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The majority of our items are delivered within 2 working days from the date of dispatch although this is not guaranteed and can take up to 5 working days, especially during busy periods. We aim to dispatch orders received by 10.30 a.m on the same day.

Deliveries are by Royal Mail 48 (Standard Delivery), Royal Mail 24 (Expedited Delivery) or, for heavier items, by courier. The following items are send direct from the manufacturer/supplier and delivery information is as follows.

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Vintage Pond Yachts

• 1935 Catalogue
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The History of Star Yachts of Birkenhead

These colourful little yachts were, as proudly boasted on the later deck emblem, “Guaranteed to Sail” and they could regularly be seen navigating the uncharted waters of the local park pond, delighting children when they reached the other side and frustrating parents when they didn’t…

The history of the Star Yacht company, including the varied products it manufactured over a period of almost 70 years, is a fascinating one and it’d be a shame if it all became lost over time. I have, since childhood, been an admirer of their products and, more recently, I have had the good fortune to have been allowed access to much archive material not only from the Denye family themselves but also from others who managed to salvage records from the factory as the bulldozers, quite literally, began flattening the site in 1991.

See also:  Star Yachts of Birkenhead 1935 Catalogue.

See also:  Star Yacht display stands.

Please note that the majority of images on this website can be viewed in greater detail simply by clicking on them.

How Star Yachts began…

It was at the outbreak of the First World War that Franz Marie Denye, the owner of a successful boatyard on the North Sea coast of Belgium, decided it was time to load his possessions onto a newly built fishing boat and, together with his wife Marie Valerie Vanassche and two little children, escape the imminent arrival of the advancing German army. His family had, for centuries, been building wooden fishing smacks and trawlers, originally at their De Panne yard and then, as demand had grown, at a new yard with two slips in Ostend. One can only begin to imagine their feelings of trepidation as they slipped anchor and, in the dead of night, sailed off with uncertainty as to their future…

When the Armistice finally came it was clear that the family business in Ostend had, together with their property, been destroyed taking with it all hopes of returning home and so the decision was made for them to remain in England. The family took on a small back street shop in Birkenhead from which Marie sold cooked meats whilst Franz, when not employed in the shipyards, would settle himself in a back room and carve the “little model yachts” that were destined to make their fortune.

Alongside this increase in production Franz was able to seek out agents that could promote his models to retailers in major cities and it wasn’t long before the orders came flooding in for thousands of toy yachts.

In an interview of 1927 Franz later reflected – “You see my knowledge of design and construction resulted in producing really sailable boats”. He had discovered an untapped market for his wonderful little yachts and it soon became obvious that a move to new premises would be necessary…

Star Yachts move to Marion Street…

In 1922, encouraged by the huge surge in sales, Franz took the decision to set up a factory in Marion Street, Birkenhead – an address that was destined to become synonymous with Star Yacht production for almost 70 years.

“I acquired a workshop in Marion street, installed lathes and other light machinery, and for a time my wife, myself, and elder children worked very long hours for six days a week. Still the orders increased.

More machinery followed and then we engaged young women and girls from the district, departmentalising the making and fitting of masts and sails under my wife’s supervision, and the hulls under mine.

Now we are turning out hundreds of wooden toy railway engines, model barrows, children’s blackboards and other useful toys which hitherto have chiefly come from Germany”

(Quote taken from an interview with Franz for the Liverpool Echo dated 25th November 1927)

The images below show the “Star Yacht Works” in Marion Street. The first was taken circa 1923 and shows the factory and staff with Franz, wearing his trilby hat, stood to the left of the group whilst to the right is his wife Marie. The second image shows the factory as it was circa 1931 and the two gentlemen stood outside the entrance are Jean-Jacques and Ferdinand-Andre, two of the sons of Franz Denye, who were destined to later take over the running of Star Productions until the 1960’s.

The overwhelming success of the business, together with the necessary expansion required to cope with the demands in manufacturing, meant that in 1937 land adjoining the site was purchased and the factory extended. Further expansion was possible when, in the early 1950’s, the company was able to purchase an old builders yard located behind the factory.

The third image, taken in the early 1970’s, shows the extent of the development along Marion Street and it was to remain like this until the sad closure of the factory for redevelopment in 1990.

The following quote gives a good insight into the workings of the factory itself.

“Inside the mysterious, dark buildings of Star Productions, the traditional skills of its craftsmen are jealously guarded. Few people are allowed through the locked doors except the company’s faithful employees. The air hangs heavy with the pleasant smells of freshly-planed wood, yacht varnish and paint. Along a labyrinth of passages, resembling below decks of a ship, the partly-made hulls of countless small-scale yachts await the craftsman’s touch”.

(Taken from a quote in Cheshire Life dated January 1986)

The photographs below show factory life as it was in around 1923 and, although the images are poor, it’s possible to see how well organised the whole production line had become.

The first image shows what was known as the “construction room” and you can just make out the 12 numbered workstations beginning with No 1 in the foreground on the right hand side. Throughout the early years production was extremely labour-intensive with each individual yacht being carved, by hand, from a solid rectangular block. It was only after this time, with the introduction of semi automatic lathes and then later fully automatic lathes, that production became simpler and more efficient.

The second image gives a good insight into how the Star “painting department” was laid out at the time. There are women standing busily painting the wooden hulls, painted hulls laid out to dry and finished yachts dotted about on shelves around the room. In the centre is a large pot belly solid fuel stove with Ferdinand, as a small boy, stood next to it minding the huge kettle. It’s difficult, in today’s “health and safety” conscious world, to imagine the working conditions of such a bygone age…

The third photograph depicts the “fixing and sail making department” and it seems clear, from the cramped nature of the workstations, that business was indeed booming at this time.

It’s interesting to note that all the work areas depicted above are located on the first floor of the Star Works building so, given the lack of evidence to the contrary, one can only assume that the ground floor was used for the storage of  both raw materials and the finished stocks of yachts ready for dispatch.

The earliest reference that I’ve been able to find, relating to the products of the “Star Yacht Works”, are three post cards that were almost certainly used as commercial advertising material in the 1920″s.

The first depicts an early model Fishing Smack and, as can be seen from the images below, although it share similarities to models shown in 1930’s catalogues (and contemporary models produced by Star that were retailed under the Tri-ang banner) there are subtle differences such as the omission of portholes.

The second and third postcards depict early examples of their popular “Solid Yachts” and show the original keel shape before the introduction of the more distinctive curved keel that featured from the early 1930’s right up until the factory finally ceased production in 1991. Another distinctive feature of the early yachts is the much shallower, hand carved hull which preceded the deeper, machine turned forms of the later models.

Early advertising postcards for the “Star” yacht works in Birkenhead, England.

Star Yachts at the 1929 World Scout Jamboree…

This 15 day event, which was attended by some 30,000 Scouts and over 300,000 visitors, featured a “Star Yacht Works” exhibition stand complete with a flagpole flying a huge flag with the, none-too-subtle, wording “BUY STAR YACHTS”. The stand itself proudly boasted “All Star Yachts are Guaranteed to Sail”, a clever tagline that featured from the companies early days right up until the factory closure.

Although the image is fairly poor it is possible to clearly identify, amongst the many yachts offered, two Fishing Smack models in the foreground and what appears to be a large Racing Cutter to the right of the stand.

Franz can be seen proudly standing at the edge of shot in front of a large motor car, his business was clearly doing rather well…

A Star Yacht lost at sea…

It was on a fine August morning in 1932 that the Master of the steam trawler Swan, a Captain C A Evans, spotted a tiny object bobbing up and down on the waves of the Irish Sea. As his vessel drew closer both he and his crew were surprised to discover that it was a toy yacht, its sails set as it majestically charted its course.

