 
Mooring standards
Several years ago, my boat suffered damage when another vessel collided with her during a storm.
The other vessel, a Sunbird 25, was moored using an inadequate-sized concrete block that was estimated at the time as weighing about half a ton. The storm coincided with an unusually high tide and the small mooring was unable to contain that vessel to her space and she floated down-wind to my vessel.That incident caused me to undertake some research into mooring standards and I was surprised to find that the NSW Maritime had no specific standard for moorings. They only emphasised a disclaimer that the owner of a mooring was responsible for it and that Maritime would not accept liability for anything etc.
What I did learn though was that concrete generally has a density of 2,400kgs per cubic metre (or about 150 pounds per cubic foot for those of us still metrically challenged) but that weight was for a concrete block on dry land. Once it became a mooring in water, it lost almost half that weight due to the displacement factor of water. So a one tonne mooring in water only weighs about 600 kilograms.
I now notice that Council authorities in New Zealand have adopted a standard for moorings that looks sensible based on my experience. I quote from an advice page from the Northland Regional Council Offices.
The minimum block weight for all moorings will be:
• one tonne for vessels up to six metres long;
• two tonnes for vessels 6m to 10.5m;
• four tonnes for vessels longer than 10.5m.
It seems that here in Port Stephens, moorings have been constructed by mooring contractors without any regulation and the size you got depended how much weight the mooring contractor’s hoist could conveniently lift.
Perhaps boat owning readers may be interested in comparing this standard to their own mooring block sizes.
Peter Mason,
Lemon Tree Passage.
Vale the garbage pontoon in Refuge Cove, Broken Bay
I have been sailing in Broken Bay for the last 25 years or more and without doubt it is the one of the best boating areas in the world. Talk to anyone who has experienced it and they will agree that us Sydneysiders have an absolute jewel.
Talk to anyone who has not experienced it, but perhaps may have seen the area from an aircraft, or a glimpse from the Old Pacific Highway, or a Central Coast train, and their eyes widen as you wax lyrical about the pristine beauty, the calm, the mobile free zones … and the facilities … well, now there is one less of the latter.
If you have not been to Refuge Bay recently you may not be aware that the Garbage Pontoon is no longer.
I have always thought that that garbage facility was one of the greatest ideas for the boating community in Broken Bay. It is environmentally sound as it actively dissuades people from throwing garbage overboard, it promotes recycling, it reduces emissions as boaties don’t have to steam off every couple of days to dispose of garbage, and it is a great meeting place.
It has other benefits too … you can use it as a navigation tool to find your mooring location on a dark night, you can practise coming alongside if you have a new crew member on board, and doubtless there are those who would ponder setting up a buy swap and sell stall there on occasion. It also without doubt will have provided employment and enjoyment for council employees who would run out on occasion in a flat barge equipped with a huge outboard to take away the empties. A welcome change I would have thought to trundling around streets behind a dusty truck.
That pontoon was an essential facility. What kind of a bureaucratic nutter would remove it? And what about some sort of consultation with the users? Or even notice of the intention to remove it posted on it? Nothing.
I am willing to lay bets on the outcome.
There will be an increase in the garbage floating in our waterways. And there will be a sharp increase in the garbage volumes at places like the Kuringai Motor Yacht club and Akuna Bay, the Basin and Bobbin Head, all probably under cover of darkness.
But of course none of these will be the problem of whichever council had responsibility for the pontoon … someone else’s problem now.
Rob Dell,
North Sydney.
Rathmines Air Base
Local residents are trying to preserve Rathmines in that they have formed an organization ‘Friends Of Rathmines’ with the blessing of the NSW Office of Fair Trading.
Their aim is to return a dignity to the town of Rathmines and its past achievements and to raise the profile of the Lake Macquarie by way of a Catalina Memorial Rathmines Park Trust Museum – A Flying Memorial.
On 24 October Friends of Rathmines held The Catalina Festival at which a book Rathmines - Not Forgotten was launched. The book is dedicated to the story of the WWII Flying Boat Base 1939-1961.
Rathmines RAAF Base became operational in December 1939 upon the outbreak of the Second World War.
The Catalina Squadron played a significant role in RAAF defensive and offensive operations. In May 1942, a Japanese task force bound for Port Moresby was located by Catalina aircraft. Reports transmitted enabled the American and Australian Navies to intercept the Japanese force resulting in the battle of the Coral Sea. The outcome was the withdrawal of Japanese forces from Australian waters.
