Vahine II

Featured Boat

Register your Boat

An important role of the CYAA is to document the history and specifications of classic sailing craft in Australia. Members are encouraged to complete the simple form and details and images of your craft will be added to the database. This will provide enthusiasts from around the world the opportunity to admire and share information. If you are not a member but would like to have your vessel listed simply join the Association for $75AUD and then complete the form.

Boat Name: Vahine II
Designer: Kim Holman
Builder: Tucker Brown & Co. (UK)
Year Launched: 1962
Rig: Fractional Sloop
LOA: 27′9′
LWL: 20′
Beam: 7′6″
Draft: 3′10″
Sail No: 273
Owner: Paddy Briscoe

History: Kim Holman designed the Stella for A E (Dicky) Bird, then commodore of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club Burnham on Crouch. He wanted a Folkboat, but with greater initial stability and larger accommodation. The resultant yacht was the Stella, slightly longer and with more freeboard than the Folkboat, and with much greater accommodation.
About twenty Stella’s were built in Australia. Many were built with a doghouse rather than the flat coach roof of the UK Stellas.
The class (allegedly) got its name from one of the originators while playing with a beer mat during a pub discussion!
Frank Armstrong, who worked at Noyes Bros in the 1950’s, built Vahine II and she was launched in 1962.
I bought Vahine II in 2005 from Greg Currie, but know nothing of her history in-between (can any one help…?)
I race her in the Classic Regattas around Morton Bay with some success (the handicappers have been very kind to us) and go cruising with my young autistic son.