On Saturday August 20th 1932 the Daily Mail, under the headline “Toy Yacht At Sea – Found With All Sails Set” , reported –

“A remarkable sea voyage by a child’s toy yacht only 15 inches long, was revealed when the Fleetwood steam-trawler Swan arrived in port yesterday. While in the vicinity of the Calf of Man, Skipper C A Evans observed a small object sailing bravely along and, steaming closer, discovered that it was a toy yacht, with all sails set and in perfect condition.

An address at Bangor, County Down, was found on the sail, and it is presumed that the yacht’s child owner had been paddling at the resort with the yacht when it was carried away to sea.

That so small a yacht could weather a voyage of nearly 100 miles without being swamped or battered to pieces is considered remarkable among the deep-sea fishermen who inspected it at Fleetwood yesterday.

Inquiries for the owner will probably be made, and if possible the child will have the toy returned.”

The yacht was clearly identifiable by the Star logo which was, alongside the name of the retailer in Bangor, emblazoned on the mainsail and Franz, ever the businessman, seized the advertising potential that such a story could bring in order to promote his products. Although attempts were almost certainly made to trace the young owner of the vessel it is unlikely that they were ever reunited with their pride and joy, instead the yacht was returned to the factory where a bespoke glass cabinet was constructed for it and it was to take pride of place on the front of the Star Yacht Works stand at the British Industries Fair, Olympia in 1933.

Star Yacht Works displays at the British Industries Fairs of 1933 and 1934

It is clear, from the photographs taken at the fairs of 1933 and 1934, that the range of yachts on offer around this time was vast and, judging by the catalogues, the period from the mid to late 1930’s represented the heyday for the Star company. Certainly, and as noted in a newspaper cutting dated 27th September 1935 titled “Birkenhead Firm’s Expansion” , the company was thriving and recognized the need to grow in order to cope with the increasing volume of orders –

“A substantial increase in trade during the past twelve months has been responsible for a considerable expansion and development in the output of the “Star” Yacht Works, Marion Street, Birkenhead.

Controlled by Mr F. Denye and family, the business takes the form of the manufacture of wooden toys and, up to the present, has employed eighty people. During the past year business has increased to such an extent as to make it impossible to cope with the output and, in the New Year, the number of employees is to be brought up to over 200 and the premises enlarged.

The firm sends its goods all over the world and is the only one in Birkenhead to be represented at the British Industries Fair”.

The catalogue of 1938 boasted a range of no less than 38 different yacht variants and alongside these were also offered 6 clockwork speedboats, a Star steam launch, 2 Star electric launches and 3 clockwork Star cargo steamers. Although yachts formed the mainstay of the companies business, the changes in seasonal demand for such products was managed by the production of other wooden toys – wheelbarrows, carts, blackboards, easels, bagatelle boards and billiard tables, to ensure the ongoing economic well-being of the factory.

Identifying the Star Yacht variants…

(To be continued).

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Classic Pond Yachts

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If you are looking at this on your phone, it is more mixed up that it used to be, I am doing my best but WIX have changed the way it works, IT IS NOT BETTER!! sorry.

It has taken a while, but the deck is back on Cymbeline, looks good.

Go to the bottom of the Cymbeline page to see work done.

Stan Witty WASP

I have got my Stan Witty Wasp sailing. She is my first Marblehead Vane steered boat, that I have actually  raced, now called WaZp. I originally  bought her to do the Vintage open event at Fleetwood, as I did not want to risk damaging my Kittywake on the bank, more info on the bottom of the Stan Witty Wasp page. She sailed really well, but we, the Skipper and Mate, took a while longer to get going, she now needs a repaint! Our first sail was a VMYG meeting at Gosport, pictures below of Gosport and Fleetwood, with a link to the page. 

Just found this Video!!

https://youtu.be/KSy9qn7kYww

WaZp at the vintage day in Gosport, I took a few boats that day, nice light winds and sunshine  with friends, a lovely day.

'Wazp' sailing at Fleetwood in the Classic and Vintage Marblehead Regatta 21 & 22 May. A great weekend, as I put these words together a couple of weeks later, I can almost walk again, they made us walk over 13 km on Saturday  alone. As mentioned above 'WaZp' sailed very well, hindered by us learning how to set her up, our first Vane meeting, we are really Radio guys, but we will be back next year, a great experience, a few more words on the Stan Witty Wasp page.

Gosport VMYG day, I took Wazp my Stan Witty Marblehead, Laura my 5 Tonner, XPDNC and a couple of Toy models for the grandsons, a lovely day.

As always with VMYG meetings a lot of fascinating  boats and interesting people.

A model Ship was spotted and recovered from the bottom of the lake, looks like she was set fire to and sunk! but a welcome new model for a young  lads bedroom, now called the 'Titanic', his mum will be so pleased!!

5 Tonner Laura sailing at the VMYG day on the lake at Gosport M.Y.C. Keen grandsons on turning pole duty! Spot the Bowman sailing by.

XPDNC sailing on the River Hamble.

More work being done on Plane Jane our 36r. My son getting her ready for paint, pictures to follow on Plane Jane page.

Flair on a new page, she is a John Lewis 6 Meter designed in 1989.

Classic Pond Yachts  

Haycroft Pond Yachts are individually hand crafted in a quiet corner of the glorious Devon countryside, using traditional tools and methods of construction.

All of these designs are my own, inspired by classic lines, and are built to enjoyed both on and off the water!

Please feel free to browse the website to view current models, and learn a little more about what we do. You can also make a purchase via my eBay shop below.

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If you would like to get in touch, please use the ‘ Contact Us ’ page.

© Haycroft Pond Yachts 2022

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TYPES OF VINTAGE MODEL YACHTS

Sailing pond yachts is a very absorbing hobby, there are in fact many different manufacturers to choose from or collect, here are some of the most important and most desirable British model yachts that have ever been made.

Skipper Yachts.

Skipper Yachts are the most recent British manufacturer of traditional model yachts, Skipper developed a superb range of beautiful contemporary boats that were made using modern materials they certainly appealed to young and old alike and sold very well. Skipper Yachts was conceived by John Foster in 1991, using basic construction methods, at the Milton works on the River Deben estuary in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

John had originally looked at the possibilities of purchasing the Star of Birkenhead name and any useful assets, however negotiations fell through. It was decided to create a completely new range of model yachts and so initially production was a family affair, until sales increased resulting in a need for larger premises these were found in Rendlesham not far from Woodbridge, here upto 12 people were employed and became Skipper Yachts Ltd.

Skipper Yachts were carved from a solid piece of Jelutong an Asian timber then later Obeche an African hardwood carved out on an Edwardian Dutch Clog making machine. Skipper also branched out into making a range of other wooden toys like Star had done in the past.

The earliest yachts can be identified by a circular logo printed on the sail fabric and by a paper sticker placed just in front of the mast, other early features are screw eye fittings instead of the later nylon Gooseneck, and a drilled hole in the deck instead of the later nylon mast foot. The original sails were not hemmed and can fray, reinforcements were bonded in the corners to receive the eyelets. Early keel shapes also vary as designs were improved. The transom on the earliest yachts sloped aft this was changed to slope forward. The hull also changed shape they became slightly deeper. Yacht designs were tested by the Woodbridge Model Yacht Club at the Woodbridge model yacht pond.