The role played by Catalina aircraft and crew has had very little public recognition because of the need of maintaining secrecy during the war period … 168 Catalinas were operational from Australia; RAAF Rathmines trained over 200 Catalina air crews; 320 Catalina crewmen were killed during the war.
Catalina operations consisted of reconnaissance bombing, mine laying, supplying troops and coast watchers, and performing air sea rescue missions.
After the war with the introduction of National Service training, it was decided by the Government of the day to commence such training at Rathmines on 30 July 1951. The last National Service training at Rathmines was completed on 16 December 1956.
The decision to close Rathmines was made on 13 October 1960 and Base Squadron Rathmines was officially closed on 6 January 1961.
In 1972 a memorial was erected at Rathmines. The plaque reads: Dedicated to those who served at the RAAF Rathmines and to all associated with flying boats and seaplanes 1939-1960. The memorial was unveiled by Air Vice Marshall W.E. Townsend on 16 September 1972.
The only building that remains unaltered is the Recreation area/picture theatre. The Rathmines Memorial Bowling Club has a memorial wall dedicated to all members who served at RAAF Rathmines Catalina Base. The Club is formerly the Officers Mess.
Mr Newton and Mr lan Hawke (Afloat Oct & Dec’09) might be wise to read up on some of the local history of Rathmines prior to suggesting a boating centre at Rathmines.
Brian Inman,
Castle Hill.
A ‘spin’ on The Lake
Regarding Roger Evans’ letter Rerouting the revheads on Lake Macquarie (Afloat Dec’09).
I am always appalled and disappointed when I hear or read about people complaining, whinging, basically being judgemental, closed minded and selfish.
Lake Macquarie or any waterway for that matter is there for everyone to utilise and enjoy by all types of vessels. And as long as the rules are followed there should be no problems.
I am sure Roger, as part of a small minority, would love to have the Lake all to himself but that would be very selfish and would mean that tens of thousands of other boaties would not be able to enjoy this beautiful waterway and thousands of families would also choose to live somewhere else.
Over the past three years I have taken many thousands of passengers for a ‘spin’ on the lake, most of whom are locals as our tourist market is quite small. Every person has thanked me wholeheartedly for treating them to a fun and thrilling ride, as well as showing them a different way to see the lake not to mention 99% of boaties out there usually waving and giving me the spin signal because they want to see it. These people include yachties!
The Jet Boat makes less wake than most boats as it draws about six inches when planing, it is reasonably quiet … much quieter than a lot of outboards as it runs a diesel engine. It is driven by a qualified skipper who keeps well clear of other boats and is only trying to make a honest living.
Simon Burn,
Lake Macquarie.
The spring is sprung …
I am confused. Springs are the problem. Each time I enquire about springs I get confusing answers.
Some people call them forward springs and some are called rear springs. Some people give them other names. Can anyone please give me the correct names and satisfy my confused curiosity.
Peter Johnston,
Blacktown.
[See Cruising Guides author Alan Lucas’s article Back and Forth p20. — Ed.]
Marine Rescue volunteers have not been sold out
I would like to comment on statements made by Mr Richard Osborne from AVCG Port Stephens regarding Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW (MR NSW) (Afloat Nov’09).
With well over 2,200 full members already, MR NSW is now an organisation that I, the other board members, Commissioner Glenn Finniss and the general members are proud and excited to be a part of.
The members of the three original volunteer marine rescue groups have joined MR NSW of their own free will – they have not been ‘sold out’ nor ‘blackmailed’ by their representatives who have a ‘hidden agenda … most probably pushed by some Government Department’ as Mr Osborne states in his letter. Does Mr Osborne know that in response to the 2008 Price Report 89% of the NSW AVCGA membership mandated that AVCGA join the interim administration, with the view to joining a single agency.
The creation of MR NSW was inevitable and anyone with any nous can see the economical and logistical benefits to be gained by standardized modern boats, equipment, premises (where possible), uniforms, training and a modern communications network.
MR NSW now stands as a cohesive and economical volunteer marine rescue organisation alongside the State Emergency Services (SES – united in 1955) and the Rural Fire Service (RFS – united in 1997) – all under the Emergency Services umbrella for the efficient co-ordination of all rescue services in this state.
Mr Osborne also states ‘the AVCG is the only Registered Training Organisation’ and would have others believe, and I quote again ‘that this is the sole reason that they want us so bad as part of the new group’.
