208 replies to this topic

[halfton]

Blue Berret Pi under Belgian flag now...

[Juggs]

Posted Yesterday, 05:40 PM

Blue Berret Pi under Belgian flag now...

Should that be Blue Belgian Pie?????

[Juggs]

Reply received from the Swiss sailing association that they and their contacts have no knowledge of a Farr half tonner in Swiss waters. Look like this one is a lost cause unless someone has some information.

Are there any photographs out there?

[comarty]

Flash the MG30 prototype built for Barry Bullen, was sold to George Radley and became Hurricane Humphrey but when he sold her, to buy Rakel from the Baltic, where did the boat go?

Local Hero was an MG30 hs, did the Half ton cup in '83 under Geoff Howison's ownership (no results) but then what became of her?

hurricane humphrey is sitting in a garden in Cobh

[Juggs]

Flash the MG30 prototype built for Barry Bullen, was sold to George Radley and became Hurricane Humphrey but when he sold her, to buy Rakel from the Baltic, where did the boat go?

Local Hero was an MG30 hs, did the Half ton cup in '83 under Geoff Howison's ownership (no results) but then what became of her?

hurricane humphrey is sitting in a garden in Cobh

Is it part of a water feature? Seriously, any chance of a photograph of this particular garden feature?
This seems to be a reccurring theme because Local Hero 2 has been doing the same thing near Hamble for the past few years.

Are there any other old Garden Features out there that we should know about?

[Juggs]

Linn Hi Fi was a Humphreys boat built during 1988 in Scotland for Ivor Teifenbrum? of the company of that name to compete in Poole. She never really featured against the competition when it counted and went for the fifth reef whilst sailing in the Half ton cup in France during the 89 worlds.
Has anyone got any further information or photos of her? Possibly sold to an Italian but that maybe just a rumour.

[iso828]

Lepus Lazuli was never a centerboarder, fixed keel from day one in 1980. I spent several happy summers sailing her around Torbay/Dartmouth with a load of dinghy sailors. Because of my weight I was almost always aft of the helm to keep the long overhang in the water, but did get to work the main on really big days. She was later exchanged for "Silent Movie" - a quarter now better known as Espada, and renamed Quokka.
The modified stern does not look beautiful - but does it work?
Attached photo dates back to 1985 off Dartmouth
 LepusLazuli310885.jpg   167.55K   117 downloads

Ok, Lets have another try!

Lepus Lazuli a Lawrie Davidson centreboard Half tonner sailed the half ton cup in the late 70's or early 80's - Original owner's name and builder?. She was sailed on the UK's south coast for many years but by whom?. Sold to Peter Dyer she then became a Quokka, who spruced her up with new rags and a splash of paint and campaigned her for a couple of years sailing her in Poole last time the Half tons were held there. Where is this boat now?

C&C built it for their then Managing Director, it went to Cardiff (Wales)after Burnham on Crouch, was renamed Half Cut which was 28 ft. LOA as two feet were cut off the stern, runners removed and a different bulb keel fitted in Wales before finally going to Cork.

[halfton]

The boat in your picture is K 5494 Quokka, which was an Andrieu design from 1985.
Lepus Lazuli is indeed a Davidson halftonner - sail number unknown.

[iso828]

The boat in my picture is without question K5494 Lepus Lazuli - after 7 summers on board I knew her well! I am in that picture (red top, well aft). There is info on the "histoiredeshalfs" website suggesting the Andrieu background but that is incorrect. I first sailed on her before 1985. The photo was taken on 31 August 1985.... She was not brand new at that time.

The boat in your picture is K 5494 Quokka, which was an Andrieu design from 1985.
Lepus Lazuli is indeed a Davidson halftonner - sail number unknown.

[halfton]

The boat in my picture is without question K5494 Lepus Lazuli - after 7 summers on board I knew her well! I am in that picture (red top, well aft). There is info on the "histoiredeshalfs" website suggesting the Andrieu background but that is incorrect. I first sailed on her before 1985. The photo was taken on 31 August 1985.... She was not brand new at that time.

The boat in your picture is K 5494 Quokka, which was an Andrieu design from 1985.
Lepus Lazuli is indeed a Davidson halftonner - sail number unknown.

