Rupert Smith

About Rupert Smith

Rupert Smith has been in the boat building industry since 1981. During this time he has helped build, repair and fit-out a wide variety of vessels from dinghies to sail training ships and river cruisers to RNLI lifeboats.

Initially he trained at the IBTC in Lowestoft, where practical boat building skills were learnt and a distinction gained. After ten years 'on the tools', time was taken out to study. He graduated with a B.Eng(Hons) in Yacht & Powercraft Design and is now a Member of The Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

Rupert has sailed extensively, from the age of 4, beginning with the family Mirror in the late 'sixties, at Newhaven & Seaford SC. Since then a wide variety of dinghies have been raced to various standards as well as local yacht racing. He currently races a Fireball, with some moderate success, winning the 2005, 2006 & 2011 National and 2005 European 'Classic' Fireball titles.

In his spare time he has introduced his young family to narrowboating, and is a past Commodore of Newhaven & Seaford Sailing Club.