GRP New Build & Repair

GRP Sunbeam New Build

Sunbeam Class look to the future

A Class  resolution permitting trials of a  GRP Hull and deck  was agreed in February 2010.  The moulding was done by Mark Downer of AM Structures on the IOW and Theo Rye was the consultant Naval architect. Teak joinery and fit out are done at Haines Boatyard. The first GRP Sunbeam, V61 Betty, arrived in Itchenor during May 2010.

Using timber purchased from a marine industry supplier who specialises in high quality timber from exclusively sustainable origins.

Haines made and fitted the following joinery items during the 6 week fit out period.

• Coamings round the cockpit
• Covering boards and toe rails
• Under deck cam cleat organiser
• Mast step
• Cockpit floor, Teak gratings and cockpit seats
• Ash Tiller.

6 coats of varnish were applied to all the joinery. The fit out included an electric bilge pump, manual bilge pump, echo sounder and hinging tiller.

Custom-made stainless fittings included a mainsheet barney post,  ‘T’- mounted chain plates, adjustable backstay fitting, bow stem head roller fitting and mast ram. 

The bottom was prepared and four coats of Coppercoat epoxy antifouling applied.

V61, Betty competed in two  IOW regattas, Classic Cowes & Cowes week. 

On return from the Cowes regattas she underwent a successful ‘test sinking’ to check her buoyancy.

Three further GRP composite Sunbeams were moulded during the winter 2010/11.

One of which V64, Maisy, was fitted out and launched by Haines in July 2011, winning her first Cowes race on July 29th in the RYS Regatta.