As recent members of the DCA, we do enjoy reading the Bulletin and the helpful exchange of information and experiences by the members.

We sail on the Alde estuary on the Suffolk east coast and, as some members know, it is tricky on the upper reaches with a twisting navigation channel, many shallows and a swift tide race. Our first boat was a rather deep draft motor sailer and we had to keep a careful watch not to stray too far from the channel, and our sailing was often accompanied by the ‘thump-thump’ of the Yanmar diesel to overcome the tide race and fickle winds. After a couple of seasons we decided to sell the boat and, whilst we looked around, we bought a Mirror dinghy.

We had a wonderful time with the Mirror — the estuary seemed to double in size, and we could sail across the tides and through the moorings with ease. The markers for the narrow channel no longer seemed to dominate our sailing, and we became dinghy enthusiasts and had no regrets about coming down in size!

We realized from the start that the Mirror was going to be too small for us so, rather sadly, we sold it and now have what we consider to be a first class cruising dinghy — the Torch.

We found the Torch, one of a pair, lying rather forlorn in a boatyard where it had been used for some time as a day hire boat. It was obvious to us that the boat had masses of room. The GRP hull, wooden floor boards and heavy metal centreplate makes for a stable craft. Wooden side benches have a nice warm feeling too. The boat was purchased for a very fair price and we spent a winter fitting her out. A new suit of sails were made in heavy grade material, and as the boat was in good shape most of the work was cosmetic.

The design fascinated us and, as a result of letters published in the yachting press, particularly the Practical Boat Owner, we received numerous replies from past and present enthusiastic Torch owners.

The Torch was designed by Bert Keeble, who became Director of the National Sailing Centre at Cowes. The boat was specifically intended as a sail training boat for schools and sailing associations. The prototype was built at Maldon Grammar School in the early 1960’s and these early boats were built of ply and gunter rigged. Bert Keeble, who we fortunately were able to contact, informed us that the prototype was built at the school and one of the students there at the time was Cliff Richards, the pop star, and he probably worked on the Torch. Certainly the Torch was exactly the right boat for the purpose and many schools and associations used these boats to instruct hundreds of youngsters to enjoy sailing in this safe and stable craft. Not all of the boats were given sail numbers, and no one is quite sure how many have been built. Our own boat, Panda, has sail no. 316.

The Newham Sailing Centre at Maldon in Essex still operates a fleet of 16, and says they have never found a better boat for their purpose. They still build the occasional boat. Small fleets exist, mainly on the east and south coasts, and one owner regularly sails his boat on Windermere. Two DCA members who own Torch dinghies have contacted us with information, and we are most grateful to them.

The specification of the Torch changed over the years, the later boats being all GRP with Bermuda rigs, but we believe the design was at its best when composite boats were under construction with GRP hull, wooden decks and thwarts and gunter rigged. This would have been around the mid-’70s. Our boat is of this period.

Certainly the gunter rig allows all the spars to be stored inboard when trailing. Apart from fitting a topping lift, jamming cleats and additional inflatable buoyancy bags, our boat is just as originally designed. With two rowing positions and a 4 hp Johnson on board for an emergency ‘push’, we are really enjoying dinghy sailing. We haven’t slept on board yet, but there should be no problems. The sides are almost vertical, which gives a reasonable beam at floorboard level. Sections of the floorboards can be removed with turnbuckles to give more space beneath the thwart if necessary.

Torch dinghies are seldom on the market now, and are no longer produced commercially, so I cannot give any idea on pricing. In 1961 when the boats went onto the market they were being offered new at around £140. What is a fair price now depends on the individual and his pocket.

The boat has great appeal and there is nothing to compare with it now. The Wayfarers and Wanderers are not really comparable as they are capable of racing performance and, of course, prices are sky-high — more than I paid for my two-berth 19’ Bermuda rigged diesel powered motor sailer!!! It doesn’t seem to make sense to me. It’s a buyer’s market at the moment but, as I say, not a lot of Torches are available to pick and choose over.