I have a real appreciation of the history of working sailboat form and function, and have focused my interest on building new boats that combine the best of the working boat evolution that peaked before the age of steam, with the advances of Naval Architecture that proceeded. I endeavour  to build excellent yachts that maintain the wonderful aesthetic and sea keeping qualities of the working boat hull and rig, with the improvements in performance allowed by a more scientific understanding of hull form and ballast.

To my mind the American designer John Alden was the greatest master of this synergy and his line of Malabar Schooners are the finest examples of his work.

According to Clifford Swaine (one of Alden’s chief designers) The Malabar IV was always Alden’s favourite.

The Malabar IV was designed with cruising and some racing in mind. She proved to be remarkably competitive, winning 8 races out of 8 starts in 1923 – her first season. One of these was an impressive win over a fleet of 22 boats in the New London-Bermuda race which launched John Alden as a leading designer of Ocean Racing Yachts.

100 years later!

After many years of dreaming, studying Alden’s books and plans, accumulating timber, building a strong business and developing the right workshop space, the time is right for me to build what I consider to be the most elegant, soulful and capable sailing yacht of all time.

Photograph of the first Malabar IV 

At 47ft on deck, 12ft beam and weighing 17 tonnes; with 2 masts, a graceful counter stern and wheel steering, the Malabar IV will present an exciting new set of challenges compared to our previous transom sterned cutter rigged builds. I am relishing the task and looking forward to seeing this graceful creature take shape, whilst sharing my enthusiasm with a select group of talented woodworkers who wish to further their knowledge and gain boatbuilding skills from the experience of crafting such a fine vessel from the keel up.

Martyn Mackrill’s painting of the infamous 1927 Fastnet race, showing the Malabar schooner ‘La Goleta’ (Left) and ‘Tally Ho’ battling to the finish line.

In the Fastnet Ocean Race of 1927, on August 13th, 15 yachts made the start in a light southwesterly breeze, but soon there was strong wind and rain with visibility so poor the boats lost sight of each other. Over the following days the gales continued and one by one the competitors fell back with ripped sails and broken spars. By the time the wind abated, the only two boats left standing were the Schooner La Goleta (built in England to the same design as Malabar VIII) and the cutter Tally Ho, ( designed by Albert Strange). They rounded the Fastnet Rock in sight of each other and the leg home became a private battle to the end, after 608 miles and with just 42 mins between them at the finish, La Goleta was first over the line but Tally Ho won on corrected time.

Since 2017 Tally Ho has undergone a complete rebuild, beautifully documented on the popular YouTube channel by her owner Leo Sampson Goolden. Leo intends to race Tally Ho once again in the Fastnet 2027.

100 years later, could the old rivals re-match?

Well sadly La Goleta has been unheard of for many years, however I think it would be a very exciting prospect to race a newly built Malabar Schooner against Tally Ho in 2027,

That gives just 2 years to build the boat and complete the qualifying races.

The race is ON!