MR NSW is currently working towards becoming a registered training organisation in its own right and my personal passion is the creation of a vibrant new youth or cadet development program – urgently needed if we are to continue to expand and prosper. As I said at the final facilitation meeting (to which all state commanders from the three organisations were invited) – just look around and count how many of us are under 50 – or even under 60 for that matter!
And speaking of being ‘sold out’… to cover the legal issues regarding the transference of AVCG assets to MR NSW so they can be retained by their individual units we have requested a nominal amount of $1 be paid.
Does Mr Osborne or his fellow members realise that the national commodore of the AVCG originally offered to sell all of your assets to the government for $millions? Assets? I might remind him that each individual unit raised the funds in their areas for their areas. I’m sure the money asked was going towards some altruistic cause but it was not going to go back into MR NSW in their individual areas!
By the way, it is MR NSW and the general boating public I represent, not the government … but I do take offence on behalf of the ‘government department’ Mr Osborne mentions. Our ex-Minister Joe Tripodi and everyone at NSW Maritime, the NSW Water Police and the Emergency Services Department worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless transition whereby three – at times disparate – organisations morphed into a cohesive Volunteer MR NSW. They were insistent that MR NSW be autonomously administered by representatives of the three pre-existing volunteer marine rescue organisations – with an independent chair.
I have nothing but respect and admiration for the efforts of AVCG, VRA and RVCP members in saving lives and vessels over past decades and I understand the frustration in Mr Osborne’s statement that some of his ‘members wish to remain as Coast Guard and continue to do what they do best’. If they join MR NSW that is what they will certainly be called upon to do and we would gladly welcome their experience.
MR NSW is not trying to reinvent the wheel but just turn it in sync with the times and technology!
Kay Cottee, AO,
Alternate Chair,
Marine Rescue NSW.
High cost of moorings in Sydney Harbour east of the Bridge
I am disappointed that Afloat has still made no mention regarding the savaging of mooring holders east of the harbour bridge by NSW Maritime.
My mooring licence fee has gone up over 30% this year. I gather they did it to everyone having a mooring east of the bridge. It’s time someone worked up just a little indignation for this terrible treatment of a section of your readers.
In 1983 the Waterways Authority gave an undertaking that there would be no hikes in mooring licence fees that are greater than the CPI without there first being public consultation.
No public consultation has been undertaken regarding this unconscionable gouge and unfair treatment of those of us who happen to moor east of the bridge.
It’s undoubtedly another example of the bankrupt Labor government getting stuck into the ‘rich silvertails in the eastern and northern harbour-front suburbs’, but I happen not to be a silvertail and I happen to live in Berry, NSW among the poor dairy farmers of the south coast.
David Colfelt,
Berry.
Sail training for the young
Thanks to Harry Brennan of Caringbah for submitting the old photo of Rand II (Afloat Dec’09). The boat looks to be a 12ft Cadet Dinghy, a very successful training craft of the mid 20th century, which raced with a crew of three and competed nationally for the Stonehaven Cup.
The medal described was no doubt awarded by the Prince Edward Yacht Club, and the pennant described is appropriate for the club at the time. This club was granted its warrant for the ‘Royal’ prefix later, in 1935. The medal was likely awarded for second place in the club pointscore for the 1931-32 season, a result no doubt of much exciting sailing and much success.
The photo is interesting because it shows how the jib was set as a flat spinnaker in those days. A parachute spinnaker was introduced for the class in 1948. The photo is also interesting because it shows a number on the sail. At that time and later, it was common practice around Australia to have insignia on cadet dinghy sails, like those seen on Sydney Harbour most famously on 18ft skiffs.
Cadet dinghies kept racing in the more southern states for many years after they faded from the Sydney scene, with moulded fibreglass hulls introduced in 1977. However, a beautifully-built replica cadet dinghy of wooden clinker construction (a Police Boys Club project?) has been in the vicinity of the Sydney Flying Squadron at Careening Cove in recent years.
One can imagine that Harry’s workmate treasured the photo and medal, and that the training he received at PEYC set him up for a lifetime of sailing enjoyment and interest. Harry’s letter thus conveys a great plaudit to those who over the years, and still today, put effort into providing sail training for the young.
Possibly the RPEYC at Point Piper would be interested in the medal and photo for its archives.
