In September 1985, the BBC launched its Sunday night nautical drama Howards’ Way, introducing viewers to the fictional village of Tarrant on the Hamble River (Bursledon, Hampshire) with its thriving yachting scene and, at its heart, the Mermaid Boatyard. Howards’ Way was conceived during a pivotal moment in the BBC’s broadcasting history, created and produced by Gerard Glaister and Allan Prior with Raymond Thompson as lead writer and script consultant. It emerged in 1985 as part of the Corporation’s deliberate push to rival ITV’s dominance in populist programming, the very same year BBC1 unveiled its first ongoing soap opera, EastEnders, to challenge the ratings supremacy of Coronation Street. From the outset, the series was carefully positioned to capture mass audiences—over 18 million at its peak—by weaving together soap opera elements with the glamour of the British marine industry. Interestingly, its original working title, The Boatbuilders, was dismissed as too reminiscent of a documentary. Instead, the chosen title, Howards’ Way, not only provided a more captivating hook for viewers but also carried a subtle nautical pun, with a ‘way’ being the path down which ships are launched. Over six series, audiences followed the lives and livelihoods of the locals — and, of course, the real stars of the show: the boats.
Three yachts became central to the drama. The Flying Fish, a Laser 28, brought sleek lines and lively performance to the show’s title sequences. The Barracuda of Tarrant was the striking Sadler Barracuda 45 prototype, a powerful cruiser–racer designed to push the limits of British yacht building. Alongside her sailed the Spring of Tarrant, a smaller MG Spring 25 prototype that reflected the growing appeal of fast, accessible family cruisers. Both Barracuda and Spring were the creations of world-renowned yacht designer Tony Castro — himself a Hamble resident — whose innovative designs added authenticity and cutting-edge flair to the series.
Built in 1988 by Stephen Etheridge in Leamington, Spring of Tarrant joined the series from Season 3 and remained a regular cast member through to the show’s finale in Season 6. For many viewers, her bright hull and quick handling became synonymous with the freedom and aspiration that Howards’ Way projected. “I can still picture the spray flying over her bow during those Solent racing scenes,” recalls one fan who grew up watching the programme with their family every Sunday evening.
Picture: Stephen Etheridge – Humphreys Yacht Design