Yachts

C001: Josephine
C002: Cetewayo
C003: Frenesi of Clynder
C004: Undina
C005: Rebecca of Vineyard Haven
C006: Whirlaway
C007: Drumbeat
C008: Whooper
C009: Thendara
C010: Zoom
C011: Foglio
C012: Vanity V
C013: Talisker Mhor
C014: Pazienza
C015: Danegeld
C016: Mikado
C017: Elona
C018: Sensa
C019: Droleen II
C020: Corrie
C021: Lotus
C022: Mingary
C023: Dirk II
C024: Sceptre
C025: Thendara
C026: Outlaw
C027: Athena
C028: Bettine
C029: John Dory
C030: Swanilda
C031: Marigold
C032: Sally of Kames
C033: Monsoon
C034: Charm of Rhu
C035: Moonspray
C036: Firebrand
C037: Gluckauf
C038: Cereste
C039: Mitzi
C040: Roar for Joy
C041: Zahir
C042: Maria Hendrika
C043: Vivette
C044: Berenice
C045: Huff of Arklow
C046: Fairlight
C047: Iolaire
C048: Sibyl of Cumae
C049: Ilderim
C050: Dorothy
C051: Zaleda
C052: Dione
C053: Clarion of Wight
C054: Safir
C055: Shantih
C056: Eveline
C057: Shuttle
C058: Windflower
C059: Erica
C060: Cygnet of London
C061: St David's Light
C062: Leonie
C063: Tar Baby
C064: Caressa
C065: Tiger C
C066: Barbican
C067: A Day at the Races
C068: Kelpie
C069: Suzalah
C070: Rubicon
C071: Infanta
C072: Rampage
C073: Halcyon
C074: Thalassa
C075: Sinbad
C076: Lutine
C077: Twilight
C078: Alera
C079: Aeolus
C080: Nightfall
C081: Mossie Estelle

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Clarion of Wight

Clarion of Wight was built in 1963 at Clare Lallow in Cowes to designs by Sparkman & Stephens. Her first owners were D. Boyer and D. Miller. She was thought at the time to be very light. Of the original displacement of 10,070 Kg, 4,536 Kg was in the lead keel. In her launch year she was selected for the British Admirals Cup Team. Clarion of Wight won the Fastnet race, and the British Team won the Admirals Cup.

The boat was subsequently purchased by Sir Maurice Laing, who had the keel hung rudder replaced by a skeg mounted version and the original was reduced to a trim tab. This tab has been locked off long ago. Sir Maurice introduced Ted Heath to offshore racing aboard Clarion of Wight competing in the Cowes-Dinard Race. He must have enjoyed the experience since he then bought his first Morning Cloud, also a Sparkman & Stephens design.

In 1971 in the ownership of Dr R. O’Hanlon Clarion of Wight competed again in the Admirals Cup, this time in the Irish Team.

Brian and Yvonne Turner bought her in 1992, from Christopher and Pamela Hare, having admired her lines in Poole Harbour. Astonishingly when they made the purchase they were totally unaware that Clarion of Wight had been one of the most successful British racing yachts ever.

Brian and Yvonne raced in the 1996 Ostend to Heligoland race and the 1997 Fastnet, when they were narrowly beaten by Cetewayo (BCYC C002).

Photo courtesy of Chris Boynton

In 1999 they were the overall winner in the Lutine Trophy, Gt. Yarmouth to Terschelling. Reporting on this event Clarion of Wight was described by the yachting press as “the Veteran British Yacht”.

In the 2000 Round Ireland Race Clarion of Wight was the first Classic Yacht.

Brian does not describe himself as the owner, but her slave, and Yvonne, his wife as long suffering.

The winter of 2006-7 is to be spent at the Lowestoft Boat Building College where the teak decks are to be replaced.