                          Skipper Shrimp and Jumbo Shrimp

The Skipper yacht range originally included a 5 inch Shrimp and a 6 inch Jumbo shrimp, these had no keels fitted and these were toys for the bath.

                                       Skipper Baby Sailer

The original line up also included a 6 inch baby sailor this was fitted with a simple Star SY0 type keel.

                                           Skipper Chubby

However the range was simplified and an 8 inch Chubby was introduced and featured a pronounced rounded bow and came in various colours and printed sewn sail combinations.

                                        Skipper Contender

A ten inch contender with a sleeker hull was introduced and probably proved to be the most popular in the range.

                                     Skipper Deben Estuary

The 12 inch Deben Estuary yacht was next in the range, various hull and keel shapes are known exist for this model. These were also marketed in a self build model kit form, including a rare version for Marks and Spencers.

                                          Skipper Coastal

Another yacht in the range is the 15 inch Coastal, this also has undergone a few changes to the shape of the keel and hull. 

                             Skipper C13 and C18 Catamaran

The C13 and C18 Catamaran are a beautifully designed and crafted yacht, these are sought after by collectors their production run was very brief and are difficult to find. Made in two sizes of 13 inch and 18 inch these yachts were made using the early sleek hull shapes with aft facing transoms.

                                      Skipper T18 Trimaran

Another collectors item is the 18 inch Trimaran this was developed using the sleek early hull shape fitted with two pontoons created by using the hulls from the Baby Sailor. Although a beautiful design these were produced in low numbers and are now very rare.

                                        Skipper Coastal 20

A 20 inch Skipper Coastal was also manufactured this yacht sports a lined deck and indications of deck cabins and hatches.

                                      Skipper Blue Water 21

The flagship of the skipper fleet was the 21 inch Blue Water Ketch sporting a yawl set up with two masts and along shallow hull, the deck was lined and fitted with with a cabin and hatches. This yacht is very popular with collectors and sails well.

                                          Skipper Lightning

Little is known about this yacht it was developed in the late 1990's as a 25 inch radio control yacht with a GRP hull and an aluminium mast. Lightning was sold only in kit form, it is said that only 36 were manufactured. 

                                    Skipper Ocean Racer 32

The largest wooden yacht that skipper produced was the stunning 32 inch Ocean Racer this was fitted with a keel shape unlike any of the other in the range, along with a lined deck, hatches a cabin and a footwell. Its size makes this the best sailing yacht in the range, these yachts are famous for their appearance in the stunning window displays of Ralph Lauren's high couture shops in the USA.

                                     Skipper Ocean Bound

Marketed in 1996 for the launch of the first BT Challenge race as a yacht for the enthusiast the 34 inch Skipper Ocean Bound featured a GRP hull and aluminium mast, this yacht was marketed as a kit and was designed for radio control. It is believed that only 400 of these kits were produced. 

Skipper Yachts Limited was purchased by Susan Mariani in 2007, then in 2009 production was transferred from Suffolk to China and marketed by a UK toy wholesaler. The yacht range continued to be sold under the Skipper name, but the packaging changed and MDF stands were provided instead of the hardwood types previously used. Unfortunately the original high standard of craftsmanship was lost and hull shapes and paint finish was not as good as the Suffolk made yachts but they continued to sell well. Skipper Yachts unfortunately could not compete with another cheap yacht manufacturer and eventually stocks were run down and the Skipper brand that we used to love is now no longer available. A buoyant second hand market keeps these little yachts in circulation, it is still possible to find unsailed boxed examples on various auctions sites, and are occasionally sold by Britannia Pond Yachts.

Star Yachts of Birkenhead.

Star yachts originated shortly after WW1, Franz-Marie Den ye sold his hand made yachts in a local shop after a short time carving his pond yachts he was able to purchase his own factory building in Marion Street, Birkenhead. From here a wide range of different yachts were manufactured. We are probably most familiar with the SY range of solid yachts and the MK Endeavour range of metal keel yachts, however a beautiful range of larger BR and SB yachts were also made including racing yachts. Some Stars are now collectable as over the years different designs and badging were manufactured. I have listed some of the more commonly found yachts below.

Star SY Solid Yacht Series available from 1932

Having a solid hull all of the yachts in the SY range were finished using various attractive enamel paint colours, they were turned on a lathe from 1939 and they were all fitted with quality hardened Sheffield Steel keels, the decks were fitted with. The Cotton sails were stamped with a black star emblem and numbered according the yachts size, they were all rigged using braided cotton cord which was adjustable using first brass bowsies then later white plastic. The masts and bowsprits were all hinged to allow the sails to be folded down when not in use a removable pin is fitted to the bowsprit bracket . A triangular display stand was also available. From around 1939 the SY series carried a square stern. The last SY yachts were fitted with coloured sails

SY00                                   5 inch                             Cat boat 

SY0                                      8 inch                             Bermuda rigged 

SY1                                       11 inch                             Bermuda rigged 

SY2                                      12 inch                            Bermuda rigged 

SY3                                      14 inch                            Bermuda rigged 

SY4                                      16 inch                            Bermuda rigged 

SY5                                      18 inch                            Gunter rigged 

SY6                                      21 inch                            Gunter rigged 

SY7                                      24 inch                           Gunter rigged

Star MK Endeavour Series

The MK Endeavour Series were all hollowed out to provide a lighter more responsive yacht and were made to a slightly higher specification than the SY series. The prefix MK refers to metal Keel. They were painted in white enamel with varnished lined decks. The mast, boom and bowsprit were originally fitted with brass ferrules but later with white plastic, instead of staples used to anchor the sheeting brass screw eyes were used. These yachts were also fitted with Luff rings to the leading edge and foot of the mainsail.  The sails were made from white cotton and carried a red printed Star emblem. From 1939 Star MK yachts carried the name Endeavour in honour of the Americas cup winner. A coloured stripe was painted both sides of the hull to indicate the yacht type. Later yachts were fitted with colour coordinated adjustable rudders. From around 1939 the MK series was made with a square stern. The last MK yachts were fitted with coloured sails

Star MK1 Endeavour         12 inch          Bermuda rigged, red stripe

Star MK2 Endeavour        14 inch          Bermuda rigged, blue stripe

Star MK3 Endeavour        16 inch          Bermuda rigged, yellow stripe

Star MK4 Endeavour.       18 inch          Bermuda rigged, green stripe

Star BR  Series

Listed in the Star catalogue as a fast all weather yacht the Star BR is a pretty looking well proportioned yacht made using hollowed out pine, the deck fittings are the same as those used on the MK range but the hulls were either painted all white underside with a deep coloured band to the water line or had varnished undersides. The deck was varnished and lined. The Star BR series sails were made using white cotton and stamped using a Star emblem and number in black to denote the yacht type, they were made to have a higher aspect ratio than those in the MK series. The boom and mast were tapered and varnished, whilst the smaller yachts had collapsible rigging for ease of storage and carrying. The larger yacht had 

 removable sails and mast. A lead counterbalance weight was fitted to a wooden keel. These yachts were also named.

