Dainty

Dainty
Rig Class.Solent Sunbeam Bermudan Sloop
Year built:1923
General characteristics
Ton:3 tons
Beam:
In 1922 Alfred Westmacott the distinguished naval architect was approached by three racing men from Hamble who commissioned a design for a fast keel dayboat 26'6" (8 metres) overall. They asked for “an improved Mermaid”.
He responded with what was perhaps his best design for day racing, which the Hamble trio named the ‘Y’ class and decreed that all their boats’ names should end with that letter.

The design had a waterline length of 17'6", a 6' beam and drew 3'9". Sail area was 300 square feet in a Bermudan sloop rig, with the long footed mainsail then fashionable. She would be constructed in pitch pine planking, copper, nail fastened to steam-bent American elm frames.
The hull form was attractive and speedy.

Dainty (built in 1922, launched in 1923, pale yellow hull) was given the Sail Number 1 drawn by lots at the founding meeting of the class.
Her owner, Captain Basil Lubbock, as the Commodore of Hamble River Sailing Club, had commissioned the design from Alfred Westmacott and was elected the first Class Captain (1922-1930).  He raced her most keenly and successfully; in 1923: 46 starts and 11 firsts, 1924: 46 starts and 10 firsts, 1925: 57 starts and 10 firsts, but did not race her when the fleet moved to Bembridge in 1930.  His trophies include the 1923 Royal Yacht Squadron Regatta in Cowes Week, the Hamble River Points Series in 1924 and the Castle Yacht Club cup in 1924.

Later, her owners were
1934: F Ellam at Itchenor
1936: A Rees-Reynolds
1937: W C & W R Matthews
1957 sold out of class to Eric Combes and laid up in Bosham until 1965 when, on the instigation of Henry Chisholm, Paul Brauner bought her, for £410 cash, and brought her into racing condition.
1966: Paul invited his old friend Star Class world champion, ‘Bimi’ Fischer to helm and to win the Betty Moore cup for Cowes Week.
After partnerships with Jon Pither and George Brooks, run by Peter Nicholson, who won the Betty Moore Cup in 1976, 1978 and 1997 and McMeekin Trophy in 1977 and 1980.  Peter Nicholson was Solent Division captain 1979-1981.

1999: With David Giffard, sailed Dainty from Cowes to Falmouth, in three days, for the Falmouth Sunbeams 75th Anniversary Championships.
2001: Jubilee Round the Island, withV43 Honey.
2003: Boldly Go to Poole.
2004: Falmouth Championships.

Owners

Namefromto
Alfred Basil Lubbock Esq, MC 1923 1933

More Images