SV Dorothy, Oldest Canadian-built Sailboat, Wins 2024 Classic Boat Award

Apr 9, 2024

The Maritime Museum of BC’s classic 30’ sailboat Dorothy, built in Victoria in 1897 is back in the winner’s circle! Supporters of Dorothy’s extensive refit and continued sailing along the BC coast have been anticipating the news of the 2024 Classic Boat Awards, administered by the yachting world’s most prestigious magazine, UK-based Classic Boat Magazine.
 
The results are in: Dorothy, the sole Canadian boat in her competitive category, won a Classic Boat Award! The announcement was made at Royal Thames Yacht Club in London.

Photo courtesy of The Maritime Museum of BC

About Dorothy
 
Dorothy, believed to be the oldest sailboat built in Canada still sailing, is part of the Maritime Museum of BC Collection.
 
Designed by Linton Hope, she was built in Victoria in 1897 by J.J. Robinson, for W.H. Langley who sailed and raced her vigorously during the 47 years he owned her. Dorothy was donated to the Maritime Museum of BC, in 1995. She is described by Robert Lawson, historian and boatwright, as “intrinsically beautiful in the perfection of her lines. She harks back to a time when everything was simpler, when sailing a small boat involved the sailor in a delicate and intimate relationship with wind and water.”
 
Maritime Museum of BC Collections and Exhibits Manager, Heather Feeney, said “The Dorothy story is truly remarkable. A very large percentage of the vessel is original. The Maritime Museum of BC collection includes extensive documentation, photos and objects from her past including the original invoice from J.J. Robinson, photos from the turn of the century (not the last century…the previous century) and trophies she won in regattas at Cowichan Bay and Victoria.”
 
Dorothy is sailing once again thanks to the skilled work of shipwright and artist Tony Grove, and the volunteers at the Ladysmith Maritime Society led by boatwright and Dorothy historian Robert Lawson.
 
Dorothy won the Classic Boat Award in her category: Best Restored Sailing Vessel under 40ft (12.2m).
 
Read more about Dorothy here: https://mmbc.bc.ca/collections/vessels/dorothy/

What’s Next For Dorothy?
 
The Maritime Museum of BC has big plans for Dorothy’s summer: she will be sailing between Festivals, youth sailing programs, and more in the lead up to the annual Classic Boat Festival in Victoria’s Inner Harbour on Labour Day weekend, 30 August – 1 September 2024.

Float the Boat at The Maritime Museum of BC
 
The Maritime Museum of BC’s Float the Boat campaign draws to a close: their annual operational fundraiser that support programs, exhibits, and ongoing Collections care. This includes funding SV Dorothy as she comes to life again, back on the Salish Sea, a joyfully sailing ambassador and proud artefact in the Maritime Museum of BC’s collection.
 
You can help keep Classic Boat Award-winning Dorothy sailing into the future. The Float the Boat campaign is still on until April 4;help the Museum put the wind in their sails for 2024!
 
Donate to support Dorothy’s sailing and other operations at the Maritime Museum of BC: https://mmbc.kindful.com/?campaign=1288876