Uffa – Yachting’s Eccentric Genius
by Malcolm Turner
ISBN: 978-1-9144893-5-8
256 Pages
100 illustrations
229 x 152 x 25 mm
Publisher: Sun Rise
More information
“Uffa Fox was the most influential designer in yacht racing history. His ‘planing’ dinghies and keel boats were infinitely faster and more seaworthy than the older, heavier boats which had dominated the sport since the late nineteenth century. Always much more than a naval architect, he was an irrepressible extrovert and original thinker, as well as a singer, musician, journalist, author, painter, sportsman, campaigner, controversial businessman and friend of royalty. This new biography, the first for fifty years, shows how a carpenter’s son from East Cowes not only transformed his sport but also created an international legacy which thrives to this day.”
– Sun Rise PUBLISHING
Media Reviews
It’s a surprise more hasn’t been written about Uffa Fox. Yet this is the first biography of the polymath, irrepressible extrovert and original thinker to be published in fifty years. Author Malcolm Turner gained the cooperation of many of Uffa’s friends, acquaintances and former employees. The book casts new light on his life and many achievements and contains many previously unpublished images.– Rupert Homes * Practical Boat Owner *
Rupert Homes, Practical Boat Owner
“The friendship between Fox, the Duke and his closest aide Commander Michael Parker included off-the-water carousing with a whiff of scandal, as well as impressive racing successes. Fox praises the Duke’s ‘ability to take the boat across the tide with a free wind’ and explains why this matters. His clear analysis reflects his own brilliance as a racing sailor as well as a designer.”
Julia Jones, Yachting Monthly October 2023
Uffa – The Play
by Malcolm Turner
21-24 March
Trinity Theatre
Cowes
Booking information
The life of groundbreaking Isle of Wight naval architect and sailor, Uffa Fox, will be celebrated in a new play at Trinity Theatre in Cowes.
Starring Ben Craze and Nicola Kelleher, ‘Uffa’ will run for four performances, from 21-24 March, 2024.
Now, Malcolm has adapted his work, UFFA – Yachting’s Eccentric Genius, into a stage play, with the larger than life Islander at its heart.
Among Uffa’s achievements were a 1943-designed airborne lifeboat, to be dropped from aircraft when rescuing downed aircrew or mariners.
He was also responsible for designing the Atalanta and many types of racing yacht, including the Flying Fifteen, International 14, Albacore, Firefly, National 12, National 18, National Redwing, Pegasus, Flying 10, Jollyboat, Fox 18, Fox 24.
A number of boats and paraphernalia relating to Uffa’s life can be found at the Classic Boat Museum.
In Uffa, actor, Ben Craze, who has had roles in Jonathan Creek and My Hero, will take the lead. Starring opposite him, Nicola Kelleher has acted alongside Eddie Izzard, Jim Broadbent, and Dame Judy Dench in Six Minutes to Midnight and is also a TV presenter.