XODs in Lymington

 

Welcome to the Lymington XOD Division

The Lymington XOD Division races under the burgee of RLymYC

Reckoned by many to still provide some of the best yacht racing in the area.   Regular racing  at Lymington takes place every Saturday and Wednesday afternoons from late April until the end of October plus Thursday evenings in the summer months. 

The Harbour Authorities have established 34 heritage moorings for the class on the East side of the river, an impressive sight for all.  The racing is superb for all from gentle family sailors to Olympic hotshots.

The XOD is a very strong boat, several launched in 1911 are still racing today.  The design has proved itself over the years allowing sailors of all ages from Teenager to Octogenarians to race with equal success.  Gradually, over the years, modernization has been approved, the biggest changes being Gaff to Bermuda rig and more recently the use of Epoxy.  New last year were electric bilge pumps after much pressure from crews.

The cost of ownership is not high and with epoxy coated hulls maintenance can be minimal or as much as you like to spend.  Good second hand boats can be bought for anything from £5000 - £12000.    X's have always out-lived their owners, unlike many modern racing yachts which in less than 10 years lose their competitiveness, mainly due to their light construction.

Racing is very competitive  throughout the fleet.  Our successful sailors are always willing to help those at the back to find more speed and this is helping the fleet.  An XOD responds to  fine tuning and this tests everyone from time to time even successful owners have days of "go slows".  Lymington in 2009, again had the Cowes Week Class Champion in Stuart Jardine sailing Lone Star (X119)., whilst in 2010, we had the runner-up at Cowes, retained the Philipson Team Shield for the top performing division over the whole week and and regained won the Team Race Trophy.

 The  Division is keen to welcome new members of any age.  Sharing is very successful and ensures better usage.  Dinghy sailors thinking of moving on to a keel boat and still  looking for competitive family sailing at a reasonable cost should try an XOD. 

After racing everyone meets  at the R Lymington YC for tea and buns and the bar is open on Saturdays.

If you would like to crew please e-mail Liz Field by clicking the link embedded in her name and provide her with details of your sailing experience and availability. Liz will either be able to introduce you straight away to a helm looking for crew or will keep your details and match them to any request she may receive later in the season to fill a vacancy.

Please submit any articles, photos, news, comments, etc to .

For further information about XODs or details of the Class Association, please click www.xonedesign.org.uk

Photos by Mark Lloyd and Claude Hamilton