The 22 foot pocket sized keelboat provides some of the best value racing at the north of Britain’s premier annual sailing regatta, and this season a bumper entry is expected on the waters of Loch Fyne over the bank holiday weekend, not least because the regatta appeals to crews who will compete at the Sonata class UK National Championships which take place on the Clyde off Helensburgh two weeks after the end of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series. Already boats from all over Scotland and the North of England have plans for three big Sonata events in succession, the Savills Kip Regatta, Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series and the UK championships all following one after the other.
One of the virtues of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series is that the top award, the Scottish Series Trophy, goes to the standout overall performance in a class which is considered competitive, and that does not necessarily mean big budgets with big ‘rock star’ crews.
Indeed the top trophy has been won three times in the past by the winner of the Sonata class, in 1998 by Simon Pender on Red Hot Poker, in 1993 by Steve Goacher on Saraband, and in 1998 by Graham Campbell on Kooshtie.
The 22 foot cruiser-racer which was designed in 1976 by David Thomas, and they have been popular in Scotland virtually since then. As well as being the perfect entry level cruiser-racer for younger owners, so there are many who have been happy to stay with the Sonata throughout their sailing careers. The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series fleet will feature owners crews from student to post retirement age.
Around 15 Sonatas are expected to line up to compete at this season’s Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series.
Glasgow’s Euan Aitken raced as crew in the Sonata fleet for five years until ten years ago, and returns this season as a boat owner-skipper with his 30 year old Wicked Wookie.
“The thing about the Sonata is that there is nothing else like it. The racing is very close and even, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to get good racing. I reckon the boat cost me about £3000 and I’ve got some sails since, but if it was kept on a mooring like some people my sailing would not cost me more than £100 a month. You can get a Sonata for between £3000 and £5000 and then the upkeep and costs really are not a lot.
“There is a great atmosphere in the class, everyone helps everyone else and that means that you can learn quickly how to make the boat go well enough to be competitive.” Says Aitken, a former national team ski racer who works as a garage manager.
Budgets are such that Aitken’s crew of four will sleep aboard their boat during the regatta, as will approximately half of the other competing teams.
“Sure, it can be quite unpleasant and cramped at night, and you are always aware that as a wet spinnaker goes below during a race, that it will be soaking your bunk, but that’s the way it is, but the racing is certainly a good reward for a little hardship, though as well as wanting good winds this season, we would certainly welcome it not being too cold!” says Aitken.
“Of all the sailing I have done, without doubt I enjoy sailing my Sonata best. I am not a fan of sailing with a computer or a calculator to know if you are winning in a handicap class.”
Lake District Sailmaker Steve Goacher, who has won the UK National Sonata title more than 10 times will challenge for the UK title again at Helensburgh in his legendary ‘Eric The Boat’, and will race with a customer at Tarbert in the IRC fleet:
“I’m really looking forward to getting back in the boat. It is a very cheap boat to sail and the thing is that there really is nothing which has come along to replace the Sonata. It is great one design racing, relatively easy to get up to speed but the key is learning to change gears, to keep the boat moving well when the winds rise and fall.” Says Goacher.
For further information about the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series, log on to www.brewindolphinscottishseries.com
