Memories of Zenith

One of the great delights among sailors is the experience of sharing our stories. Often hair raising at the time, the adventures and mishaps we have on our boats eventually become tall tales that we love to tell.

Zenith, a 1924 Fife Six Metre, was owned between 1952 and 1971 by John Reeve-Fowks and his friend Steve. She was converted to a cruiser and they and their families spent every available weekend sailing her on the Solent. This is a particularly interesting and rare account, simply because of the fact that Six Metre sailing in the UK during this post-war period was very quiet. During the 1950s and 1960s only a handful of Sixes remained in the UK, with most of the fleet having been sold overseas.

In 1991 John wrote about his memories of the boat, which are now included in the archive. (See archive record SPTY.12.1). Sadly we have been unable to find the copyright holder for this text, but we have transcribed them here in full in good faith, and for your enjoyment.