Your Editor received this message recently. “I am trying to find the whereabouts and condition of the Itchen Ferry yacht ‘Salt Air’. In the first world war period she was called ‘Babe’. I bought her in the 1970s and restored her. She may have gone to the Essex/Suffolk area. I would appreciate it if your readers have any information regarding the whereabouts of this vessel.”
According to the OGA Boat Register, ’Saltair’ was built by A R Hales at Wootton Bridge, Isle of Wight in 1898. Her hull was substantially rebuilt at Testers Yard, Oare, Kent c.1987-8. The rebuild was completed 1999 – 2002 by Mayland and Mundon in Essex.
On further investigation, it seems that ‘Saltair’ is now in France. She’s listed on the Musee Maritime la Rochelle website, recording some of the same history. The French site notes that ’Saltair’ arrived in France summer 2021 and her owner is a member of the French Yacht Club Classique. She had a new suit of James Lawrence sails in 2019 and new engine in 2003.