UK charter company, Berkeley Marine Ltd, has been successful in winning the competitive tender for the seven RYA First Class 8s.

There was much competition for the boats which have delivered excellent match and team education and racing at many centres across the UK, with Berkeley Marine coming out on top. The company intend to add the boats to their already growing fleet of charter yachts and will be offering them for corporate events, challenge programmes, training and as part of a new race series which is due to be announced in late summer.

Tim Tavinor, who has managed the build process of both Shirley Robertson’s Yngling and Ben Ainslie’s Finn for the Athens Olympics will be handling the refurbishment of the Match Racing Fleet. Tavinor said: “I am very pleased to be involved in this project, Berkeley Marine have some exciting plans for the boats that should open up many new opportunities to a growing audience.”

Rob MacKay, Managing Director of Berkeley Marine added: “Our successful purchase of the former RYA Match Racing Fleet represents a significant result for the hard working management team at Berkeley Marine in the face of strong competition from established sailing venues and others. The considerable investment we have made on the purchase of the fleet of First 8s will now continue through to their complete refurbishing after which they will be offered to the corporate, club, youth and private charter for match, team and fleet racing. We are delighted!”

The boats will be predominantly centred on the east coast, filling a big gap in the region, but will be moving round the country as required.

For charter details contact bookings@berkeleymarine.co.uk or telephone 01245 211977.