Plymouth Friday Series Ends in Close Contests

The wind dies down off the Plymouth Sound as the final boat of the week slips past the breakwater, its hull cutting a sharp line through the fading light. Twenty-two vessels have spent the summer battling for supremacy in the Yacht Havens Friday Series, but this last weekend was the moment the rubber met the road. The water was choppy, the air thick with salt and adrenaline, and the finish line became a blur of white sails and shouting crews. It was not just a race; it was a test of nerve in a fleet where margins are measured in seconds, not miles.

The series has become a fixture in the southwest calendar, drawing sailors from regattas across the region. Many boats sat out previous weeks to compete elsewhere, but those who stayed for the finale found a field that was sharper, hungrier, and more evenly matched than ever before. The results are a testament to the depth of talent in the area, with multiple count-backs required to determine the final standings. It is a reminder that in this part of the world, no victory is ever truly safe until the line is crossed.

Squib Bootneck Claims Overall Victory

In the Yacht Trust Class (YTC), John Lewis’s Squib Bootneck delivered a performance of quiet consistency. Sailing a steady set of top-four results, the boat nearly secured the series outright. However, the margin was razor-thin. Lewis took the overall title comfortably, but the ultimate count-back of the final race saw Kevin Palfreeman and Anthony Kehoe’s Zulu edge out the competition. Both boats finished on nine points, a tie that highlighted the fierce competitiveness of the fleet. Seven of the eleven boats entered managed a top-three finish, a statistic that underscores how closely matched these vessels are. Roger Stanbury’s other Impala rounded out the top spots, while the Cload Brothers on Calypso settled for fourth, their consistency derailed by two weeks lost to winning the Fowey Regatta.

IRC Fleet Sees Dramatic Showdown

The International Racing Class (IRC) offered a different kind of drama. Dominic Hanley’s Stitch and Ann & Keith Whitfield’s Tilted had split the first two series, setting the stage for a definitive battle for the Plymouth Sound Cup. Fate intervened, however, when Tilted suffered a dismasting in the stormy Dartmouth Regatta, effectively removing them from the final contention. This left Hanley’s Formula 28 to face off against a mix of 1720s, a Melges 24, and a Humphreys 30. The racing was tight, with Race 6 seeing four boats within just twelve seconds of each other on corrected time. Ultimately, Stitch prevailed with a comfortable seven-point lead, but the middle of the pack was a different story. Robbie Boalch’s Crescendo took second place on count-back, just ahead of Stig McDonald’s Melges 24 Haku. Ian Luscombe finished fourth, only one point behind the pair above him.

Future Entries Signal Strong Season

The complexity of the results, with their multitude of count-backs and single-digit time differences, explains why so many boats flock to PYC Fridays. The diversity of hulls, speeds, and sizes creates a unique competitive environment. Looking ahead, rumors suggest that 2027 will see the fleet grow even stronger. A JPK is said to be joining the ranks, alongside another Cork 1720, which would flesh out the top of the IRC fleet. The YTC class is also set to expand, with an MGC/27 and an additional Impala expected to join. The gratitude from the club extends to the sponsors, the sailors ranging from a Squib to a Corby 35, and the volunteers. Special thanks go to Kevin and Louisa for their exceptional post-race suppers. As the season closes, attention turns to the Shopfitting by SWS Autumn Series, where new entries like Jon Rickard and Matt Blakeston’s Laser 28 and Roy Morgan’s HOD 35 Sir Ducktion promise to keep the competition intense. As reported by GN sports/sailing, this is a series to watch.