Donna Capel

Donna Capel has a fascinating history. She was constructed under German licence in Ostende, Belgium, during 1943/44. The oak was pre-war timber, originally destined for a boat about 90ft, which explains why, at 52ft, she’s so heavily timbered. She was the last of the sailing trawlers built that worked out of Ostende during the war, though the first to be fitted with an inboard engine. Her record catch was 22 tons, before being bought by Mousehole’s Howard Capel and fished from UK til the 70’s. She was rebuilt from 2006 to 2009 and now sails as a stunning 35 ton Gaff Ketch. Based is Falmouth, she’s owned by John Davison.