This week we were sorry to hear of the passing of John Lufkin.
Condolences to John’s family and friends .
The Lufkin name is synonymous with title winning boats from the fleets most competetive era..
We remember John through contributions from Rodney Gregory, Neil Marsden and this Interview with John from 2008.
Rodney reminds us that John was born 1935 in Salford where he also spent his early years.. A member at Leigh and Lowton from the 70’s, John enjoyed playing Trombone in a swing dance band..
John was a skilled boat builder, turning out championship winning Enterprises and a quality Mirror or two amongst other one designs..
John owned a Solo in which he is only thought to have made the odd sortie to the start line.
Owning Leigh Dinghy Stores from around 1982, John built boats at the premises on Chapel Street before the business was sold in the early 90’s.
Neil Marsden Recalls:
I was lucky enough to work with John as an apprentice boat builder in the 1980’s when we built Enterprise 21333 in which I subsequently won the Inlands, Nationals and Worlds.
John was certainly a world class boat builder and his attention to detail was second to none. He inspired me with his enthusiasm for excellence and his ideas to improve and develop the Enterprise…like making a self-bailing centre board case, causing a stir in the class at the time!
He taught me about professionalism not only in sailing but in boat preparation. I have great memories working with John and owe him a big thank you ,
John enabled me to excel in the Enterprise class and taught me skills that only a true professional could offer. Something that has stayed with me in every class I have sailed since and now as a professional coach I can pass on those skills to young sailors of today.