The story of the Stellas began in early 1959 with a yarn between "Sonny" Cole of Tucker Brown's yard at Burnham and A E (Dicky) Bird, owner of a series of successful offshore races that have included La Vie en Rose and Clair de Lune. They agreed on the need in this country of a cruiser racer of the same general size and type as the Scandinavian Folkboat but with more room inside and greater initial stability. They wanted good quality, but no unnecessary frills or complications in the structure. the next step was to approach C R (Kim) Holman, then a comparitive newcomer to yacht designing, aged 32. The resultant design was of 25' 10" LOA, 20' LWL, with a beam of 7' 6" and draught of 3' 10". Total sail area is 338 sq ft (see spec.htm).

The first of the Stellas was ordered by A E Bird himself and inherited from his bigger boat the name of La Vie en Rose. She was sailed during that first Burnham week by Sonny Cole, only being launched one day before the week commenced.

She won her first race. This is in itself of interest because there is usually a handicap of last minute adjustments and alterations when a new boat is launched for the first time; But when she continued to take first place in every race during the week it was of obvious that Holman had designed a really good boat. With a final flourish she also won the ladies race with the owners wife at the helm.

[Information taken from 'Yachting World' October 1959.]

The last Stella was built in 1972.

Of the 110 sail numbers issued, four boats were never built (sail numbers in the 90's) and 3 are now confirmed as 'wrecked'. Of the remaining 103, 88 have been positively identified and located, with the whereabouts of 18 unconfirmed. Of the 88, 66 are currently registered - with their owners members of the Class Association. 4 have been previously registered but passed on into new ownership yet to join, and we wait to hear membership intentions from the remaining 18.

Of the known 88, 66 boats are listed as sailing, 4 are afloat/ashore out of current use and 13 are in the process of rebuild or renovation. Additionally we now have 2 Australian - built Stellas and their owners as members of the Class Association. Total recorded full and associate membership ( including our 7 honorary associates) is 120.

See Burnham Week' 61 which reports on the success of the new Stella class!