Yachts representing 100 years of sailing will gather in the Solent on Friday 26th May to celebrate YM’s centenary.

They range from Thalassa, the 46ft classic gaffer built in 1906 through boats like Twisters and Contessa 32s to modern-day production yachts.

A sail past will take place on Saturday 27 May and readers are invited to come and enjoy the spectacle.

Participants
1906 to 1916: Thalassa. An early ocean racing yacht now used for family cruising. In the same ownership for 60 years she was designed and built by Sibbick in 1906
1916 to 1926: Anne, details to follow
1926 to 1936: Sabrina of Hamble. Harrison Butler 26ft cruiser designed in 1931 and built in the Clemens yard, Gosport
1936 to 1946: John Dory. Elegant, 45ft Robert Clark design from 1938 built by Sussex Boat Works
1946 to 1956: Wellow Maid (Vertue). A 1950 example of this famous small (26ft) ocean cruising design by Laurent Giles
1956 to 1966: Twister of Mersea. The original Twister, Kim Holman’s classic design which, built in 1962 by WA Upham
1966 to 1976: Contessa 32. David Sadler’s greatest design from 1972
1976 to 1986: Moody 31. A second-generation Moody by Bill Dixon
which typifies British cruising design of the 1980s
1986 to 1996: Oceanis 321. Represents the flood of French high volume which overwhelmed the British industry in the 80s and 90s
1996 to 2006: Dufour 365, Maggie J. Winner of the 2005 Yacht of the Year award under 40ft

The Centenary boats can be seen at Cowes Yacht Haven on Friday evening from 1800 onwards or Saturday morning (up to 1130) and Saturday evening (from 1700). The boats will be parading at midday on Saturday off Norris Point and anchored in Osborne Bay during the afternoon.

PIC CREDIT: Vanessa Bird/Salty Dog Media