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Solent Sunbeam History 1922+
The Solent Sunbeam Class was based at the Hamble River Sailing Club from 1922-1930,
Bembridge Sailing Club (1930-1939), and since the war, at Itchenor Sailing Club.
It all started when, in 1922, Basil Lubbock approached Alfred Westmacott, to design "an improved Mermaid"
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1922
Minutes of a meeting of the new Hamble OD Class
held at Ferryside Cottage, Hamble, on
October 9, 1922
Present;
F.G.T. Dawson, F.W. Leith and Basil Lubbock---------------------
1. Basil Lubbock was selected Captain of the Class.
Proposed by L.W. Leith, seconded by F.G.T Dawson
2. The following rules for the class were drawn up.
(i) The class shall be called the Solent Sunbeam Class.
Name:
All boats in the class to be names ending in Y.
Headquarters:
(ii) The Headquarters of the class shall be Hamble
(iii) The Committee shall consist of the owners of the class
(iv) Any two members of the class may request the
Captain to call a special general meeting.
(v) At all meetings a quorum shall consist of 5 members
Voting:
(vi) All questions shall be decided by a simple majority; in the case of equality of votes the chairman shall have a casting vote.
Joint Owners:
(vii) Joint owners of any boat shall only record one vote.
Captain's Duties;
(viii) The Captain of the class shall be responsible for all details connected with the welfare of the class. He shall arrange all details connected with racing. He shall arrange a programme of events and keep a record of results.
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Unless the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer are appointed,
he shall keep the accounts and submit the same at the end
of the season's racing to the menbers at a general meeting.
Unless an official measurer is selected he shall be responsible for the measurement of the boats and their sail areas.
Subscription:
(ix) The annual subscription to the class shall be two guineas from each owner or part owner. This subscription shall be devoted by the Captain of the Class to a prize fund, towage, or other incidental expenses.
Orders for new boats:
(x) Members wishing to order new boats must apply to the Committee. All orders for new boats must be placed with
Messrs Woodnutt & Co.
Re-admission of Boats sold out of Class:
(xi) Any boat which has been sold out of the class can only be re-admitted if the Committee are satisfied that she is in every detail of condition and of sail area similar to the other boats.
Construction:
(xii) All boats shall be built strictly in accordance with specification, a copy of which shall be left by the Captain in the Class records
Sail Area:
(xiii) The sail area is limited to 300 sq. ft. actual measurement as laid down on the floor before bending. Owners are at liberty to arrange the sail area as they please; but
no spinnakers are allowed, though headsails may be boomed out.
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Hull:
(xiv) No structural alteration to hull is permitted.
Rearrangements of seats and the cleats does not count as structural alteration.
Repairs:
(xv) Structural repairs, due to accident or otherwise, shall be carried out to the satisfaction of the Committee.
Painting:
(xvi) The Colours of the boats shall be optional.
No black lead or polishing shall be allowed on the bottom.
Paid Hands:
(xvii) One paid hand shall be allowed
Distinguishing Numbers:
(xviii) Every boat shall have a distinguishing number on her sail, which shall be attained on application to the Captain.
Racing Flag:
(xix) Boats must fly a racing flag when racing, a description of which must be sent to the captain.
Racing flags must be of a uniform size 10 inches by 8 inches.
The new rule with regard to flying winning flags must be observed.
Anchor and Life-saving apparatus:
(xx) Each boat shall carry when racing an anchor and not less that 12 fathom of warp: also sufficient live saving apparatus.
Racing Rules:
(xxi) The races shall be sailed under YRA and SCRA rules, and the special rules of the class.
(xxii) Fees for protests shall be 10/- in home races, when
protests shall be dealt with by the Committee
with a quorum of no less than three.
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Retirement of Race:
(xxiii) The Captain of the Class shall have power to postpone a class race should he deem the weather unsuitable.
3. The following distinguishing numbers were drawn for the first three boats.
No 1. Basil Lubbock
2. F. W. Leith
No 3. F.G.T. Dawson
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Basil Lubbock
Captain, SS.
22. 11. 1922
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The result of the above was that an order was placed with Woodnutt & Co for the first three Sunbeams, which were delivered early in 1923.
Solent Sunbeam Results at the 1923 Cowes Regatta
"The other four all went the wrong side of the buoy."
1926:
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Minutes of a Meeting of the Solent Sunbeam Class held at Mere House, Hamble, on Monday, August 30, 1926
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Present - General & Mrs Woodroffe, Capt. & Mrs Westmacott, Capt. & Mrs Lubbock, Sir Fisher Dilke, H. Reynolds, Mrs Collins, F.W. Leith, S. P Usborne, & H. F. Edwards & Capt, A.S. Mitchell.
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1. The Following new members were elected
(1) Mrs H. Reynolds
(2) Brig-Gen W. A. White
(3) J. E. D. Holder
(4) Sir Charles Campbell Bart.
(5) Mr. James Ismay
2. The following proposed by Brig-Gen Woodroffe was carried
Rule XXIX, The number of boats in the Solent Sunbeam Class shall be limited to twenty-four. [see 1939 Rules, "limited to 30"]
3. Mr. Leith proposed that the inside ballast should be placed on the keel as per plan submitted. Sir Fisher Dilke proposed the ammendment that no structural alterations to ballast be made.
The ammendment was carried.
4. Alteration to Rule XIII, substitute figure agreed upon by Captain of Class, Hon. Treasurer and Messrs Woodnutt & Ratsey for area of spinnaker and mainsail instead of 370.
Add to Rule XIII "Spinnakers are to be measured on the ground before lofting."
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5. It was decided that
Falmouth numbers should be ignored - Present boats 22 to 30 being renumbered 14 to 21. Basil Lubbock
Capt. SS
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