Star BR/2             Meteorite                          Bermuda rigged 21 inch

Star BR/3             Planet                                Bermuda rigged 24 inch

Star BR/4             Comet                               Bermuda rigged 30 inch

Star SB Series

The beautiful Star SB is listed as the Super edition of the Bermuda type yacht. The hollowed out hull was made of specially selected timber and was well designed possessing excellent sailing qualities. SB yachts were all painted in white enamel and fitted with a rubbing strip that was painted red. SB series yachts were fitted with rudders and a tiller the shape of the rudder changed in later years. The sails were made from white Union Silk (no longer available) with taped hemmed sails which were fitted with eyelets via Luff rings and were originally fitted with brass ferrules to the mast, boom and stay boom. The shaped wooden keel was also weighted using lead, the yachts were named using black and gold lettering. These yachts are very graceful on the water and perhaps the most widely sought after of all Birkenhead made Stars yachts

Star SB/2              Pacific Star                       Bermuda rigged 21 inch

Star SB/3              Arctic Star                        Bermuda rigged 24 inch

Star SB/4             Baltic Star                         Bermuda rigged 27 inch

Star SB/5             Western Star                     Bermuda rigged 30 inch

A suffolk made Skipper C13 Catamaran

Star SY6 Southern Star, pond yacht.

Bowman are a fascinating and complicated company to collect, having started out just before the start of WW1, they manufactured a great range of toys including clockwork, rubber band powered, and live steam. From locomotives, and stationary engines through to speedboats and sailing yachts. Their first boat was in fact a 25 inch a rubber band powered speedboat produced in London. Soon their famous highly collectable clockwork and steam powered speed boats were produced. In 1923 production was moved to Norfolk in collaboration with Hobbies Ltd.

The first Bowman made yachts produced were named Peewit and Ace both being made around 1926, these were marketed by Hobbies Ltd. The superb range of rubber powered Aeroboats and steam launches including the famous Miss America continued to be made until Geoffrey Jenkins had decided he could no longer take directions from the Hobbies board and parted company. He again started making his models now based in Luton but with greater detail than before. Unfortunately the company was dissolved in 1948. 

The Jenkins family moved to Ridlington in Norfolk, and in 1950 Geoffrey Jenkins again turned his mind to model boats, especially yachts. A large range of designs and changes were made to these yachts so it is common place for these yachts to be quite different even in the same range. The first new yacht to be named was a mid sized yacht called Dragonfly, various sizes of this design were produced in the early 1950's, until the solid hulled aquaplane was introduced. The Dragonfly series was followed in succession by the solid hulled swift and Admiral yachts. The hollow hulled 18 inch Gull and Heron were also available in the late 1950's, the Heron featured a cabin and rudder, (although variations have been found) kits were also available to make at home. Geoffrey died in 1959 and his son Max continued on with the business, in the late 1960's a vacuum formed plastic hull was introduced and was named the Olympic series. The last yacht in Bowman range was the Lively Lady, sadly Bowman closed its doors for the final time in 1982.

                               The Bowman Yacht Series

Unnamed with automatic steering              20 inches 1951

Dragonfly                                                     various from 1951

Aquaplane                                                    14-24 inches 1953-1968

Swift                                                             9-15 inches 1955-66

B18 Gull and Heron                                     18 inches 1958

Keil Kraft Gull Kit                                        18 inches 1955-60

B26 Heron                                                   26 inches 1966

Catamaran                                                   15 inches 1962

Admiral                                                         9-24 inches 1966-68

Olympic                                                        6-22 inches 1968-70

Olympic De Luxe                                         6-22 inches 1970-75

Lively Lady                                                   14 and 18 inches 1970

To complicate matters further Swift and Aquaplane yachts have upto 3 different design changes or series to look out for. There may even be more Bowman yachts out there that have yet to be discovered.

A 1958 Bowman B18 Gull

Lines Brothers and Tri-ang.

Lines Bros Ltd did not start out in the toy boat market until 1933, introducing 3 ranges of 20 new wooden hulled yacht designs, by 1934 they had reduced the range by marketing only 8 of the quality S range. Tri angs inexperience as a yacht designer showed in the performance of their yachts. Their boats at best can only be described as cruisers the hulls were heavy and sat low in the water, however they were well-made, good-looking cutters. In 1934 it was decided to enlist the services of an experienced manufacturer and because Kellner were already selling a range of quality boats through Hamleys now owned by the Lines Brothers so Kellner became an ideal partner to work with. A range of Composite and Steel yachts was developed by Kellner.

Kellner held the patent for a resin-impregnated silk hull design (The forerunner to GRP). This, however, was only listed as weatherproof and if the paint was cracked or scuffed in any way water would seep into the material and soak up water and then the yacht would be ruined. Three very attractive racing yachts were produced called the K Yacht series, they were fitted with cedar decks, braine gear and a quality Bermuda rig. The light weight of the design resulted in very high performance. These yachts were manufactured until 1940 and are extremely rare today. The smaller Kellner-designed tin plate yachts continued to be made at Merton until 1953.

After WW2 had ended the Penguin brand appeared this was to market the now cheaper-to-produce plastic models that Tri-ang had been working on. However, the larger metal-bodied yachts continued in production until the late 1950's. By 1963 the Scalex brand had been introduced for the plastic-bodied yachts, the largest plastic yachts produced were the attractive Commodore and Osprey at 24 inches overall, these yachts sailed well and some were fitted with automatic steering. Tri-ang was absorbed by Hornby in 1971.

The Tri-ang yachts series

A12-18  Wood            Lugger rigged             2-18 inches long 1932

A21-24 Wood            Bermuda rigged          21-24 inches long 1932-35

B12-18  Wood.           Lugger rigged             12-18 inches long 1932

B21-24  Wood           Bermuda rigged          21-24 inches long 1932

S12-S18 Wood.          Lugger rigged             12-18 inches long 1932-35

000-4  Steel             Bermuda rigged         8.5-31.5 inches long 1934-51

K2 Elizabeth               Bermuda rigged         21 inches long 1935-40

K3 Margaret               Bermuda rigged         26 inches long 1935-40

K4 Rosemary.             Bermuda rigged         32 inches long 1935-40

X and Y series.            Bermuda rigged         18.5-21 inches long 1935-40

K10-K16                      Bermuda rigged         10-16 inches long 1936-39

14-20 Wood,              Bermuda rigged         14-16 inches long 1937-38

C16 Aluminium.          Bermuda rigged         16 inches long 1947-53

C18 Steel.                   Bermuda rigged         18 inches long 1937-40

C20-24 Steel             Bermuda rigged         20-24 inches long 1939-53

T24-69 Steel              Bermuda rigged         24-69 inches long 1937-38

No 1-2 Star made       Fishing Smack            14-17 inches long 1937-40

K12-20 Steel.             Bermuda rigged          12-20 inches long 1938-40

K24 Steel.                   Bermuda rigged          24 inches long 1938-51

000-0 Steel               Bermuda rigged         8-14 inches long 1947-53

W16-W18 Wood          Bermuda rigged         16-18 inches long 1947

C16-24 series 2 Steel Bermuda rigged         16-24 inches long 1954-59

404Y Ocean plastic    Bermuda rigged         24 inches long 1960

405Y plastic                Bermuda rigged         24 inches long 1961

410Y  plastic                Bermuda rigged         10 inches long 1960

411Y Catamaran           Bermuda rigged         13 inches long 1961

412Y plastic                  Bermuda rigged         12 inches 1953-54

430Y Neptune             Bermuda rigged         16 inches 1958-60

Penguin Yachts

410Y plastic.                 Bermuda rigged           10  inches long 1953-54

412Y plastic                  Bermuda rigged            12 inches 1953-54

430Y Neptune              Bermuda rigged            16  inches 1951-54

Scalex Yachts

H211 Gull plastic           Bermuda rigged            11 inches long 1964-67

H212 Swift                    Bermuda rigged            12 inches long 1964-72

H216 Diana                   Bermuda rigged            16 inches long 1964-72

H224 commodore        Bermuda rigged            24 inches long 1971

H312 Swift 2                 Bermuda rigged            12 inches long 1968-69

H316 Seahawk              Bermuda rigged            16 inches long 1964-66

H316 Seahawk 2            Bermuda rigged            16 inches long 1968 -69

410Y plastic                  Bermuda rigged            10 inches long 1963

412Y plastic                  Bermuda rigged             12 inches 1963

430Y Neptune             Bermuda rigged             16 inches 1955-63

A pre 1953 tin plate 12 inch Tri-ang Junior 0 series

All Suggs yachts were hand carved the company first started before WW1 and very few have have survived today. They were produced by the Frank Sugg company of Liverpool and sold in Gamages stores, Stevens's Model Dockyard and also probably other stores, elsewhere. Made in various sizes and designs, including Schooners and Yawls Suggs cutters were either spoon or clipper bowed and always gaff rigged, painted with black topsides and red oxide below the waterline, the larger yachts were fitted with a topsail using a jackyard, but these are often lost. Little is known about the company, but an example exists with a deck transfer reading 'Sugg. Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and London'. The Suggs company also made sports goods and traded selling sports appareil until the 1980's.

