Research

BNYA will undertake research projects as and when volunteers are able to commit to a structured research programme or when project funding is available to provide grants to qualified researchers. Current projects are listed below.

  • Oral Histories
    Given that much of what happens on and off the water, if not the stuff of legend, is at least based on anecdote and personal interactions that are not usually documented. It is our intention to capture the memories of those involved through recording "oral histories" - that is to interview sailors, designers, boatbuilders, sailmakers, etc. to piece together the stories of major events such as sailing events, technical breakthroughs, policy decisions, etc.. Many people we would like to have interviewed are sadly no longer with us and we have a growing list of people we would like to interview fairly soon. Our interviewers really need to have a personal relationship with the interviewee already and be familiar the events.

    To do this, we haev audio recording equipment but ideally need to acquire suitable video recording and editing equipment. Our fundraising will help with this - if you can help in kind, please contact us - if you can provide financial assistance, please goto the Home Page which highlights our current campaign. If you would like to be an interviewer, again contact us.
  • Monitoring
    To maintain (build) the comprehensive coverage we would like we need to fill the gaps. Just collecting what turns up collects a lot of material, but never the whole story. We need people who can
    • research subjects such as past race records, class rule changes, designers and builders, etc..
    • undertake web site watching for reports from clubs, classes, organisations, etc.
    • monitor brokerage sites where someone has put together profiles of the background and history of boats