Memory Racing

In the 80's and early 90's there was a tremendous surge in one design racing, with classes such as the Sigma 33 and the lively Melges 24 producing large start line number at weekly events, racing at close quarters for prestigious line honors. However in recent years there has been a certain resurgence in the more traditional classes, such as the XOD and Folkboat, often with a more 'open' rule book that allows owners a certain amount of 'tinkering'. The gaffers are no exception; you only have to look at the magnificent Falmouth Working Boats, where below the wooden decks there is a maze of dyneema and Harken blocks that gives course and fine tuning on just about everything.

With over 150 Memorys now in existence, owners have established their own group racing, pushing their Memory's slightly more than they would normally do, but enjoying the close quarter racing and a pint afterwards int he local waterside tavern. Some of the Traditional Gaffer events around the country now host their own Memory Class Cup, as well as competitive racing against the rest of the Gaffer fleet. The Solent fleet is very active during the summer months, racing a couple of times a month and in the interests of keeping things simple for single handers and making sure all boats are the same, they are race under working jib and mainsail only. In Brightlingsea, being the spiritual home of the Memory, there is a big East Coast following where they have won their classes and had outright wins in most of the numerous gaff rig events held there over the last few years.

The Memory can carry up to 500sg.ft. of sail, yet remain remarkably stable and seaworthy, she is fast boat when compared to many similar craft of her size. With requests for 'racing specification' Memory's we now offer this with the same working sail plan, but the addition of a topsail and extra halyards for a Gennaker, and without side buoyancy tanks to create extra room in the cockpit. With being build to order almost any modification can be accommodated, and I'm sure it will not be long before a 'Harken' boat leaves our workshops.

More information reagrding Memory Racing can be found on the Memory Owners Association website.