Name Sparklet

SPARKLET is a Broads A-Class racing cruiser from the Edwardian era, built to beat Maidie (Nat. Historic Ships Registry No:1934) in 1905 by Herbert Bunn of Wroxham. These boats were typified by long overhangs with counter stern and spoon bow, very low freeboard and a vast cloud of sail area specifically to race for prize money in the open flat waters of the Norfolk Broads.

Rescued in 2020 when in danger of being broken up, she has since been restored at Broadland Boatbuilders St Olaves by IBTC Graduate Henry Harston and owner Mike Barnes. She first appeared in the racing scene on the Broads in June 1905, at a time when that class was at its peak, but shortly after racing tended towards one-design racing here, and most of the class disappeared between the wars to an uncertain end, with just two known survivors now, MAIDIE & SPARKLET.

Her racing career was just 5 regatta seasons before being discarded and sold at auction with no reserve in 1911, and then having fully 9ft of her counter sawn off and her rig cut down to render her handy enough for cruising use, whereafter she remained hidden in plain sight for the next 40 years, owner and whereabouts unknown. She reappeared in the late 1950s and for the last 60 years has been in the care of the Green Wyvern Yacht Club to whom she owes her post war survival, but who finally relinquished her 2 years ago into the care of the present owners.

SPARKLET has now been returned back to her original length and shape, in a faithful restoration using only tradition methods and materials. The intention is to organise a match race head-to-head with MAIDIE in 2024 some 114 years after they last raced against each other. Her history was all but forgotten or for the most part unknown, the emerging story is fascinating but as yet incomplete, most notably the significance of her builder Herbert Bunn, father of renowned boatbuilder Graham Bunn, founder of Windboats.

Her restoration has revealed that he had been responsible for some of the most significant racing craft to be built here in the Edwardian era but had largely been forgotten due to his premature death in 1911. It is the intention to publish a full history with an illustrated account of the restoration in due course, once the boat is back in to commission.