Inaugural City Livery sailing challenge

Coachmakers gallantly battled the weather in the Solent together with 11 other Livery Companies for the inaugural sailing challenge held at Seaview Yacht Club, Isle of Wight on Saturday 20th September 2025. The Princess Royal Challenge Cup was held to support the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and the Seaview Sailing Trust.

Assistant Roger Woodbridge, Freeman Gary Hunt and two ‘pressed men’ from the Skinners Company competed in Seaview Mermaid keelboats over four races during the day.

Roger and Tristram Holden

Seaview Mermaids have a history reaching back to the early 20th century. At first they were wooden gaff-rigged boats, where the sail was hauled up the mast on a pole – the gaff, that were replaced by a one-design fibreglass model in the 1960s. They are a 26ft half open keel boat weighing in at 1.5 tonnes with a crew of up to four.

Seaview YC had 12 boats available for racing with the only difference between them being the hull colour. We raced in No 11, a black hull during the morning and in the afternoon No 8, a blue hull. All competitors changed boats at the halfway stage to ensure there was no boat advantage gained.

With our familiarisation sail complete in gorgeous conditions we felt ready for the racing on Saturday. First though was an informal gathering over supper in the yacht club so members from each Livery could meet up, mingle and perhaps figure-out the opposition.

Racing began under dour conditions and with a gentle wind. The start line was frenetic with 12 boats jostling, but without touching another boat, for that best place on the start line. The start is a dynamic event requiring good boat handling, nerves to hold your own course and not cross that start-line before the gun goes off after a five, four, and one minute countdown.

Twelve into one doesn’t go. In the first race we elected to be just down from that ideal position and took a different course to the fleet hoping to use the tide to our advantage. Alas that didn’t work and we came 12th – last place!

The next race saw better sail handling, good spinnaker work and laying of rounding marks saw us achieve fourth position; a great improvement.

We enjoyed lunch ashore then with the wind starting to freshen and a new-to-us boat we set off to improve – as did the rest of the fleet. Improve we did and came third – the stronger wind seemed to suit us. The race officer set a course with three long legs for the last race to test everyone’s ability to concentrate. The wind increased in strength, small spinnakers for downwind legs was ordered and again the wind increased.

Mermaids were being heeled over, the fleet was close together throughout with many “starboard” calls (I am right of way boat – give way to me) and much ducking closely under the stern of another boat so as not to give too much ground. The wind increased. The race officer wisely shortened the course and as so as we gybed around a mark we were able to fly off downwind towards the line. Not in the lead but in contention with the fleet, we raced to the line for 7th position – an exhilarating end to the race.

From left: Guy Mattinson, Roger Woodbridge, Gary Hunt, Simon Holden.

Afterwards the City Livery YC kindly laid on a reception at Seaview YC for further post-racing discussions about race conditions and to chat with everybody. Congratulations to the Turners who came first overall and now have a cup to defend.

A well-earned rest after four races: Roger & Simon (Skinners)

A more formal dinner followed to complete the weekend, and some of us were scrabbling around for a tie – sail ties would have to do.

Being sixth overall was a good achievement nonetheless I believe the shared friendship, fellowship and racing between Liveries was a wonderful means to get together to support the two charities – The Lord Mayor’s Appeal and The Seaview Sailing Trust. This was the inaugural event at lovely location, good food and strong support from Seaview YC. The Coachmakers will be at the next one – please do join us even if you haven’t sailing experience.

Calm after the storm