Then we will tell "histoiredeshalfs" ! And another mystery solved.

[Juggs]

The boat in my picture is without question K5494 Lepus Lazuli - after 7 summers on board I knew her well! I am in that picture (red top, well aft). There is info on the "histoiredeshalfs" website suggesting the Andrieu background but that is incorrect. I first sailed on her before 1985. The photo was taken on 31 August 1985.... She was not brand new at that time.

The boat in your picture is K 5494 Quokka, which was an Andrieu design from 1985.
Lepus Lazuli is indeed a Davidson halftonner - sail number unknown.

You are absolutely correct, I was being very stupid about the Keel, Mea Culpa! So who owned her back in 1985.
I remember racing against her in various Torquay regattas when she was being sailed very slow and at the back of the results sheets! Peter Rutter changed that - somewhat!

[Juggs]

To ask the question - Which boat was definitively the last Half Tonner built?

I think that it was the Italian built Per Elisa 1992, but I could be wrong - once again............

[Laser1]

Italian built Per Elisa 1992,

Now sailing in Falmouth (UK). Was in the yard for a respray job last winter or winter before that.

[iso828]

The boat in my picture is without question K5494 Lepus Lazuli - after 7 summers on board I knew her well! I am in that picture (red top, well aft). There is info on the "histoiredeshalfs" website suggesting the Andrieu background but that is incorrect. I first sailed on her before 1985. The photo was taken on 31 August 1985.... She was not brand new at that time.

The boat in your picture is K 5494 Quokka, which was an Andrieu design from 1985.
Lepus Lazuli is indeed a Davidson halftonner - sail number unknown.

You are absolutely correct, I was being very stupid about the Keel, Mea Culpa! So who owned her back in 1985.
I remember racing against her in various Torquay regattas when she was being sailed very slow and at the back of the results sheets! Peter Rutter changed that - somewhat!

We were a scratch crew who got together once a year for Torbay Admiral's cup and Dartmouth regattas.- we never won anything in Torbay, but did pick up some silverware in Dartmouth - maybe needed a few days to remember how to work well together, or maybe my pathological hatred of olympic trangle-sausage courses had an effect, and we went better around Start Bay. Owner then was Paul Martin, an architect from Newton Ferrers.
Curious to see the photo on www.Histoiredeshalfs (wrongly dated - it was 1985)

[Covey]

Flash the MG30 prototype built for Barry Bullen, was sold to George Radley and became Hurricane Humphrey but when he sold her, to buy Rakel from the Baltic, where did the boat go?

Local Hero was an MG30 hs, did the Half ton cup in '83 under Geoff Howison's ownership (no results) but then what became of her?

hurricane humphrey is sitting in a garden in Cobh

Is it part of a water feature? Seriously, any chance of a photograph of this particular garden feature?
This seems to be a reccurring theme because Local Hero 2 has been doing the same thing near Hamble for the past few years.

Are there any other old Garden Features out there that we should know about?

This "Garden Feature" is now seriously for sale: http://yachts.apollo...phtml?id=189595

[HALFTONIRL]

Hi,

Has anybody got a clue as to where in the world Swuzzlebubble, a Bruce Farr 1977 Half tonner has gone? One of a batch of 3 boats built for the worlds in NZ and won by a sistership Gunboat Rangiri.
She used to be sailed in Dublin by Robert Dix and Conquered Cowes week one year in the half ton fleet when the decided not to go off to the Worlds in Sweden. She sailed on the ISORA circuit as well with some very respectable results.

I bet I got some of that wrong and you'll all tell me where and what's what!

Check out the new look website for the Half ton Class.
http://www.halftonclass-europe.net/

[HALFTONIRL]

Perhaps it was my erronious comment that 'Swuzzlebubble' went to Switzerland.
She was based in Royal St. George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire for 3-4 years from about 1980.
She was owned by Bruce Lyster who was subsequently commodore of that club.
She was among the lighest built half tonners ever having been built in Plywood.
True she was campagned on the Irish Sea ISORA races with Robert Dix helm and Drurey Pearson and Bruce.
Her mast was very light even by half ton standards.

[HALFTONIRL]

Ok, Lets have another try!