Ted Lilley,
Canberra.
I feel like a Toohey’s
Further to Phillip Bowman’s letter researching his Top Hat Seaka (Afloat Nov’09).
The boat was owned by the late Ian Hart who was a very successful film Director in the 1970s and ’80s. Ian was a wonderfully larger than life Scot who really lived life to the full.
I believe he named his company Seaka or Seeka Productions, a major television commercial production company, after a boat he had in Scotland.
Among his many award winning successes were the justifiably famous Toohey’s I Feel Like a Tooheys commercials including the sailing version with Ballyhoo and Apollo owned by Jack Rooklyn.
After two days shooting the boats offshore in Sydney prior to the race, the film crew flew to Hobart and armed with plenty of the sponsor’s product jumped on the boat just after she crossed the finish line.
The boys were naturally enough extremely thirsty and immediately set to knocking off as many frosties as they could. The resulting footage was certainly very real and added to the commercial’s appeal. The sales went through the roof.
Prior to Australia, Ian worked in Canada where he raced cars including a Lotus Cortina against Allan Moffatt and F5000s. He later emigrated to Australia with his new Australian wife Maggie and started Seaka.
When I worked for him as an Editor I raced with him on a Cole Half-tonner, the name of which I’ve forgotten.
Ian didn’t have an office as such. We worked out of an old terrace in Milsons Point overlooking Lavender Bay in which Ian’s office consisted of a bar and a ¾ pool table under which we stored his spare sails. I’m not sure of this but … on the books they were listed as ‘Camera Covers’. Friday evening ‘Client Meetings’ were a great success.
He was a great character, a terrific sportsman, a fabulous Director and is sadly missed.
Chris Gardiner,
Neutral Bay.
Byrne’s ‘blue’ lesson in seamanship
When Arthur Byrne (Afloat Nov & Dec’09) started his illustrious sailing career in VJs and VSs at Kogarah Bay SC in the mid 1950s, I like to think that what he learned in these little centreboarders provided the foundations that made him such an accomplished campaigner and skipper.
In an article ‘Salacia the Beautiful’ (Seacraft 1970), author Dan Moody wrote:
“Arthur Byrne is a natural raconteur and one of the stories he most enjoys telling concerns his first two times steering a VJ, some 15 years ago.
“On both occasions the crew was a young red-headed fellow, 10 years younger than Arthur. On the first day the skipper was quiet and patronisingly patient with his pupil, but on the second day, a week later, the air of Kogarah Bay turned blue as the youthful crewman called Arthur every name he could think of.
“That vociferous young crew was none other than our editor. Arthur swears he has never forgotten the lambasting he received so early in his apprenticeship.
“So when Paul Hopkins and I went down to Rushcutters Bay to inspect the new Salacia we didn’t know exactly what was in store. Paul suspected some sort of trap; he thought Arthur may have been gleefully rubbing his hands in expectation of a Hopkins spinnaker snafu at which he could repay the verbal debt with generous interest.
“As it turned out Arthur had other things in mind, and Paul transferred to Peter Cole’s runabout to observe the new sloop’s sails, so his suspicions were unfounded.”
I’m glad Arthur remembered my forceful explanation that concentration and looking ahead are two of the most important skills in faster sailing. At the time, he told me that he hadn’t been spoken to like that since he was an apprentice boilermaker, but he accepted the criticism and agreed to leave business worries on shore and learned to sail faster very quickly.
He skippered his VJ (named Harmony would you believe!) for a while then crewed the VS Janalda for Graham Day who became his installation expert/manager at Graham Day Garage Doors.
Arthur Byrne was a natural, talented leader and organiser who was elected commodore of KBSC in 1957 and 1958 and VC in 1960-1961. He pulled the struggling club out of its financial troubles and supervised the planning of clubhouse extensions.
I’ll always remember you, our red-headed mate.
Paul Hopkins,
Paradise Point, Qld.
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield
Re ’Arry Driftwood’s Rogues Yarn (Afloat Oct’09) about the meaning of love. I, too, am vulnerable.
It started with me when I was six – I fell in love with a nine year old girl, but did not know what to do. I have been in love ever since I learned.
You say in your always most interesting column, “I dunno, I am lost.” I am also lost Sir ’Arry. Looking for myself just lately I managed to find myself in a mirror. I was so shocked I decided to loose myself forthwith.
