In 2013 the Tideway Owners' Association celebrated its 50th Anniversary. In addition to cruising meetings at Portsmouth, Leigh-On-Sea, River Alde, Falmouth, Portland and Ullswater, members met Chichester Harbour for a week of cruising and for annual Challenge Meeting for single and double-handed crews, this year hosted by Bosham Sailing Club.
The Tideway dinghy was developed by L H Walker at Leigh-on-Sea in the aftermath of the second World War 2, and by the 1950s the "Walker" was a popular name amongst Britain's sailing fraternity. Early boats varied in length from 8' to 16' but the 12' clinker-built sliding gunter-rigged sloop in mahogany on oak was the most popular. Originally known as the Walker 12, with a few tweaks over the years, it evolved into the Tideway of today.
In the early years the Tideway was only produced in traditional clinker construction, generally mahogany on oak. Tepco Dinghies were the first to produce a fibreglass version, and these were permitted into the TOA in 1993, giving the class a new lease of life. GRP hulls, trimmed in mahogany, became popular and with their extensive wood trim are much admired boats.
The tradition of building wooden classic boats was recommenced in 2009 by Good Wood Boat Company.
Further information:
TOA: www.tidewaydinghy.org/
Wooden Boats: www.goodwoodboat.co.uk/tideway.html
GRP Boats: www.tidewaydinghies.co.uk/
Race Report: www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/170540/Tideway-Championship-at-Bosham