British yacht builder Jeremy Rogers, creator of the Contessa 32, passes away age 85

Jeremy Rogers Limited boatyard has announced the sad loss of founder Jeremy Rogers MBE, who has passed away at the age of 85.

In a statement announcing the news on Friday (14 October), the yard says: “His legacy as a boatbuilder and sailor is well documented, but he will also be remembered as a kind, generous man. Who can ask for more than that?”

The Contessa 32. Image courtesy of Jeremy Rogers Ltd

Born on 16 September 1937, Jeremy Rogers was taken to Canada as a young boy by his intrepid mother, to escape the threat of war. Summers saw Rogers and his brother play on the banks of the Ottowa, and in winters they entertained themselves indoors by making model boats.

After the war ended, Rogers and his family returned to the UK and finally settled in Keyhaven, where he started sailing Cadets. By time he had finished his first term at Clayesmore School, he had built his own cadet to race.

Jeremy racing on Gigi

Rogers eventually set up business in 1961 at the age of 23, after serving his apprenticeship with Jack Chippendale MBE as a traditional wooden boatbuilder. Within a decade, Rogers had one of the most successful boat-manufacturing companies in Britain.

Since the 1970s, the business has also been at the leading edge of building with composite materials, through the Atlas Carbon Products branch of Jeremy Rogers Limited.

During his five-decade career, Rogers built a large number of well-known yachts, and also made a significant contribution to the world of yacht racing as a keen yachtsman.

From Cadets, Finns, 505s and OK dinghies, Rogers never stopped racing — each boat built by himself, down to the masts and booms.

It was undoubtedly this tireless production of boats, which he intended to race himself, which created such a good and unusual boat builder.

Pictured left: Jeremy Rogers at the yard with son Kit.

As a boatbuilder, Rogers was best known for designing the Contessa sailing yachts, ranging in size from the traditional 26 to the Doug Peterson-designed Grand Prix 35s, 39s and 43s, many of which were exported to a worldwide market.

The two most popular Contessa yachts were the sprightly Contessa 26 and the hugely successful Contessa 32, designed in collaboration with David Sadler.

The Jeremy Rogers boatyard, operating from the Lymington Yacht Haven, still builds the much-loved Contessa 32, adding to the 650 or so already sailing all over the world. Jeremy Rogers Limited is also the sole supplier of original Contessa accessories and spares.

Jeremy with the first Folkboat Dysca, outside Lillington House

While Jeremy eventually stepped down as managing director of the firm in favour of his son Kit, he continued to be a regular presence at the yard for many years, and remained on hand to pass on his lifetime of skill and experience.

This article, written by Jess Rogers to celebrate Jeremy’s 80th birthday, details some of the adventures and successes he enjoyed throughout his lifetime.

En route to Yachtsman of the year 2017

Whenever asked about his success, either as a helmsman or a boatbuilder, Rogers’ answer was always the same: “It just feels right.”