Built in 1808 Boadicea, an original Maldon Oyster Smack, is the oldest sailing boat still afloat in Europe. This year, celebrating her 200th birthday, Boadicea will be sailing the UK waters attending events and races, including the Myst Classic Race in August.

Navigating from port to port will be far easier in 2008 as Raymarine, the Portsmouth-based marine electronics company, has equipped the historic boat with the latest high-tech marine navigation and communications instruments.

An ST70 colour instrument system will provide information on boat speed and water depth. In addition, for navigation and route planning, there is a C Series multifunction display combining chartplotter and GPS (Global Positioning System) information overlaid on electronic ‘maps’ of the sea and coastline to show the vessel’s position at all times. To ensure clear communications can be made to and from the boat, a Ray55E VHF radio has been installed.

Owner Reuben Frost commented, “It is fantastic to have Raymarine products onboard. Previously we have had to navigate with paper charts and an echo sounder which has been concerning at times. This new equipment has certainly made sailing easier, as well as bringing this 19th century boat into the 21st century. We are so grateful to Raymarine for its assistance. With this new technology on board, we are now planning on taking Boadicea across the waters to Holland in 2009.”

Having spent over 100 years as a commercial working boat, Boadicea was acquired by the Frost family who have now owned her for 70 years. Boadicea will be on the water at numerous venues in 2008 and anyone interested in sailing on board her can contact reufrost@oystersmack.org.uk