Atalanta

CLASS/SAIL
DATE BUILT
HULL NUMBER
Atalanta A1
July 1955
1
LAST NOTIFIED INFORMATION (to 2022) /
- Other names
- ConditionSailing
- LocationOrwell YC, Ipswich
- EngineBeta 13hp
- RigNew Wood 3/4
Comments: The prototype Atalanta. 24' long. Built in 1955 and used by Fairey Marine as demonstrator. Original Stuart Turner replaced with Diesel in 70s/80s. Boat has been East Coast based since late 1970s. Rescued in 2016 and launched again in 2018 after an extensive rebuild by AOA Commodore Mike Dixon.
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o Register - key changes through the years
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A1 Atalanta For Sale - £10,000

A1 Atalanta For Sale – £10,000

2023 May - A rare chance to buy a practical, trailable cruising yacht and a piece of yachting history. For details including details, inventory, location and viewing please click here. Click here for details A1 Atalanta – Stylish cruising on the East Coast
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A1 Generating Chatter At Southampton

A1 Generating Chatter At Southampton

2021 September - After a great deal of effort by Mike A1 is moored in the ‘Class Association’ area of the Southampton boatshow, alongside the Old Gaffers Association. She has already generated ‘chatter’ – she was seen launching in Chichester Harbour and by the OGA representatives, both generating posts on Facebook. Attendance at the Show, made possible through the ...
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Mike Dixon and A1 nominated for Classic Boat Award - Vote Now!

Mike Dixon and A1 nominated for Classic Boat Award – Vote Now!

2021 January - Hello everyone. You may have read the Classic Boat article published in the November edition last year about A1 and her restsoration. The article aimed to bring together the historic place A1 holds in the development of yachts and yachting in the 1950s with the heroic restoration carried out by Mike Dixon. Many of you will remember ...
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Classic Boat A1 Design and Restoration Review

Classic Boat A1 Design and Restoration Review

2020 October - With the completion of A1 Atalanta last year it seemed like a golden opportunity for the Association to have another push at publicising our excellent wards. A1 was a very special boat in her conception, design and build. And Mike Dixon’s restoration from her dilapidated state back to what she is now is ...
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A1 Atalanta - The Radical Prototype

A1 Atalanta – The Radical Prototype

2020 January - Below is the text of an article published in the November 2019 edition of Classic Boat. It documents the special place which A1 Atalanta has in yachting history and the amazing restoration carried out by Mike Dixon. Why is Atalanta so special in post war yachting development? A1 Atalanta was an exceptional boat for her time and ...
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A1 Restoration - The Final Push

A1 Restoration – The Final Push

2019 December - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 hauls out, watched by A89

A1 hauls out, watched by A89

2019 November - After her first few months afloat for over 25 years Mike Dixon took A1 out of the water at the Orwell Yacht Club in the middle of October. Colchide, Richard James and others were there to see her safely ashore. All went smoothly.
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A1 Atalanta floats for the first time in over 25 years

A1 Atalanta floats for the first time in over 25 years

2019 November - I hope you will have read the excellent series of articles by Mike Dixon about his restoration of the Atalanta prototype – A1 Atalanta. There are more to come but in the mean-time Mike launched Atalanta this Summer. And boy has that all that blood, sweat and tears paid off. Mike will be writing ...
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A1 Restoration - Spars, Rigging, Sails

A1 Restoration – Spars, Rigging, Sails

2019 February - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Restoration - Topside Veneering

A1 Restoration – Topside Veneering

2019 February - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Restoration - Aft cabin companionway and cockpit coaming

A1 Restoration – Aft cabin companionway and cockpit coaming

2019 February - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Restoration - Engine Space

A1 Restoration – Engine Space

2019 February - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Restoration - Foredeck Veneering

A1 Restoration – Foredeck Veneering

2019 February - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 and A105 Head to Toe

A1 and A105 Head to Toe

2019 January - Last year Peter Keightley bought A105 Taku Maru from John Ingleby with plans of visiting the Mediterranean via the French Canals. Peter has an excellent workshop for his preparations. There is apparently little to do – general maintenance and an engine swap to replace the Coventry Victor with a diesel (from now scrapped ...
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A1 Restoration - Aft Deck Veneering

