The first thing to say about the Beaufort is that there are not many about at all and I think only 2 currently in the DCA. I guess there never were many built and any remaining today are probably 30 to 40 years old.

Quoting from Ian Proctor's 1967 book "Boats For Sailing", the key facts are these: designed 1962 by Ian Proctor as a cruising dinghy; length O.A. 16'6"; sail area (without spinnaker) 167.5 sq.ft.; approx sailing weight 550 lb; construction round bilge GRP; crew 2-6; builders Fosrite Plastics Ltd. The figures imply a large capacity heavy dinghy compared to the other designs in his list of about 50 contemporaries ranging up to the Flying Dutchman at 19'10" and 370lb.

I bought mine second hand 18 years ago and keep on thinking what a lucky purchase! Speedy, Sail No. B90, looks scruffy but is still sound. I find the hull ideal for extended cruising with immense dry storage space under the foredeck and in a huge stern locker. The rig is typical 'racing dinghy' Bermudan sloop, and the 25ft mast is stepped on the forward end of the centre plate case. Altogether this is not a handy rig for cruising. I particularly miss the possibility of lowering the mast for passage under bridges and begrudge the time and effort needed to rig and derig.

Such a big boat is ideal for a couple, with plenty of room to sleep on the floorboards either side of the centreplate case. The boat is very forgiving and stable (beam 6'2") and Jenny and I took her far and wide for great cruises in the South Coast and East Coast areas, Salcombe, Plymouth, Falmouth, Milford Haven, Mull, Small Isles, Arduaine, Torridan, and Loch Fyne. Capsize is a worry for any dinghy sailor but only in the Sound of Sleat on our Small Isles cruise did we have a bad near miss experience (see Bulletin 151). This led me to believe that in the conditions likely to cause a capsize, self-recovery was an improbable outcome! As conditions strengthen I usually raise the centre-plate to reduce heeling forces. For the last few years I've been sailing her single-handed only on the South Coast - Jenny has suffered long enough! The side decks are very wide and comfortable and the side benches narrow and uncomfortable so in a good breeze I usually sit up on the side decks.

Shortly after acquiring her I bought a new set of sails, full racing size main plus a roller-reefing genoa, giving 172 sq ft maximum area. That was a mistaken extravagance since we could sail with them unreefed on very few occasions. Now I sail with one of the original 37 yr-old cruising suits of main and jib which total 133 sq ft. Fully reefed the main is reduced to about 50 sq ft, and I can set an 18 sq ft storm jib in place of the usual 35 sq ft jib. Even this reduced rig is worrisome in a blow so I observe the rule of never venturing out if there is a mention of F6 in the forecast. With favourable conditions she will sail herself when the DCA helm impeder is set. Heaving to is a comfortable alternative. For auxiliary power I have the oars Jenny made, length 9 ft, which just fit on the floor alongside the centre plate case. But she is too heavy for enjoyable rowing so I've nearly always carried an engine. Originally a Seagull 40 Plus which was perfectly matched thanks to the big slow revving prop. Last year I changed to a Johnson 3.5 and I'm not so happy. This engine has more power than the Seagull but does not push me along so well, presumably because it is intended for driving fast light craft. An advantage is that I now have a neutral gear so close quarter manoeuvres are less fraught.

When I inspect the modern designs at the Southampton Boat Show I come away thinking none are as right for cruising as Ian Proctor's Beaufort!