MATAWA was built to an F C Morgan-Giles design by Cardnell Brothers, Maylandsea, Essex in 1947 for W E Mason of Woodford Green, Essex.  Mr Mason also ordered the design and build of a Pram Dinghy from Morgan Giles. Drawings for MATAWA and the pram dinghy still exist in the Teign Heritage archives.

A succession of owners followed until purchased by Captain Robert Franks in 1961.  MATAWA was sailed and cruised extensively including Brittany, Spain, Ireland, the Baltic and Norway, Gibraltar and the Mediterranean. In 1974 MATAWA sailed the Atlantic circuit with Robert. An account of a gale experienced during that circuit appears in Yachting Monthly in November 1975. 

In the 1990’s the boat’s ownership was extended to include Robert’s sons and grandchildren, and recently even some of Robert’s Great-Grandchildren have been introduced to sailing in MATAWA. She has continued to be cruised extensively by the family.  She has now been sold into new ownership after 50 years with the same family.

Robert Franks Grandson Nico Franks and the current owner, Keith Mitchell recently visited the Teign Heritage Centre and generously presented some of the original drawings MATAWA.