JOG History

After the second world war, when Ocean racing restarted, a number of like minded individuals got together to discuss going offshore racing in small yachts. A good description of how JOG started is contained in Patrick Ellam and Colin Mudies book 'Sopranino'. At the time no-one had considered going offshore in yachts as small as 20 foot loa, and the Royal Ocean Racing Club had no races for such yachts.

The new breed of small yachts were light, strongly built and and raced by sailors who had a healthy respect of the sea, but who were not prepared to give up in their chosen sport.

Amongst the founding members were many sailors who went on to become famous the world over for their racing exploits, including Captain John Illingworth, who also founded the famous Sydney-Hobart race while serving in Australia after the war.

The following is a copy of the minutes of meeting No. 1, held on 7th December 1950 in the Royal Ocean Racing Club building in London at 6p.m.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7th December, 1950    Junior Offshore Group

The following officers were elected:-

It was also decided to invite Douglas Birt on to the committee.

The following, who were not able to be present at the Meeting, were elected Founder Members:-
Tony Needham
Ian Proctor
John Wilkes

The following points were then decided:-

That the committee would consist of the Officers as enumerated above with the powers to co-opt further members as and when required.

That the quorum for a Meeting would be three Members of the committee.

That only Members of a recognised Yacht Club or Sailing Club could apply for election as a Provisional Member.

That any Provisional Member would be elegible to apply for election as a Full Member after he had completed three qualifying races.

That the activities of the Club would be confined to Boats of waterline length between 16' and 20' until further notice.

That a meeting would be held at the R.O.R.C at 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12th, 1950.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JOG has always had an emphasis on safety, and an extract from the minutes of the second meeting shows they were already trying to ensure they would not encourage dangerous habits -

'Certificates of Raceworthiness - Ship's side life lines not less than 6 per cent of the beam in height must be fitted, and they must be of wire rope on properly fitted stanchions.'

To begin with it was intended to race out of Newhaven, over the English Channel, to a variety of French Ports. Yachts had to have RORC ratings between 12' and 18', (15' later became the rating for Quarter Tonners), but spinnakers were banned to start with!