On Tuesday 14 April, Classic Boat Magazine announced the Award winners for 2026 at a champagne reception hosted by the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge, London. The large gathering included people from across the world from the UK to the USA and Australia representing every aspect of classic boating including several officers of the OGA: Mike Beckett, President, Georgina Tall, Younger Members’ Secretary and Beverley Yates, Eastcoaster Editor.
The Editor, Carl Richardson opened the proceedings with the following thoughts: “With so much turmoil in the world, it feels important to gather, share and celebrate. The people in this room, owners, designers, boatbuilders, from around the world, bring a shared passion, one that maintains virtues such as endeavour, craft, skill, and, of course, bloody-mindedness and lots of patience! Or, as we like to say at these awards, ‘boats are the most beautiful things ever created by the hand of man.’”
Winners associated with East Coast Gaffers included:
Woodbridge & Waldringfield Boatyard in the new Yards & Harbours award. This new Award attracted more votes than any other category, with all nominees, from around the world, enjoying support, but our historic River Deben Boatyard was the clear winner. Join us in celebrating this by signing up for the Deben Rally at the beginning of May.
In the inaugural year for the Rising Star Award it was presented the whole Class of 2025 at the Boat Building Academy, Lyme Regis, including young people now working at Spirit Yachts, Suffolk Yacht Harbour and Woodbridge & Waldringfield Boatyard.
The Classic Boater of the Year was awarded to Abbey Boatbuilder, based at Reedham in Norfolk.
Fox’s Marina & Boatyard was Highly Commended in the Restored Sailing Vessel over 40’ category for their work on the Nicholson 43 ‘Light Horse’. The project included a comprehensive refit including full deck replacement, topsides respray and significant engineering upgrades. Fox’s was also nominated in the Yards & Harbours category.
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