Velsheda

 

Designed by Charles Nicholson and built by Camper & Nicholson in 1933 for Mr W.L. Stephenson, owner of the Woolworth chain of shops. She was Nicholson’s second design for a J Class and Stephenson’s second big yacht. “Velsheda” was named after Stephenson’s three daughters, Velma, Sheila and Daphne. Stephenson never planned to compete for the America’s Cup but instead raced with the greatest names in classic yachting including “Britannia”, “Endeavour” and “Shamrock” between 1933 and 1936.

In her second season she won more than 40 races and achieved an outstanding record of success at Regattas from Southend to Dartmouth. Other venues included Torbay, Swanage and the Solent, all under the control of the famous Captain Mountifield.

In her day

Around the late 1930’s, she represented the most advanced technical design for spars, rigging, sails, deck gear and ropes. Her masts were aluminium, made by bending plates and riveting them together. Sails were made from the new Terylene threads and deck gear now included winches for easier handling of sheets. The standing rigging in the 30s was solid rod. Below decks accommodation was limited to just the main saloon, owners quarters aft, and storage for sails and equipment forward.

By 1937 she was laid up in a mud berth on the Hamble and became derelict. Many sailors remember visiting her – one recalls sailing in the annual Warming Pan race at Hamble River Sailing Club, and all the visiting crew being taken up the river to their overnight accommodation – Velsheda!

This unique yacht was rescued in 1984 by Terry Brabant, who economically refitted her for charter work with a new steel mast and limited interior. Still without an engine she sailed regularly along the UK South Coast on charter and occasionally ventured to the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Rebuild

Velsheda’ was purchased in 1996 as a bare hull lying at mooring in Portsmouth Harbour, and was taken to Southampton Yacht Services, on the River Itchen where a two year comprehensive rebuild was completed to bring her back into immaculate racing condition. She was fitted with the tallest one piece carbon mast in the world and a comprehensive suit of racing sails were produced, developed from wind tunnel testing at Southampton University. She was re-launched in November 1997. Dykstra Naval Architects were employed for the refit and also of other J Class yachts in the current racing field, including “Shamrock V”, “Endeavour” and “Ranger”.

Information courtesy of the J-Class Association.

St Barths Bucket 2018

SHARE THIS:

Yachts for Sale

Recently updated...

Midsummer masts 12.09
Midsummer nearing departure
The rescue of the 27 metre schooner Midsummer from Kenya is well under way with masts...
Barcolana 50 e Ciao Pais_Foto Maccione
Hannibal Classics, Adriatic Sea
Monfalcone (Italy), September 13, 2022. Double victory in the Adriatic for the 15-Metre...
Falmoouth-Classics-2022-@Nigel-Sharp
Classic Yacht Regattas 2023
The annual CYI Classic Yacht Regatta Listing with over 80 events displayed, from...
WoodSpars-varnish-work-scaled-1
WoodSpars in action
No messing around with this 30 metre wooden lathe. WoodSpars Yachting have recently...

Write an Article

Covering news on classic yachting worldwide is a tall ask and with your input Classic Yacht Info can expose stories from your own back yard.

We are keen to hear about everything from local regattas and classic events to a local restoration or yachting adventure. Pictures are welcome and ideal for making the article more engaging.

With a site that has been created with the assistance of an international group of classic yacht enthusiasts we value your input and with your help we strive to make CYI more up-to-date and more informative than ever.

Please register and get in touch if you would like to contribute.