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Windermere 17s: a class still sailing after 107 years

The Royal Windermere YC’s racing class was designed 107 years ago – and they’re still racing today. Taken from our August, lakes issue

There was a time when the idea of lake sailing aroused some snobbery. In the 1880s, when the then Windermere Yacht Club sought adjudication over some matter from the yacht racing association of the day, it received the dusty reply that the body in question had “no jurisdiction over duckponds”.

And when the club decided to seek a royal warrant in 1887, it was advised instead to petition for the Queen’s permission (which was granted) to use the style, as a warrant was not considered appropriate to clubs that sailed on inland waters.

Nevertheless, the club can boast, in the Windermere 17-Foot Restricted Class, one of the oldest continuously-raced classes in the country, conceived and chiefly designed in-house but with famous designers such as Alfred Mylne, Arthur Robb, David Boyd, Uffa Fox and Olin Stephens also getting involved.

It’s a vigorous class too, with new boats – designed by Ian Howlett – still being built. It was not, however, initially intended as the club’s premier class. The Royal Windermere Yacht Club celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. It’s said that in its home town of Bowness-on-Windermere only the parish church and the Royal Hotel predate it.

The club traces its foundation to a meeting of ‘like-minded gentlemen’ in Bowness on 16 January 1860, when the then Windermere Sailing Club was founded. Many of these men were wealthy industrialists and financiers who liked to spend their summer holidays in the Lakes, pursuing friendly rivalries on the water.

Regular sailing regattas had been held on the lake since around 1849, with local boatbuilders producing tall, slender, extravagantly canvassed yachts in the style of the time, and handicapping systems attempting not very successfully to regulate their performance. The perceived need for a restricted class was one impetus for the formation of the club.

‘A bold vessel of good displacement’ The first Windermere Restricted Class which eventually emerged, after seven years of deliberation, was much influenced by Jilt, a 25ft (7.6m) waterline boat, built in 1861 for one of the founding committee members, Joseph Bridston, which according to an early club history “changed the character of the Windermere racing yacht from being a little vessel of small displacement , not greatly superior to a decked-in wherry, to a bold vessel of good displacement and decent freeboard; but it did more than this, it put an end to handicap racing and eventually led to the adoption of one class, with a limited length of waterline.”

In the end, Jilt herself was deemed too large and the rule agreed in 1867 limited all new yachts to a 20ft (6.1m) waterline, 6ft 6in (2m) beam and 5ft 6in (1.7m) draught. Dixon Kemp in 1876 described them as: “Mostly distinguished for their weatherly qualities… sailed with great boldness, as owing to the great weight they have on their keels it would be impossible to capsize them.”

Initially professional helmsmen from Morecambe Bay were employed to sail the yachts but by 1870, newer, younger members wished both to avoid that expense and to test their own prowess by sailing their boats themselves. Thus for a short time two classes of races were held, with and without professional crews.

A way of flouting the 20ft rule was quickly found, by deliberately immersing the counter when heeled, which effectively increased the waterline length to 26ft (7.9m) or more. In 1880 a new class, the ‘Second Class’ with a LWL of 17ft 6in (5.3m) and more tightly controlled measurements, was introduced, and in 1884 it was followed by the ‘Second 20ft Class’, again with tighter rules, especially regarding the counter.

With an agreement not to change the measurements for at least five years, the new class was immediately popular and a total of 53 yachts were built to it over the next 12 years. Meanwhile, the unsuccessful Second Class of 1880 (only seven built) was replaced in 1887 by the cat-rigged Una Class, with a hull based on the 20ft class, but scaled down to 16ft (4.9m) LWL.

Although popular with new members and ladies, it was only permitted to race outside the regatta season of July and August. In 1897 a 22ft class was introduced, carrying the same sail area as the 20ft, but with a very different underwater profile, notably a deep-bladed keel. Although expensive, a total of 17 were built.

Controversial introduction It was the cost of the 22-footers that produced pressure for a more affordable class and this, in 1904, led to the ‘17ft Restricted Class’. Its adoption was surrounded by controversy. Percy Crossley, son of founder member Louis Crossley, the Halifax carpet manufacturer, had trained as a naval architect with Linton Hope in Southampton.

He favoured a flat-bottomed ‘skimming dish’ design, but his older cousin Herbert Crossley, who had designed many earlier Windermere yachts, opposed this and in the end carried the day. To prevent ‘skimming-dish’ designs the class rules specified a one-in-four angle between the overhang and the waterline (amended in 1906 to one-in-five and still current).

Initially the ‘Smaller Class’, as it was referred to, had an uphill struggle for recognition. The 17ft boats suffered second-class treatment, not permitted to race in the regatta season, nor to obstruct ‘First Class’ yachts, and club funds could not be used for prizes. Ignored by the club’s Sailing Committee, they had to set up their own, and raise their own subscription.

But even before the First World War, the 22ft class had dwindled and it was decided that there were too few left to race. After the war, an attempt was made to start up a 19ft class, on the grounds that the 17-footers were not sufficiently prestigious to properly represent the club.However, the larger boats were never popular, and even despite a four-year ban (1923-26) on building 17-footers, only six of the 19ft boats were ever built.

