Boleh Project, Haslar Marina, Chichester (2026)

15/10/2025

'Get Knotting' with Boleh - There was plenty of sun but no wind when Service schoolchildren from Wimborne Primary enjoyed their day out on Boleh's Pompey's Military Kids (PMK) sailing programme. So, with no sails to hoist or lower, Skipper Craig and Mate Jonathan decided the young crew should 'get knotting' as their first step towards learning about life afloat. Knot instruction took place on the foredeck and picture shows one young sailor celebrating a simple 'figure of eight'.

Thanking Craig and Jonathan for the sail, the school's Service Children's Champion wrote: "A huge thank you again from myself and the children. They thoroughly enjoyed their day with some fine examples of the 'can-do' attitude." We're delighted to report the autumn phase of these popular day sails is now complete, despite adverse weather, and are very grateful to the RN & RM Charity whose generosity continues to make the PMK sailing programme possible.

Read more: https://www.bolehproject.com/get-knotting-with-boleh/

10/10/2025

Boleh's Respite For Huntingdon's - 'So Happy I Could Cry!' - We are humbled by the positive impact Boleh has been able to make on those living with Huntingdon's disease. Following a contact at last year's Southampton Boat Show, Hampshire and IOW Huntington's Disease Association (HDA) Branch Secretary, Annette Scivier, recently brought some of her members to sail in Boleh. Their object, to assess whether Boleh and the 'Can-do' ethos would suit the respite needs of HDA members and their families.

In perfect sailing weather our volunteers, Skipper Nigel and Mate Ant, helped by Deborah White of Thales UK, took Annette who had lost her husband to the disease, and her daughter out on the Solent. Boleh also sailed Janet, a Gosport-based HDA member living with Huntingdon's and two Gosport teenagers with their father who was also a sufferer. Everyone was able to enjoy helming Boleh in bright sunshine and learn a little about offshore sailing - and all in controlled safety.

We're pleased to say HDA reactions to the day were very heartening: "I am so happy I could cry!" "There just are those days when everything works out perfectly and everyone ends up smiling." "This trip definitely helped boost my daughter's self esteem." and "An amazing day!" The verdict of Boleh's crew: "One of the clearest indications experienced of Boleh and the 'Can Do' ethos working at so many levels to provide respite to individuals and families facing challenge in their lives"

Read more: https://www.bolehproject.com/bolehs-respite-for-huntingdons-so-happy-i-could-cry/

08/10/2025

Boleh And The Army Air Corps - Earlier in the Season, the Boleh Trust was delighted to welcome, first members of the Army Air Corps' (AAC) Veterans Association, and then some days later AAC families. This was a new opportunity for both parties, initiated by Corps Secretary, Lt Col Bernie Fowler. Boleh was able to accommodate the veterans onboard the night before. This enabled old AAC colleagues - pilots, engineers and admin staff - to share Service experiences and Boleh's crew to tailor the next day's programme to meet expectations.

Next day started with sunshine and a good wind in the Solent. Later, the can-do spirit was severely tested when the tail end of a hurricane forced Boleh to return to Haslar into the teeth of a thunderstorm that had lurked over Portsmouth all afternoon. "We got very, very wet" - but thank goodness for the Marina's excellent hot showers! With the second Boleh sail we are glad to report AAC families had better luck, enjoying excellent sailing conditions. We hope to renew our AAC links with better weather next year.

Read more: https://www.bolehproject.com/boleh-and-the-army-air-corps/

03/10/2025

Boleh's 15 August Links With 1945 And 1950 - Earlier this season, on 15 August, the Nation celebrated VJ Day, the 80th Anniversary of J*pan's surrender, ending War in the Far East. 15 August was also HRH The Princess Royal's 75th Birthday - and Boleh, with her J*p fighter screen deck-lights, has links to both these events.

