Mariquita, a 100 foot yawl, was one of the stars at the British Classic Yachts Week regatta at Cowes, IOW.
Originally launched in 1911 Mariquita was one of four British 19 Metres and her debut season saw success in highly competitive racing which she continued until 1913.
During the Great War she was sheltered in a neutral Norway. Raced and cruised during the interwar years she was eventually laid up after her keel was removed.
She was found being used as a houseboat on a mud berth at Pin Mill on the River Orwell and restoration started in 1991.
After being rescued from the mud in 1991 Fairlie Restorations started the careful work of restoring Mariquita to her former glory.
She re-emerged in 2009 ready to join the classic racing circuit.
Sailing Yacht Mariquita
Matty Oates is currently mate of Mariquita. From New York, he had never sailed before when, aged 19, he got a job on a tall ship and in 2007 he contacted Mariquita, got a trial and has been there ever since.
Mariquita has seven full time crew living on board whose ages range between 22 and 31. In the past the ages have stretched from 19 to 40.
On race days as many as 25 sail on her. These additional crew are drawn from Mariquita’s family of supporters built up over the years.
