It’s all in the canvas

It’s often said that while old boats may be full of character, they don’t sail like the latest models. This boat left almost everything standing in the Round the Island Race recently. She was built in the 1930s and is sailed by a family crew, but her secret is not only in the genius of her designer (Harrison Butler) and her highly experienced skipper (Craig ‘Lightning’ Nutter). Just look at those sails! Even snugged down so as not to spill the baby’s milk, they are setting like sculpture. Taking a potentially good boat then setting a good suit of canvas on proper gear is like putting a turbo-charger on a Morris Minor.