Sunbeam Class Summary
The Sunbeam is a 3-ton Bermudan rigged, open cockpit, half decked day racing yacht carrying a generous 300 square feet of sail on their fractional rig which ensures fast and exciting sailing.
The Solent Sunbeams started as a Class in October 1922 and are now based at Itchenor. The Falmouth Sunbeams were formed in 1924 at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club and were originally based at Falmouth and St. Mawes, and later Mylor. The hull and white sail specifications are identical, however Solent Sunbeams use spinnakers whereas Falmouth Sunbeams use the original ingenious device for booming out the jib known as the Kitty Gear. In 1965 these two groups amalgamated to form The Sunbeam Class and adopted new rules providing for a united Class. The two divisions maintain close and friendly relations with one another and annual team races are sailed between them.
Both divisions have strong fleets that provide very competitive racing on at least four days a week during the season.
- LOA 26ft 6ins
- LWL 17ft 7ins
- Beam 6ft
- Draught 3ft 9ins
- Sail Area 300ft2
The History of the Sunbeam
The first ever Sunbeam, V1 Dainty, is still racing today. Since her launch, only 48 Sunbeams have ever been built. Exactly 75 years after Dainty’s first launch Milly set sail across the Falmouth Estuary.
View the history of the Sunbeam
