Robbie Stewart
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Robbie Stewart.
Robbie started his sailing at Medway Yacht Club in the early 1960s. He sailed in a Cadet dinghy in his early days progressing to Moths. At this time, it was his first experience of boat building with his brother Andrew. This beginning led to a succession of competitive yachts built to race not only at Medway Yacht Club but in the EAORA / RORC races. His participation has never stopped with trips to the Solent for Round the Island Race, Robbie won his class twice on Ding Dong; the Quarter Ton Cup regattas with Enigma and Hellaby, winning the Corinthian Trophy with Hellaby. Ding Dong also did the Fastnet race.
Robbie was part of the team that instigated the SailEast series that raced for many years. He also championed the set up of the Autumn Series that began in the 80’s and still runs as one of the major cruiser class events at Medway Yacht Club.
Robbie raced on his father’s yacht Dingo with a memorable trip to Miami for the Three Quarter Ton Cup regatta.
The first boat to win many regattas was the prototype to the Limbo 6.6. The current IRC yacht is a rebuilt Scampi 30 called Chips. Robbie embraced and loved the design process and the build, usually in a farm shed near to home. He would spend all his spare time to gain the completion and ultimately the launch. Robbie loved to celebrate all the good and winning moments with his friends. There is an encyclopaedia of stories that will be remembered by all. Recently at the Burnham Town Cup, where the crew sailed Chips on Robbie’s behalf, many of the stories were recollected.
Whilst building and sailing all his yachts he worked hard too eventually owning his own company Kent Flooring.
In his early days he took time out to travel. He and John Munns set off for the southern hemisphere in the 70’s, taking a VW Beetle to drive there. Sadly, the Beetle died in Greece. In Australia they sailed the Sydney Hobart Race on Valhalla (a 65ft yawl) and the Trans-Tasmin Yacht Race to New Zealand on yacht Papillion (S&S 43).
Robbie also dedicated time to introducing youngsters to sailing both at Medway and Burnham. He would take them under his wing, utilising his good nature and style of coaxing with a calming influence to kickstart a future life of sailing and racing. He always generated full-on enthusiasm for the sport across all he met and raced.
His prowess didn’t end with the build of the yachts. All his boats were kept in fabulous condition but if something did go wrong then there was always a solution.
Robbie won every EAORA trophy, east coast RORC trophy and SailEast, He was also a member at Royal Burnham YC.
Sail on Robbie; your yachts remain a legacy to you and the yachting world.
#Limbo #Strange Brew #Floozie #Misty #Secrets #Blush #Flashback #The Geek #Booty #ISayDingDong #Enigma #Hellaby #Chips
Our thoughts are with Pippa, Nick, Joe.
The family invite you to join them at the crematorium on Friday 20th September from 12pm
Thames View Crematorium – The London Cremation Company and after at the club from 1.30pm, please let the club know if you would like to attend the latter contact us at office@medwayyachtclub.com or call on 01634 718399.
The family also invite friends and family to offer donations to Friends of the Wisdom Hospice, details can be found here Donate – Friends of the Wisdom Hospice (fowh.org.uk).