As time passes we do change somewhat but let us not forget the words of the Lord. NO! Not the one up there waiting for thee and me to visit him, while thee and me are waiting for him to visit us.
I mean the other one – the one that said:
“Come, my friends, ‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die. It may be that the gulfs will wash us down: It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles, And see the great Achilles, whom we knew. Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’ We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. — Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
So be it, my dear friend.
Aubrey James Kirk of the good ship Inflexible,
Drummoyne.
Potted Johnnie Walker surprise
Where have all the huge spiny lobsters gone? They once proliferated the NSW coast and grew to 30cm or longer.
Many years ago while cruising along the coast my propeller became entangled in a carelessly laid lobster line connected to a barely visible marker. I hauled up the lobster pot to give the line some slack while attempting to untangle it. Not surprisingly, it contained two lobsters which I angrily confiscated with expectation of a hearty meal.
While I was preparing the lobsters for cooking, my conscience kicked in. I guess it was partly my fault I became tangled … I should have been keeping a better lookout. Still anchored at the spot, I searched around the galley and found a bottle of Johnnie Walker whisky which I kept on board for guests. I placed the whisky in the lobster pot and lowered it back into the water.
I would have given anything to see the expression on the lobster-potter’s face when he pulled up his pot. I’m still not sure who won the day, he with my whisky or me with his lobsters.
Steve Zervos,
Abbotsford.
Costs of survey
Further to comments by the editor in response to Peter Warden’s letter High survey costs (Afloat Dec’09).
Insurance companies are now requesting an ‘insurance survey’ on older vessels every five years to ensure that they are sound and seaworthy. Some insurance companies now require inspections when the vessel is around 7-10 years old. They also require inspection on every new purchase.
The Hood mentioned in the article may be 30 years old, which is why the vessel needs an inspection. Recent inspections have found yachts with hull and keels joints loose with the owners having no knowledge of the risk involved.
Professional surveyors are required to have insurance coverage as part of a business operation. This cost and other overheads must be recouped.
We have also found that anti-foul does not last 18-24 months due to the copper being removed from the product. Generally, we are finding that the boats need to be lifted every 12 months.
Your magazine has openly promoted Rob Landis of Rob’s Marine Surveying and Cammeray Marina. Supplying costs which are in fact more expensive than we charge. Perhaps a little research should have been carried out prior to the statement issued.
We find the article to be misleading to members of the public who are inexperienced regarding the cost of maintaining a vessel.
Ron Bailey, (Northwind Marine P/L),
Mortlake.
The best insurance
Peter and Karin’s letter is laudable for its frankness in terms of their admission of inexperience. Whoever quoted them $3,000 for a survey should be keel hauled and, as you correctly pointed out in your response, the advice they are receiving is patently incorrect.
I am comfortably insured through Anchorage Marine who only required one initial survey when I took out my policy three years ago. Unless things have changed I don’t think either Nautilus or Club Marine, both good marine insurers, impose such an onerous condition as an annual survey.
I do suggest that Peter and Karin shop around and take advice from more experienced yachties about the conditions in the small print.
The main point of my letter, however, is to say that the best form of insurance for novice sailors is to join a club offering AYF accredited sail training facilities.
Even if they have good sailing mates to learn from, the chances are that they’ll pick up some bad habits along the way.
I strongly advise them to go through Competent Crew, Inshore Skipper, Sea Safety and Survival and perhaps even TAFE Yachtmasters Theory courses at the same time as building their practical experience. A Marine Radio Operators Certificate is also vital for safety at sea both for themselves and others’ well being.
As they progress through these courses, together with other like minded sea lovers, they will realise just how much they enjoy the benefits of competence on the water.
It doesn’t matter whether they sail in sheltered and coastal waters or offshore they will sail more safely and that means having much more fun.
Michael J Hyland
via email
Boat Owners discount
Having recently had major work carried out on my yacht by Careel Marine Services at Careel Bay Pittwater the pain of looking at the account for work done was pleasantly eased to note a very substantial ‘Boat Owners Association discount’.
The magnitude of the discount more than covers my BOA membership fees for many years to come and is much appreciated by an old retired sailor.
I also note that this is only one of the ‘discounts’ for goods and services available for BOA members which apart from the excellent Newsletter and other services makes it well worth while to be a member.
David Lyall,
Clareville.
Motor launch Estralita
I am seeking history of this 22ft carvel Huon pine planked motor launch (pictured above in 1968), which I bought at Dora Creek, Lake Maquarie in 2002. Her name at the time was reported to be Estralita.
