Wight Mistress

The 'Wight Mistress' was built as a hull in 1979 and launched and fully completed in 1983. The first owner, Reg Griffiths, sailed her from 1979 to 1996. The vessel then passed to Richard Dobney (The Audio Visual Company), who owned her until 2002.

In the summer of 2002, the 'Wight Mistress' was purchased by the current owners, who immediately carried out a thorough refit before officially taking her into service in December. According to the logbooks, the vessel had sailed 4,440 miles at that time. By the end of 2003, this had already increased to nearly 6,000 miles, and more miles have been added every year since.

In 2005, the original engine failed, after which the 'Wight Mistress' was fitted with a new Lombardini 2.2‑litre four‑cylinder diesel engine (60 hp), a PRM Newage gearbox, and a new propeller shaft. A few years later, a Bruntons Autoprop was added, significantly improving her sailing performance and reducing the strong tendency of the stern to swing to starboard when reversing. A £2200 investment that proved more than worthwhile.

The mast has now been taken down three times: once during a refit and twice in preparation for inland waterway cruising.

In October 2022, the owners celebrated a special milestone: 20 years with the 'Wight Mistress' in the family.