#squib – The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has cancelled a licence for the building of the Squib keelboat in the UK, according to a report on its website, leaving the class – that has a strong following in Ireland – without a builder.
The RYA reports that whilst some classes have a number of different builders producing boats, the Squib has been built since 2009 by BP Sailboats based in Essex. Unfortunately, there have been a recent series of events which have led to the RYA having to withdraw the licence issued to BP Sailboats.
Bas Edmonds, RYA Technical and Racing Services Manager explains: "The purpose of the RYA's involvement within classes such as the Squib is to protect its design integrity and to ensure that any developments within the class are controlled and considered before being voted on. However it came to light that BP Sailboats had modified the keel pattern without approval and when the RYA came to arrange an inspection we were informed that the company were no longer trading in the UK. We had no alternative but to initiate a one month cancellation clause within our licence with BP Sailboats which will prohibit BP Sailboats from building Squibs."
"It has come to light that as part closing down the moulds, which we and the NSOA firmly believe belong to the Squib Class, have been moved to an undisclosed location."
This leaves the Squib Class with no licenced builder and no knowledge of the whereabouts of its moulds.
