A refitted ‘Maiden’ will embark on a three-year global voyage to promote and fundraise for girls’ education.

Best known for competing in the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989/1990, skippered by Tracy Edwards MBE with the race’s first ever all-female crew, the yacht Maiden will begin its tour this summer with Ms Edwards at the helm and men on board as part of the ‘guest’ crew.

“We believe that now is the time for men and women to join forces and work together to combat inequality in all walks of life,” said Ms Edwards. “There are so many men and women who want to help us break down barriers that stop girls getting to school and raising funds for girls’ education is such a positive message in today’s climate.”

30 stopovers

With 30 stopovers in 18 countries, Maiden will promote and raise money for education for girls worldwide, while ‘guest’ crew places for sale will generate funds for The Maiden Factor Foundation, founded by Ms Edwards, which works with charities focusing on girls’ education initiatives.

The first stopover of the world tour will be Aqaba in Jordan, in honour of HM the Late King Hussein of Jordan, who believed in Ms Edwards and told her that “with faith, honour and courage anything is possible” when she was struggling to get to the start of the line of the Whitbread Race.

HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, HM King Hussein’s daughter, is carrying on the support by facilitating Maiden’s trip.

Refit

After Maiden was rescued from the Seychelles where it had been neglected, it returned to the UK in April 2017. Here it was stripped and had it hull shotblasted and primer added to prevent the aluminium from oxidising in the air.

In August, the worst affected areas of the aluminium were cut out and new ones fixed in place and welded. In November, the aluminium work continued to finish the bulkheads, chain plates and P-bracket.

In December, the core aluminium jobs were finished, which allowed the painting team to prep, fill and fair and spray the topsides with primer. This January, the hull below the waterline and the transom were completed.

Work is expected to begin shortly on the installation of non-structural bulkheads and equipment.

via Boating Business | 2018 fundraising Maiden voyage.

Lewmar’s ‘Mr Winch’, Tony Jones, has died while travelling in France.

Mr Jones began his career with Lewmar in 1979 as product manager of the sailboat winch product line and was heavily involved with the design and development of the company’s winches throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Mr Jones was particularly involved with Lewmar’s OEM and racing winch product platforms working with the design team to develop the Ocean series of winches, an early form of the company’s current Evo winch range.

Instrumental

“Tony was instrumental in the conception and design of Lewmar’s highly successful Ocean winch range,” said Matt Johnston, Lewmar sales and marketing director. “During his time within the business, he was a great source of knowledge for many of our employees and will be sorely missed.”

Ian Stevenson, currently the Osculati North Europe representative, who sat opposite Mr Jones at Lewmar for many years, added: “Tony travelled the world talking ‘Lewmar Winch’ he was respected by boat builders and competitors for his vast knowledge and experience.

“He approached work with a great sense of humour and enthusiasm and he will be greatly missed.”

Mr Jones retired from Lewmar in 2007 to spend more time travelling with his wife Pauline and enjoy their French holiday home.

via Boating Business | Lewmar’s ‘Mr Winch’ dies.

Falmouth looks set to host one of the biggest sailing jamborees in June, marking the 50th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s departure at the start of the 1968/9 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race.

Sailing clubs in France, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands are planning to join other groups from Ireland, the UK’s south coast and Bristol Channel to make the pilgrimage to Falmouth to salute the Suhaili skipper and his yacht in a parade of sail around Falmouth Harbour.

Suhaili will be joined by other classic Golden Globe yachts, including Frenchman Bernhard Moitessier’s Joshua, Sir Francis Chichester’s Gipsy Moth IV and Sir Alec Rose’s Lively Lady, together with the entire fleet of 2018 Golden Globe Race yachts.

The parade of sail takes place on Thursday June 14.

via Boating Business | UK sailing jamboree.

Marine Results will supply rigging systems to yacht ‘Maiden’ during her refit as part of Tracy Edwards’ girls’ education sailing project.

Marine Results is managing the refit in preparation for the vessel’s three-year Maiden Factor global voyage to promote and fundraise for girls’ education. As part of the project, Seldén Mast will supply the carbon mast, with rigging from Ocean Yacht Systems and hydraulics from Harken UK.

“It is quite a nostalgic experience to be involved in this high profile project,” commented Jon Morris of Marine Results. “Maiden and everything that the original campaign achieved has such a memorable history.”

Whitbread Race

Built in 1979, the 58ft Maiden is best known for competing in the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989/1990, skippered by Tracy Edwards MBE with the race’s first ever all-female crew.

The Marine Results team designed the specification for the rig and rope package, working with Tony Castro Yacht Design. Together they have produced a rig plan which can be controlled by fewer crew members than the original full ocean-going complement and one is easier for onboard guests to handle.

Maiden, which is sourcing as many products and services as possible from the UK, will be fully commissioned by May before her relaunch at St Katherine’s Dock in June.

The vessel will have 30 stopovers in 18 countries. The sale of guest crew places will generate funds for The Maiden Factor Foundation, founded by Ms Edwards, which works with charities focusing on girls’ education initiatives.

via Boating Business | Marine Results supplies Maiden rigging.

RYA Dinghy Show 2018 visitors will hear from new presenters including gold medallist Saskia Clark and Olympic sailor Stevie Morrison.Also new is the Class Association Stage, packed with information including what events are coming up in the season ahead and how to get involved.For the first time there will be a Women’s Sailing Hub to showcase inspirational female sailors and coaches and the latest kit, plus Q&A sessions.Show varietyAttractions also include coaching sessions, classes, boat builders, a dinghy sailors corner, beginners trail, interactive 360 film experience and hundreds of boats from beautiful classics to the latest in cutting edge design.Sailing Southwest (SSW) will celebrate turning one at the show with an event featuring a British Sailing Team guest.The organisation has focussed on developing its website resources and low-cost live GPS boat tracking System TracAce. It has also seen success with its SSW Winter Series, which offers the opportunity for over 100 competitors to compete locally at venues throughout the winter season.Improving safetyJonathan Miles, a SSW director, commented: “TracAce is specifically designed to improve the safety and enhance the quality of sailing and racing at all levels, and there is much anticipation surrounding the system’s full commercial launch later in 2018.”RYA Dinghy Show will take place Alexandra Palace in London from 3-4 March.

via Boating Business | New attractions at RYA Dinghy Show.