The Seventies:

The scene is restless, the pace quickens; the dinghies, the keel-boats and now the motor cruisers (who held their first rally in 1969 at Gin's Farm), all who love the sea and uphold its courtesy, are welcome at the R.L.Y.C..

In 1971, Brian Macnamara organised a visit to Le Havre Yacht Club, a well supported event which resulted in reciprocal arrangements with our French friends who are returning the call at Whitsun this year (1972).

The 70s brought new names to emulate those who went before, but success now depends too much upon the size of the cheque-book as upon the skill and enthusiasm of the owner: a reflection, perhaps, upon our society as well as upon our sport.

Ren Clarke in his Quivers. Arthur Slater in his Prospect of Whitbys: Chris Dunning in his Marionettes and Red Rooster; Peter Webster's Liz of Lymingtons; John Paterson in Mutineer and Gallivanter; David Wilkinson's Quickstep II of Wessex; David May's Winsome. Harry Pollock's Olivia Anne, the Rogers brothers' Red Herring and Derek Pitt-Pitts's Tern; and many more there are and, will be.

Not all the lustre belongs to the 'big 'uns'. In 1970, the Cadiz Cup was won by Bill Tapley in his 20ft.sloop,Jane of Jordans in a voyage of 500 miles round the Scillies and back via Alderney with a 14 year old nephew as crew.

For enterprise, the voyage by the Club's Boatman, the intrepid and imperturbable 'Doug' Baverstock, cannot be omitted. In 1956, in Lymington Pram No. 33, Kestrel, he, three friends and a tent, having sailed from Keyhaven to Southampton, en-shipped to Le Havre; they navigated the Seine and returned via the same route after seven weeks.

In conclusion, the progress of the Club will continue to expand only in partnership with our friends who share the delights of the Lymington River: