Alan Hicks invites you to celebrate the launching of Brightlingsea One Design (BOD) C54 Storm Petrel at 2.30pm on Saturday 19th April  (Easter Saturday) 2014 at The Hard, Brightlingsea, Essex.

Storm Petrel is the first new BOD to be built in several years and is number one in a series of four new boats that will be launched during the coming year, a year which will also see several more restored BODs return to racing. 

As well as an opportunity to inspect Storm Petrel guests will be able to meet representatives of the BOD Class Association and the builders and key suppliers involved in Storm Petrel's construction including Rob White of White Formula, Simon Hipkin Boatbuilder, and representatives of Sailspar and One Sails. BOD restorer Rob Maloney will also be on hand to talk about his current restoration projects, along with Malcolm Goodwin whose personal commitment to the survival of the BOD has been the driving force behind the class's revival success.

Weather permitting several other BODs will be joining Alan for his inaugural sail and any guests or members of the press keen to try sailing a BOD will be welcome to step aboard for a short trip around the bay. To RSVP and reserve a sailing place please e-mail [email protected]

Editors note:

Designed by Robbie Stone, the Brightlingsea One Design (BOD) is a classic 18' three man clinker built centreboard day boat which has been sailed continuously at Brightlingsea, Essex, on the UK's east coast, since it was designed in 1927. The original wooden boats have been lovingly maintained and many have undergone extensive restoration in recent years to keep them in top racing condition.

As a result of the growing interest in BOD ownership a GRP version of the boat has been developed to allow the fleet to continue to expand.  The development and production of these new GRP boats has been carefully controlled to ensure their performance exactly mirrors that of the well maintained wooden boats and they do not have a speed advantage.  The first GRP BOD was launched in 2007 with three GRP boats already sailing and five more currently in production.

The fleet regularly sees turnouts in double figures and in 2013 twenty BODs came together for the BOD President's Race, the big event of the season; in 2014 it is hoped that 25 boats will be on the start line for the event.  The fleet races from Brightlingsea Sailing Club and the Colne Yacht Club with a full programme of events to suit all tastes. 

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 26 March 2014 )