Above: Star Shell’s hull being stripped back prior to works starting
The ‘Stella Story’ at SYH harks back to when the harbour was originally founded in 1967. Amongst its founding members was the yacht designer Kim Holman. Alongside the Twister, Kim’s most famous design was the Stella: a 26ft, clinker-built sloop designed for coastal racing.
Holman designed his first Stella in 1958 and in total 102 Stellas were built, and many enjoyed racing successes. To quote Classic Boat magazine, “Despite launching just a day before Burnham Week, La Vie en Rose (the first Stella to be built) won all her seven races, sweeping the board so conclusively that competitors assumed the ratings office had made a mistake.”
Fast forward to present day and SYH’s commitment to and knowledge of the Stella are stronger than ever. The workshop has fully restored four Stellas to date and has supported the rescue of ten abandoned boats from across the UK. Stellas have been racing at the annual SYH Classic Regatta since it was founded in 2002. In 2009, at the 50th anniversary of the Stella, there were an impressive 15 Stellas racing at the regatta.
SYH Chairman Jonathan Dyke commented, “SYH has always had a strong association with wooden boats and the link to Kim Holman gives us a certain historical responsibility to keep Stellas alive. They are wonderful boats and a joy to sail, whether you are pottering around on the river or racing competitively as they were originally designed to do.”
Two Stellas, Star Shell and Stella Munter, were welcomed into the SYH workshops simultaneously for refits and here we take a closer look at the projects.
Built by Rowhedge, Stella Munter is hull number 65, believed to have been built in 1962. Star Shell is particularly special as she is hull number 2 and Kim Holman’s own yacht, built in 1959 by Tucker Brown. Upon arrival into the workshops, both yachts were almost completely stripped prior to renovation, redecking, and sheathing.
When she first arrived at SYH in 2023, Star Shell was very tired and in need of restoration.
SYH Managing Director Joshua Major said, “Despite having been protected from the elements by her previous owner, Star Shell had been neglected and prior to her arrival at SYH she had been out of the water for many years. Due to the nature of clinker-built boats, if they are not maintained they will deteriorate, and this was the case with Star Shell.”
Following her original launch in 1959, Star Shell was continually used and enjoyed for many years, cruising from Cornwall through the French canals and on to the Mediterranean.
Joshua Major added, “When she arrived at SYH, Star Shell had an outboard bracket on her transom but no engine and not much else. After assessing her, we established she was structurally sound and with skill, care, and attention she could be brought back to life.”
Upon closer inspection, the team at SYH discovered Star Shell’s steel centreline fastenings and keel bolts had badly corroded. The copper hull fastenings were tired and no longer secure.
Localised re-fastenings were removed and replaced, and copper nails and roves were extracted, and new ones fitted. Structural floors, bulkheads, the keel and the rudder were all removed. The deck and coachroof ply were stripped, and the chainplates were removed.
As Joshua Major commented, “This was a case of if you are doing it, do it properly. We didn’t hold back.”
The hull condition was patchy at best, and a considerable number of planks had to be reinstated due to cracks or rot. Ribs and deck beams had to be removed, and new ones scarfed or steamed before engine beds were made and fitted. New ply was laid on the deck and coachroof.
Once the work was complete on the inside of the hull, she was rolled over for sheathing, a practice becoming more popular for clinker boats to lessen the maintenance and give them structural longevity.
When asked about the merits of sheathing, Joshua commented, “It’s a no brainer for clinker-built boats. Unfortunately, we have seen too many that are vulnerable to unsustainable water ingress. Sheathing is the safeguard that keeps these boats alive and secure for the future.”
When faced with a leaking Stella, the alternative to sheathing is refastening (and effectively tightening) the planks.
Jonathan Dyke added, “For a wooden clinker of this age, 60-70 years on from its original build date, refastening is fraught with risk. It is unlikely to provide sufficient hull integrity to prevent leaks and water ingress for the long term.”
After sheathing on both boats is complete, Star Shell and Stella Munter will be rolled back over and work to the decks and interior will continue.
Out of the ten Stellas SYH has rescued, with the support of Stella owner and enthusiast Andrew Gilmour (owner of Stella Timoa), there are a group on the hardstanding at the harbour waiting to be lovingly restored. Stella number 96, Lys of Slaughden, and number 3 Peacock have both recently been sold to a local young families, does this indicate the start of the next generation of Stella owners?
Jonathan Dyke said, “A Stella is a lovely piece of classic boat history that is easy to sail and once sheathed is manageable to maintain. Whether it’s sailing with children and grandchildren or racing at classic regattas, the Stella is a versatile, pretty little boat that will always have a home at SYH.”
To find out more about available Stellas or for information on Stella restoration at SYH, contact jonathan@syharbour.co.uk or call 01473 659465.