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CARRIACOU REGATTA – MARGETA O2 STYLE              

One of the most interesting aspects of cruising is the people you meet and what they are doing for their island.  The Compton family of Windward, Carriacou, is just such a family.  I happened to meet the men of the family when they were doing just what they love best – building a sloop for their 42nd Annual Regatta to be held July 29th to August 6th, 2007.  Carriacou is a lovely island and their annual sailing regatta is a good reason for residents and visitors to celebrate their long heritage of both boatbuilding and sailing.

Cyril Compton, father of Cyron (23) and Daine (18), believes in the heritage of his country and of wooden boat building.  Together, with many of his son’s friends, the group is building a 38’ Carriacou sloop for this month’s regatta, to be held in Hillsboro.   The original Margeta O was lost in Hurricane Emily in 1985; however her mast and blocks were retrieved and have been used in the rebuilding of Margeta O2.  This means a lot to the family – to keep the tradition going. The sloop was named for a dream that Cyril’s mother had.

While plans are not drawn for the building of the Compton sloop, Cyril did make a model (the lengthwise half) showing, with pencil lines, the position of ribs, beam width, etc.  This is in the work shed for the builders to check, according to scale, when they need it.  Bernard Compton, one of patriarchs of the Compton family, was a boat builder so the genes for excellence are certainly there to be carried on by Cyron and Daine.  Various uncles and cousins were also boat builders with Jessie Compton being the original builder who modeled Margeta O and build it.  While listening to this story I had the opportunity to gaze out over the lovely Caribbean Sea, that fronts their property, and view the Lady Iris, another boat that the Comptons recently completed.

Cyril has been around boats all of his life.  He is an accomplished fisherman and also vendor.  To raise money for the original Margeta O he sold fruits, from a sailing boat in the USVI, for four years.  His wife, Olga Bethel, also comes from a boating family.  Her grandfather was a noted fisherman and also a shipwright so Cyron and Daine were lucky enough to inherit their skills from both sides of the family.

The interesting thing about the Margeta O is that every aspect of building it relates to Carriacou.  The wood was felled from local trees the builders split, stripped and planned it themselves.  They bent the planks for the beam and have used all local materials.  The only exceptions to this are the 3” bronze and steel screws that are used in fastening the planking to the ribs.  This, in itself, is a source of great pride for Carriacou boat lovers.  When you think that this small paradise only has a population of approximately 5,000 it is amazing that so very many boats are built here by locals.

 All At Sea wishes, not only the Compton family, but all of the Carriacou boat builders the best of luck in this year’s Regatta.  We are most proud of the heritage that you have kept and are continuing to excel in.  Have a wonderful Regatta.

Reproduced with permission from All at Sea magazine with thanks

CARRIACOU REGATTA – MARGETA O2 STYLE
By – Nancy Terrell

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