Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

A Demonstration of Design: The life, times and boats of Ian Proctor

by Dougal Henshall 8 Feb 2018 04:00 PST
The original Topper dinghy © Proctor family

As the UK started to emerge in the early 1950s from the years of wartime austerity, the dinghy and small boat sailing scene would undergo a huge explosion, both in terms of numbers and variety. Indeed, the rich diversity that is such a strong feature of our almost unique sailing activity, has its roots in this wonderful period of design and development.

Two of the primary architects who helped drive these changes forward were the 'Wizard of Putney' – Jack Holt and the 'Master of Design', Ian Proctor. Back in 2012, we celebrated the centenary of Jack Holt, a man whose pragmatic approach to making easy to build, easy to sail boats, did so much to democratize the sport of dinghy racing.

Now, in 2018, we can turn our attention to the life, times, boats and innovations of Ian Proctor, as we celebrate his centenary. And what a life it was! His story will be told at next month's RYA Dinghy Show and in a detailed article that will soon be appearing here on the YachtsandYachting.com website.

These pictures and words will be interesting and informative, but the place to really see the amazing breadth of his designs has to be out on the water and on a racecourse. However, many of his most iconic boats are now 'old ladies', so the choice of venue for an event where they can be displayed had to be very carefully considered. With their wealth of experience in running the annual Classic Boat Revival, the UK's premier classic gathering for small boats, Bosham Sailing Club, on the northern side of Chichester Harbour, were the number one choice and it is with real pleasure that we can reveal that they will be hosting the main Proctor themed event of the year over the 2nd and 3rd of June.

The organizers already have a wide variety of Proctor designed boats that will be making their way to Bosham for this event. On the Saturday they will be displayed on the picturesque 'Bosham Green' that is such an eye-catching part of the area. There will be a Gala Dinner at the Club on the Saturday night, then on the Sunday the boats will head out onto the water for some racing that (weather permitting) will end with a spectator friendly run up past the club to a grandstand finish in front of the Green.

The organizers for the Gala event are keen to get as inclusive a spread of Proctor designs as possible; those classes that are still managed by active class associations will be getting invites, but that still leaves a large number of lesser known designs that we are keen to see out sailing on a race course again.

If you have a favourite Proctor themed story, any pictures or other details – or better still, one of the boats designed by the great man, then the Dinghy Show is a great starting point. The Proctor Story talk will be on at lunchtime up on the main stage (both days), this will be backed up by a number of early examples of his more iconic boats in the West Corridor, along with a number of informative display boards.

Importantly, Bosham Sailing Club will have their stand, B19, at the Dinghy Show and the intention is to hold some Proctor flavour 'clinics' at times there during both days.

The modern dinghy world may have moved on in part, but it is hard to overstate the legacy left by Ian Proctor in terms of dinghies, small cruisers, innovations, the 'Proctor Masts' story and so much more. This is a great, one-off opportunity and if you want to be a part of the celebrations then we would love to hear from you. You can either contact Bosham Sailing Club on their stand during the show or email me directly at

See you at the Show, or at the Bosham Gala event.

Related Articles

A brief history of marine instrument networks
Hugh Agnew has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge One man who has been involved since the outset, and continues to develop at the cutting edge, is Hugh Agnew, the Cambridge-educated mathematician who is one of the founders of A+T Instruments in Lymington, so I spoke to him to find out more... Posted on 25 Jun
Harald Findlay on the 2025 Edgartown Race Weekend
A Q&A with Harald Findlay on the 2025 Edgartown Race Weekend When it comes to racing sailboats on the East Coast of the United States in the summer months, few places are as classic as the waters surrounding Martha's Vineyard's northwestern flank. Posted on 18 Jun
Sailing and the summer solstice
Celebrating sailing and the longest day of the year If you love long evenings and early mornings, this is one of the best times of the whole year, as the summer solstice (Friday, June 20) and the entire rich expanse of summer are about to burst into bloom. Posted on 17 Jun
Video Review: The Amazing Cure 55
Composite Construction meets Cruising Convenience It was two years ago at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show that I talked to Dave Biggar about his ideas and plans for the Cure 55. At the 2025 show I got to step on board the yacht and see how his ideas became reality. Posted on 17 Jun
The Big Bash
Every summer the tournament rolls into town. A short format of the game. Fun and excitement abound. Every summer the tournament rolls into town. Local and international players. A short format of the game, run over a relatively compact six-week season. Posted on 15 Jun
The oldest video footage of Kiel Week
A look back into our video archive at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s In our series of articles looking back in time through our video archive, we visit Germany. Kiel Week is been a crucial event on the world circuit, and here we look back at the Kieler Woche of the 60s and early 70s. Posted on 15 Jun
Nick Olson on PredictWind's newest features
Nick Olson discusses PredictWind's newest features PredictWind has long been a leader in presenting high-quality marine forecasts. Nick Olson discusses the company's newest features. Posted on 12 Jun
The X-Yachts Gold Cup Experience
A celebration of sailing, of X-Yachts and, most importantly of all, people Having just returned from Haderslev, Denmark - which is the home of X-Yachts and played host to the X-Yachts Gold Cup 2025 - I was left wondering if this was a racing event, a rally or a social celebration amongst close friends. Posted on 10 Jun
Getting excited for the Van Isle 360
Quoting a famous line from Pink Floyd's "Time" As I pack for the first half of the 2025 Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race, I find myself thinking about the last time I did this race, a certain Pink Floyd song, and the great adventuring, sailing and time with friends that awaits. Posted on 3 Jun
Robert Burke on HRCS's Dyckman Marina facility
Robert Burke discusses the upcoming closure of HRCS's Dyckman Marina facility Community sailing organizations are a fantastic and affordable way of drawing new sailors into the sport. Unfortunately, the Hudson River Community Sailing is being forced to close one of its two locations in January. Posted on 3 Jun
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERPredictWind - Wave Routing 728x90 BOTTOMSwitch One Design