Lepus Lazuli a Lawrie Davidson centreboard Half tonner sailed the half ton cup in the late 70's or early 80's - Original owner's name and builder?. She was sailed on the UK's south coast for many years but by whom?. Sold to Peter Dyer she then became a Quokka, who spruced her up with new rags and a splash of paint and campaigned her for a couple of years sailing her in Poole last time the Half tons were held there. Where is this boat now?

Quokka was last seen in Dun Laoghaire sailed by members of the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club. She was repainted yellow and renamed 'Sceal Eile Airis'. She had one good result in Cork week about 6 years ago and has been for sale since as the crew have moved to sail in the Berret boat 'Dick Dastardly' .

[HALFTONIRL]

Linn Hi Fi was a Humphreys boat built during 1988 in Scotland for Ivor Teifenbrum? of the company of that name to compete in Poole. She never really featured against the competition when it counted and went for the fifth reef whilst sailing in the Half ton cup in France during the 89 worlds.
Has anyone got any further information or photos of her? Possibly sold to an Italian but that maybe just a rumour.

There were two 'Linn Hi Fi's, one designed by Humphreys and one by Castro.
The Humphreys boat came to Dun Laoghaire in the late 1980's, where she was sailed by Robert Dix. She had rigging problems in the offshore race when the wind blew 25 knots. Only for this she would have been able to win the Irish Half Ton Championship. I believe the event was ultimately won by 'Harmony' with a UK owner and manged by an Irish Crew. 'Linn Hi Fi' was second and 'King One' owned by Tony Mullins third.
This was probably the last time the event was held.

[HALFTONIRL]

Did someone say Silver Shamrock...?

This is not 'Silver Shamrock' it is 'Silver Foam' owned by Brian Mac Manus and raced from the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire in the 1970's and 1980's. She was subsequently sold out of Dun laoghaire.
She had a beautiful shamrock painted on the transom with the words ROYAL IRISH.

[HALFTONIRL]

Flash the MG30 prototype built for Barry Bullen, was sold to George Radley and became Hurricane Humphrey but when he sold her, to buy Rakel from the Baltic, where did the boat go?

Local Hero was an MG30 hs, did the Half ton cup in '83 under Geoff Howison's ownership (no results) but then what became of her?

hurricane humphrey is sitting in a garden in Cobh

Is it part of a water feature? Seriously, any chance of a photograph of this particular garden feature?
This seems to be a reccurring theme because Local Hero 2 has been doing the same thing near Hamble for the past few years.

Are there any other old Garden Features out there that we should know about?

Anybody who is interested in Half Tonners should buy 'Hurricane Humphrey' for her keel which was designed by John Corby. It is a torpedo bulb which is not favoured by IRC but it would transform an older half tonner.

[HALFTONIRL]

Space Odyssey has reverted to her original name of Ace. Sails out of Torquay and is now painted white! Should be taking part in Cowes next year - oops , This year!

Don't know about B-B Pi though, Last seen in the docks at Dublin. She was Honda as a sponsored French boat that went via two ports on the south coast to Northern Ireland and thence onto Dublin docks. Hope that Shay and Co will go to Cowes.

Last I heard from owners were someone was coming over from Belgium with a vie to buying her. Think Shay is finished his half ton days!

SpACE Odyssey has lost her personality with her new paint job. She was almost a sistership of 'Sibelius' which looks great with her silver graphics which reflect the colour of the water. I suggest that the new South Coast owners give her some graphics to add some fear factor. Good graphics scare the opposition. SpACE Odyssey did just that when she did the Scottish Series in Loch Fyne in the year 2000. That sail number 2001 is there for a reason. Remember she was once called 'Tom Bombadil' and sailed under the sail number GR10.

[HALFTONIRL]

I have a feeling Skboo ended up on lough derg but I could be wrong. I definitely saw here in ringsend basin years ago. I think there's an old half called Juno sitting in Arklow too.
I sailed once or twice on Flash in Fenit in 2002. I think she was a Humphreys. Where did she end up?
There was a shamrock lost on the rocks around Cork Harbour years ago too. The transom hangs on the wall of the Anchor Inn in Crosshaven.

