VINTAGE POND YACHTS

History of

POND YACHTS

Pond Yacths are boat models popularized by London clubs in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Since 1827 there are historical traces of a dozen Pond Yacths that were sailed and competed in the waters of Green Park pond in London, on Sunday morning or Monday afternoon. These regattas were very engaging, attracting large crowds and often giving rise to bets with large sums of money.

Their popularity did not take long to make itself felt in the United States (1920s-40s) where it became usual to see them sailing in the ponds of public parks.

In time and with the growth of their popularity, Pond Yachts were divided into classes, each with its own rating that allowed them to participate at the international competitions.

The constructive point of view of these small jewels is also very interesting. The more affluent social classes commissioned famous naval designers to design and build Pond Yachts that was made with planking like a real boat, while the less affluent classes entrusted the construction to small craftsmen or fishermen who made them by modeling a piece of wood and thus creating a full hull. In both cases the dimensions ranged from 2 to 3 feet.

Even the famous naval designer Dixon Kemp, considered the father of English yachting, was involved in the world of this miniature yacht to which he devoted himself for a long time becoming Commodore of the "Serpentine Model Yacht Club".


In our Pond Yachts

English Pond Yacht - Hollow pine wood hull with metal keel and lead ballast - Designer Dixon Kemp - Length 3.12 ft - Sail rig with bowsprit - Presumed early 1900s

English Pond Yacht - Mahogany planking hull with wooden keel and lead ballast - Designer Dixon Kemp - Length 3.48 ft - Sail rig with bowsprit - Presumed early 1900s

American Pond Yacht - Hollow pine wood hull with brass keel and lead ballast - Length 2.33 ft - Sail rig with bowsprit - Presumed early 1900s

English Pond Yacht - Name "ANNE" - Hollow pine wood hull with metal keel and lead ballast - Length 2.13 ft - Sloop rig - About 1930

English Pond Yacht - Hollow pine wood hull with wooden keel and lead ballast - Length 2.10 ft - Sloop rig - About 1900

English Pond Yacht - Name "ALBATROS" - Hollow pine wood hull with brass keel and lead ballast - Length 1.38 ft - Sloop rig with bowsprit - About 1910

English Pond Yacht - Solid beech wood hull with wooden keel and lead ballast - Length 1.97 ft - Sloop equipment - About 1900

American Pond Yacht - Solid beech wood hull with wooden keel and lead ballast - Length 1.64 ft - Sloop equipment - About 1900

English Pond Yacht - Solid beech wood hull with brass keel and lead ballast - Length 1.97 ft - Sloop rig - About 1950s

English Pond Yacht - Solid pine wood hull with wooden keel with bowsprit - Length 1.51 ft - Three-masted rig - About

 1800s

English Pond Yacht - Hollow hull in pine wood with metal keel, with bowsprit - Length 1.71 ft - Awning cutter rig - About 1800s

English Pond Yacht - Solid pine wood hull with wooden keel and lead ballast, with bowsprit - 1.08 ft length - Awning cutter rig - About 1920s

English Pond Yacht - Metal hull and lead ballast - Length 1.38 ft - Sloop rig - About 1950 - Manufacturer Tri-ang

Spanish Pond Yacht - Solid pine wood hull with metal keel - Length 0,88 ft - Sloop rig - About 1950 - Builder Giner

English Pond Yacht - Solid pine wood hull with metal keel - Length 1.51 ft - Sloop rig - About 1950 - Builder Bowman

English Pond Yacht - Name "STAR" - Solid pine wood hull with metal keel - Length 0.98 ft - Sloop rig - About 1950 - Builder Star Yacht

English Pond Yacht - Solid pine wood hull with metal keel and rudder - Length 1.75 ft - Sloop rig - About 1950s

English Pond Yacht - Solid pine wood hull with metal keel - Skipper Contender model - Length 0,83 ft - Sloop rig - About 1950

English Pond Yacht - Solid pine wood hull with wooden keel and lead ballast, with bowsprit - Length 1,80 ft - Sloop rig - About 1920

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