What is a Classic Boat

[EuanMcKenzie]

Lets start the debate... because CB Magazine seems very driven by wooden boats, epoxy is a sin etc...

I have a HR Rasmus - A new HR 36 came alongside me a few weeks back and wanted to come aboard to view my "classic HR".

I just thought I had a nice old boat in fairly good nick with some nice teak and mahogany in the right places. Is it a Classic now?

So what is a classic boat? Does it have to be made of wood in the classic style? or can GRP boats now be considered as classics. CR Holman designed some lovely boats in GRP as did others.

Judgeing by the usual agenda of BC magazine, there is a view that they should be Gaffers or Fife's or GL Watson's or have some pedigree / history. Should there be acknowledgement of "practical classics", the boats that most of us own and work on to keep going and should we be proud of our old GRP boats not ashamed to discuss them in wooden boat company.

I do like a well kept wooden boat boat couldn't live with one. Should CB be a bit more open minded about older boats and open their brief to include a wider range of classic boats.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this one?