Thus by the early 1930s the 17ft class had become the undisputed premier class of the club, and has remained so ever since. Most of the boats were built by the local firm of Shepherd’s, the vast majority by local designers, mostly PC Crossley, but a few ‘guest’ designers feature in the lists. Afred Mylne and Arthur Robb each designed three; Uffa Fox designed one; David Boyd contributed five – one of which was recently used as the basis for the popular Rustler 24. Sailfish II, 1967, was based on a design study by Olin Stephens. She was the last of what came to be the ‘Classic’ 17s to be built.

Following World War II the 17-footers languished, with new-builds drying up in 1967 for 15 years, though with 20 boats, the fleet was still a viable size.

The Howlett years The revival, when it came, began in 1982 with a GRP hull, the only one ever built, called Tripple, based on Ripple II. Then, in 1982/3, Ian Howlett was commissioned to design a new 17, using cedar strip construction. His initial sketch, showing a separated keel and rudder, led the the class committee, “wisely”, he says, to tighten the rule to prevent such configurations. “Designing full keel racing yachts is quite outside the experience of most designers today,” admits Ian, “and it was with some trepidation that I awaited reports of the performance of the first of my designs, Freedom, for David McCann in 1982. Fortunately it did not disappoint.”

Twelve Howlett-designed boats have entered the fleet, with another one, Chris Ducker’s Flying Duckman, currently in build at Demon Yachts in Suffolk. His designs have developed steadily over the years, with bows have becoming fuller and of lower slope, and in recent times with owners specifying keels of minimum weight. His epoxy glass-skinned cedar-cored boats seem completely inert and, he says, should last indefinitely with minimal maintenance.

The Rule has again recently been tightened to prevent yachts more extreme than his last two hulls – Falcon II , 1993, and Fathom , 2008 – but, says Ian: “Despite these constraints the Rule is far from played out.”

One unwished-for effect of the Howlett boats was an initial decline in the racing fleet as owners of older boats became discouraged. The solution was to split the fleet by introducing a Classic class, for boats built before 1981. The two fleets race together on equal terms, but with the Classics also competing for their own points and prizes. About half the 80 W17s built are still in some sort of existence, with 25 currently capable of racing.

When I joined them for a Saturday race in June, a dozen boats took part, with more classics than moderns, and the places going mainly to the classics. Class captain Robert Hughes, who sails the 1962 Capella, confirms that that is often the case. “The classics have now been strengthened and re-rigged. They’re very competitive.”

During the race, a gaff-rigged boat briefly joined the fleet – the oldest 17 afloat, Merlin , designed by Percy Crossley and built by Shepherds in 1908.

Says Ian Howlett: “The last few years have seen more breeze on the lake and in strong breezes it is not unusual for older boats with heavier keels to show the ‘modern’ boats the way round the course – which is all very healthy for such a class. The RWYC 17ft is a yacht that fits the lake and the local conditions perfectly.”

August Classic Boat was our lakes issue. Our September issue, featuring a very frank interview with Elizabeth Meyer, queen of the J-Class, and the Mylne cutter Kelpie , is at the printers.

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Royal Windermere Yacht Club

Alan, the organiser from the Royal Windermere Yacht Club in Windermere, extends a warm invitation to the sports community. Nestled on Fallbarrow Road in Bowness-on-Windermere, this club opens its doors to sailors of all levels, offering activities for learning, competing, and socialising.

One of the highlights at the Royal Windermere Yacht Club is their racing programme. Alan has worked hard with the team to craft a schedule that offers thrilling competitions for novices and experienced sailors alike. Racing results are updated regularly, so members stay informed about their performance and can track their progress. A duty roster system is in place, giving everyone a chance to contribute to the smooth running of the races.

For those keen on honing their sailing skills, the club offers various training programmes. Alan ensures there are opportunities for everyone, from navigation and seamanship lessons to essential theory courses, catering to both beginners and advanced sailors.

Beyond races and training, Alan puts a strong emphasis on fostering a lively social community. Regular events bring members together, from informative talks on sailing history to relaxed social gatherings. It’s all about creating a sense of camaraderie and connection among members.

The club prides itself on its rich heritage and esteemed reputation. Alan, alongside a dedicated team of officers and volunteers, ensures that everything runs seamlessly. Communication is key, with the Commodore and Rear Commodore regularly updating members on the club’s activities and future plans through newsletters.

Situated in a stunning location, the club’s picturesque setting offers breathtaking views of Windermere. The charming clubhouse and well-maintained facilities provide a comfortable environment for members to relax and socialise.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just starting out, Alan and the Royal Windermere Yacht Club community welcome you. With an exciting racing programme, comprehensive training, and vibrant social events, the club offers a full sailing experience. Join them at the Royal Windermere Yacht Club and discover the joy of sailing on Windermere.

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Royal Windermere Yacht Club

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Description of Royal Windermere Yacht Club

The Royal Windermere Yacht Club is renowned sailing club with over 150 years of experience. Their location, Bowness Bay, is a stunning and scenic position on Lake Windermere in the Lake District. Sailing is a wonderful way to enjoy the water, the outdoors and a brilliant water activity.

Their sailing courses offered are structured after the RYA outlines, so you will receive internationally recognized sailing skills that you can use anywhere. There´s something for everyone and even children can have lessons and obtain RYA youth certificates.

For any enquiries regarding RYA sailing lessons, contact them at Royal Windermere Yacht Club . They look forward to showing you the ropes and sharing their passion with you!

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