Dozens of the iconic Hurley sailing boats designed and built in Plymouth are returning to Britain’s Ocean City this summer to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the line
The Hurley Owners’ Association is celebrating half a century since the Hurley 18 and 22 were created, staging a weekend-long event in Plymouth called ‘Bring Your Hurley Home’. Between July 22nd and July 24th King Point Marina in Millbay will host some 40 Hurley vessels in celebration of the milestone anniversary. The highlight will be a major social event held at the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club on Saturday 23rd July.
Stephen Dart from the Hurley Owners’ Association said: “We’re delighted to be staging the Bring Your Hurley Home event this summer to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the new Hurley line here in Plymouth where it all began. This will be a free event open to anyone with an interest in the Hurley line of boats, and we are especially keen to make contact with ex-Hurley Marine employees, or anyone who was involved with the creation of Hurley boats during the last 50 years.”
Boats will gather at King Point Marina during the afternoon of July 22nd. There will be a sail-past on Saturday 23rd before the social evening and presentation at the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club, which itself has close historical links to the line as George Hurley was a keen member of the club, and was presented with a plaque by the club in 1986 to celebrate his retirement.
Organisers hope to gather as many ex-Hurley Marine workers as possible on the balcony of the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club from 12pm until 3pm on Saturday 23rd, to witness the sail-past and to chat about old times.
On the Sunday boat owners will walk from King Point Marina to nearby Richmond Walk, where early Hurley Marine and South Coast Marine Hurleys were built, and where a plaque will be unveiled.
During its heyday, Hurley Marine was one of the UK’s largest boat builders and at its peak turned out 17 completed boats a week. Two of the most famous designs were the Hurley 18 and the Hurley 22, of which more than 1,200 were built, and many were exported to Europe and the USA. Both remain popular sailing boats today, outliving many more recent designs.
For more information about the event or to register to take part, visit www.hurleyownersassociation.co.uk