21/09/2026
Arriving from the Helford River, Cornwall, after a 2-day sail. My wife and I visited your excellent club, where we met Sailing Manager Mark McGibney. After describing our boat, he kindly invited us to berth alongside your clubhouse, as a berth was free for a few days.
We were on passage to participate in this year's Richard Mille Cup on the Clyde, with Patna, having won the cup for her class at the 2024 event at Cowes.
Patna was designed and built in 1920 by Camper and Nicholson as a Marconi gaff cutter. 56‘ on deck. 72’ overall with a 12’ bowsprit and only a 38’ waterline, yet sporting 2,300 sq ft of sail. She is unique in retaining her original interior, with mahogany saloon and button velvet upholstery. We still use cotton sails, though we rerigged her as a gaff yawl with 1720 sq ft during a major restoration completed in 2012 so that my wife, Katie Fontana, and I could manage the boat between us, except when racing with 6 crew. Katie and I have sailed previously throughout the Mediterranean and this summer we went on to cruise the Western Isles up to Lewis before returning to visit your club in late August, before the passage back to Cornwall.
In case any of your members are interested, Patna is a remarkable and comfortable seaboat and is now for sale. We can be contacted by email. Many thanks for the friendly hospitality of your club and members.
Greg Powlesland, Captain
