Search for Britain’s top yachtsman

There’s no more appropriate venue to launch the annual search to select the British Yachtsman of the Year than the Sir Max Aitken Museum on the Isle of Wight during the Lendy Cowes Week regatta.

It was Sir Max, a leading yachtsman in both sail and power who in 1955 established the award, which now organised by the Yachting Journalists’ Association has become established as one of the top yachting honours.

Present YJA chairman, Clifford Webb, on the left in our Blipfoto, launched the search at the Museum today to find the 2018 yachtsman most deserving of the top yachting honour, and the associated Young Sailor of the Year award for up and coming young sailors.


The Yachting Journalists’ Association represents more than 260 specialist marine journalists, photographers, TV and radio presenters across the major sailing and boating regions of the world. It aims to promote greater awareness of all aspects of leisure boating through the professional services offered by its members.

The venue is the magnificent 18th Century, former Ratsey and Lapthorn sail maker’s loft on the Cowes waterfront, which was acquired and restored by Sir Max in 1947. Today, with its traditional splendour, the building boasts Sir Max’s personal collection of historic and nautical artefacts.