Boleh's creator, Robin Kilroy, and fellow Naval aircrew served with distinction in the war against J*pan. Later, in the 1950s, some of these veterans sailed with Robin in Boleh, including his friend Ronnie Hay, Royal Marine fighter ace and Battle of Britain pilot. Robin and our Ops Director Craig's grandfather, Douglas, were also shipmates in HMS INDEFATIGABLE (pictured under Kamikaze attack) whose aircraft destroyed J*panese oil depots in Sabang, Boleh's first port of call on her epic 1950 voyage to the UK.

And HRH's Birthday - towards the end of Boleh's passage from Singapore 75 years ago the ship's log has the following entry:

"Tuesday, 15th August 1950. Position: 37deg 44' N., 39deg 10' W. Run: 38.
The barometer was climbing higher and higher, while the varnish and paint situation became critical. We celebrated the arrival of Princess Elizabeth's daughter."

When HRH visited Boleh in 2021 we were able to show her this entry at page 197 of the book 'Boleh' and present her with a copy. Boleh's visit to Sabang is covered at page 66.

Read more:https://www.bolehproject.com/book/BolehByRobinKilroy.pdf

01/10/2025

Boleh Cares For The Carers - Boleh recently welcomed two groups from Wiltshire Young Carers to give the young people a complete change from the challenge of their family responsibilities. Both groups encountered something quite new and took their first steps in learning the skills needed for life afloat. Despite windless conditions, they were able to explore Portsmouth Harbour under motor, providing the opportunity for the Young Carers to take Boleh's helm and learn the intricacies of reef knots, clove hitches, and figures of eight.

The Young Carers and Team Leader, Niki Andrews, were very enthusiastic about their days on the water and Ben Jarvis, Head of Youth Action Wiltshire (YAW), summed up Boleh's contribution with the words "Thanks once more for 2 fantastic days, aside from a complete lack of wind, it was beautiful." - read the full YAW report on our website. We are very grateful to the Pineapple Trust for their generous support of Boleh's charitable work and look forward to renewing our links with Wiltshire Young Carers again next year.

Read more: https://www.bolehproject.com/boleh-cares-for-the-carers/

01/09/2025

75 Years Of ‘Can-Do’ - The Boleh Trust is proud to report that on this day, 75 years ago, our unique Junk Yacht Boleh (whose name means ‘Can-do’ in Malay) arrived in the UK. Designed by owner Robin Kilroy and built in Singapore by Malay shipwrights, she was launched in 1949 with the words “I name you Boleh – and may you live up to it!” And in 1950 she did – leaving Singapore on 18 January and anchoring off the Ferry Steps in Salcombe at 16.10 on 1 September to a 3-gun salute from the Salcombe Yacht Club.

Her crew, ‘weary but triumphant’, had completed an epic 15,000 mile voyage, featured in the next day’s Press, and later recorded in Robin’s book Boleh. As the Daily Express reported – the “Can do, Could!” – and Boleh received ‘a tremendous welcome from the Mayor, townspeople and summer visitors’. Photo taken on arrival in 1950 shows Skipper Robin Kilroy (bottom right) with crew (from left to right) Chang Hai Kun (Cook), Peter Aplin (Navigator), John Rusher (Logistics), and George Jarvis (Shipwright).

Covid delayed celebrating the 70th anniversary of Boleh’s arrival but in 2021, with a Devon Army Cadet crew, Boleh was able to visit Salcombe. Escorted into harbour, she attracted much attention with a Yacht Club reception and a special Maritime Museum display. Now the Trust uses the ‘can-do’ story of Boleh’s past achievements to encourage young and old with challenge in their lives. We are grateful to all the funders and volunteers whose generosity and dedication continue to make this possible.

Robin’s book Boleh: https://www.bolehproject.com/boleh-by-robin-kilroy/

14/08/2025

Have Fun Afloat and Help Boleh - Only £75! - Boleh hasn't only been busy with her charitable sailing. She's 75 this year and last month saw the first of her anniversary day sails at the special rate of £75 per head - so £450 for a party of 6, way below commercial rates. This enables 6 people - no sailing experience or qualification required - to enjoy a day on the Solent aboard a historic vessel cared for by the Trust's RYA qualified crew. All in aid of Boleh and to spread the Trust's message that, through the experience of sail training, we help those facing challenge.

