Royal Mersey Yacht Club (RMYC) launched its fleet of classic yachts this spring and one of the important yachts to be launched this year is “Mersey” hull no 1, built in 1935 for Lord Derby whose forefather was the first Commodore of the Club in 1844.
Cliff Renshaw, a past Vice Commodore of the club, has spent the past 12 months restoring “Mersey” and she now looks resplendent in her red white and blue livery.
When he heard that his Great Grandfathers yacht had been restored the current Lord Derby said, “I am delighted the 17th Earl’s classic yacht “Mersey” which he had built in 1935 has been fully refurbished and am sure my Great Grandfather would be pleased to know his yacht will once again be sailing on the river Mersey under the flag of the Royal Mersey Yacht Club.”
The yacht was recently featured in the Classic Yacht magazine which reported that “Mersey was built to the design the famous Scottish naval architect by Alfred Mylne who was asked by the Club for a suitable day-racing boat for the high tides of the Mersey.
“She is a 25 feet Bermudian rigged open sloop, carvel built on oak scantlings with running backstays and the option of a small spinnaker. “It’s a very very pretty boat,” says the new owner and long time RMYC member Cliff Renshaw who previously sailed an Etchells one design for many years but is looking for more gentle racing on the river.
“The structural work was carried out by local boat builder Huw Williams including some new planking and gunwales. The painting was done by the neighbour of Cliff Renshaw and Cliff has done the varnishing himself and is now in the process of renewing the running rigging ready for her launching to join the rest of the classic yachts at the club for one design racing on the Mersey.”
John Collingwood, Commodore of RMYC said he is delighted that ‘Mersey’ has been restored and is looking forward to her sail once again on the river.
He added that anyone who interest in classic yachts would be welcome to come down the club, meet the skippers and perhaps go sailing in these beautiful yachts.
Readers can contact the RMYC at commodore@royalmersy.co.uk 
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