We at Boatshed Cowes.com are pleased to announce our support for the classic boat museum at East Cowes & thank them for their hospitality on their opening day.

The Classic Boat Centre Trust

This voluntary run Trust has two fascinating and informative maritime sites both worth a special visit.

The Classic Boat Museum in Albany Road East Cowes provides, undercover, a unique collection of small historic boats, all of which earn their place in our rich national maritime heritage and that of the Island in particular. Internationally known craft such as ‘Sopranino’ and the solo row boat ‘Britannia 1’, both having crossed the Atlantic are alongside WWII military and powerful motor boats. An elegant Thames pleasure launch and 19th century Island yachts shelter a folding dinghy, a coracle and a state of the art Olympic gold medal winner! All these exhibits are shown with their stories although a personal guide is sometimes available. No maritime display is complete without the explanation of the ancient crafts involved and there are excellent examples of these, including work in progress on restorations. All the boats in the Museum are occasionally put to sea and so in the adjacent shed volunteers are working on the latest restoration project which is on view to the public with usually the opportunity to talk to the experts.

At Columbine Road in East Cowes the Classic Boat Gallery has a permanent collection of maritime photographs and artwork relating to early 20th Century yachting especially the elegant large J-Class yachts. Stories of the boats themselves, the crews and the owners are shown with some original artefacts. Always there too, are the original items from Gypsy Moth IV . In future, modern technology will enable visitors to learn in depth how voyages around the world are undertaken. Treasured also, are the trophies and honours won by a Cowes lady, Ellen McArthur, which provide a splendid centrepiece to the Cowes room. Each season there is a special exhibition, and this tear it has been some of the beautiful Trophies won in the early years of large speed boats by Betty Carstairs. Other Island personalities are featured too, Uffa Fox, the well known yacht designer, then the work of three generations of ‘Beken the Photographers’. Items too are on display relating to Saunders –Roe and J S Whites. These famous names are part of the nation’s maritime heritage, of Cowes and the Island, all of which the Classic Boat Centre Trust is committed to preserving.

The Museum and Gallery are open Tues.-Sat. 10.00 -4.00 April –Oct. and in
Winter:- Nov- March 10.30 -3.30 Tues, Fri. Sat.
( except Christmas Day and New Years Day)
Max Admission fee £5.00 for both sites combined.
Groups are welcome by prior arrangement.

See www.classicboatmuseum.org or Tel 244101 or 290006