Key details
- Current boat name
- Mistletoe
- Boat class
- 7645
- Sail number
- X1
- Function
- Sports and Leisure
- Type
Dimensions and specifications
- Length (m / ft)
- 6.32 / 20ft 9in
- Beam (m / ft)
- 1.8 / 5ft 11in
- Leeward
- Keel
- Masts
- 1 Wood
- Rig type
- Gaff Sloop
- Propulsion
- Sail
Design and build
- Designer
- Westmacott A
- Date of build
- 1909
- Place of build
- St Helens, Isle of Wight
Current status
- Present use
- NMM loan
History
Was the first of five small yachts purchased in 1909 by the (Royal) Motor Boat Club for use by its members. As a club boat she would have been sailed by such worthies as Sir Thomas Lipton and Captain Tom Thornycroft. The design proved very popular and was adopted by five clubs in the Solent area. MISTLETOE may not have had an outstanding racing career, although Charles Dixon painted her leading the fleet at Itchenor in 1932.
In 1974 she was presented to NMM by Mrs Barbara Payne, formerly Class Historian. Before coming to Falmouth, the boat was restored by Lathams of Poole. Of the 195 X boats built 145 are still registered with the class split between five areas Hamble, Itchenor, Lymington, Parkstone and Yarmouth. The first races were held in 1911 and it is planned to celebrate the 100th year of racing in 2011. GH March 2009 (Archive)