The Devon Yawl class turned
40 last year and is still going
strong. Built in GRP with
mahogany seats and thwart
and a simulated clinker hull,
this 5m (16ft) dayboat is stable,
heavy and sturdy, thanks to her
51kg internal ballast and 68kg
centreplate, which together
give her a ballast ratio akin
to that of a modern cruising
yacht. She is a beamy boat
with a large, roomy cockpit
that can easily accommodate
four adults. But despite her
heavy displacement, this is a
surprisingly responsive and
rewarding boat to sail in light
airs. A variant, the Devon
Dayboat, has a cuddy cabin on
the same hull for overnighting.
Devon Yawls are still built by several yards. There’s a strong class association
and active fleets on the Exe, Yealm and Dart rivers, in Pembrokeshire and
in Chichester Harbour.

LOA 5.57m (18ft 3in) LOD 4.88m (16ft) Beam 1.88m (6ft 2in) Draught 1.37m (4ft 6in)
with plate down, 0.28m (11in) with plate up Displacement 436kg (950lb)
Class association www.devonyawl.org