Mariquita Book - mk2.5

Bailey’s Reach
Dock Lane
Beaulieu
Hampshire
This book is dedicated to Mariquita and her crew, as well as the visionary team that took
on her landmark restoration.
In early 2012, I was fortunate enough to receive an unexpected call from my good friend
John Caulcutt, who told me that there was an opportunity to own one of the most
beautiful sailing boats in the world. This was an intriguing prospect, since, although I
was no sailor, I have always enjoyed being on the water.
John explained to me that Mariquita was the last surviving 19-Metre yacht from a class
of six that had raced before World War I. He went on to describe how the boat had been
rescued from a mud berth in Pin Mill, on the river Orwell, in Suffolk, and rebuilt to
almost exactly her original design, before recommencing her racing career in 2004.
We were subsequently invited by the very generous owners, led by Peter Livanos and his
captain Jim Thom, to join them for much of the 2012 season. That did it! This was a
project too good to miss – and so I worked with John and our other syndicate members,
Jamie Matheson and Nick Edmiston, to complete the acquisition and keep
the ‘Mariquita Project’ alive.
This book chronicles our first two seasons in the Mediterranean and the 2015 campaign
in the Solent. Mariquita was designed and built as a race boat. I am pleased to say that
she continues to thrill not only those fortunate enough to race aboard her, but also those
spectators who catch a glimpse of her on the horizon. I hope that you enjoy this book
and Ben Wood’s wonderful photographs.
Stephen Hemsley
January 2016