Disabled Sailing Association’s new yacht arrives in Torquay Marina

After three years of fundraising and weeks of waiting, the Disabled Sailing Association’s (DSA) new yacht, a Bavaria 38C, finally arrived in Torquay Town dock on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

Built in Germany and shipped to a Solent boatyard a couple of months ago, it has been undergoing final fitout, including all of the adaptations and other features that make it safe for their disabled members.

It was sailed from the Solent to Torquay, with a stopover at Portland, by four DSA skippers, led by Guy Hester, a cruising instructor from the DSA’s RYA Training School, ably supported by Roger Moore, Aly Ridyard and Bosun Tim Brooks.

The weather and sea state over Lyme Bay was reported to have been “challenging” but I am pleased to say the new yacht and crew came through with flying colours!

The DSA would like to thank all those who contributed to the funding of their new yacht, notably the National Lottery Community Fund who were the major sponsor, with significant donations from the RYA Foundation, the Clothworkers Foundation in London, the Asda Foundation, the Ralphh and more locally from the Claire Milne Trust in Cornwall, The Sports Foundation for the Disabled Newquay, the Whirlwind Charitable Trust Honiton and another Devon based Trust.

We are also grateful for support from Armadillo Self Storage in Torquay, Pantaenius Marine Insurance, the Ralphh charity, Torquay Golf Club and other organisations and individuals who helped raise money along the way.

The DSA now has two fabulous modern yachts, DSA Freedom, a 38ft Beneteau, which they have had for nearly eight years and now DSA Free Spirit 2. Both can carry up to eight passengers, which includes 3 DSA crew and 5 members, so they now have the capacity to take out 10 guests on a daily basis – weather permitting!.

Since receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2023, the DSA membership has increased significantly, helping them to reach out to more disabled communities and individuals around the Bay and beyond.

Thanks to the generosity of all those sponsors, national and local, the DSA is able to continue its mission of offering “safe and affordable sailing for the disabled” into the future.

For more information about the Disabled Sailing Association, please check out our website www.disabledsailingassociation.org.uk or email enquiries@dsadevon.org.uk or telephone 07447 941724.