Suggs Cutters are difficult to identify but do have the following characteristics, the original set up often featured double head sails as on a full size cutter that were overlapped and loose footed. Deck fittings known as Bugg Pins were hammered in and bent over to form a loop. The deck was curved (Turtle back) to provide run off and was set into the hull which was completed with a finely made toe rail all round that tapered off to the stern. A typical feature of Suggs made yachts is the distinctively shaped adjustable raked rudder and rudder post, which was fitted with a brass tiller and sprung beneath a narrow brass horse which was given three indentations providing a center, Starboard and Port position for the helm. These rudders can also be found on early Hamleys, Lines brothers (Tri ang) wooden cutters and yachts, which does make you wonder if these yachts were in fact made by the Suggs company as well.

All Suggs Cutters were originally painted the same way, with black topsides and a red oxide below the water line. Nearly all have a very fine painted cove line around the the bilge. The decks were also lined out before varnishing except for some of the smallest yachts. The larger examples, and those with 'non standard' hulls have a light moulding fitted to act as a rubbing strake.

Suggs yachts are highly sought after rare and are delightful, well made models, they do take some getting used to when sailing, it is advised to keep the top sail taught to keep it off wind, the yacht will not self tack due to the overlapping for-sails these will need to be reset each time that you need to go about.

A typical larger 1920's 25 inch spoon bowed Suggs Cutter.

Albatross, by Games Industries.

The first Albatross yachts were manufactured by Games Industries of London during the 1950's and were marketed by the prestigious department store Gamages. They were well made quality yachts manufactured with hollow hulls and were offered in 3 ranges. The Q series with a fixed rudder and a keel similar to a Star MK, and then the R range fitted with a manually operated rudder.

The high specification De Lux series were fitted with a simple but effective form of Braine steering quadrant with a forward mounted horse for beating and reaching, the sheets led through eyelets to the tiller quadrant for running. It is interesting to note that the jib stay and boom were originally made from shaped flat sided timber as were the full size racing yachts of the day. The foot of both the jib and main sail were lashed to the stay and boom to help make the sail as efficient as possible. The main sail was attached to the mast using Luff rings. The largest yachts had fold down masts for ease of stowage. There is little known about Games Industries and their range of Albatross yachts .

The Games Industries, Albatross Yacht Series

Q14                   Bermuda rigged                    14 inches long 1952-57

Q16                   Bermuda rigged                    16 inches long 1952-57

R14                    Bermuda rigged                    14 inches long 1952-57

R16                    Bermuda rigged                    16 inches long 1952-57

R21                    Bermuda rigged                    21 inches long 1952-57

J16                     Bermuda rigged                    16 inches long 1952-57

J20                    Bermuda rigged                    20 inches long 1952-57

J25                    Bermuda rigged                    25 inches long  1952-57

J30                    Bermuda rigged                   30 inches long  1952-57

J36                    Bermuda rigged                    36 inches long  1952-57

An Albatross J25 awaiting restoration in an original stand.

Albatross, by G Cornish, Paignton.

The second Albatross Yachts were manufactured by Mr G Cornish in King Ash, Road Paignton, in Devon. between 1988 and 1996  with the invaluable help of his wife Freda, who made the sails and carried out the bookwork. The first yachts were made in the garden shed at 170 Kings Ash Road, but as production increased operations were moved to an industrial unit to the rear of 36 Palace Avenue, Paignton.

The Paignton Albatross yacht series

Kathleen, wooden             Gaff rigged                          24 inch 

Kathleen, GRP                  Gaff rigged                          24 inch

Kathleen GRP                   Yawl                                     24 inch

Sloop, wooden                  Bermuda rigged                   20 inch

Tonnage Class, wooden    Gaff rigged                            26 inch

Nisha, Brixham Trawler     Gaff rigged                          22 inch

Valentine, wooden            Gaff rigged                           30 inch

Neptune Schooner           Gaff rigged                           18 inch  

Schooner, wooden            Gaff rigged                           20 inch

1890, wooden,                  Gaff rigged                           18 inch

Jolie Breeze, wooden        gaff rigged                            22 inch

Barge, wooden                  Gaff rigged                            6 and 11 inch

Solid Sloop, wooden         Bermuda rigged                    12 and 14 inch

Hollow Sloop, wooden      Bermuda rigged                    14 and 16 inch

Hollow Sloop                    Gaff rigged                            15 and 18 inch

Hollow Sloop                    Double head Gaff rigged      18 inch

Yawl.                                Lugger rigged                         17 and 20 inch

Some of the above yachts were made in very small numbers

24 inch Albatross Kathleen yawl.

J Alexander and Sons of Preston

Alexander racing yachts really are in a class of their own for their astounding quality of finish and sailing qualities they are now highly sought after with each example offered for sale commanding high prices.  John Alexander trained to be a carpenter and was employed by Browns Shipyard in Glasgow, during WW1 he was involved in building early flying boats for the Royal Navy, possibly Saunders Roe. John was a keen model yachtsman and in 1925 he made the decision to convert his hobby into a business. His range of quality hand crafted yachts were made in the sprawling upstairs rooms of his house in Ashton on Ribble. The house was ideally situated for testing and sailing near Fleetwood International boating lake. His sons successfully raced their own boats which provided excellent PR for their range of yachts. The enviable quality of the yachts was assisted by entire family who helped with assembly and sail making.

After WW2 demand decreased due to Britain's period of Austerity,

and the demand for their expensive range of yachts was no more. John retired from the business around 1950, his sons carried on producing the yachts and introduced an electric powered speed boat.  J Alexander and sons sadly ceased production in around 1960. It is not known how many models were actually produced.

J Alexander yachts were sold by mail order and in Gamages, and Hamleys with the advertising slogan of British Boats for British Boys!

The J. Alexander yacht series

White Flyer

Heather Elf                                            18 inch

White Heather                             20-34 inch

Heather Dew                               22-25 inch

Heather Bells                               26 inch

Heather Isle                                 30 inch

Heather Glen                               36 inch

White Elf                                      22 inch

White Spray                                 30 inch

It is believed that all J Alexander yachts were Bermuda rigged. There was also a tie-up with Bassett-Lowke who marketed the White Heather series known as R1-R4

J Alexander White Heather, Pond Yacht.

