Sail Number 21 Built in 1993
2026 - Champagne in her first Queens Cup for a number of years. Paul at the Helm, and guest crew, Richard Postles on Jib and Nick Denyer as Mid-hand
Launched on 11th September 1993, Champagne was built for Adria Merton. Built with a wood rather than a plastic deck Champagne was a formidable performer when first launched, mostly
helmed by Martin Hunter, and in 1994/95 won most of the major trophies. Champagne had a few novel features. An extremely strong mast and side support to take all the stresses and strains, a furling jib a reinforced deck and with a Spinnaker. She was based at UTSC at Bourne End for several years. Champagne had extensive work done to her decks over the winter of 2004-5. Originally coloured Champagne bottle Green with a yellowish deck, she has now been painted blue and her decking is varnished plywood. She has a carbon Fibre mast and still has her original sails.
She moved to the River Trent for about 15 years owned by Commodore John Richardson.
In March I purchased Champagne and returned her to the River Thames.
We have been gifted Straight Dealers old sails - which were at least made in the same millenium as we are in.
Only having arrived the week before Adrian Hart from the A-Rater Association helped get the original sails up on the Saturday and take Paul out before entering the Queens Cup on the Monday. No time to practice just go for it. They started 7th but came a convincing 8th.
The first order of business remove the covers, weigh the boat and get the mast up
It was a bit of a rush, but we managed to get the boat rigged and into the water to take part in the 2026 Queens Cup finishing in 8th place.
The first in the Series of Champagne Number 21 my A-Rater. We need to maintain the boat, restoring certain parts and learn to sail her on the River Thames.
