Norfolk Broads racing yacht restored to former glory

Sparklet, a Broads A-Class racing cruiser, was built in 1905 by boat builder Herbert Bunn of Hoveton to race Maidie, the only other known survivor of the famous fleet.

Rescued in 2020, Sparklet has since been restored at Broadland Boat Builders in St Olaves and earlier this month she made her long-awaited return to the Broads at Wroxham - sailing with Maidie for the first time since 1910. 

Sparklet, a restored Broads A-Class racing cruiser, at Wroxham Broad on Sunday (June 2) (Image: Supplied)Sparklet (48), restored at Broadland Boat Builders in St Olaves, Great Yarmouth, racing against Maidie (52) at Wroxham Broad on Sunday (June 2) (Image: Mike Barnes)

"She's been out of the water since 2019," Mike Barnes, Sparklet's owner and skipper of Maidie, said.

"After a three-year restoration, Sunday was her first sail in her restored condition. By chance we were able to put her out at the same time as Maidie, which was built the year before in 1904.

"It was the first time they had sailed head-to-head in 114 years. 

"Sparklet was discarded in 1911 and put up for auction with no reserve, but she didn't sell. She had nine feet of her stern cut off and was put to cruising use for many years.

"She has now been returned to racing form."

Sparklet sailing at Wroxham Broad (Image: Mike Barnes)

READ MORE: Landlords reveal tactics for packing out region's pubs during the Euros

Sparklet first appeared on the Broads racing scene in June 1905.

But her racing career lasted just six years and after failing to sell at auction she went to a nearby yard where 9ft of her long flowing stern was cut off to reduce her length so she could be repurposed as a holiday cruising yacht.

She later reappeared in the late 1950s and for 60 years she was in the care of the Green Wyvern Yacht Club, joining a mixed fleet of river cruisers used for youth training.

Her future was uncertain when she was laid up in 2019.

Mr Barnes stepped in and she has now been returned back to her original length and shape in a three-year restoration by Henry Harston and his team at Broadland Boat Builders using traditional methods and materials. 

Returning the hull back to shape and full length (Image: Mike Barnes)

Rebuilding the internal structure with sawn oak frames and steam bent timbers (Image: Mike Barnes)

Rebuilding the deck structure (Image: Mike Barnes)

Ready for launch after the restoration (Image: Mike Barnes)