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News & Events Archive
New & Events - Queensland
Norm Souter-Smith recently contacted the Register of Australian and New Zealand Ships and Boats to find a good home for his very historic yacht Oimara.
Norm wrote:
“It is with a lot of sadness that my wife Beryl and I have come to the decision that Oimara should be passed to a younger person or organization with the enthusiasm and enterprise to restore her to her former glory”.
For the full story and some lovely imagery visit
Rees Martin Writes…
“After a very successful Six Metre World Championships in Newport R.I. it is clear that Classics Sixes are still being found and restored . Several were converted for cruising in the 1920s; some raced in the Solent as Q Class yachts. I suspect there are examples where the owner may not even know they are 6 Metres. Uffa Fox wrote enthusiastically about several – at least two of which have disappeared.
Could I ask your readers if they own or know of any Sixes sitting under wraps, being cruised or lying derelict in a yard? The Class has extensive records of all the Sixes built and most have been identified however there are several important examples still to be found and bought back to race again!”
Replies to Rees at rees@6mr.org.uk
Alan “Doug” Scott is trying to learn the whereabouts of Finisterre, the famous
39-foot yawl that Olin Stephens designed for Carleton Mitchell 55 years ago.
Scott may be contacted at:
Joyce Talbot writes from New Zealand……
Join us for two fabulous weeks of classic sailing and racing on the spectacular waters of the Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata Harbour, and the enjoyment of the warm hospitality and camaraderie of Kiwi Classic Yachties. Bring your own yacht or crew on one of our beautiful ladies…………..
Schedule of Events:
Friday Jan 29: Devonport Yacht Club Night Race to Mahurangi. (24 miles)
Saturday Jan 30: Mahurangi Cruising Club Classic Yacht Regatta & Classic Launch Rally – non-series optional event
Sunday Jan 31: CYANZ Mahurangi to Auckland Race. (24 miles) Start 10am
Raft up in Viaduct
Monday Feb 1: Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Regatta
The Southern Trust Classic Yacht Regatta: 11-14 Feb, with Race HQ based in the Viaduct. Food and bar open each night after racing
Thursday Feb 11: Skippers briefing, followed by dinner at the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron
Friday Feb 12: Race 1
Saturday Feb 13: Race 2 followed by Race 3
Sunday Feb 14: Race 4 & Official Prize Giving
For More information download the Flyer and Entry form here
or
email joyce at joycetalbot@xtra.co.nz
Brian Hunter (WBA of NSW Pittwater Regatta Delegate) writes……
The summer sailing season is fast approaching and I have news that the Pittwater Regatta will be held on the weekend of 27 – 28 th March. Last years Timber and Classic division was a great success and we are hoping to make this years event even bigger. If there is enough interest we would look at events over 2 days for classic yachts with a raft up and social function on the Saturday evening. With this in mind we invite the Classic Yacht Association and its members to become involved.
Pittwater is the best cruising location on the coast of NSW with many fantastic anchorages and great sailing, with the regatta as a focal point, it presents a great opportunity for owners of classic yachts to have a memorable cruise and show of their pride and joy.
The Premiere Classic Regatta in Victoria and probably Australia is ready to go again. The Notice of Race and Entry forms are downloadable here!
More information will be sent out shortly in regards to the improved format this year, however you can bank on three days of exciting racing and celebration. So far we have had commitments from Classic Yachts and Working Boats from as far a field as Mornington, Sorrento, Queenscliff, Sandringham, Brighton and St Kilda. It promises to be a great weekend. Spread the word, and lets get another great fleet of beautiful craft, racing on Port Phillip.
David J. Elliott, Project Co-ordinator at the British National Yachting Archive writes…..
I have had a request for information to try and track down the whereabouts of the 5.5mR ‘The Deb’ which was K1. This is an historically important boat, designed and built by Nicholsons. The first ever 5.5mR. We have had one report that she may be in Australia, perhaps Queensland, – another 5.5mR, Bjarne went to Australia. So, I am contacting as many people in Australia as I have details for and who may have noticed a possible 5.5mR on a mooring or tucked away in a yard as they travel around the country. I am casting around widely since we have no idea where it went and maybe you could forward this message on to anyone else you feel may be able to help. So far as we are aware, the last time it had a confirmed sighting was at the 1969 Worlds at Poole although Paddy Briscoe reports that his father sailed it after that from Weymouth to new owners on the Isle of Wight. Val Provoost reports that in the early sixties she was owned by the Solent School of Yachting operating out of the Hamble River and later saw her at Castle Cove Sailing Club at Weymouth. Late sixties/early seventies there were three 5.5s sailing at the club, K1 The Deb. K18 Medina and K32 Bjarne. Medina was wrecked and sold to Belsize boatyard but was restorable. She then believes The Deb went home to the Dorset farm where her owner lived for a refit. Jeremy Lines (C&N Archivist) reports that she was at Tormentor Yacht Station at Warsash in 1957 but last heard of was in 1968 when she was owned by John S.Mead (he still has the drawings). She is in the 1967 Lloyds Register, but not the 1970 one.
