Sea Scamp is a classic wooden sailing yacht with a facinating history. Named 2026 National Flagship by National Historic Ships UK, we are proud to be welcoming visitors aboard at the Southampton Boat Show.
On her 90th anniversary, this year she has been flying the flag for British Maritime heritage at Classic regattas in home waters and in France. A Bermudan sloop in the 50m square rigged class, she was built in 1936 by Abeking and Rassmussen for the German Luftwaffe. She was brought to the UK in 1945 by the Royal Navy as part of the “Windfall Fleet”.
Today she is sailed and maintained by volunteers. Based in Southampton she sails in the Solent and spend her summers cruising further afield as far as France, the Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland.
Please come and step aboard: we are looking for new members, and we will be offering attractive show packages.
HOW TO SAIL ON SEA SCAMP – join the Club!
Sea Scamp is operated as a members’ club. You will be able to join the Sea Scamp Syndicate as a Provisional Member and sail with us for a trial period, after which you may apply to be elected as a full Member. No previous experience needed. On board training is available if member wish to improve their skills.
We offer single, family, young cadet and out of port memberships.
Club members have the opportunity to participate in the maintenance and restoration of the vessel.
Sea Scamp offers also a Friends membership for supporters who do not sail.
You will have to fill a Provisional Member form for insurance purposes and pay a provisional membership fee.
If you would like to join us for a trial sail as a Provisional Member, let us know by email to [email protected] or join at the show with one of the offers available.
In 2026 we are having an exciting itinerary for our 90th year, Cowes Spring Classics, Classic Channel Regatta then cruising North Brittany and the West Country.
In other years Sea Scamp was attended the D Day Celebrations at Ouistreham, attended Little Ships Club Calais Rallies, cruised to Western Isles of Scotland, South Ireland, East coast of England and Holland as well as extensive cruising along the Atlantic coast of France We usually sail in the Solent in the spring and autumn with a long summer cruise, changing crew each week, in July and August.
THE SEA SCAMP SYNDICATE
In 1984 the Admiralty offered up Sea Scamp for sale – the last Windfall for about £9, 000 – she was purchased by a group of friend who formed the Sea Scamp Syndicate who have sailed and maintained her ever since. The Syndicate, really a members club has over 100 members and friends.
Sea Scamp is registered with the RYA and with the National Historic Ships UK and flies their ensign.
AWARDS
2026 – National Historic Ships UK (NHS-UK) has appointed Sea Scamp as one of four historic vessels to act as its Flagships of the Year for 2026 and ‘fly the flag’ for maritime heritage.
2022 – “Best Maintained and Turned out Boat” award in recognition of the remarkable restoration and maintenance of a classic yacht, and the dressing overall at the end of the “Calais Rally”, Calais, 28 May 2022, Organized by The Little Ship Club (London) and Le Club de L’Amitié (Calais).
2014 – “Coupe de Patrimoine”, La Rochelle Maritime Museum, France.
“The jury wanted to highlight the perfect preservation of this extraordinary boat, which, without having undergone major restoration work, seems to have come straight out of the Abeking & Rasmussen yard”
Sea Scamp was awarded in recognition of the exemplary restoration of a classic yacht, at the end of the “Coupe des Deux Phares, Brest – La Rochelle Race” Organised by the Yacht Club Classique.
1948 and 1949 Sea Scamp came first and second in Dartmouth Royal Naval College rallies in a fresh breeze.
MAST APPEAL
Sea Scamp, is now 90 years old and as a challenge that will define her future. Her original Sitka spruce mast, in service since launch, has finally reached the end of its life. A crack discovered after lift‑out last year has been temporarily repaired, allowing her to sail this season. To keep Sea Scamp seaworthy and active for decades ahead, the mast must be replaced this year in time for the 2027 season.
A new mast, built by Collars of Oxford to her original 15.4 m design, will restore her balance, performance, and authenticity. A generous £1,000 grant from National Historic Ships UK has kick started the fundraising, but £19,000 still needs to be raised.
Whether £1 or £1,000, every contribution helps. Your support today ensures that Sea Scamp continues to sail, inspire, and carry her remarkable story into the future for the benefit of all.
Please donate HERE Thank you!
50 SQUARE METRE CLASS (GERMAN RULES)
BUILT – 1936, by Abeking and Rassmussen to the order of the Luftwaffe, for navigator training (The Versailles treaty after WW1 restricted the number of aircraft allowed) and Officer recreation. The original name was “ZEISIG” , which means Siskin – a little thrush and also Scamp or Rascal in Old German. The class comprised 105 vessels built between 1928 and 1939 of which the “Kriegsmarine” (German Navy) and Luftwaffe commissioned over 30 between 1935 and 1939.
CAPTURED – At Kiel in 1945. All German state-owned yachts were taken over as War Reparations – they were later christened the “Windfall Fleet” and offered to the Yacht Clubs or Training Units of all three Services. Some also went to Commonwealth Countries, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
SERVICE OWNERS – Initially the Royal Marines, who renamed her Sea Scamp. She was then successively owned by Royal Navy at Plymouth, Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, Royal Navy at Plymouth and finally loaned to the Sea Cadet Corps.
She was successfully raced by the Royal Marines, notably 2nd in the 1948 Plymouth to Belle Isle Race and a 2nd & 3rd in her Class at the 1953 Cowes Week.
PRESENT OWNERS – “The Sea Scamp Syndicate” Club was formed in 1984 to buy her from the Admiralty for £8,390. She is believed to be the last Windfall yacht to be disposed of by the Ministry of Defence.
Above deck Sea Scamp looks just about the same as when she was built in 1936, down below she looks the same as when she was re-modelled by the Royal Navy in 1946.
MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION – Since 1984 SEA SCAMP undergone seemingly continuous annual refits, servicing equipment, repairing and renewing as necessary – as much of the jobs being carried out by members. Major structural work carried out by Shipwrights. 1992 New Deck – pine on plywood sub base. 1999 Lower 6 strakes replaced with pitch pine, floors replaced with Iroko. In 2013 Upper port bow planking replaced – mahogany. Over the years many of the frames have either been replaced or sistered, nearly all fastening and bolts replaced with silicon bronze.
Photographs – Acknowledgement to Beken, John Green, John Stork and our members.
