March Newsletter 2026 Part Two

3. Just shows the diversity of our members I received this article from John Williams a keen model yacht sailor. I know there are other members also follow this hobby who am sure will relate to aspects of the article. Thank you, John.

My first boat was found in the house in Dunfermline Fife, where 1 spent my early years. I still have the hull found in the loft there. Awaiting restoration and sail making, a sail plan was found in book at a Victorian Fair near Weymouth about 30 years ago. The hull is made from Yellow Pine imported from Murmansk after WW2.

In recent years have returned to Model yachting/boating with the usual disasters. A minor stroke changed everything. Seeing Alan Hornes J Class Models online, I had to have one. I ordered an Oxford Blue and White hull and brought it home, only to stay in my loft for 10 years!! Since then, I have bought a Moonbeam kit, slowly getting done, and a Dumas Star 30 got in the way.

As part of the class models, Alan organises sail days where owners can meet up and sail. At Westbury in May last year, I had a chat with Alan with a fellow Vintage Model Yacht Group member, also called Alan. Who offered me a Moonbeam at a price I could not refuse. A couple of weeks later, I picked up the hull and was given a tour of his yachts. On a chair in his lounge, was CANDIDA, a 4ft J class. This is my wife's name. Upon arriving home, I told my wife about the yacht. Much to my surprise she said see if it's for sale. It was and a done deal and 2 weeks later she was in her new home. Alan knew her recent owner for whom he was restoring her, who sadly, is no longer able to enjoy sailing her. After seeing a laminated plaque inside the hull, my first port of call was Alan Horne at J class models. After looking at photos, Alan informed me it was not one of his. Suggesting it may be a New Zealand built example. Enlarging a photo of the plaque revealed, it's origin Hull No. 299. Back on the Internet, I found the Canterbury J Class owners Assoc. They very kindly went into their records. https://canterbury-j-class.nz/ Bingo, yes, they had her build history and class certificate. Sadly, the two gentlemen involved there, are now model yachting in the heavens so nobody knew how the hull got from New Zealand to England.

To our surprise she was built in 2016, so not strictly Vintage but soon will be. The Sails are from PJ Sails. She is a joy to sail. I sail with Chichester Canal Boat Group, in the canal basin. Relaxed friendly sailing, with several types of yachts. In the holidays, she sailed on the wonderful ponds at Gosport and Eaton Park Norwich attracting a lot of attention.

I am planning to attend some MYG and J class events in 2026 so if you see 197 come and have a chat. John