“Medina” was in fact repaired and eventually made its way to Northern Ireland then sold again in rather poor condition with a lot of rot. Last heard was that in spite of a lot of effort on the part of the new owner it was beyond repair and is believed to have been scrapped.
Please let me know if you have any information and many thanks for your help – much appreciated.
Three of Australia’s most famous older ocean racing yachts, Sanyo Maris, Pacha and Ray White Spirit of Koomooloo (the original Ragamuffin) are among a strong fleet of 16 boats nominated for this year’s Hempel Paints Gosford to Lord Howe Island Race.Conducted by Gosford Sailing Club, the 414 nautical mile race is the only annual Category 1 ocean race in Australian waters outside of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.Fleet numbers are limited because of the World Heritage listing of the tiny island across the northern Tasman Sea, with many of the entries again using it as their qualifier for December’s Rolex Sydney Hobart.Despite the Lord Howe Island Race being open to canting keel maxi yachts for the first time, none have entered, with the largest boat in the fleet being Pacha at 16.21m LOA. The emphasis this year will definitely be on IRC and PHS handicap results in a closely matched fleet. Sanyo Maris, the Alan Payne-designed timber yawl skippered by Ian Kiernan, won this race last year on IRC corrected time to celebrate her 50th birthday. Pacha, a Camper & Nicholson-designed sloop, won the 1970 Sydney Hobart Race and has been lovingly restored to her best by Gosford Sailing Club member Bill Koppe.
The Queensland-owned Ray White Spirit of Koomooloo is the original Ragamuffin, a Sparkman & Stephens-designed 48-footer that in 1971 won the Fastnet Race in England and also contested three Admiral’s Cups as a member of the Australian team. Then, as Margaret Rintoul II, she continued to race to Hobart before being bought by Queenslanders Mike and Don Freebairn to replace another grand old yacht, Koomooloo, that foundered during the 2006 Hobart Race.
The Hempel Gosford to Lord Howe Island Yacht Race 2009 will see the return to ocean racing of Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron member Bill Gilbert in his Jutson-designed Southern Cross. — Peter Campbell
The third and revised iteration of The Melbourne Cup Regatta is planned to get underway on Friday the 30th October with two special contests. The first is 2 on 2 boat contest between the CYAA gun racing boats from the 60’s. Mercedes III and Boambillee, and two of the hottest boats from the Couta Boat Fleet. The “Guineas Trophy” as it will be called is the brain child of Martin Ryan, who was fascinated by the speed of the fishing boats compared to state of the art 1960’s Ocean racers. A thousand Guineas will be on the table for the winning Association. For more information see the guineaschallenge offical document.
At the same time Melbourne’s re-energised Tumlaren fleet will compete to find the top Boat on Port Phillip, reliving the glory days of the 40’s and 50’s. After these two new events there will be a Opening Cocktail Party held at The Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, looking across Hobson’s Bay Back to the City of Melbourne. We are hoping to arrange for as many vessels as possible to be berthed out the front of RYCV, rafting up and creating a fun social atmosphere in which we can share stories and information on our magnificent old boats.
The Regatta proper will start on Saturday 31st October with a 20 nautical mile Passage Race around the top end of the Bay. Sunday 1st November is a day for the purists with two short laid courses, testing the pure sailing skills of the racing fleet. Monday 1st November will see a morning pursuit race based on the corrected handicapps from previous races with the aim of a grouped finnish at RYCV at around lunch time. On Monday afternoon we will hold a massive gourmet BBQ followed by the Presentation of trophies and prizes. Any if you still have any energy left you can always go to the other “Cup” on Tuesday.
As always we are encouraging our interstate and Trans-Tasman members and enthusiasts to attend. They can be guaranteed a great weekend of sailing and socializing whilst celebrating The Melbourne Classic Fleet. Be a part of it!
Some Comments from 2008
“The racing was fabulous and close and the company superb. A great event and one which the CYANZ will be promoting as a ‘must do’ for next November.” Tony Blake CYANZ President.
“Thank you to you and your team for putting on another special Cup Weekend Regatta…… the conditions were excellent for sailing, which we really enjoyed; plus the good company of the Kiwis we had as crew. The voyage across the bay to Sorrento, which I also enjoy, worked out well with quick and easy passages both directions.” Rod Martin Couta Boat Skipper.
Entry Forms will be available on this Site on the 1st August.
With the launch of their new Association and website,the Australian Square Metre Association hopes to engender the beginnings of new friendships and the opportunity to talk about what they have in common, Square Metre Yachts, or Skerry Cruisers as they are often referred to. So a search is underway. With the first 2 yachts built back in 1937, to the more recent fiberglass yachts built at the turn of the century, there is a wealth of history. These boats with their distinctive shape and flair, they are boats that will have been noticed throughout Australia.
For more information go to www.asqma.com