'Sk'Boo' was renamed 'RENEGADE' and she had a berth on the Dun Laoghaire marina when it opened. I don't believe she ever raced during her time on the DL marina. She was owned by a gentleman from the Royal Irish Yacht Club. She had lost her fantastic orange and red paint job radiating up from the bow and was painted a militaristic light grey. She was last seen in Arklow. She was a great light air performer s long as she sailed bolt upright. She always struggled in heavier airs.
Remember she had King Billy on her battle flag, her hull and mast were painted orange, and her sail number was 1690. What a conbination! Maybe she performed best when north of the Boyne.

[HALFTONIRL]

I have a feeling Skboo ended up on lough derg but I could be wrong. I definitely saw here in ringsend basin years ago. I think there's an old half called Juno sitting in Arklow too.
I sailed once or twice on Flash in Fenit in 2002. I think she was a Humphreys. Where did she end up?
There was a shamrock lost on the rocks around Cork Harbour years ago too. The transom hangs on the wall of the Anchor Inn in Crosshaven.

Im not 100 % sure uti think Skboo is now called Stricty Buisness and is in Dun Laoghaire, Flash is back in the UK , Juno in Arklow is a Humphres 3/4 tonner, pre Scenario Encore and lOcal HGero (Utopia and now Marissa)

'Funny Business' is and Andrieu design located in the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club. To see her lineage see Histoire des halfs website which is the definitive record of all half tonners both proto and production.
'Flash' is now 'Hurricane Humphrey' which is an MGHS.

[HALFTONIRL]

Honda or should I say Wonda when we raced her in Belfast lough was a very quick half tonner one of the last few built 1989 I think . We unfortunately broke the original mast during an overnight offshore race when the wind topped over 50 knots .... The boat loved it ... Needless to say the crew didn't lol . At that time JHN was being very successfully campaigned and it was thought at that time Honda was as quick but unfortunately we never got to race against them. Honda last I heard was in Dublin upside-down getting a revamp of sorts .... Not sure if the work was completed . I still think she would be a weapon in the right hands.
TD

Snapping masts all round would be why that never happened Trev!

'Blue Berret Pi' was also known as 'Sevens Wild' and painted metellic grey with a hand of cards on each side. She was subsequently painted blue, abandoned her FRA sail number and adopted IRL 3.1416 and given a lowered coachroof to improve her appearance. She went on to achieve third place in the first Half Ton Classics Cup behind 'General Tapioca' and 'Sibelius'.
She was given a thorough make over including a new paint job and new decks for the third Half Ton Classics Cup. The work was not completed in time, and she raced with an ill-prepared crew with inevitable results.
Any Carbon Half Tonner is a lethel weapon in the right hands- there are allegedly only 6 built. they include 'Superhero', and 'Half Red'.

[HALFTONIRL]

Reading between the lines perhaps the issue may be more that Tino and Biggsy bought Harmony, did the work on it (them selves but then again they have a lot of industry contacts), did litel otehr racing, took out the Cup in theri own back yard sailing around with laptops and deckman etc. (that is no slight on them, they would of won equally emphaticly anyway I recon) and then immediatly flogged the boat for a price well in excess of that typical for a half tonner (and on that they can argue all they like but it was clearly on the cards right from the off).

Keeping the racing accessable seems to be a significant element of 'in the half ton class style'. Some kind of the committment to the class is presumably also apreciated.

There is no rule against modification of rig or keels.
'Harmony' -New bulb keel and new mast with raised hounds and non-overlapping jibs.
'General Tapioca' -New bulb keel and new mast with taller spinnakers.
'Sibelius'- New bulb keel and new carbon mast with non overlapping jibs and raised hounds and taller spinnakers.

Notice a pattern here- Yes, there are certain modifications which IRC likes, and does not penalise.

[HALFTONIRL]

To come back to the original question regarding Swuzzlebubble, it seems that someone on the Half Ton website thinks that she was sold to the lakes of Switzerland and mountains of Toblerone. There is a sistership/similar design that is sailed out of a South coast harbour in Devon, UK - possibly one of the semi production run done in Lymington in the late 70's. Farrseur also has been renovated and sails in Brittany, France.

