Catch up TV

This episode is currently not available.

Series 1: The Sailing Boat



Mary-Ann Ochota discovers how sailing on the Mersey, which began with fishermen racing each other for fun, developed into a way of life for many people in the region. Mary-Ann hears that whilst the sport now prides itself on being accessible to all, women were frequently banned from clubhouses, well into the 20th century. Many of the clubs in the region also designed their own boats, beautiful wooden craft with names like The Seabird and The Falcon - all specifically made for the Mersey waters. It led to a form of racing in which identical boats were pitted against each other. Winning was a question of skill not a question of who could afford the fastest boat. Today with leisure now a vital part of the regeneration of the former industrial area around Liverpool, sailing for pleasure is more popular than ever, with numerous regattas held on the Mersey. Mary-Ann takes part to experience sailing in these picture postcard boats.

Source: BBC 1

Most recent episodes of Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Thames Barge

Series 1: The Thames Barge

18-08-2022

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Sailing Boat

Series 1: The Sailing Boat

Mary-Ann Ochota discovers how sailing on the Mersey, which began with fishermen racing each other for fun, developed into a way of life for many people in the region. Mary-Ann h ...

01-12-2017

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Rowing Eight

Series 1: The Rowing Eight

Mary-Ann Ochota discovers how the rowing eight - the fastest rowing boat in the world - developed from working boats on the Thames, when river taximen would race their boats for ...

25-11-2017

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Punt

Series 1: The Punt

21-10-2017

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Narrow Boat

Series 1: The Narrow Boat

14-10-2017

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Coracle

Series 1: The Coracle

07-10-2017

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

Most popular episodes of Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Narrow Boat

Series 1: The Narrow Boat

14-10-2017

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Rowing Eight

Series 1: The Rowing Eight

Mary-Ann Ochota discovers how the rowing eight - the fastest rowing boat in the world - developed from working boats on the Thames, when river taximen would race their boats for ...

25-11-2017

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Thames Barge

Series 1: The Thames Barge

18-08-2022

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Sailing Boat

Series 1: The Sailing Boat

Mary-Ann Ochota discovers how sailing on the Mersey, which began with fishermen racing each other for fun, developed into a way of life for many people in the region. Mary-Ann h ...

01-12-2017

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Coracle

Series 1: The Coracle

07-10-2017

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

Britain Afloat

Britain Afloat - Series 1: The Punt

Series 1: The Punt

21-10-2017

BBC 1

All episodes

BBC 1

© 2024 - Catchupplayer.co.uk