THE PEOPLE
The founding team
Jeroen Wats
CHAIR
Jeroen is a multiple offshore and ocean yacht racing winner who then turned his attention to building high-performance sailing boats. Now based in Castletown, he brings unmatched boatbuilding knowledge and saltwater experience to the charity. He is the public face of the charity: out on the water, talking to the community, and bringing the C1 story to life.
Catherine Petit
SECRETARY
Catherine is an Isle of Man-based artist and designer with a practice rooted in heritage, nature and place. She has worked on projects for cultural and conservation organisations across the island, and brings the same commitment to the charity: designing its identity, building its digital presence, and keeping everything running behind the scenes.
Fabienne Favray
TREASURER
Fabienne is a successful business owner with over two decades of experience in cybersecurity, where she has managed clients, due diligence, budgets and financial administration. She brings strong organisational, governance and financial oversight skills to the Charity and will serve as Treasurer, supporting responsible management of its funds, records and grant income.
The story of the C1 class
Rosella was a working yawl built around 1905 at Port St Mary. Recovered from a field near St Marks in 1990, she was used as a plug for a one-off foam build called Wild Wave. That process sparked the idea for a proper mould, and from it the Castletown One Design was born. Eleven boats were built over two decades. The mould was eventually destroyed. No more C1s will ever be made.
Do you know a C1?
We are piecing together the history of every C1 boat ever built. If you have information, photographs or memories, we would love to hear from you.
With Thanks to:
Qualtrough’s Timber Yard
Founding Partner · Castletown, Isle of Man
Qualtrough’s Timber Yard in Castletown has generously made their premises available for the restoration of Feeagh. Their support is invaluable to the charity and a wonderful example of the community spirit that makes this project possible. We are proud to have them as our founding partner.