On this anniversary sail, skippered by Nigel, the party left 'Boleh's Haslar base in glorious sunshine with enough wind to make Seaview on the Isle of Wight. Here they took the 's RIB service for an excellent lunch ashore before sailing Boleh back to Gosport via the Palmerston Forts. During July Boleh also hosted 's corporate day out, sailing to Cowes for lunch at The Lifeboat. Boleh then had a cracking downwind run back in perfect conditions with everyone joining in the sailing.

These day sails certainly make a grand day out. They could be yours for £450! Interested? Contact Craig at [email protected] to find out more.

https://www.bolehproject.com/have-fun-afloat-and-help-boleh-only-75/

12/08/2025

Boleh looks after the Navy - Boleh has again been caring for Naval families and playing her part in the Royal Navy’s Personnel Recovery and Development (PRD) programme. In a week which ranged from restricted sailing within the harbour and 40 knots of wind to bright sunshine and cracking sailing across the Solent, Portsmouth PRD groups have been enjoying their 'Boleh experience'. Members of today’s high-tech Navy found themselves in a world of basic seamanship, wrestling with the effects of wind and tide on a small boat.

On different programmes and facing different futures, those on the Recovery programme tackled their day onboard Boleh with good humour, a sense of camaraderie, and a readiness to exchange 'dits'. The verdict of Boleh’s crew? “A very positive week with a great team who were keen, involved, intrigued and interested!” We are very grateful to the Nuffield Trust for the Forces of the Crown who provided the funding for this successful week and look forward to hosting more PRD groups in the future. https://www.bolehproject.com/boleh-looks-after-the-navy/

15/07/2025

'RYA Start Yachting' With Boleh In Dorset - Last month Boleh was again down in Portland, sailing local schools with long term partner the . CST continue to play an important role across Dorset, focussing on areas of deprivation and schools with the highest levels of 'pupil premium'. Targeting those with the greatest need, their courses are now longer but for smaller numbers. So, with Boleh a recognised RYA Training centre, this year CST offered young people 2 days onboard to qualify for RYA 'Start Yachting' certificates.

Seasoned CST trustee and volunteer Mate, John Tweed supported Yachtmaster Instructor, Craig taking the children through the 'Start Yachting' course. Picture shows some of the qualifying young 'mariners' happily waving their RYA certificates and log books. We're very grateful to the Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Foundation and the Valentine Trust for funding Boleh's Portland deployment and thrilled with comments received: "learnt lots but also very fun, would love to do it again" . . . . "great staff, wonderful boat" . . . . "Craig's really wonderful with young people - at one stage he had them all dancing on deck!".

https://www.bolehproject.com/rya-start-yachting-with-boleh-in-dorset/

04/07/2025

More Pics Of Boleh's Big Day In 2015 - There are many more pictures of Boleh's Big Day 10 years ago. We particularly like the one sent in by Graham Westbrook of Boleh's amazing mast being lowered in to place. Graham, our Naval Architect, steered Boleh through her restoration and now ensures her compliance with the standards required of a sail training vessel. Chairman Chris Laws sent in another picture which caught our eye: Boleh in the shed at Hamilton Road, with freshly painted topsides gleaming, awaiting her transport to Chichester and, eventually, the open sea.

02/07/2025

Restored Boleh's 10 Years Afloat - We start the month with the news that almost exactly 10 years ago (29 June 2015) Boleh left the workshops at Hamilton Road, Eastney after 7 years of restoration, financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund. A low loader transported her to Chichester Marina (picture) and, over the following two days, she was launched back on the water and fitted with her iconic quadruped masts. The rest, as they say, is history!

We wish Boleh another successful 10 years and thank all those who restored her, looked after her, and funded her charitable sailing programmes. https://www.bolehproject.com/restored-bolehs-10-years-afloat/

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