Bembridge Redwings ?

GRP since 1989?

http://www.bembridgesailingclub.org/sailing/vivamus

What's happened to the old ones since?

 

[Keen_Ed]

GRP since 1989?

http://www.bembridgesailingclub.org/sailing/vivamus

What's happened to the old ones since?

Went to Poole.
http://www.lakeyard.co.uk/?page_id=259

 

[Keen_Ed]

Thought that the oldest class still racing in it's original form were the Yorkshire One Designs, from 1898.

http://www.ryyc.org.uk/YOD_article.htm

The Water Wags had a redesign in 1900.

 

[awol]

Howth Seventeens still racing and occasionally being built, designed in 1897.

 

[onesea]

One Design?
According to Guinness

Its the 1/2 Rater....

http://www.wallaseyyachtclub.com/?page=halfrater

 

[awol]

Looks like Guinness are short changing

http://hyc.ie/howth-17

 

[maxcampbell]

Thames A Raters.
Antique, but quick as f...

 

[SAMYL]

Not as old as the Howth 17's but the Belfast Lough Fairies are still sailing after 113 years.