Designed for Owen Aisher to compete under the old One Ton Cup Rule, the boat’s original name was Yeoman XIV.
In 1967 Peter Nicholson helmed her in the Copenhagen One Ton Cup as one of three British boats.
Barrie Martin bought her in 2001, attracted by the pedigree, but particularly by her materials.
After 35 years at sea a major refit was called for. The work was carried out at the Agamemnon Boatyard at Bucklers Hard. All the structural and mechanical elements were replaced, including keels bolts, floors and a 13 foot long mast step. Most of the electrical components were replaced, along with the drive shaft. A new Yanmar GM20 was fitted.
Below the cooker and sanitary ware were renewed but the original mahogany shipwrighting was retained as far as possible.
Barrie bought new high tech Doyle D4 kevlar sails with which he is very pleased.
The original Yeoman name was taken by Owen Aisher for his next boat. After that she was named ‘Quailo’ for three years, then ‘Dalcassion’. Barrie decided to call her ‘A Day at the Races’ to reflect her competitive history.
Since her relaunch in March 2003 ‘A Day at the Races’ has been moored in Beaulieu. Apart from the Round the Island Race she’s taken part with respectable results in the RSYC double handed series and won a race in Cowes Week 2004. In 2005 she came fifth overall in the Cowes Week handicap class and third in class in the British Classic Yacht Club Regatta. In 2006 she was again third in class in the British Classic Yacht Club Regatta.
Information courtesy of The British Classic Yacht Club
