Single-handed sailing dinghy Kestrel

regatta

This boat is the very reason Hartley Boats exists today and we have built the whole company around this first boat over the past 20 years. It was actually a mistake that we became the builder. I bought a second hand Kestrel from Blackwater Sailing Club and dad and his seven-year-old son, both novices, started to sail and capsize nearly every time we sailed the boat at our local club. We then decided to enter the National Championship to be held at Sunderland Sailing Club on sea water. First race, strong winds and gusting with massive waves that I was not used to. I wanted to stay on shore but my crew convinced me that we could only get wet. Out of control and on the first gybe my crew and I went swimming and had to be rescued and returned to shore. That night was the Associations Yearly Annual General Meeting where the Chairman presented his dire update, the builder had gone bust and after six months of trying he could not find another builder and the class was doomed. When all the members were asked for their thoughts and suggestions, my crew said “Dad you need to help!”. My hand went up and I said “Mr Chairman, it sounds to me as if you have given up” at this point his response was “what do you know about manufacturing boats?” I advised “nothing”, he then retorted, “was that you upside down that had to be rescued and brought ashore?” I advised “yes it was”. He advised me to shut up and stop bothering him. Thirty minutes later the Chairman asked if there was anybody present that would build and save the boat? My crew again said “Dad we must save the boat you can do this”. My hand went up again, I was told to be quiet and stop bothering him