Rival Yachts – a potted history
When you mention the brand Rival Yachts, most sailors will think of heavy duty, bulletproof boats that are designed for crossing oceans in safety, without breaking any speed records. However, with over 600 Rival boats constructed in the UK over the years, the brand has gone on to be regarded as one of the most successful long distance regatta boats.
Rival Yachts was founded in the late 1960’s by Peter Brett who dreamed of selling 50 yachts from his initial design. Peter perfected his design skills from his earlier career in comparing modern offshore racing hull and keel design to cruising yachts.
Designing a successful long distance regatta boat
He teamed up with Eric White of Marine Construction (Woolston) Ltd, a successful GRP boat builder, who saw the ambition in Peter’s eyes and agreed to produce the first moulds.
By 1968, just 12 months after the sailing trials, the first Rival 31 popped out of the moulds. Southern Boatbuilding was brought onboard to complete the fit-out of the class – and that partnership flourished.
Although the first boat was well-balanced when going to windward, during more sailing trials it was felt that the design could be improved, and changes were made to the rudder stock. This brought dramatic effects to the overall sailing experience but meant the hull needed to be extended by another foot – and so the Rival 32 was born.
Rival Yachts Transatlantic Triumph
By 1972, the Rival 34 was launched and was an instant success with the public. It had gained many admirers in the serious yachting circles following a boat called Wild Rival, winning the OSTAR transatlantic race on handicap in 1976. It had been a particularly windy race and 34’s fuller body and larger overhangs make the boat very stable and seaworthy. It’s ability to sail to windward in the harsh conditions, meant it triumphed where other skippers had to retire their boats.
With this transatlantic triumph in the minds of the boating public, a Rival 36 was launched in 1980. It was designed to fill the gap between the 34 and the new 38 that had been launched three years earlier. The 36 was a successful design for Rival with 78 hulls being launched from the Woolston, Southampton factory. The Rival 36 was the sixth and final Rival to be built by the company in its original form.
Like many boatbuilders in the 1980s, Rival was subject to a number of mergers and takeovers featuring some of the bigger names in the yachting world – Bowman, Starlight and Rustler.
Rival Sailboat Range & Popular Models
The Rival Yachts Range consists of six main models:
Rival 31
Peter Brett designed the Rival 31 in 1967 and launched the first boat in 1968. The original boat had a raking rudder stock and to reduce weather helm in reaching conditions the subsequent R31s had a vertical rudder stock. Twenty-two Rival 31s were built.
Rival 32
The Rival 32 was a development of the Rival 31 but with a short counter. Over 200 Rival 32s were built.
Rival 34
The Rival 34 was a further development with a slightly deeper afterbody and longer overhangs to give steadiness whilst sailing.
There were two basic hull versions, one with a deep keel at 5ft 10ins, and a shallow one at 4ft 8ins draft. A total of 174 Rival 34s were built.
Rival 36
The Rival 36 was the sixth and last Rival to be designed by Peter and was built in three basic versions. Deep draft, Scheel keel, and Centre board. In total 78 Rival 36s were built. The first being launched in 1980. The Rival 36 hull is renowned for fingertip balance at all angles of heel.
Rival 38
The Rival 38 was the fifth Rival yacht to be designed by Peter Brett. It still is a very popular model – being recognised both as a sturdy long distance blue water cruiser and a comfortable hobby yacht ideal weekend regattas. The first Rival 38 was launched in 1977 and a total of 63 were built.
Rival 41
The Rival 41 was the fourth Rival to be designed and is a much sought-after long-range cruising yacht. There are two versions based on the same hull, aft cockpit and centre cockpit and was rigged as either a ketch, sloop or cutter. There were 57 Rival 41s built.
Drag Reducing Propellers For Rival Yachts
Darglow have supplied drag reducing props for many of the models in the Rival yacht range. We keep an expanding database of technical information on many of our installations along with feedback from our customers.
Check our full list of Rival Yachts we have supplied propellers to here.
Rope Cutters for Rival Yachts
We have supplied rope cutters for various boats in the Rival Yacht range. We keep a database of technical information on many of our installations along with feedback from our customers.
Check our full list of Rival Yachts we have supplied rope cutters for here.
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