A1 Restoration – Aft Deck Veneering

2019 January - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Restoration - The Cockpit Area

A1 Restoration – The Cockpit Area

2019 January - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Restoration - Transom

A1 Restoration – Transom

2019 January - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Restoration - Trailer

A1 Restoration – Trailer

2019 January - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Restoration - Hatches

A1 Restoration – Hatches

2019 January - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Restoration - Hull veneering, tools and equipment

A1 Restoration – Hull veneering, tools and equipment

2018 December - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Restoration - Keel Support Brackets

A1 Restoration – Keel Support Brackets

2018 December - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Restoration - Somewhere to do it, and initial investigations

A1 Restoration – Somewhere to do it, and initial investigations

2018 November - Do you need a shed? An often asked question when carrying out work on a boat, the answer to which I would argue is – Yes.
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Restoration of A1 'Atalanta' 2016 to 2020

Restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ 2016 to 2020

2018 November - I took on the restoration of A1 ‘Atalanta’ in 2016. This post begins a series in which I will document the work done, in text and photographs. There has been an extraordinary interest in A1’s progress. Many thanks to all who have expressed interest.
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A1 Atalanta gets a new Iron Topsail

A1 Atalanta gets a new Iron Topsail

2018 July - As part of her restoration Atalanta a1 has now received a shiny red Beta diesel. You will be able to read about the details of the installation in the future but in the short term listen to that heart beat below! https://youtu.be/1iLCmTtMVUE
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A1 is measured up for some James Lawrence sails

A1 is measured up for some James Lawrence sails

2018 July - A1 travelled from Market Harborough to Brightlingsea for Mark Butler, of James Lawrence sails, to measure her up for new sails. This meant Mike was able to prove his tow car, his trailer, the mast raising gear AND get the sails measured.  And everything went very well!  The mast raising pole and braces worked very smoothly ...
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A1 Atalanta Interesting Keel Hoist

A1 Atalanta Interesting Keel Hoist

2018 July - A1’s keel plates and hoist have been completely refurbished. The lifting gear is of interesting design – the same principle was used in the production Atalantas but the original has cables in place of stirrups. (Click on a photo to expand)
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A1 Atalanta dresses in her new rigging

A1 Atalanta dresses in her new rigging

2018 July - Mike’s new sails are to be made by famous sailmaker Jimmy Lawrence, of Brightlingsea.  The loft insist on measuring the boat themselves. So all Mike has to do is get her to them, with the rig on. The rigging was redone by Traditional Riggging of Bristol to Mike’s measurements.  A1 came with no rigging and some ...
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A1 Atalanta Trailer (ex Kotora) - a different type of trailer

A1 Atalanta Trailer (ex Kotora) – a different type of trailer

2018 July - Mike bought Kotora’s old trailer and heavily refurbished it.  It is of an interesting design, quite different to others I have seen.  It has central supports for the keel and a fore-and-aft side rail (bunk) for the bilge on each side.  This rail is shaped to rise at the forward end and the four support ...
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A1 Atalanta Restoration - Sunlight for the first time in 18 months

A1 Atalanta Restoration – Sunlight for the first time in 18 months

2018 July - A1 Atalanta has been tucked up in her workshop for the last 18 months after rescue from a garden in Essex. Mike (Dixon) has achieved an amazing amount of progress in that time, transforming her from the state indicated in this post.  There is still much to do but A1 is planning to be at ...
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A1 Recovery from Essex

A1 Recovery from Essex

2016 September - A1 Recovery from Essex. Photo: A1 Recovery (1).
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Atalanta A1-The Prototype-What a great project for someone

Atalanta A1-The Prototype-What a great project for someone

2016 June - Atalanta A1 was the very first ‘prototype’ Atalanta. She is smaller than the Mark 2 and 3 but has all of the same features – twin keels, centre cockpit, blister and so on.  She is now needing someone to restore her – if you are interested please c
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2014 A1 Condition Survey

2014 A1 Condition Survey

2016 June - 2014 A1 Condition Survey. Photo: 2014 A1 – 1 of 28. A1 had been stored near St Osyth for many years. The owner had died and the Association be
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References in Forum Topics

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Ownership history is available only to members of the AOA
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Sail_No Year BoatName Owner HomePort Condition Rig Engine Notable EVENT Comments

AOA Bulletin and Press Appearances

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Trophies

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