ARROW – West Solent One Design (W1)Main Picture Credit - James Taylor RobinsonLaunched 1924 – Comprehensive Refit 1999INTRODUCTIONIt is a genuine privilege to present ARROW, sail number W-1 – the very first of the celebrated West Solent One Designs launched at Lymington in 1924. An elegant and highly competent 1920s racing yacht, ARROW embodies the very spirit of inter-war Corinthian sport, combining poise, pace, and that unmistakable long-overhang charm of the era.She is the last of the class to have been restored by the late Peter Brookes during his revered Maldon period, completed to a standard that set a benchmark for classic yacht work of the time. In the quarter century since, she has remained one of the most successful, most visible, and unquestionably best-prepared West Solents afloat — her record in classic regattas throughout the Mediterranean and the English south coast speaks for itself.Uniquely, ARROW is offered with her own dedicated 19-tonne UK/EU-legal transport truck and cradle, enabling dry-sailing and effortless movement between regattas. For the sailor who wishes to arrive in style, prepared, and with the competitive edge, few packages come close.A fast, beautiful, historically important yacht — and one maintained with conspicuous devotion. A rare opportunity indeed.BROKER’S COMMENTSARROW represents the very essence of the West Solent class: lean, lively, and entirely honest in her form. She is, in short, a classic yacht of the first order. Her present and previous custodians have upheld her heritage with a seriousness and affection that would delight her original builders at Berthon.As a regatta proposition she is formidable: optimised for both CIM and IRC, accompanied by an exceptional sail wardrobe, and maintained with the meticulousness one normally associates with museum exhibits. As a piece of maritime history, she has few equals. And as a travelling regatta yacht, her accompanying truck and cradle make her the most complete and self-contained classic racing package presently available.Those seeking either a purebred classic racer or a yacht of historical distinction will find ARROW a deeply satisfying and unusually complete offering.Additional InfoPRINCIPAL DIMENSIONSDesigner: H. Jacobs & Harry G. MayBuilder: Berthon Boat Company Ltd, LymingtonYear: 1924 (Major restoration 1999)LOA: 34 ft 6 in / 10.51 mLWL: 24 ft 0 in / 7.32 mBeam: 7 ft 6 in / 2.29 mDraft: 5 ft 3 in / 1.60 mDisplacement: Approx. 4.25 tonnesConstruction: Pine planking on oak framesEngine: None (as originally conceived)RESTORATION (1998–1999)A full, stem-to-stern rebuild was undertaken by Peter Brookes at Maldon, completed to concours standard. The work encompassed hull, deck, spars, interior, systems, and fittings. This was the final West Solent restored by Brookes before his relocation to New Zealand, and is widely regarded as one of his finest achievements.HISTORYYard Number: 199Class Sail Number: W-1Commissioned for Mrs Ida Potter of Lymington — an accomplished helmswoman and a woman notably ahead of her time — ARROW began life among a spirited family of racers. Her husband, Major Cyril Potter OBE, banker and Royal Yacht Squadron member, was instrumental in founding the club that would become the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. The Potters’ enthusiasm for small-boat competition helped bring the West Solent class into being, and ARROW was their flagship.Her early career was marked by success, taking the overall class championship in her first season. Over the following decades she passed through distinguished hands, known variously as DART and later HUAHINE. Among her custodians were decorated naval officers, a celebrated motor-yacht owner, several committed amateur racers, and notably Frank G. G. Carr — former Director of the National Maritime Museum, intimately involved in the preservation of CUTTY SARK.Throughout the 20th century she sailed extensively on the south coast, the Medway, Chichester and Brightlingsea waters, and the East Coast rivers. Returning