Cowes for the use of Queen Elizabeth I sowed the seed for Cowes to grow into a world-renowned centre of boat-building. However, seafaring for recreation and sport remained the exception rather than the rule until much later. It was not until the reign of keen sailor George IV that the stage was set for the heyday of Cowes as 'The Yachting Capital of the World.' In 1826 the Royal Yacht Squadron organised a three-day regatta for the first time and the next year the king signified his approval of the event by presenting a cup to mark the occasion. This became
S&S 34 lighter, as well as being much stronger and stiffer. In 2011, pre-1980 boats sell for between $15,000 and $22,000 and new Constellation class boats cost from about $200,000 fully rigged. The first production S&S 34 built was "Morning Cloud", owned by Sir Edward Heath. Heath had seen the boat at the 1969 London Boat Show and sailed it to win the 1969 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race as well as a class win in the Fastnet Race off Cowes. S&S 34 designs were overall or prize winners in every Sydney-Hobart race from 1969 to 1974, they were placed 1st and