Sunbeams shine their light on Mylor’s classic skills
There are few fleets more “classic” than the Falmouth Sunbeams and this year as they celebrate 90 years of racing in these beautiful waters Mylor Yacht Harbour is taking pride in the skills that have ensured the class flourishes and grows.
Two hundred years ago in the great days of sail Mylor was England’s smallest naval dockyard in one of the world’s most strategic ports; with consistent investment through the last 20 years it is now Cornwall’s busiest boatyard and marina – and the only yard in recent years to build new, wooden Sunbeams on exactly the same lines as their elder sisters.
“At Mylor we share a passion for these fantastic vessels and for boats in general,” says Managing Director Roger Graffy, “and our team of master craftsmen with decades of experience between them nurtures younger talent to make sure we take those brilliant skills into the future.”
The boatyard itself thrives and expands with its Marine Team of expert craftsmen and technicians with the expertise to match any vessel – ancient or modern – from re-building or restoring the sleekest of classic yachts to the complete refurbishment of Cornish fishing boats.
If materials and methods change through the years, quality remains absolute: the latest laminates, state of the art electronics and revolutionary hybrid power are all employed with precision and pride alongside the timeless values, skills and a great respect for the graceful leisure craft of the past.
Several of the Falmouth Working Boat fleet have their home at Mylor – protected and maintained whether fishing under sail for oysters through the winter or racing like furies through the summer.
The Marina, meanwhile, welcomes yachts of all kinds both locally and from around the globe with the finest facilities and most scenic and sheltered setting anywhere in the world. It’s not often that “development” involves removing a building to open up a stunning view but that’s what Mylor Yacht Harbour has done with the demolition of the dilapidated former Yacht Club for the preservation of the historic Listed quay.
“Falmouth Classics and Falmouth Regatta Week are among the highlights of our year,” says Roger, “and it always gives us a real sense of pride and pleasure as we look around the various racing fleets to see just how many of the vessels – old and new – are maintained to their fighting best by our team here at Mylor.”
The end of August will also see Mylor’s population of yachting and holiday-cottage visitors burgeoning as the waters of the Carrick Roads become the perfect festive show-case for some of the world’s great sailing vessels in the Falmouth to Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta.
“The great four-masted A Class sailing ships may be a bit big for our pontoons – they’ll be looking very fine alongside the wharves at Falmouth Docks,” says Roger. “But Mylor’s a perfect spot for enjoying them over the long weekend of the Tall Ships Festival and when they set off on their race to Greenwich every boat in the Carrick Roads will be heading out to salute them on their way – it’s a sight absolutely not to be missed.”
Mylor Yacht Harbour is a proud sponsor’s of Falmouth Classics 2014