10th Hamble Classics Regatta
by Jonty Sherwill 13 Sep 02:07 NZST
6-7 September 2025
The 10th Hamble Classics Regatta saw a 23% increase in entries and 40 yachts out racing in the Central Solent, each and every boat making this a special celebration. Adding to the style of the usual mix of IRC rated yachts, Regatta Handicap Class, Old Gaffers and XOD one-design dayboats, were three immaculately turned out Spirit yachts and three West Solent One-Designs.
Hosted jointly by the Hamble River Sailing Club for race management and the Royal Air Force Yacht Club as the shore base and social venue, Peter Bateson was again the Principal Race Officer. The supporting partners are Spinlock, Classic Marine, OneSails, the Elephant Boatyard, Walcon Marine, Z-Spars UK, Salcombe Gin and Hamble Yacht Services.
In the Spirit of Tradition IRC Class the two Spirit 46's 'Ondine of Ipswich' Ken Smart and 'Dido' Daniel and Suzie Anthony (the eventual class winner) were split by 'Vesper1' Andrew Haining, a Guernsey based Spirit 37.
In the main IRC fleet of nine yachts the three equally well-prepared West Solent One-Designs, 'Harlequin' David Heritage, 'Suvretta' Tim Yetman and 'Arrow' owned by Ian Atkins and skippered by Led Pritchard, all boats built by Berthon in the mid-1920s. They took first, third and fifth places and splitting them were 'Aeolus' Richard Hargreaves, the Knud Reimers designed 30 Square Metre and the S&S designed Sagitta 35 'Ugly Duckling', Olly Bewes and George Beevor.
The Regatta Handicap Class for non-rated yachts under its simple empirical handicap method were joined by another trio of GRP Nordic Folkboats and these capably crewed boats put on a cabaret of close racing, 'Cidron Too' James Walters winning the class, but consistency rewarding the event organisers' 1926 one-off Guernsey dayboat 'Cockleshell' Jonty and Vicki Sherwill in runner-up spot.
Always picturesque, the Gaffer One fleet was joined this year by 'Charm' Reuben Powell, an Albert Strange Gaff Yawl of 1922. The winner of that class, the Ed Burnett designed 'Ivy Green' Richard Jacobs was saved a final race showdown when the Thames One Rater 'Dorothy' of Ossie Stewart & Damon Roberts broke her gaff in the rising breeze after finishing on Saturday.
Some of the smaller yachts struggled in the conditions but the two Romilly 23's revelled in it, 'Runaway' Ken Hickling winning the Gaffer Two class from the Golant Gaffer 'Satellite' David and Sue Pennison.
The XOD class, ubiquitous in River Hamble club racing since the 1920's had seven boats entered with X124 'Kathleen' Edward Fitzgerald, steered by Eliot Motherwell, making it a clean sweep with five wins from five starts.
While the focus of Hamble Classics is on well-organised and fun racing, the Concours d'Elegance Awards always delight by rewarding dedicated yacht owners.
To recognise the breadth of excellence there are five category awards, and this year the West Solent One-Designs 'Suvretta' and 'Arrow' were judged equal for most beautiful overall (Harlequin won last year) with 'Charm' winning for authenticity, 'Cidron Too' the best GRP boat, 'Vesper1' the best Spirit of Tradition, and the Hustler 30 'Orthops' Jane Challener for the Spirit of Racing award.
Three special award trophies are presented each year, the Tea-for-Two teapot trophy for shorthanded boat went to Huw and Maggie Hallybone in the gaffer Mincarlo, the Kismet model yacht Trophy to the Armstrong family in the Herreshoff 16 footer 'Gloriana', and the Norlethe picture trophy to RAFYC Vice-Commodore Jon Searle for being the perfect host including serving early morning breakfast at the club!
Event website: hambleclassics.co.uk