Author: seamarsh

1960-2000 – The Singlehanded Trans-Atlantic Race

“The Ship Would Not Travel Due West”  copyright Peter Marsh From the late 1800s until the 1960s, the development of the modern sailing yacht was an evolutionary process, occasionally interrupted by a flash of insight. Racing and cruising yachts were little more than refinements of the last sail-driven fishing schooners. In the first half of… Continue reading 1960-2000 – The Singlehanded Trans-Atlantic Race

1966-2006 – The Long Strange Trip of the Gipsy Moth IV

Chichester’s Legendary GM IV, Myth and Reality – copyright Peter Marsh In the 1960’s, It was English pioneer aviator and sailor Francis Chichester who became famous for winning the first Singlehanded Trans-Atlantic Race in 1960 in 40 days at the age of 59. He then invented the concept of racing the clock in 1962 with… Continue reading 1966-2006 – The Long Strange Trip of the Gipsy Moth IV

The 1964 OSTAR and Me

How I Caught Sailing Fever in Plymoth- Copyright Peter Marsh I was 16 when I read about the second Observer Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race (OSTAR) starting in Plymouth, England on 23 May. I knew I had to go, which  caused my mother distress because I was doing something completely out of character: skipping my grammar-school education for… Continue reading The 1964 OSTAR and Me

50 Years Since Eric Tabarly Won Solo Trans-At (1964-2014)

 Was Pen Duick II the First Modern Singlehanded Racer by PMarsh In 1964, when a motley crew of thirteen Anglo and two French sailors arrived in Plymouth (SW England) for the second Singlehanded Trans-Atlantic Race, the scene was nothing like modern-day offshore racing. The fleet was moored in Millbay Docks, a vacant commercial dock basin… Continue reading 50 Years Since Eric Tabarly Won Solo Trans-At (1964-2014)

1964 – Racing a 35′ Trimaran in the OSTAR by Derek Kelsall

How a 35′ Piver Trimaran Almost won the 1964 OSTAR – by Derek Kelsall On 16th March, 50 years ago, while in the Bahamas, I made the spur of the moment decision to enter OSTAR, the second single handed trans Atlantic race from Plymouth, UK to Newport R.I. I ordered three hulls from a builder… Continue reading 1964 – Racing a 35′ Trimaran in the OSTAR by Derek Kelsall

The Kaiser’s Cup Transatlantic Race of 1905

 Schooner Atlantic Wins Transatlantic Race in 12 Days The wealthiest owners in the sport of sailing are back in the news again as they and their teams of lawyers haggle over when, where and in what they will race for the America’s Cup. Unfortunately, years of non-stop legal wrangling over the most famous prize in… Continue reading The Kaiser’s Cup Transatlantic Race of 1905