01/2007 –

With her original gaff rig, Wayward made a discreet return to the competitive circuit at the 2006 Régates Royales. As a Marconi Yawl back in 1996, Wayward won 2 events at the Rendez-vous Atlantiques in Brest. At the Régates Royales 2006, her return was so symbolic that no victories were required!

Back in business

Wayward is one of the first racing yachts ordered by Lord Tanguy from designer Fred Shepherd, and was built in 1908 at the White Brothers shipyard in Southampton. Her long, slim 17-metre hull was designed specifically for racing, with a width of just 3.5 metres for a draught of 2.2 metres. Close reaching in 15 knots of wind, Wayward easily reaches speeds of 7 knots, sliding over the water as she cuts through the waves. After such impressive racing in Brest in 1996, ten years on her performance was more modest.

Back in shape

Wayward returned to competition on Wednesday 27th September 2006 for the first leg of the Régates Royales, putting in a very decent first performance. With a light breeze in her sails, she was well able to tackle the other yachts during the long beating legs, at a speed that is ideal for this powerful, lightweight Shepherd design. After leading the race, Wayward was left behind by her competitors after the windward buoy, as she is not yet equipped with a gaff topsail, since Star Voyage, which acquired the yacht in January 2006, had not fully completed the refit for the Régates Royales. Christian Bouffard’s team first focused on installing brand new gaff rigging and making sure it was fit to sail.

Back on the podium in 2007 ?

Star Voyage acquired Wayward partly to diversify its activities and partly for the sheer fun of it! The yacht was rigged as a Marconi yawl, and other modifications had been made, particularly on deck. Star Voyage immediately began remedying this sad state of affairs, starting by restoring the original rigging plan and rendering the deck water tight. Below deck, no changes have been made since the work done in 1992 by her previous owners, a couple of cabinetmakers who bought her empty and furnished the interior in a sober, elegant style (mahogany woodwork, original inlays and an oil burning stove). Before arriving in the Mediterranean, Wayward was one of the flagships of La Rochelle’s Maritime Museum. Today she is based in Cannes and is offered for charter to enthusiasts of classic yacht regattas, in which she is expected to excel again in the near future.

NauticNews Tech Specs of Wayaward

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