Gudgeon
ex La Belle Poule
Gudgeon is an auxiliary yawl of 32.5 feet on the waterline, designed by A. Mylne & Co. as Design 270 in 1920 and built by Wessex M & S.B. Co. Ltd. at Hamworthy. Originally named La Belle Poule, the vessel was fitted with a 4-cylinder 20 BHP Bergius oil engine. With a beam of 10.7 feet, draft of 5 feet, and sail area of 900 square feet, Gudgeon represents the practical cruising yachts favoured by Mylne during the post-First World War period.
Ownership
No ownership records held for this vessel.
Crew
No crew records yet. If you've sailed on this yacht, claim your place in her history.
Specification
Details
Registry & Identity
Design Archive
Historical Context
Design 270 was produced during a significant phase of A. Mylne & Co.'s practice, following the First World War when recreational yachting resumed. The 1920s saw renewed demand for practical cruising auxiliaries among British yacht owners, and Mylne's office responded with designs that balanced seaworthiness, sailing qualities, and the then-modern convenience of oil engines. Gudgeon's yawl rig was a popular choice for cruising vessels, offering good balance and flexibility in varying wind conditions. The choice of Wessex M & S.B. Co. as builder suggests a working relationship between the Glasgow design office and established south-coast builders. This period saw Mylne establishing his reputation for sound, unpretentious design aimed at the serious amateur sailor rather than competitive racing or prestige markets.