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15:00 Saturday 8 Aug 2015 Sue Pelling/CWLOldest boat in fleet set to challenge the youngsters

Madcap prepares for today's start – photo Rick Tomlinson/CWL

At 104 years old, the X One-design – Madcap – is oldest boat racing at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.

Built in 1911 by Woodnutt Boats at Bembridge, Madcap survived World War II, was found in a mud berth, and went through a string of extensive restoration projects. Now, under the ownership of Chris Torrens, this classic Alfred Westmacott design has been carefully brought back to pristine, racing condition once again, and is all set to make her mark in the 62-strong XOD fleet.

Madcap was one of six boats originally built for the Royal Motor Yacht Club when it was based on Southampton Water, and all six boats’ names started with an ‘M’. In 1964 the Jardine brothers (Stuart and Adrian) found her in a mud berth on Southampton Water, where she’d been laid up throughout World War II, and totally restored her to racing condition.

After many enjoyable years of racing, she was sold to Richard Smith in Lymington who again, during the 1980s, did a lot of work on her. In an effort to get her down to minimum weight, she was totally stripped inside and out. In tip-top racing condition she went on to win the Captain’s Cup (class championship) in 1988.

Torrens purchased Madcap in 2011 and spent an enjoyable period restoring her. Commenting, Torrens said: “Thankfully I had a lot of help from Stuart Jardine. We replaced a lot of the gear and, in particular, we sorted the rudder which tended to steer to port and, because the mast was in the wrong place, we altered the position of the mast step which has helped her performance a lot.”

On racing at Cowes Week, Torrens concluded: “I am really looking forward to seeing how she performs in a big fleet again. In theory there is no reason why this 104year-old shouldn’t do well. She is a quick boat and, most importantly she is a joy to sail.”