
FRIENDS OF
NORTHWOOD CEMETERY
COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT
Skye Villa, Newport Road, Cowes
Charles Sibbick spent the early part of his life in the building trade in which he rose to become a contractors foremen. He was also interested in yacht design and construction and, in 1888 with the growth ininterest in small racing yachts in the Solent, he decided to turn to small yacht design andconstruction for a living.Based at the Albert Yard in Thetis Road, Cowes, he designed and built around 300 boats until the company went out of business in early 1903. Many of these were small racing yachts,termed Raters, but he also built a number of cruisers, the largest of which was 63 tons and over 60 feet long. His customers included the rich and famous of the day ranging from Princes and MPs to wealthy American businessmen. His boats were exported all around the world and some 20 of his yachts are known to still exist today.