About

Length, overall – 52′ 0″
Length, on deck – 46′ 3″
Beam – 11′ 4″
Draught – 6′ 6″
Sail area – 1,041 sq.ft

Heron II is a 1936 classic sailing yacht now owned and carefully restored by Aaron Ashton; winner of Young Sailor of the Year 2016 at the Antigua Panerai Classic Sailing Regatta.

Heron II is a classic piece of history and a registered National Historic Vessel. A 1936 Fred Shepherd design, she was built by Woodnutts on the Isle of Wight for Stanley W Cooper, to Lloyds highest standard (100A1) . She is a well respected vessel and was even sailed by the famous Uffa Fox who dedicated a full chapter to her in his 1937 book ‘Racing, Cruising and Design’. Throughout this website you will find extracts from the book.

…her owner is justly proud of the lovely timber collected and built into this ship.

Present owner, Aaron, was first introduced to classic sailing yachts at the age of 7 on-board this very vessel! (then owned by a family friend). He went on to become a keen sailor and forged a career as a Yacht Skipper – Skippering a modern classic Spirit design, taking her transatlantic and sailing in classic regattas worldwide. He has extensive experience of UK, Mediterranean and Caribbean waters.

It is believed that Heron II once broke the record for the Isle of Wight to Scilly Isles race. In the coming years she will race in regattas across the world in a bid to reclaim some of her former glory.