As a young and enthusiastic teenager, new to big boat racing I remember well the impact that David Thomas designs had in the wild and whacky IOR days of the 1970s. From the Sonatas to the Intros and many more, his boats frequently took the silverware and represented some of the most exciting times and the rapid development in big boat sailing. But David Thomas’ influence spread much further.

As the work of Britain’s most prolific and influential yacht designer and the former Yachting World assistant editor was celebrated in style at a Royal Southern Yacht Club dinner, I took the opportunity to talk to him about some of the many memorable moments in an extraordinary career.

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The Royal Southern’s David Thomas Regatta (that was postponed due to bad weather) has been rescheduled to take place on Saturday August 23rd.