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Tiger C was built by Berthons and launched in 1939, one of the 12-ton Gauntlet class. Her construction is teak on oak with a lead keel and spruce mast. She was launched as Tiger C, later became Blue Gauntlet but in my ownership has reverted to her original name. I purchased Tiger C in 2002. For the previous 25 years she had been owned by George Percival and his wife, who live near Amble, Northumberland. They kept her on the West Coast of Scotland, at Ardfern, and every few years sailed her to Amble for fitting out. They brought her around the North of Scotland on a least one occasion but usually through the Caledonian Canal. George is now in his 80's and both he and his wife are very charming and are very fond of Tiger C. I first saw Tiger C on her mooring at Ardfern. However, I took delivery of her in Amble. We had a romping sail down the North Sea in early March 2002 and around to Itchenor, Chichester harbour, which is now her home (although her port of registry is Southampton). In my ownership I have sailed her with my wife, Diana, daughter, Melissa, and son, Edmund, twice to the West Country and twice to the Channel Islands and Brittany. I have not established much about her history before her ownership by the Percivals, although I do have the names of most owners. I don't know why she was called Tiger C, and that intrigues me. Berthons are about to forward to me copies of some original drawings.
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In my ownership, I have every year carried out various works: three keel-bolts drawn and checked (more will be done); original decks re-caulked; a very old Mercedes diesel replaced with a 37.5 horse-power Beta; galley re-built; a new jib, staysail and yankee two years ago and new mainsail and cruising chute this year; and topsides back to bare wood and lots and lots and lots of scraping and painting above and below decks. Dolphin Quay Boatyard in Emsworth (Tim Gilmore) has done the skilled things and I do the scraping and painting. Tiger C is a fast, sound and great yacht!
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