Ailsa Yachts

It is not known when Ailsa yachts first started making model yachts but an early advertisement is dated 1936, it is now accepted that the earliest wooden yachts date from the late 1920's. Sadly it is not known how many different models that were made and it is assumed that they were first produced by Turner of Largs, and the very first model yachts were carved from bread and butter pine board construction, and fitted with a wooden lead weighted keel and sometimes with a metal fin. However they were initially designed to be used without a moveable rudder and provide excellent performance in the hands of beginners they were made to a high standard, with extensive prototype testing carried out by Turner on the yacht pond at Largs. These earliest yachts were referred to as Clyde built Stevie boats and were originally fitted with striped cotton sails. At the time the dockyards of the River Clyde had an enviable reputation and built more ships and boats than anywhere else in the world. The later name Ailsa refers to an Island called Ailsa Craig off the coast of Largs.

Initially they were sold by the Clyde Model Dockyard in Glasgow, it is possible that only those yachts sold by the Clyde Model Dockyard were named Iona. They became widely sold throughout the UK and were even exported throughout the Commonwealth. Production ceased during WW2 but after the war manufacturing commenced and at one stage upto 12 people were employed. Milbro a toy and sports equipment wholesaler began marketing the yachts these were fitted with an ivorine name plate bearing the name Milbro. An aluminium hull with a Cedar deck was introduced soon after the war which enabled the yacht to be slightly lighter and therefore faster than those yachts with wooden hulls, speed of production was also increased. The very last of the yachts were fitted with hot rolled terylene sails, this was the go to racing sail material used at the time. The very last yachts were made with a GRP hull and the last Ailsa yacht off the line was made in the early 1960's. Today Ailsa yachts are still very popular they are elegant in design and provide outstanding performance, something that has still to be bettered today, perhaps this is why Ailsa yachts are rarely seen for sale and command such high prices when they do.

                                   The Ailsa yacht series

12  inches long

14  inches long

16 inches Long

17  inches long

18  inches long

20 inches long

21  inches long

28 inches long

30 inches long

These are the only sizes  known at the time of writing

A late 16 inch Aluminium hulled Milbro Ailsa.

B-Boats, British Yacht and Model Company

The first listing for B-Boats was in the 1932 Meccano Magazine, they were manufactured at 459 Fulham road in London. Very little else is known about the company and how long it stayed in business, however the hulls were made from a quality aluminium pressing like later Ailsa yachts, it is interesting to note that B-Boats power boat pressings were also used on the Scottish Marine Companies, Mermaid power boat. B-Boats were a high quality product with beautifully sewn double stitched double hemmed sails that were provided with a curved foot, sheeting was attached using Lanyard clips like other quality yacht manufacturers at the time a free swinging rudder was also fitted. All B-Boats were supplied in a green felt lined wooden box. The advertising slogan for B-Boats was unsurpassed for Grace and speed. (Once my B-Boat has been restored I will set it against a similar Ailsa to see which is the quickest across the pond).

The British Yacht and Model Company, B-Boat range.

S1016                     Bermuda rigged                             16 inches Long

S1020                    Bermuda rigged                             20 inches long

S1026                    Bermuda rigged                             26 inches long

S1033                    Bermuda rigged                             33 inches long

The remains of a once beautiful 16 inch B-Boat.

Bassett-Lowke Ltd

The trading name of Bassett- Lowke was Founded in 1899 and has a long and complicated history, based in Northampton they were originally known for their large scale exhibition standard models made for boat and ship manufacturers including military vehicles, model steam locomotives and rolling stock. They also retailed quality model yachts and boats including the Alexander White Heather range. It is not known how many model boats that Bassett-Lowke actually made but it is certain that they manufactured a range of four beautiful power boats and a range of model boat fittings themselves.

A Bassett-Lowke Deerhound

                           Bonds of Euston Road

Bonds O Euston Road as they called themselves were a very popular model engineering supplier, selling model kits, tools, parts, stationary engines, plans and castings, established in 1887 known simply as Bonds, they moved to Euston Road in 1929,  Bonds also had their own range of quality racing yachts and boats sourced from a variety of suppliers. The decline in interest of their core products meant that they had to move to new premises in Sussex and changed direction becoming a hardware store, they closed in 2010.

                         Bonds of Euston, Endeavour range

17 inch                             automatic rudder

21 inch                             automatic rudder

28 inch                            Braine type steerin g

36 inch                            Braine type steering

A 1935 Bonds of Euston, Endeavour Yacht

AW Gamage Ltd

Gamages were a quality London department store that started trading in 1878 selling clothes, they were very successful and were soon selling all manner of goods including toys and model yachts. Little is known about the range of yachts sold as the company closed in 1972, and the records were destroyed. It is thought that because Gamages were able to sell high volumes of goods they were able to acquire exclusive deals with existing manufacturers, the types of yachts sold it seems was very varied and some were possibly made in Germany. Difficulty in identifying Gamages type yachts exists because few yachts had any identification marks on them.

A  superbly made 1920's Gaff rigged Gamages yacht

Hobbies of Dereham Ltd.

Hobbies of Dereham Ltd was established by John Skinner in around 1880, and sold specialist woodworking tools, patterns and materials. They produced the popular Hobbies magazine which included their ever growing range of items and how to do articles. Hobbies Ltd was formed in 1902 and was now operating from many shops around the country. It was in 1922 that the association with Geoffrey Bowman Jenkins was formed, and a range of steam powered motor boats was introduced. Bowman designed and built a variety of yachts and boats, the company became known as Hobbies Bowman.

Unfortunately the Bowman section of the company failed in 1935. It is interesting to note that from this failure the creation of Mammod came about from the early steam engine designs made by Geoffrey-Malin's co-operation with Hobbies Ltd. By 1968  Hobbies Ltd was liquidated, however a previous employee managed to purchase the brand name and Hobbies Ltd was relaunched and is still trading today with a strong online presence selling plans, materials tools and spares as it had originally done when Hobbies first started.

The Hobbies Bowman range

The Ace                    14.5 inches Gaff rigged                         1925-28

Peewit                      14.5 inches Bermuda rigged                  1925-29

Whitewings              20 inches Gaff rigged

Seagull                     23 inches Gaff rigged

An early Hobbies "Peewit" pond yacht.

Winford Model Yachts

Winford made a stylish and unusual range of pond yachts, they were a quality product and expensively priced, and were marketed as an any weather yacht. They featured innovative pressed steel hulls fitted with wooden decks and  remov able/adjustable  lead weighted wooden keels of different weights and sizes. These yachts were also fitted with steering gear and a stern mounted rudder, all models featured a bowsprit and as far as we know all were fitted with a Bermuda rig. They were produced at the Kingswinford Forge in Staffordshire during the 1920's. Very little more is known about the company it is likely that very few yachts were sold and even fewer have survived even though world wide sales were claimed.

The Winford yacht range

12 inch ‘Ordinary’, fixed keel, one suit of sails.

12 inch ‘Special’ with two suits of sails and spars, removable keel and ballast, a carrying box and weighted rudder.

15 inch ‘Ordinary’, fixed single keel, one suit of sails.

15 inch ‘Special’ with three suits of sails and spars, removable keel and ballast, a carrying box and simple tiller steering gear.

20 inch ‘Racing’ model with three suits of sails, removable keel and ballast, a carrying box and a sheet to tiller steering gear.

27 inch model with three suits of sails, removable keel and ballast, a carrying box and a sheet to tiller steering gear.

36 inch model with three suits of sails, removable keel and ballast, a carrying box and a simple sheet to tiller steering gear. 

36 inch schooner rigged with two suits of sails, removable keel and ballast, with steering gear.

Winford racing yacht diagram.

