Olympic Sailing Stars Launch Classic Boat Museum’s Landmark 30th Season

The Isle of Wight’s Classic Boat Museum has officially launched its 30th season, with Olympic champion Shirley Robertson and renowned yachtsman Harold Cudmore among those celebrating the milestone.

Around 150 guests attended the launch event at the museum’s Medina Village site, where plans were also unveiled to further develop the attraction into a major maritime heritage destination for the Island.

The museum, which previously operated across sites in Cowes and East Cowes, is now fully based at Medina Village and houses more than 100 boats alongside a wide collection of maritime artefacts and archives.

Its exhibits range from historic dinghies and lifeboats to powerboats and Sir Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup AC75 racing yacht.

Speaking at the event, chairman Michael Loftus said the museum was entering an exciting new chapter, with ambitions to expand its activities and strengthen its role within the Island’s maritime heritage sector.

He revealed that a grant-funded scoping study, carried out with heritage consultants and local surveyors, had produced “overwhelmingly positive” results for the future development of the site.

Mr Loftus also highlighted plans including a partnership with the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, the return of the historic royal Flying Fifteen yacht Coweslip, and the creation of a Maritime Heritage Trail as part of the forthcoming Cowes 200 celebrations.

“With its rich maritime heritage, the Island deserves a destination visitor attraction in Cowes, linking maritime heritage with maritime skills and jobs,” he said.

He also paid tribute to the museum’s volunteers, praising their efforts in helping build and sustain the organisation over the past three decades.

Double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson, who became the first British woman to win gold medals at consecutive Olympic Games, spoke of the museum’s importance both personally and professionally.

“As a sailor, it has some fascinating exhibits and as a journalist I find its archive invaluable,” she said.

Former America’s Cup training skipper Harold Cudmore warned that many of Cowes’ historic sailing stories risk being forgotten without institutions such as the museum preserving them for future generations.

“This museum and its exhibits help us remember what a part the town has played in the history of sailing,” he said.

The Classic Boat Museum is now open for the season from 11am until 3pm, Tuesday to Friday.