Gareloch One Design

Helensburgh Outdoor Museum

Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh

The yacht featured on the plinth in Helensburgh’s Outdoor Museum is a 'Gareloch One Design', a class of elegant 24-foot wooden racing yachts that have graced the waters of the Gare Loch since 1924.

Designer: Ewing McGruer, of the renowned McGruer boatbuilding family in Clynder.

Year Built: 1924.

Fleet Size: Just 16 were ever built—and remarkably, all 16 still survive and race today.

Purpose: Designed for competitive sailing, these yachts were known for their graceful lines and spirited performance.

Location: Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh.

Feature: A bronze half-model of the yacht hull mounted on a plinth, with carved inscriptions detailing the class’s history.

Unveiled: During the town’s Winter Festival, as part of a broader celebration of Helensburgh’s cultural and nautical legacy.

Creators: The model was commissioned by the Gareloch One Design Association, with contributions from local figures including Tim Henderson, nephew of John Henderson—the man credited with reviving the fleet in the 1950s.

The Gareloch One Designs are more than boats—they’re living links to a bygone era of yacht racing. Their continued presence on the loch is a testament to community dedication and craftsmanship.

They’ve outlasted many other classes, including Olympic and international designs, and remain a colourful fixture of summer sailing in the area.