Kylecraft Model Yachts

Kylecraft Pond Yachts were made in Largs on the river Clyde just after the Second World War. Largs was also the home of the Ailsa yacht brand, on inspection the two types are very similar, with the Kylecraft yacht having a slightly deeper hull and keel than an Ailsa. It is not known if there was any collaboration between the two companies. Kylecraft continued to use carved wooden hulls whereas Ailsa were using a pressed aluminium hull. Overall Ailsa yachts were produced in far greater quantities and therefore easier to find than Kylecraft yachts and because of their rarity they have now become highly collectable. It is thought that Hobbies of Dereham Ltd marketed Kylecraft yachts. Once Kylecraft had ceased trading 300 nearly completed yachts were acquired by a gentleman who ran a market stall in Portobello Market, he completed the yachts and sold them as display pieces.

The Kylecraft yacht range

12 inch                                Bermuda rigged

16 inch                                Bermuda rigged

18 inch                                Bermuda rigged

22 Inch                               Bermuda rigged

24 inch                               Bermuda rigged

A 12 inch Kylecraft yacht sailing in Cumbria.

Redwing Model Yachts

Very little indeed is known about Redwing  Pond Yachts, it seems that they were manufactured in the 1920's as a surviving catalogue although undated refers to the 1921 Cowes yacht races. They made both yachts and powerboats, Redwing models were hardly toys with some of the yachts being 50 inches long and made to a very high specification which included steering gear on some models. The company was based at 150 Kingston Road, in New Malden, Surrey.

The Redwing yacht range

Model No 1   The Redwing Sloop               36 inch Gaff rigged

Model No 2  The Redwing                          24 inch Gaff rigged

Model No 3  Bluebird                                 36 inch Bermuda rigged

Model No 4  Bluebird                                 24 inch Bermuda rigged

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Home » News » How To Become A Qualified Yacht Skipper

How To Become A Qualified Yacht Skipper

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Reading time 4 min 45 sec 

Author Lee Savage

Whatever your reasons for getting into sailing, it is not as difficult as you might imagine and there are a lot of different ways to get started. With so many destinations to choose and so many sailing experiences, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start.

If exploring fantastic bays, discovering remote islands, swimming and relaxing in the sun with a good book sounds like the kind of yacht cruising you are looking for then Cabin Charter will be the way to go. 

If you would like to dip in and see but you are not sure if it’s for you our beach club has a dedicated Yacht where we offer several opportunities including two days Beginner Yachting (16h) while you stay in our Beach Club Hotel .

But you are here to find out how to become a Yacht Skipper, learn a new skill and take the first step towards becoming qualified, opening a whole new world of possibility for holidays and adventure travel. Even if you only ever do one course, you will have experienced the trip of a lifetime.

The RYA is a world-recognised organisation authorised by the UK maritime coastguard agency to issue international certificates of competence. Seafarer instructors are all experienced RYA instructors and can deliver a challenging syllabus to take you from no experience to a qualified licensed skipper through a series of RYA courses outlined below. 

Our Training Centers – help you become a skipper

RYA Training In The Mediterranean

For our training yachts in Greece and Croatia, you have the opportunity to learn alongside a fantastic holiday experience. Naturally, it is a more intense experience than a Yacht Charter holiday. You will spend most of your days absorbing the syllabus, but there will also be opportunities to swim and explore the beautiful islands. 

Learning alongside our flotilla, you will also have the chance to participate in group meals, our punch, and beach parties. Popular with experienced and newly qualified skippers alike or those seeking to improve their abilities with the support of our skilled lead crews. Filled with like-minded sailors, you will meet skippers who have already taken steps into the sailing world and discovered how accessible it is. It’s a tremendously positive and supportive environment to learn alongside.

RYA Training In The UK

Our UK school offers numerous bespoke courses for those wishing to brush up on any particular skills before flying to their next sailing holiday be it boat handling or just refreshers. Of course, we offer all the practical RYA courses including Competent Crew, Day Skipper & Coastal Skipper (for Day Skippers wishing to take there sailing further)

Based in Southampton, it offers fantastic sheltered waters sailing in the lea of the Isle Of Wight. It’s a great location to challenge your tidal knowledge and experience the lively sailing environment made famous for events like the Fastnet Race, the Round the Island Race and Cowes Week.

How to Become A Skipper

The Competent Crew course is perfect for somebody who has never been on a yacht before. It is the broadest course in the RYA syllabus covering virtually everything to do with sailing and living onboard a boat. You will have the opportunity to test your skills and will come away with a great sense of achievement and a good understanding of where to go next! 

As an instructor for many years, I have discovered that even more experienced sailors can benefit from this course, there is always another level of detail to learn. If you haven’t sailed for a while or had any formal training, this course will not only be an excellent refresher, but you will be surprised how many new things you can learn. For more experienced sailors, this is a unique opportunity to polish the essential fundamentals of sailing.

Training in Croatia Training in Greece Training in the UK

Theoretically a skipper

With some sailing experience under your belt, you are ready to study the theory. Reading about navigation, sailing, and charts will seem much less daunting. You are now prepared to take the Day Skipper theory course. The Day Skipper Theory syllabus contains all essential theoretical knowledge required to become a skipper. It can be completed online at your own pace, We offer Navathome with all the needed resources sent to your home, and you can even use your repeat customer discount.

If you don’t feel ready

Not everybody is prepared for the Day Skipper course right away, we all learn at different rates and bridging the gap between the competent crew and Day Skipper courses is best achieved with Bespoke training, this can help you refine those skills that you think you lack. Commonly this is boat handling, we all know there is nothing more exhilarating than bringing a beautiful yacht alongside a concrete harbour wall! We offer bespoke training at all of our bases in Greece, Croatia, and the UK. 

The courses in the Mediterranean are all one week. Our UK school offers much more flexibility for weekends or any other length or start days. Talk to one of our consultants to find out more.

General skills training works very well alongside the day skipper course. You will get to see others go through the course while you polish the fundamentals. Having feedback from an instructor while learning alongside the standard RYA courses can give you the confidence to grow without the pressure of a restricted syllabus. Talk to one of our consultants to find out where and how we can help you get to the next level.

The Sailing Licence

With your Day skipper theory ticket in hand and some recent sailing experience, You will be ready for the Day Skipper practical course. Taking everything you have learned in the first two courses, this turns you into a responsible skipper. You will learn to handle the boat, bringing it into port, directing your crew to ensure everyone is safe and comfortable.

Call 0208 324 3118 Email [email protected]

Now you are qualified as a skipper

With your internationally recognised license in hand, you now have the opportunity to take your friends and family sailing on Yachts around the world. I am not surprised if this might feel incredibly daunting as this license can be achieved in as little as three weeks.

Flotilla can be a great option to help build your confidence. As well as being fantastically social flotilla offers you the opportunity to grow as a skipper with the security of having our lead crew on standby to assist or advise on any aspect of sailing. You can find more about our flotillas here .

A whole world of sailing

As soon as you feel ready, you will be free to charter yachts worldwide. As an internationally recognised skipper, you can benefit from bareboat prices and the freedom to travel at your own pace. Seafarer has a vast range of worldwide destinations. Click here to find out more.

If you are still not sure

Perhaps you are not sure where you fit into all of this. Why not talk to one of our team? We are a small yet experienced company in the world of sailing, and we would be happy to advise you on how best you can get started.

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Created in 1999, Mumbo Jumbo Toys are the UK distributors of many European based traditional and luxury toy brands and licences. Their products cannot be found in supermarkets or mass online only retailers. Instead they prefer to channel distribution through a growing number of specialist independent toy retailers. These can not only display the products properly, but also who have great product knowledge to impart to their customers.

