Learn to sail with an RYA Certified Course Instructor on the
beautiful 40' sailing yacht 'Callidus'
About Us
About the boat - Callidus
The 'Callidus' was built in Essex, UK in 1952, she is a classic 40 foot wooden-built sail boat. One of the few remaining wooden vessels in England, a rare gem, from an era when yachts were honed by the hands of true craftsmen, rather than today's fiberglass assembly lines:
Yacht “Callidus” is a sail training yacht operated by the sailing school Dream to Reality with Richard Wells as sailing master.
This 40’ wooden yacht was designed in 1947 by Norman Dallimore a well known East Coast designer.
The original plans of the hull and sails are available on the boat for inspection.
The yacht was then built on the river Orwell at Pin Mill by Harry King & Son and launched in 1952. A photo of the yacht prior to launching is available.
The boat yard is still in existence and when sailing in the river Orwell we sometimes pick up a mooring and row ashore to the pub – The Butt and Oyster which is adjacent to the boatyard.
The Callidus was purchased by the sailing school in 2003 in a fairly run down condition. After much time and effort the hull, rigging and deck fittings were all refurbished to the original design by and large. The yacht was then inspected by the MCA maritime coastguard agency and given a commercial certificate to operate as a sail training vessel.
The Callidus since has been sailed and cruised extensively over the past few years on the East Coast and South Coast of England as well as to Holland, France and Belgium.
Yacht “Callidus” has proved herself to be a good sail training and cruising yacht in the traditional style of wooden yachts.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard for a chat, for some sailing training or for a summer or winter cruise.
The Callidus is a true work of art:
Click here to view pictures of the 'Callidus'.
About your Sailing Instructor:
'Born to Sail' - Richard Wells has over 40 years of sailing experience. A chartered accountant and now an RYA Certified Sailing Course Instructor, who also teaches International Navigation at The London University.
- He is a humourous and laid back sailing instructor who also has a great sense of sailing safety.
... Please don't get Richard confused with:
Ernest Hemingway, the author of 'The Old Man and the Sea' which was published in 1952, the same year as the classic 'Callidus' was built.
| Richard Wells | Ernest Hemingway |
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