Island Life June July 2015 June July 2015 | Page 17

The

Classic Boat Museum
T

he Classic Boat Museum at Cowes
is one of the Island’s best visits.
Suitable for young and old alike. It has
something for everyone who is interested
in boating of all kinds. The museum has
an impressive array of boats as exhibits,
a great store of artefacts and one of the
best maritime libraries and archives in
the country. But straight off the bat I must
declare an interest – I love the Classic Boat
Museum. I visit it often and I volunteer there.
As a young person I was taken there by my
grandparents and was entranced by what I
found. I have been a regular ever since and
enjoy taking my own children there now.
This is what the museum says about itself:
‘Our aim is to raise the awareness of small
maritime craft and crafts, showing their
historic development.
The Museum exhibits restored boats and
associated artefacts, with records of the part
played in their construction and design by
companies and people of the Isle of Wight in
particular.
Whenever possible we aim to keep the
collection sea-worthy and used and we
welcome any offers of support, in time
or money, and offers of craft that may
complement and expand our collecting in
the future.’

Guest writer Mark Fox
continues with his series
looking at different
places of historical
interest on the Island
This issue he examines
The Classic Boat
Museum at Cowes
There is a great array of sailing and power
boats. From boats designed for river cruising
right through to fast racing dinghies.
Also on display are a huge range of pictures,
films, tools and kit associated with maritime
activity. The museum is not just about
preserving and displaying the history of boats
and boating. It is also practically involved in
fostering and supporting the preservation
and learning of practical skills going forward.
Currently a copy of an 1872 American-style
‘Cat Boat’ is being built. The museum is
passionate about preserve specialist maritime
skills for future generations.

The Museum opened its doors in 1996
with just a handful of boats and now has
more than 40 craft available for visitors to
see, including Uffa Fox’s WWII Airborne
Lifeboat, which saved more than 200 lives,
Lord Brabazon’s autogyro rigged Bembridge
Redwing and a boat fit for a Prince,
‘Coweslip’, HRH Prince Philip’s Flying Fifteen
class racing dinghy.
The museum started life as the private
collection of a few boats and materials of
a single person, but over the years it has
grown as a collection and vastly expanded
its resources. Rightly it attracts national and
international attention for its collection, and
also for its archive. It is consulted regularly
by national and international organisations,
which is a tremendous tribute to the skill and
expertise of the museum’s all volunteer team.
The Classic Boat Museum provides an
essential focus to Cowes and to the Island
as a whole. As a national and international
centre of sailing and boating of all kinds the
museum is an essential resource. It is a jewel
in the Island’s crown of visitor attractions.
Do visit, support and if you can volunteer
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