Fowey River Dinghy sailors celebrate 75 years
by Richard Simmons 3 Jun 08:51 PDT
24-25 May 2025
Fleet leaving start line on day 1 of the Fowey River Dinghy Championship © Jane Spencer
The end of May bank holiday weekend saw the annual Fowey River Dinghy Championship Races. The weekend was greeted with even more excitement than usual (if that's possible!) since it was the celebration of 75 years since the inception of this 'chocolate box pretty' sailing class.
To the uninitiated, a Fowey River is a 15ft clinker built dinghy with delightfully colourful sails a gaff rig. There is no spinnaker. Each boat is traditionally named after a bird, resulting in a fleet packed with charming names such as Oyster Catcher, Kittywake and Osprey.
In 1939, Reggie Freeman designed a clinker built 15ft dinghy which was submitted for publication to Yachting World as a 'knockabout dinghy' that could be build from home by the readers. At that time it was estimated a build cost of £32. The shadow of war fell, after which in 1945 Reggie's idea was again discussed in the sailing press but remained on the back burner.
Finally, in the winter of 1949, Earnest Mogg, 'Moggie', a dentist from Fowey commissioned Freeman's Knockabout to be built in Hunkins Yard at Polruan. In 1950 ' Michelle' was launched and became known at FR1 - the very first of the Fowey River Class. Every Fowey River sailor can be forever grateful to Moggie for the tremendous fun we now enjoy.
It is interesting that about 36 Fr's were then built in the 50's and 60's but then in the 70's, 80's and 90's interest waned as the low maintenance plastic revolution swelt the seas with Mirrors, Lasers, Larks etc. In 1993 however the inveterate Vic Trueman formed The Fowey River Class Association which led to a huge reinvigoration of the class from which it has never looked back.
Fleets of racing boats invariably make for fabulous photographs, but the view of the colourful FR's racing in the picturesque Fowey Harbour would take some beating anywhere in the world! The 'Fr Friendly Fleet' is raced super competitively with the keenest sometimes commissioning new boats thus attracting novices to try their hand in some of the older boats.
The hugely respected boatbuilder Marcus Lewis has produced no less than 6 new FR's in the last 3 years alone. Each one being a masterclass in beauty and skill.
It was thus extremely fitting that the 75th anniversary Championship weekend was kicked off with the launch of FR 78 'Skylark' and champagne all round. Somewhat incredibly, the gorgeous new boat was commissioned by Clare Jackdaw who's father had raced Moggy in FR1 in 1951! It's a big sea but a small world!
To the sailing...
The highly experienced Race Officer, John Burford, warned crews they would be raced hard on the Saturday since the forcast was indicating 25-30 knots on the Sunday. Race 1 had twenty Fr's crammed on a very busy in-harbour start line. The race then went out to sea, in ideal sea conditions. The result was close fought race up the last beat saw Matthews round the final mark just ahead of Gamble and Henson's. The final run to the finish in a freshening breeze saw Gamble ease ahead of Mathews who then covered him to the line. Gamble held on to win by a whisker.
Races 2 and 3 both featured a few boats in the fleet staying nearer the coast and the pack going well out to sea. As is often the case, the pack seemed to make the right choice. By the end of race 3 conditions were very gusty indeed and several boats headed back to shore early. Matthews, the bookies favourite, seemed to read the shifts perfectly and won both race 2 and 3 fairly comfortably, setting things up for the showdown with Gamble on the Sunday.
Race 4 on Sunday was in a strong 16-18 knots, gusting 25, and saw the field reduced to 15 entrants. John and Anne Coghlan who had notched up there first ever win only a week earlier, then notched up the first capsize in the race...what a leveller. (Capsizes in an FR are a major pump out!) At prize-giving it was decided not to award the 'sh. t on the end of the tiller' booby prize since they were immediately 'back on the horse' and sailing the next even windier 5 th race.
By the 5th race, in huge gusts, several of the crews looked 'blown out' not just the sails.
Andy and Suzy Matthews took a clean sweep of firsts (4!) after their second in race 1, thereby very deservedly winning the 'Champs'. David Gamble in Victory was runner up, followed by Gary and Kay Barr, 3rd, and Philip and Sian Henson, 4th... all the usual suspects!
A big thanks to RO, Safety Boats, and all of the support from Royal Fowey Yacht Club balcony! What a 75th party! 'Limited edition' 75th year polo shirts were handed out.
In summary: All these years of fun from 78 boats hand built over 75 years.
Any tempted hopeful FR sailors should visit www.camsecure.co.uk/FoweyHarbour.html to see the racing which is on the webcam at 2.25p.m. every Saturday. We have, space, friendship and boats all available.