Though designed to the IOR rule Half Tonners do quite well under IRC, with the age allowance really kicking in for the older boat. The likes of King One and Demolition fared well last summer on the South coast regattas and should be difficult to beat in this years Classics cup in Cowes. Hullaballo, a Hustler 32 that has a modern fractional rig should be a real weapon if the breeze is up given her handicap, but the masthead 32's have an even lower handicap. An older masthead boat with a sub .899 handicap might just make some of the newer boats look stupid in the right hands.

Given the spirit of tradition that prevails through the fleet, anyone seriously upgrading would be frowned upon to say nothing of outright distain on a checkmate - sorry, chequebook sailor. Many of the boats in competetive owners hands have been restored into a nearly new condition or possibly better than new.

Don't rule out the really old designs such as 'Ginko' which enjoy clear air for the entire race except for the first five minutes. with a medium air event and flat water this could be the way to go in HTC Cowes 2011.

[Deed]

Did someone say Silver Shamrock...?

This is not 'Silver Shamrock' it is 'Silver Foam' owned by Brian Mac Manus and raced from the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire in the 1970's and 1980's. She was subsequently sold out of Dun laoghaire.
She had a beautiful shamrock painted on the transom with the words ROYAL IRISH.

This is a Silver Shamrock named Silver Foam. It is the Silver Shamrock model of the Holland-designed Shamrock class - of which there were several variations (the Golden Shamrock version was another), with different interiors and deck layouts.

[Juggs]

Ok, Lets have another try!

Lepus Lazuli a Lawrie Davidson centreboard Half tonner sailed the half ton cup in the late 70's or early 80's - Original owner's name and builder?. She was sailed on the UK's south coast for many years but by whom?. Sold to Peter Dyer she then became a Quokka, who spruced her up with new rags and a splash of paint and campaigned her for a couple of years sailing her in Poole last time the Half tons were held there. Where is this boat now?

Quokka was last seen in Dun Laoghaire sailed by members of the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club. She was repainted yellow and renamed 'Sceal Eile Airis'. She had one good result in Cork week about 6 years ago and has been for sale since as the crew have moved to sail in the Berret boat 'Dick Dastardly' .

I'd refer you to the post about seven before this where the yellow one is an Andrieu 1985 now reverted to it's original name of Insatiable. Quokka, Davidson 1980, has had the stern cut off and is now called Half cut - Picture on a previous post and up for sale.

[Juggs]

It's finally here! - the notice of race for the Half ton classics to be held in Cowes. Just go to the following page and read........http://www.belgi.net/halfton/COWES.htm

[Nipper156]

Hi all,

Nice topic,
everybody has others informations or pictures about silver shamrock III or IV ?
I believe SS III has sailed in australia in 1977 and in Poole in 1978...not SS IV

Cudmore won in Trieste in '76 on the Original Sliver Shamrock, which was a production boat as someone said before. I remember the picture from Y&Y about sailing up the Grand Canal afterwards.

From memory I think the first Mackerel boat was Silver Shamrock III which Cudmore had a good result with in Australia (2nd or 3rd?)I thought that C&N used that as the design for their line of production 1/2 tonners.

Then for the 1/2 cup in Poole in '78, they had Silver Shamrock IV, again in mackerel paint. However, it was a dog. I read that Cudmore had Tee shirts printed up saying "It takes a lot of good boats to beat SS IV, shame they are all here" .

That '78 cup must have been the pinnacle for IOR racing in the UK, I watched bits of the UK trials with over 20 boats which were held over a very windy week in the Solent, which was won by "The Goodies" a big boxy Stephen Jones design, that was dynamite in a breeze, but not good in light airs. Wonder whatever happened to "The Goodies"?
The Cup itself in Poole was held in light airs and sea breezes. Waverider won, with the first Graham Walker owned "Indulgence" 2nd. Indulence was a modified Hustler 32, which had not featured in the UK trials, but a bit of optimization before the event, coupled with Phil Crebbin and crew sailing their b*lls off tatically, got the boat a 2nd. Again what happened to Indulgence? the Hustler 32 was a pretty tough boat that was around for years especially on the East coast.

Waverider won again in '78, but was not as fast as before just very well sailed, as she had to be modified to comply with the IOR cahnges at the end of '78. As far as I remember, from 76 through to the aerly '80's the IOR rule was modified every year to close some loophole or penalise the light displacement boats from Farr, Davidson, Young etc.

