RCODs – A Colourful Future… 19 Jun 2012

The future is bright, the future is orange as well as red, green, blue, white, cream, yellow and a splash of burgundy. These are some of the striking colours of this classic fleet. Traditional materials and skills were used when these sleek racing dayboats were built in the 1930s and have stood the test of time.

The RCODs have enjoyed a renaissance over the last few years. Refitting and high quality maintenance by the current owners has brought eleven boats to top condition. Nine are being sailed and raced by their owners, one boat is in perfect condition for sale or charter, another has just returned after a complete refit at the Boat Building Training College at Lowestoft and just needs the final fitting out, whilst the other five await restoration to complete the class of sixteen.

The RCODs race on Saturday afternoons from Easter to October for a variety of impressive trophies. There is also a full programme of races in Burnham Week, a team race against our neighbouring classic fleet at the Royal Burnham Yacht Club and social events throughout the year.

These dayboats are friendly and flexible to sail; helm and crew ages range from 9 to 90. The boats often race with three people on board, some get away with two experienced sailors, others take a fourth. This makes them an ideal family or training yacht – as good for picnic trips to see the seals as for competitive sailing.

Interested? If you would like to have a sail, or try your hand at crewing, or even charter or buy a boat, contact the Fleet for more information.