ATALANTA (A14) is one of the three known remaining keel boats of this class designed for racing in the Salcombe estuary before WW2. The other two remaining yachts - JOAN (A1) and WILUNA II (A4) are both still also based on the Salcombe Estuary.

Pre 1999
ATALANTA's history before 1999 is still being researched but what we do know is that she was built for the Misses E & F Chorlton. Up until 1999 she was owned by Dominic Loughborough.

Unknown purchase date - 1999
ATALANTA was owned Dominic Loughborough who moored and raced her on the Solent. Dominic was/is a very experienced yacht delivery skipper and he and ATALANTA apparently won many races whilst she was based on the Hamble.

1999 until 2003
ATALANTA was sold to a syndicate of four. Their aim was to bring ATALANTA back to Salcombe but unfortunately a mooring in the estuary could not be found and so she ended up in Plymouth.

2003 until 2008
In the Autumn of 2003 Mr Barnett spotted ATALANTA on the books of the Wooden Ships brokerage.  He takes up the story in his own words.

"I first spotted ATALANTA whilst she was on the books of the Wooden Ships brokerage.  I called Peter Gregson and arranged to drive down to Plymouth to have a look at her.  After arriving at Boston's yard near Laira Bridge I found one of the prettiest boats that I had ever seen.  Despite finding her bilge full of rain water and having clearly been somewhat neglected over the past year she was very much in good condition.  I contacted Peter and told him that I wanted to buy her, my consequent offer to her syndicate of owners was accepted.  I got the yard to move her into one of their sheds and I spent several weekends taking care of any necessary paint and rigging work.

She was launched in June 2003 and she had two days moored up at Plymouth Yacht Haven, which gave her planking a little more time to take up.

On the following Saturday we set sail for the port of Dartmouth, with a light Northerly breeze on the beam and without an auxiliary engine to rely on, the conditions were perfect.   I was amazed by her performance, light on the helm, fast on the tack, she averaged about 5 knots through the water.

I continued to sail her each summer, often in and around Start Bay and up towards Brixham.  Even in the lightest of airs I rarely had any trouble sailing her out of the Dart against the tide."

ATALANTA was sold to a new owner in 2008 and he has returned her back to the Salcombe Estuary.

2008 until 2021
ATALANTA was owned by Mr P Reed and his family.  She was sailed often during the summer months and stored indoors during the winter months.

During the last few years there has been a growing appreciation for Keel Boats on the Salcombe Estuary.  With the other two known remaining members of the Salcombe 'A' class also based on the estuary JOAN (A. Chadder Bank), WILUNA II (Morgan Giles) all three boats can on occasion be seen sailing together, just like they did in the 1930's, 40's & 50's.

2021 - Atalanta is now owned by Julian Weyer Brown and has returned to Teignmouth where she ws built in 1936.  Purchased by Julian to represent the heritage of boat-building in the town.  Currently being repainted for the 2023 season.