Always thought that the 1/2 tonners were the best of the IOR lavel rating classes. In the 70's the boats could still be built and crewed by amateurs even if the skipper wasa "pofessional", theer were some mad one offs which could be devastating in one condition and absolute hounds in another, production boats that were competitive, big numbers racing and boats that just plain looked good (to a 15 year old)

Shame it all died off, as that level of design & and sailing intensity has not been repeated in the UK since.

[moody frog]

Hi all,

Nice topic,
everybody has others informations or pictures about silver shamrock III or IV ?
I believe SS III has sailed in australia in 1977 and in Poole in 1978...not SS IV

Cudmore won in Trieste in '76 on the Original Sliver Shamrock, which was a production boat as someone said before. I remember the picture from Y&Y about sailing up the Grand Canal afterwards.

From memory I think the first Mackerel boat was Silver Shamrock III which Cudmore had a good result with in Australia (2nd or 3rd?)I thought that C&N used that as the design for their line of production 1/2 tonners.

Then for the 1/2 cup in Poole in '78, they had Silver Shamrock IV, again in mackerel paint. However, it was a dog. I read that Cudmore had Tee shirts printed up saying "It takes a lot of good boats to beat SS IV, shame they are all here" .

That '78 cup must have been the pinnacle for IOR racing in the UK, I watched bits of the UK trials with over 20 boats which were held over a very windy week in the Solent, which was won by "The Goodies" a big boxy Stephen Jones design, that was dynamite in a breeze, but not good in light airs. Wonder whatever happened to "The Goodies"?
The Cup itself in Poole was held in light airs and sea breezes. Waverider won, with the first Graham Walker owned "Indulgence" 2nd. Indulence was a modified Hustler 32, which had not featured in the UK trials, but a bit of optimization before the event, coupled with Phil Crebbin and crew sailing their b*lls off tatically, got the boat a 2nd. Again what happened to Indulgence? the Hustler 32 was a pretty tough boat that was around for years especially on the East coast.

Waverider won again in '78, but was not as fast as before just very well sailed, as she had to be modified to comply with the IOR cahnges at the end of '78. As far as I remember, from 76 through to the aerly '80's the IOR rule was modified every year to close some loophole or penalise the light displacement boats from Farr, Davidson, Young etc.

Always thought that the 1/2 tonners were the best of the IOR lavel rating classes. In the 70's the boats could still be built and crewed by amateurs even if the skipper wasa "pofessional", theer were some mad one offs which could be devastating in one condition and absolute hounds in another, production boats that were competitive, big numbers racing and boats that just plain looked good (to a 15 year old)

Shame it all died off, as that level of design & and sailing intensity has not been repeated in the UK since.

Unfortunately:no pic of SS III and IV

While SS won the Trieste worlds and cleaned up before the '76 Cowes Week, it was a highly (Killian Bushe) customised version of the production Shamrock much lighter and tweaked out in all aspects.

I am not sure at all that the Nic 30 (such as Silver Jubilee) was an offshoot of SS III. Built from '77 onwards they were very close to the French Holland one-offs Bigouden Express and Gradlon which were late '76 designs, ordered when the owners' previous Golden-Shamrock derivatives had been thoroughly beaten in Trieste.

FWIW, I think that sponsorship money in the Figaro race, in the 80's, out-priced competitive half-tons from a larger owners-base and led to the ultimate demise of the class.

[Dino]

Here's an old 1978 Golden Shamrock called Saoirse for sale http://www.apolloduc...html?aid=182485
The name sounds familiar... was she one of the heavily campaigned boats?

[halfton]

A picture received some weeks ago, from Brenda Delany: Silver Shamrock III in Australia December 1977 with Harold Cudmore at the helm.

Attached Files

•  Silver Shamrock III.jpg   631.12K   38 downloads

[halfton]

And another one (same source): Silver Shamrock I sailing up the grand canal in Venice under spinnaker after winning the HTC in 1976

Attached Files

•  Silver Shamrock1.jpg   541.08K   28 downloads

[halfton]

Undefined sources say that the 1/2 ton fleet in Cowes will be one of the biggest ever seen. Over 35 boats are expected. First official entries are coming in.

