'Raisena' was built in 1932 by Herbert Woods at Potter Heigham and was the first Bermudan-rigged cruiser which he built for private ownership. Herbert Woods was a great believer in the qualities of Bermudan over the traditional gaff, and was responsible for changing 'Madie's' rig when she was owned by him in 1938..
'Raisena's' first owner was Sir Alexander Rouse, a civil engineer who spent much of his working life in India, and came to East Anglia when he retired. He had been responsible for building a large part of New Delhi, and named his boat after a town that had previously existed on the site of the new city. During the 1950 's. 'Raisena' was based at Oulton Broad, where she was raced and cruised by the builder, undertaker and water-diviner, Billy Youngs and his family.
Billy Youngs was one of the great characters of the Broads, who could hold a pub audience spell-bound with his anecdotes relating to his profession and his sailing exploits. In those days the boat was exceptionally well furnished, with comfortable arm chairs, settee beds and even a bureau.
After a brief period in the ownership of Geoff Priest, she was sold in the early sixties to Mr and Mrs Victor Hoyle, who maintained her beautifully and loved her dearly. She was cruised by them but hardly ever raced. Her present owner, Martin Broom, bought her in 1972. He has refined her appearance by shortening the length of the cabin, and her performance by reducing the surplus weight, including the heavy cruising gear installed for the convenience of previous owners. Amongst this was the powered mast winch, a Saunders Roe outboard (rare and interesting item, this) and a quantity of loose furniture. Modifications to her sail plan and Martin's general tuning of the boat, together with his expert helmsmanship have made her the fastest all-round cruiser in the Class.
Martin's attitude towards cruiser racing is reminiscent of those early owners of the big-class yachts in the pre-war years when life revolved around the regattas and boats were towed from place to place with the sole objective of winning races - or at least getting first gun. This approach may not be approved of by some, but even critics must admire the way in which the biggest and most powerful Broads Cruiser is handled today.
Racing Over the past ten years, 'Raisena' has been the most successful of all cruisers - winning the Coronation Cup, Claret Jug, Wroxham and Oulton Week trophies, and being the fastest boat over the Yare Navigation Race course. Like most of the larger cruisers, she is best handled in a light to fresh breeze.
In very light conditions she will sometimes come off second best to 'Ladybird' and 'Achievement', and in a heavy blow to the smaller boats which come into their own in that condition.
For me, as someone who has raced against 'Raisena' since the early fifties, there is no more awe-inspiring sight than that great hull and tremendous spread of sail roaring up on a broad reach in a fresh breeze and being sailed to its full capacity. The sight of 'Raisena' with 'Ladybird' and 'Cirrus' racing in close competition gives us now some conception of the days when 'Madie', 'Bonito', 'Queen Mab' and their like competed so fiercely.
'Raisena's' first owner was Sir Alexander Rouse, a civil engineer who spent much of his working life in India, and came to East Anglia when he retired. He had been responsible for building a large part of New Delhi, and named his boat after a town that had previously existed on the site of the new city. During the 1950 's. 'Raisena' was based at Oulton Broad, where she was raced and cruised by the builder, undertaker and water-diviner, Billy Youngs and his family.
Billy Youngs was one of the great characters of the Broads, who could hold a pub audience spell-bound with his anecdotes relating to his profession and his sailing exploits. In those days the boat was exceptionally well furnished, with comfortable arm chairs, settee beds and even a bureau.
After a brief period in the ownership of Geoff Priest, she was sold in the early sixties to Mr and Mrs Victor Hoyle, who maintained her beautifully and loved her dearly. She was cruised by them but hardly ever raced. Her present owner, Martin Broom, bought her in 1972. He has refined her appearance by shortening the length of the cabin, and her performance by reducing the surplus weight, including the heavy cruising gear installed for the convenience of previous owners. Amongst this was the powered mast winch, a Saunders Roe outboard (rare and interesting item, this) and a quantity of loose furniture. Modifications to her sail plan and Martin's general tuning of the boat, together with his expert helmsmanship have made her the fastest all-round cruiser in the Class.
Martin's attitude towards cruiser racing is reminiscent of those early owners of the big-class yachts in the pre-war years when life revolved around the regattas and boats were towed from place to place with the sole objective of winning races - or at least getting first gun. This approach may not be approved of by some, but even critics must admire the way in which the biggest and most powerful Broads Cruiser is handled today.
Racing Over the past ten years, 'Raisena' has been the most successful of all cruisers - winning the Coronation Cup, Claret Jug, Wroxham and Oulton Week trophies, and being the fastest boat over the Yare Navigation Race course. Like most of the larger cruisers, she is best handled in a light to fresh breeze.
In very light conditions she will sometimes come off second best to 'Ladybird' and 'Achievement', and in a heavy blow to the smaller boats which come into their own in that condition.
For me, as someone who has raced against 'Raisena' since the early fifties, there is no more awe-inspiring sight than that great hull and tremendous spread of sail roaring up on a broad reach in a fresh breeze and being sailed to its full capacity. The sight of 'Raisena' with 'Ladybird' and 'Cirrus' racing in close competition gives us now some conception of the days when 'Madie', 'Bonito', 'Queen Mab' and their like competed so fiercely.
