Posts in Characters
Seizing The Moment Exhibition

American 20th Century yachting photography on show in the U.S. brings together Edwin Levick’s work alongside that of his apprentices’, Morris Rosenfeld.

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In Conversation With Sir Robin Knox-Johnston Part 1

Legendary yachtsman relives his epic solo circumnavigation in the 1968–1969 Golden Globe Race

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17-Year-Old Embarks On Thames Sailing Barge Restoration

Incredible story of a sixth form student embarking on a Thames sailing barge-yacht restoration.

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Release of vintage prints depicts Antigua and Maine's wooden boat history

American photographer Michael Kahn releases a set of vintage prints featuring boats.

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Last chance tickets: classical music concert on classic yacht

The first concert from a new series of exclusive musical events in the world’s most beautiful and inaccessible places – this weekend – 29th September 2018.

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Farewell Topsails 1937

This short film shows china clay extraction in St Austell and exportation from the port of Charlestown, Cornwall, where tall ships – topsail schooners and ketches – once hailed from, laden with clay destined for the ports of Liverpool or London. It reflects on a dying sail cargo trade, and shows new steam craft taking the place of wind power. Beautiful scenes of industry and passages at sea are illustrated in colour film by Humphrey Jennings - Britain's most celebrated documentary film maker.

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Raving Afloat

‘Thekla’ – a 1958 built cargo ship who’s legacy has lent itself to Bristol’s world-famous underground music.

Quite possibly a tedious link, between a German ship and the city of Bristol who’s people and music has greatly influenced Britain’s culture. This is probably not going to interest you unless you knew the cargo ship the ‘Thekla’ or if you despise electronic music; post-punk, dub, grime, or trip-hop. But, this is a great story that celebrates ships being reincarnated into cultural hubs. Classic Yacht TV recommends that while you read this article, listen to the catalyst for this article - a BBC 6 Music Gilles Peterson programme on 'The History of Bristol's Musical Underground' that mentions this ship's story!

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Fresh Faced & Wide Eyed – Ben Harris

The first in a series of features showcasing emerging figures in the classic boat world, people who share a passion for classics and lend their professional skills to our community. Watch this film 'Timber to Tide' on Ben Harris, a boat builder based in Gweek, Cornwall.

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What Lies Beneath – Marine Art

Imagine a very cold and extrememly dark environment, underwater and deep below the favourable heights of our atmosphere and then imagine having a camera to capture that unfamiliar world. That's Alexander Semenov's life as head of the....

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A QUIET LEGACY

The story of ‘Mirelle’s designer, her builder - Whisttock's Boatyard, the apprentice who built this beautiful yacht and her life on the River Deben since 1937. She has had three owners from her launch until 2014. Mirelle has been cherrished throughout her life by everyone on the river and her loving owners. One particular interview illustrates a very emotional recent parting of ownership. Luckily her new owner is very deserving and footage shows a last sail on the Deben – a hand over sail – before her new owner James, takes her South.

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Cooking Onboard II

Cooking Orange and Almond cake under sail, on board Bessie Ellen.

Bessie Ellen's owner Nikki Alford gives Classic Yacht TV a lesson in baking while at sea - as you will be able to tell! Using a recipe from the Polpo restaurants in London, this Orange and Almond cake is now a firm favourite for those who sail the Bessie Ellen, a west country trading ketch that charters around Britain, Ireland, Scotland, and Europe.

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Huff of Arklow - Uffa Fox

She's a radical looking boat, designed in the 1950's by Uffa Fox who was developing yachts in relation to Flying Fifteen's (One Design Class). Seen here through archive footage of her build and in the most recent of her restorations....

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Kelpie of Falmouth - The Racing Tender

The schooner 'Mariette' debuts her newly restored racing tender, “Kelpie of Falmouth” in Cornish waters at the 2014 Pendennis Cup. Watch her sailing in this film - an exclusive look at what's she's like before she starts her season racing the med this week.

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Shaped By The Sea – Part II

James Dodds’ paintings strike the eye with lines true to his focus on particular boats and the seas they once knew. His pitch dark backgrounds, surfaces, and colours are alike to layers of tar and tallow, marine paint and rust. Part II explores how he achieves his particular colours and, his relationship with local boatbuilders.
 

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Our Boy - the launch

Toby Slater left the city of London in 2006 to refit his father’s love affair - formerly known as ‘Regard’ - a Brixham Trawler Yacht. The refit turned into rebuild. He learnt boat building on the job with the help of Rick Cardy's watchful eye, a local shipwright whose skills stem from Thames Barges and alike.

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Shaped By The Sea – Part I

James explores the design of vessels and celebrates the work of the boat builder and craftsman who make them. From a Shetland Fourern boat, a Viking shaped long and thin form to a square, bold, Hastings beach boat. Dodds' paintings are an assembly of observations on the variations in shape and why boats have been crafted in such a way to serve the nation in the maritime industry.

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