Peter Wilson, who has just died aged 88 was a stalwart of the Dragon class. As St George’s Dragons, he built about 40 Dragons between 1979 and 1993. This was of enormous importance to the revival of the Dragon class after the difficulties of the 1970s, caused by the loss of Olympic status, a world recession and the switch to GRP construction. The appearance of a new builder of great enthusiasm based in Britain was a dramatic shot in the arm for the British class.

Peter had been involved with Dragons for many years before that. He crewed for Robert Bond, for whom he was then a junior architect, at that time the top boat in Lowestoft and then for Gordon Smith and subsequently in 1970 for me. The experience so enthused him that he bought Ganymede, a 1947 Camper and Nicholson, a near-sister ship to Bluebottle. He raced her in Aldeburgh until the late 1970s and then conceived the idea of building a Dragon. Using a mould taken off Polly, he built the cold-moulded Ganymede II in the derelict museum at Ness House at Thorpeness. She later became a Wyvern and even later was amazingly re-rigged in France.

As one naturally does, he then bought the Aldeburgh Boatyard and started to build commercial GRP Dragons. Ultimately, he built about 40 which were spread around Britain, though always with a solid base in the Aldeburgh fleet. Many Dragon sailors learnt their trade either sailing one of these boats or, indeed, crewing for Peter, such as Rory Bowman. Peter himself always turned up to sail in the Aldeburgh Points series and with some help ensured that the class was always visible and important to the club.

Away from the Dragon class Peter had a love affair with boats from the square meter and 8-meter rules. He owned Fara(30 sq.m), Hiltgund(50sq.m) and then If (8 mR). If proved that 8-mR ownership led to rejuvenation. He sailed her around northern Europe to many top regattas to the astonishment of more conventionally minded competitors. Finally, he built Ganymede, a new cold-moulded 8-mR, but only managed to sail her for one season before old age finally caught up with him.

I have many memories. Peter as garagiste in Brighton where I took my car for servicing. At that time he was sailing Hornets with Andy Cassell in Shoreham. Sailing a National 12 at Ranelagh. Not really quite Peter’s scene. The amazing repair job he and his craftsmen did on my daughter’s Aldeburgh Lapwing overnight. Incredible generosity with boats, equipment and his time to all he met. Above all, the sense that he was always there, however quirky, and a support for so much of what was happening in the sailing world.

I’ve only tried to cover Peter’s work for the Dragon class. There is much more for others to say about his work at Aldeburgh Yacht Club, as an inspiration for builders and his work with the Classic yacht world.

The funeral will be held in Aldeburgh on Thursday 30th at noon, followed by a wake at Aldeburgh Yacht Club.

Patrick Gifford

20-4-2026 

Peter onboard If, regatta 2007, taken by Fleur Hayles.