America's Cup Flavour and acoustic music bring added excitement to Classic Boat Rally
Lutine of Helford, one the most famous English yachts ever built, and the Sheila, a 90-year-old American 6 meter Class yacht which was rescued after being sunk in a storm, will be at the rally, supported by the Sutton Harbour Group at the Sutton Harbour Marina from Friday July 29 to Monday August 1.
The Lutine of Helford was designed by J Laurent Giles and built in 1952 to American race rules by Camper and Nicholson for Lloyds Yacht Club and first competed in the Newport Bermudan Race in 1953. After a very long and successful racing career including winning the Fastnet Race she had become a derelict wreck when she was discovered by Clive Emerson in 1999.
Mr Emerson of Gweek Quay Boatyard, who sadly died last year, rebuilt the Lutine to her original specification and she went on to race in the 2001 America’s Cup Jubilee Regatta where she came third in Class One.
Peter Gregson of Wooden Shipsinternational yacht brokers in Dartmouth said: “The Lutine is one of the most famous English yachts ever built. It is so important she comes to Plymouth at such a special time for the city. I feel bringing her to the rally at this time will be a fitting swansong for Clive who did so much for our yachting heritage.”
The Sheila has featured in many books and periodicals and is noted for her very unusual curved mast. She was built in 1921 at Rhode Island in the United States and came to England and was in the USA’s first team of 6m yachts to campaign in the British-America’s Cup when her sail number was US4. She was sunk in a storm, then used as a cruising yacht until 1989 when she was fully restored to her original layout.
The two famous yachts will join more than 80 traditional vessels on show in Plymouth’s historic marina, which is no stranger to boating and yachting events. The Sutton Harbour Marina has hosted the start of the Artemis Transat in 2008 and The 2009 Fastnet. It will also host the finish of this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race in August. The Sutton Harbour Group is an official supporter of the race and the official berth provider for the Rolex Fastnet fleet.
Jonathan Brice, organiser of this year’s Rally said: “Many of these boats are really special and have been saved from decay. They’ve often been found rotting in some creek and then brought back to life. In some instances there are only a few remaining vessels of their kind.
“We have a complete range and mixture, from working boats to luxury yachts where the varnish is gleaming and you can see your face in the polished mahogany. It’s a perfect opportunity to see very special boats that are normally kept well away from the public gaze.”
He added: “This couldn’t be a better time for the rally with Plymouth hosting this year’s America’s Cup World Series and the Fastnet race. This will be an extraordinary spectacle and a festival atmosphere.”
The atmosphere will be enhanced with a buzz of activity around the Barbican with its specialist shops and galleries and bars and restaurants providing welcome rest and refreshment. There will also be live outdoor music from noon to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The acoustic music event will take place at the affectionately named “ice cream triangle”, the harbourside area next to the Mayflower Steps and the tourist information centre. It is being hosted by Mike Raddie and Louise Creamer, who run food outlets on the triangle and who are members of the Barbican Business Association.
Local singer/songwriter and stalwart of Plymouth’s folk and acoustic scene, Jessie Mullen is organising the line up which includes Starkicker, Frankie and Debs, Panda Bear Jones and Doc Wallace. (full line up in notes below)
Jessie said: “This is a great opportunity to showcase some of the stunning acoustic music we have going on in Plymouth. We hope it will add to what will be a very special weekend for the city.”
The Plymouth Classic Boat Rally is part of the Plymouth Summer Festival and is supported by the Sutton Harbour Group which owns Sutton Harbour Marina.