Uffa Fox

Uffa Fox CBE (15 January 1898–26 October 1972) was an English boat designer and sailing enthusiast. Uffa fox was born on the Isle of Wight and was raised in EastCowes. He lived for a while in Puckaster on the Isle of Wight. He was responsible for many of the developments which have contributed to the modern popularity of Dinghy sailing. He first introduced the technique of planing to dinghy racing, and was influential in the introduction of trape... more

Uffa Fox CBE (15 January 1898–26 October 1972) was an English boat designer and sailing enthusiast. Uffa fox was born on the Isle of Wight and was raised in EastCowes. He lived for a while in Puckaster on the Isle of Wight. He was responsible for many of the developments which have contributed to the modern popularity of Dinghy sailing. He first introduced the technique of planing to dinghy racing, and was influential in the introduction of trapezing. In about 1943 he designed a 27' lifeboat to be dropped from Vickers Warwick aircraft when rescuing downed aircrew or mariners. These boats could be released from under the aeroplane retarded by six 32' diameter parachutes. Although initially adapted for the Warwick, the lifeboat was subsequently also carried by Air-Sea Rescue Lancasters and B-17 Flying Fortresses He became a friend of the Duke of Edinburgh in 1949 and they raced together at Cowes Week on many occasions. He also took the Royal children sailing at Cowes. Apart from having... less