Peter Rogers, who has died aged 72, was a popular and competitive racing sailor. A surveyor by profession, having qualified with Hillier Parker in London, he became interested in sailing when he  moved to Lanzarote in 1975, joining his brother in building a highly successful local property management business. He returned to England in 1987; he and his wife Jane built their family home in Beaulieu. Peter joined the Royal Lymington Yacht Club and started racing from Lymington with Michael (Chalky) White on the Solent’s wooden 21 foot XOD Class Keelboat.  He then switched to an Etchells which he raced with David Lees, Jeremy Turnage, and Michael Slade. His competitive nature continued to grow when he bought a Ker 11.3 called Highlife which became the name of all his subsequent boats. Always wanting to win, he remained above all a great sportsman respected throughout the fleet. He then campaigned a Melges 32 in the USA and Europe with his now regular crew of Ben Cooper and Neil (Jaffa) Harrison. After 8 years in the Melges 32, he returned to Etchells in Cowes and Miami. He enjoyed racing in all his favourite race courses including Newport, Key West, Miami, Annapolis, Perth, Sydney, and of course the Solent. In Florida he combined time in his family holiday home with racing his Etchells in Biscayne Bay.  By then he had become a member of the Royal London Yacht Club which shared the same initials as the Royal Lymington Yacht Club so that his race entry of RLYC allowed each club to claim Peter’s representation. His racing included many Cowes Weeks, Round the Island, World Championships, and a number of Little Britain regattas along with local club races.

 

He  leaves behind Jane and their three daughters Emma, Lucy and Kristie and his six grandchildren Darcey, Alexei, Xavier, Eloise, Hallie, Luca as  well as  many sailors who loved his company both on and off the water.

David Franks

President, Cowes Etchells Fleet

April 2024

 

I have sailed with Peter Rogers for the best part of 20 years, along with Neil (Jaffa) and have been very fortunate to have sailed many legs of the course, some more successful than others. Peter was a very competitive person, but also, and more importantly a true sportsman and gentleman. Our sailing together started in the Ker 11.3, then into the Melges 32 and then a return to the Etchells for Peter and a new challenge for us.

It was a real pleasure to be in Peter’s company. A very proficient storyteller, with some brilliant jokes and views on the world who would always listen with respect by others. An absolute hatred of USA traffic lights (we never ran a red), rather wild dance moves, love of Spanish food and red wine and 1970’s Rock (sometimes combined).

He showed complete trust and supported us on the water and ashore and I feel incredibly lucky to have been in his company for so long. Whatever happened on the water was very quickly celebrated or forgotten and laughter was a common theme. He is sorely missed, and thoughts are with Jane and his daughters.

 

Ben Cooper

April 2024