In the photo she is sitting on an old slipway at Teralba Lake Maquarie and could be seen from the railway running past.
Having an ACME engine would suggest the boat was built near Newcastle around about the early 1900s and Towns boatbuilders of Dempsey Island have been suggested, but since there was a fire at their yard on 11 July 1954 all records were destroyed.
She may have been used as a gentleman’s launch perhaps on the Hunter river or on Lake Maquarie as she shows little signs of hard work and some of the original cockpit combing looks unscarred.
Mischief
We are the current owners of a beautiful old Halverson built in 1937 and listed in the Halverson book as Mischief number 154.
We do not know a lot about her past history and are looking for any information your readers may be able to give us. Her current home is East Perth in Western Australia.
Victorian champion yacht S.J.S.
I am compiling a history of the famous old Victorian Champion yacht S.J.S. launched in 1904, winner of the inaugural contest for the Northcote Cup in 1909, and later sold to a buyer of Rushcutters Bay, Sydney in the early 1960s.
Do any readers know if she is still about or have any latter day information?
J.H. (Bert) Ferris,
24 McComb St,
Sunbury Vic, 3429.
Dolphin – historic 9m harbour launch
Queensland Maritime Museum has recently received the generous donation of an historic nine metre harbour launch, Dolphin.
Dolphin was built in Sydney at Careening Cove in 1919 by the well-known firm of Pritchard Bros. She was located in Sydney until 1999, when she was bought from her previous owner, and moved to Brisbane. She is now undergoing a full reconstruction process, so that we can return Dolphin to the water for future generations to use and enjoy.
We are seeking to establish as much of her earlier ownership and history as possible, therefore if any Afloat readers know of Dolphin, or have any information about this vessel, we would appreciate them contacting Queensland Maritime Museum to tell us their stories. We would particularly appreciate hearing from any previous owners of this lovely vessel.
Dolphin’s registration number was 1919N.
Sunset
We are trying to locate the motor cruiser Sunset that my wife and I lived aboard from 1966 to 1969. She is believed built in the early 1920s.Rumour has it she was with the American Forces during WWII as a R&R vessel for Douglas Macarthur.
There were no bunks but a huge galley with full size gas stove and s/steel sink, a large gas fridge and heaps of counter space, this took up the whole of the lower cabin making it an ideal ‘live aboard’.
Our last contact with her was on Lake Macquarie about 1998.
G-class Pilot Vessels
The results from my request (Afloat Aug’09) are astonishing, with letters and phone calls about our G-class Pilot cutters telling us that people still remember them and interest is still alive. Thank you to all those people who took time and effort to contact me.
I can assure you all our restoration and maintenance work will keep on the boil, and she is still being used in her present role in Search & Rescue work in the Tamar River and Bass Strait.
We had her on the slip in Launceston during September for her annual maintenance and everything came up ok, no concerns.
What we would like to get our hands on is information on engine and other machinery maintenance during her life time in service.
Cheers to you all.
Henry Jacobs,
(tel: 03 6394 4398 or mob: 0427 944 398)
Tamar Sea Rescue, P.O. Box 46,
Exeter, Tasmania, 7275
Aeolus
The Square Metre Association is seeking information on the 30 square metre yacht Aeolus.Aeolus is unknown to us and was discovered in researching another vessel.
She was most likely launched in 1938 and is registered with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in that year.
Her owner at the time was Len Easy who raced the yacht to many wins up until 1941 when we lose the trail from lack of records.
A stroke of luck came along just recently when we discovered some amazing photos of her which where taken in 1938.
A fantastic looking boat so any information would be greatly appreciated.
Cameron Wiklund,
Acting President of ASQMA,
Tel: 0400 885 674; info@asqma.com
Arkle
We are trying to track down a boat my wife sailed on in the 1970s.
Named Arkle after the famous English steeplechase racehorse, she was moored in Careening Cove, and belonged to Dr Anthony Burke. She (my wife) believes that she was 26ft and was sold by an eastern suburbs yacht broker (perhaps at Rose Bay) in the late ’70s to the editor of a yachting magazine. Is she (the boat) still around?
Clipper 21
I recently bought a Clipper 21 trailer sailer and am trying (without success) to find out who manufactured it and where. I would like to find out technical data on the boat.
Kenny Bowes,
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