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Yacht Delivery – UK, Europe & Worldwide Skippers & Crew

Howellsail are proud to be recommended as instructors & yacht delivery crew by Oyster Yachts

We are available for free discussion, help or advice and are happy to discuss provisional bookings.

With our intimate local knowledge around the Straits of Gibraltar we can provide pilotage advice and  assistance to vessels transiting the area in order to avoid Orca interaction. Please contact us for details.

Yacht Delivery

Safe transfer of sailing  vessels from a highly experienced and qualified team, whether it be short coastal passages or crossing the world’s oceans

Yac ht Delivery

Howellsail present one of the most experienced, qualified, and highly recommended delivery teams available to transfer your yacht. With modern technology and security requiring an increasingly high level of expertise, our record makes us one of the most safe and reliable crews available.  Whilst UK based, our knowledge and international network of contacts ensures a seamless, but individual and personal service throughout Europe and Transatlantic.

We continually monitor the current interactions between Orca’s and yachts along the coasts of Spain, Portugal & the Straits of Gibraltar in order to determine the safest routes which are often now close inshore.

With our intimate local knowledge from the UK to the Straits of Gibraltar we are happy to provide pilotage assistance to vessels transiting the area in order to avoid Orca interaction. Please contact us for details. We are pleased to sponsor the  orcas.pt – Orcas / Sailing boats in Portugal and Spain webpage in order to assist sailors navigating these waters.

  Last interactions | Orca iberica

Whether you require a yacht transfer, or simply additional support on board, we are here to assist.

Howellsail generally transfer yachts personally rather than employ ad hoc yacht delivery skippers. Therefore there is no third party or agency involvement, eliminating any commission fees. Our primary service means you know immediately who your skipper will be.

Your delivery team will be:

Richard Howell, a RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean (Commercially Endorsed) also a RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Examiner and Instructor and veteran of UK & Mediterranean Sea Schools which means any training requirements can also be included. With both UK and EU passports travel throughout Europe remains seamless.

Michelle Howell, a RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean (Commercially Endorsed) and also an RYA Shorebased Instructor, and able to provide any training requirements. She is also an award winning photographer.

Richard has over 125,000 miles as skipper/instructor (including 29,000 miles on Oyster Yachts). With around 20 Biscay & 5  Atlantic crossings between them, they are very familiar with UK, European, Mediterranean & Caribbean waters.

We have a list of elite experienced  skippers and  additional crew members if required to assist.

See the panel below for details of our personal deliveries

We are happy to meet you personally to discuss your requirements before you book with us. We then take time to focus on attention to detail, working with you to understand and meet your expectations.

With security of the vessel and crew becoming ever increasingly important, your delivery team are therefore not just ‘Delivery Skippers’ but highly qualified and equipped with the reliability, training, and experience to deal with whatever situation arises.

Yacht Transfer service by Howellsail – Recommended by Oyster We have a portfolio of references and are recommended by Oyster Marine as instructors and Yacht Delivery Crew.

Purchasing your yacht should be an exciting and pleasurable experience,  our knowledge means we can be available as consultants to advise and assist. We can ensure a smooth process by overseeing any necessary arrangements and ensuring your yacht is adequately equipped to your specification, and ready for you to explore the oceans.

Please contact us on Tel: +44 (0)1924 848558 or Mobile: +44 (0)7764 603000 and we will happily provide you with an all-inclusive quote without any hidden extras, alternatively a daily rate of our charges, whichever you prefer, together with any references required

Yacht deliveries include:.

Contest 55CS – Noble Spirit – Inverness to Glasgow 2023

Dufour 44 – Morning Star – Gibraltar to Levkas 2023

Oyster 595 – Mastegot – Ipswich to Almerimar 2022

Dufour 44 – Morning Star – Weymouth to Gibraltar 2022

Oyster 435 – Oyster Belle – Gran Canaria – St Lucia – Grenada 2022

Oyster 625 – Lady Linda – Valencia – Balearics – Valencia 2021

Oyster 435 – Dakota – Gibraltar to Dartmouth 2021

Dufour 44 – Morning Star – Guernsey to Weymouth, 2020

Colvic Victor 41 – Adagio –  Amble,Northumberland to Holy Loch,Scotland, 2020

Oyster 575 – Janus – Palma – Gran Canaria – Cape Verde – St Lucia, 2019

Oyster 49 – Kaizen – Sorrento to Montenegro, 2019

Oyster 575 – Janus – Palma – Malta – Palma, 2019

Custom Built 74ft Ketch – Spirit of Venice – Holland to Malta, 2018

Oyster 575 – Janus – Ipswich to Malta & Mallorca, 2018

Oyster 545 – Fujin II – Lanzarote to Antigua, 2018

Oyster 56 – Chantana – Gran Canaria to St Lucia, 2017

Oyster 56 – Chantana – Gibraltar to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, 2017

Jeanneau 42DS – Cielo Azul – Menorca to Sicily and return, 2017

Jeanneau 42DS – Cielo Azul – Menorca to Sardinia and return, 2017

Oyster 56 – Sionna – Gibraltar to Palma, Mallorca, 2017

Oyster 545 – Fujin II – Valencia to Gibraltar, 2016

Dufour 36 – Maui – Brunisse, Holland to Hull, 2016

Oyster 435 – Oyster Belle – Gibraltar to Monfalcone, Trieste, 2016

Hanse 445 – LTD3 – Hamble to Mahon, Menorca, 2016

Oyster 56 – Ragamuffin – Athens to Palma, Mallorca, 2015

Oyster 53 – Jarina – Almerimar to Southampton, 2015

Oyster 545 – Fujin II – Ipswich to Gibraltar, 2015

Oyster 435 – Oyster Belle – Southwold to Gibraltar, 2015

Oyster 575 – Silver Lining – Ipswich to Malta & Cannes, 2014

Oyster 575 – Global One – Ipswich to Malta & Mallorca, 2014

Moody 36 – Ishima – Mallorca to Corfu, 2014

Jeanneau 42DS – Portsmouth to Gibraltar

Jeanneau 45DS – Hamble to Gibraltar

Feeling 28 – Dartmouth to Malta

Bavaria 36 – Portsmouth to Corfu

Fisher 37 – Cowes to Conway

Jeanneau 40 – Crouesty to Menorca

Nauticat 37 – Holyhead to Southampton

Wauquiez 41 – Nieuwpoort, Belgium to Cowes

Testimonials

Contact us for full references if required

A great trip getting Belle to her new home – thanks Richard & Michelle for helping us to get there!

Fantastic service & all done in such a calm manner. The yacht was put into the water late afternoon & ready for off next morning. We couldn’t have been in any safer hands. It was so efficient, the timing of tides & weather windows was perfect. Would recommend you to anyone!

You left the boat in a very good condition! Thank you for this!

Our Guarantee

Because we also conduct sail training and examinations, any delivery crew have previously undergone training with us and are there to act responsibly and gain experience. Our meticulous attention to detail includes;

We are happy to meet you personally before any contracts are agreed

Regular liaison and consultation, prior, during and upon completion of delivery, packaging and protection of vulnerable areas of your yacht, conservative sailing keeping wear and tear to a minimum, regular position updates to meet your requirements, vessel maintenance and check lists prior to and upon completion of delivery, our network of personal contacts throughout uk, europe, med and caribbean enables us to deal with any problems that may arise, personal liability insurance up to €6,000,000..

CLICK HERE TO SEE A FANTASTIC VIDEO OF ONE OF OUR OYSTER YACHT DELIVERIES