to Maldon in 1998 for her major restoration, she regained her original name ARROW.During the past 25 years she has been actively and successfully campaigned, winning admiration wherever she appears. At the 2025 Hamble Classics Regatta she received the Concours d’Elegance award — a fitting accolade for a yacht of such stature.CONSTRUCTIONCarvel pine planking over oak framesTimber floors (no metal floors fitted)Painted, sheathed marine ply deckVarnished teak covering boards, toerails, coamings, and deck structuresDECK LAYOUT & EQUIPMENTAft DeckBronze fairleads port and starboardBackstay chainplateTeak and bronze centreline mooring cleatBronze mainsheet horseWooden blocks for mainsheetRunning backstay hardwareRudder head with wooden tillerCockpitLow traditional coamingsSlatted helm seatsRaw teak grating sole2 × Lewmar 24 self-tailing bronze winches (refurbished 2025)2 × Lewmar 16 bronze runner winches (refurbished 2025)Winch handlesSide Decks & Foredeck9 × Spinlock XC clutches (2025)Bronze headsail tracksHarken blocks (2025)Varnished forehatchSamson postBronze fairleadsBronze anchor roller starboard of stemGround TackleAnchor with warpACCOMMODATIONSimple, original, and entirely in keeping with a classic racer:Sliding coachroof hatch and skylightVarnished Douglas fir sole boardsWhite deck head and bulkheads with contrasting varnished joineryGalley to port: small sink, lockers and shelvesChart table to starboard: lifting top with stowage, nav equipmentTwo settee berths with lee cloths and stowage belowBlue berth cushionsRIG, SAILS & CANVASRigSpruce mast with single spreader and jumper struts (A. Riva, 2016)New stainless masthead cap with LED nav light (2025)Spruce boom (Collars, 2016)Stainless mast collar to mast stepWooden spinnaker pole (Collars, 2024) for CIMCarbon spinnaker pole for IRCRunning Rigging (mostly renewed 2024–2025)Continuous mainsheet (2025)Spinnaker sheets, jib sheets (2025)Dyneema reefing linesAdjustable backstayTraveller system (2025)New halyards throughout: main, fractional and masthead spinnaker halyards, jib (2025)Topping lift, downhaul, tackline (2024), vang purchases (2025)Sails(A notably comprehensive wardrobe for both CIM and IRC)North Mainsail (as-new condition, commissioned 2024/25)North J1 (2024, unused)Dacron and Mylar headsails (J1, J3, J4)Storm jibFull suite of CIM spinnakers (A1.5, A5, S1.5, S2)IRC radial spinnakers (S2, S5)Additional North S2 sails (70 m² & 75 m²)Covers & CanvasworkFull hull and deck cover (2025)Mainsail cover with ‘ARROW W-1’ letteringHatch, skylight, forehatch and cockpit coversBoom-under coverMast and boom storage coversDeck bags, padded washboard bag (2025)Cockpit cushions (blue)Protective bow fenderELECTRICAL12V socketsFixed battery charger with shore leadNAVIGATION & COMMUNICATIONSNavigationOriginal steering compassRaymarine depth/speed (2016)TackTick 20/20 mast display (2025)TackTick Race MasterGPS receiver & electronic compassRaymarine chartplotter (2016)TackTick wind instruments (2016)LED masthead navigation lightCommunicationsICOM DSC VHF with masthead aerial (2016)Fusion stereo with speakersSAFETYManual bilge pump with cockpit/cabin selector (seals renewed 2025)Horseshoe lifebuoy6 × customised Spinlock PFDs (2025)TRANSPORT TRUCK & CRADLEA major and unusual asset:DAF 19-tonne flatbedFully serviced and MOT’dCustom welded cradleUK & EU-legal Smart 2 tachograph (2025)Kenwood stereo (2025)This combination enables ARROW to be transported safely between regattas and dry-stored indoors, preserving her hull to a degree rarely achievable for yachts of her age.OTHER EQUIPMENT6 × fenders with socks (2025)Mooring warpsWooden passerelleSpinlock tiller extension (wood-effect)Helmsman’s seats (2025)Full set of code flagsBattle flagDisclaimerNicolle Associates offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.This vessel is VAT not applicable due to age.As always photographs do not do justice so a viewing is highly recommended.This boat is lying on its lorry in West Mersea, Colchester, England,.© 2026 Nicolle Associates