Tributes to Dave Ovington

Friday UPDATE: Messages from readers following the death of a leading figure within our sport

Readers have been sending messages of condolence following the sudden death of Dave Ovington on Sunday afternoon. To read the full story about the career of this perfectionist boatbuilder who touched so many lives - click here. To go through the tributes to the man that have been pouring in from around the world...read on...

From Nick Bubb and the crew of Daedalus competing in the Oryx Quest:
At times like this it is very difficult to put your feelings into words. I had the pleasure of working with Dave on my new Mini Transat last winter. He was one of the kindest and most helpful people I've ever meet. I arrived in an old van early one morning and proceeded to take over his yard causing chaos and generally making a mess wherever I went. I ended up living at the yard for two months and have fond memories of watching the rugby World Cup with him and discussing future sailing plans. It is so sad not to be able to share these ideas and beers anymore but he will be in my thoughts especially when I'm racing my Mini. Everyone onboard send their sympathies to his family. They can be sure he was one of the most popular figures in sailing.

From Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League:
“Ovi” was a highly respected and very well liked 18ft Skiff sailor and boat builder (responsible for the build of 18 Footers in the UK) and will be missed in 18ft Skiff Racing circles and yachting fraternity alike.

As a tribute to him, the Australian 18 Footers League will be holding a wake in its Double Bay clubhouse after next Sundays (3 April) race.

All skiffs will be required to fly a black ribbon from the leech of their mainsails.

We express our sincerest sympathy to Dave’s family on such a tragic loss.

From Wiz Deas at Matrix Mouldings:
Can't quite believe it. Only the other day Dave and I were arguing about price and delivery for something needed urgently up at Ovington boats. Never has there been such a nice guy to do business with. He kept us on our toes here at Matrix, and quite right too.

I'm going to miss him and I only new him a bit, but I thought of him often and will continue so to do.

From Martin Boatman, crew member of Ovington Boats Like!:
Since meeting Dave in 2001 and starting sailing with him from 2002 Dave has tought me so much about how to prepare a boat, how to race a boat, how to be professional but more than that how to enjoy sailing and life with some of the best friends anyone could wish for.

Words don't explain what Dave meant to all who new him.

From Duncan McDonald:
THE LEGEND – ALWAYS AND FOREVER!

HE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAN I HAVE EVER MET!

I have never heard a bad word said about him! (Despite his competitive racing and boat building career)
His boats have been perfect – for they are the best in the world – and I have sailed all of them!
He is the cheeky grin of every regatta!
He is the man we always looked forward to seeing (++) at all events!
He allowed Neal and I to move forward with our sailing from dinghies to yachts!
He was the one who called from the ‘trooper – like’ and made our day on more occasions than you can imagine!
He is the man that most of us could only strive to be!
Ovi is a hero!

My condolences to family, friends and business

I have never before cried in public! But I have now and I suspect I will do some more!

OVI IS A LEGEND!

From Pete Mohler, President, I14 World Association, Ventura CA USA:
I was stunned to hear about Dave. I first met him in the 80's when we were buying his POW winning I14 to import it to California. I always looked forward to seeing him when I got to the UK, or wherever the I14 worlds were taking place. Never was there a nicer guy - The sport has lost one of the good ones. My thoughts go out to his family.

From Ian Turnbull, Ovington Boats:
Dave was an inspiration. I am so glad I had the opportunity to work and sail with him. He will be greatly missed.

From Charles Stanley – Former I14 UK Chairman:
Dave is a tragic loss to the whole sailing community. His contribution to our sport and dinghy sailing cannot be underestimated. I knew him most for his involvement with the International 14, a class for which he had a passion and one he supported from his true desire to experiment and push the boundaries of sailing. With out Dave’s commitment to our fleet, particularly through the turbulent development period of the mid 90’s, being constantly prepared to develop new moulds to allow cost effective hulls to be built to the new changes, the class could not have been as successful and strong as it is today.

From Ian Walker:
Your photo says it all. Ovi was always smiling – even when he had worked 24 hours a day to finish a boat and then personally driven it non stop all the way to the South of France. A tireless worker, excellent sailor, friend to many and a real family man. Why is it always the good guys that are taken from us?

Tom McWilliam writes:
I had TWO Enterprises built by Dave that were so perfect I was terrified when I pulled them out of the shed, never mind when I first raced them! We met again (with his family) when he built the Farr 52s that have given lots of us so much brilliant sailing over the last five years. what a talent and what a fantastic guy. Tragic isn't a big enough word.

From Tony Lovell and Shira Robinson - Race Management, Royal Southern Yacht Club:
The Royal Southern Yacht Club first met Dave at the Mumm 30 Worlds a few years ago - a great competitor and an extremely welcome guest at the Club - he will be missed.

From Sam Davies (in St Nazaire)
I'm really shocked and sad to hear about Ovi. I will always remember him as the guy with the big smile at the helm of "Ovington Boats - like" and I send my wishes to his family, close friends and everyone at Ovington boats

From James Dadd, RORC Chief Measurer
I was greatly shocked to hear this tragic news. Dave always made the daunting task of weighing 30 plus Mumm 30s in a day a challenge rather than a chore, and my database of one liners was always restocked fully. Always the true professional, and a good friend, I for one shall be toasting him with a TVR or two as Mike suggests.

From John Newnham:
A top man...all of us at Marineware greatly enjoyed our dealings with Dave.. A great sense of humour and good man to deal with. Our condolences to friends and family.

Paul Brotherton writes:
Everyone who knew Dave will greet this tragic news with utter disbelief. It was impossible to be involved in dinghy sailing in the UK and not to have had some positive contact with Dave.

Always sparklingly funny, disarmingly honest and kind he was a brilliant friend to me and my family.

From Mike Richards:
Top Bloke - we should all toast him with a TVR for him (tequila, vodka, red bull)

From Auckland Mike Green writes:
I had the pleasure of sailing with Dave a few times in 14s and Enterprises. His enthusiasm for the sport was amazing and his willingness to pass on his vast knowledge to others was unbounded.

My father and I messed around with building a few National 12s in our garage over winter periods and if we had problems with anything Dave was the first person to come over and offer his help or offer to use tools from his workshop.

His ability to sail at international level around the world was never in doubt but he never forgot his home club and I remember on a number of occasions after he competed in the Enterprise Worlds or 14 PoW Cup week he work return and be sailing at Tynemouth on the next Wednesday evening summer club race.

A great ambassador for the sport at all levels and will be sorely missed

From Dave MacCreary, Editor of Scuttlebutt Europe:
I first met Dave at the ISAF high performance dinghy trials in Lake Garda in 1996. I was at the time the ISAF's webmaster and was eagerly gathering as much information as I could on all the boats there, in particular the new 49er. Dave was quiet, modest, and pretty much the font of all knowledge. He was exceedingly gracious with his time and wisdom about many of the boats on test. I was very impressed.

A few months later in Brighton, I was sitting between Dave and Julian Bethwaite when the ISAF announced that the 49er would be the next Olympic class. Both gave me a great interview for the ISAF site, and I went on to build Dave's first website. Nice guy to work with, so well respected throughout the industry.

My condolences to his friends and family.

Sam Bourne from Harken writes:
A master boatbuilder and an all-round ‘good bloke’. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and all the staff at Ovington.

We thank readers for sending in their thoughts. If anyone else has recollections they wish to share about Dave Ovington - email them to us here