[HALFTONIRL]

 Silver Shamrock III.jpg   631.12K   7 downloads

Hi all,

Nice topic,
everybody has others informations or pictures about silver shamrock III or IV ?
I believe SS III has sailed in australia in 1977 and in Poole in 1978...not SS IV

Cudmore won in Trieste in '76 on the Original Sliver Shamrock, which was a production boat as someone said before. I remember the picture from Y&Y about sailing up the Grand Canal afterwards.

From memory I think the first Mackerel boat was Silver Shamrock III which Cudmore had a good result with in Australia (2nd or 3rd?)I thought that C&N used that as the design for their line of production 1/2 tonners.

Then for the 1/2 cup in Poole in '78, they had Silver Shamrock IV, again in mackerel paint. However, it was a dog. I read that Cudmore had Tee shirts printed up saying "It takes a lot of good boats to beat SS IV, shame they are all here" .

That '78 cup must have been the pinnacle for IOR racing in the UK, I watched bits of the UK trials with over 20 boats which were held over a very windy week in the Solent, which was won by "The Goodies" a big boxy Stephen Jones design, that was dynamite in a breeze, but not good in light airs. Wonder whatever happened to "The Goodies"?
The Cup itself in Poole was held in light airs and sea breezes. Waverider won, with the first Graham Walker owned "Indulgence" 2nd. Indulence was a modified Hustler 32, which had not featured in the UK trials, but a bit of optimization before the event, coupled with Phil Crebbin and crew sailing their b*lls off tatically, got the boat a 2nd. Again what happened to Indulgence? the Hustler 32 was a pretty tough boat that was around for years especially on the East coast.

Waverider won again in '78, but was not as fast as before just very well sailed, as she had to be modified to comply with the IOR cahnges at the end of '78. As far as I remember, from 76 through to the aerly '80's the IOR rule was modified every year to close some loophole or penalise the light displacement boats from Farr, Davidson, Young etc.

Always thought that the 1/2 tonners were the best of the IOR lavel rating classes. In the 70's the boats could still be built and crewed by amateurs even if the skipper wasa "pofessional", theer were some mad one offs which could be devastating in one condition and absolute hounds in another, production boats that were competitive, big numbers racing and boats that just plain looked good (to a 15 year old)

Shame it all died off, as that level of design & and sailing intensity has not been repeated in the UK since.

Unfortunately:no pic of SS III and IV

While SS won the Trieste worlds and cleaned up before the '76 Cowes Week, it was a highly (Killian Bushe) customised version of the production Shamrock much lighter and tweaked out in all aspects.

I am not sure at all that the Nic 30 (such as Silver Jubilee) was an offshoot of SS III. Built from '77 onwards they were very close to the French Holland one-offs Bigouden Express and Gradlon which were late '76 designs, ordered when the owners' previous Golden-Shamrock derivatives had been thoroughly beaten in Trieste.

FWIW, I think that sponsorship money in the Figaro race, in the 80's, out-priced competitive half-tons from a larger owners-base and led to the ultimate demise of the class.

[northern D]

I saw a Farr half tonner of the Swuzzlebubble vintage in Porto Ercole last year.Cannot remember her name.

The owner of Farrgo said she was the same as Swuzzlebubble-not so Farrgo was the previous design.I built one.

I recently saw a half tonner in San Bennedetto in Italy recently called Ravenaviva which looks like Wave rider with the same construction.does anyone have info on this boat or where Wave rider might be.

What is this website for the half tonners?It has everything except half tonners
NorthernD

[Juggs]

I saw a Farr half tonner of the Swuzzlebubble vintage in Porto Ercole last year.Cannot remember her name.

The owner of Farrgo said she was the same as Swuzzlebubble-not so Farrgo was the previous design.I built one.

I recently saw a half tonner in San Bennedetto in Italy recently called Ravenaviva which looks like Wave rider with the same construction.does anyone have info on this boat or where Wave rider might be.

What is this website for the half tonners?It has everything except half tonners
NorthernD

For all the current news on the Half Ton fleet have a look ay the following link: http://www.belgi.net/halfton/

[chorus1]

Swuzzlebubble in HTcup1979, offshore race

[halfton]

News about Italian halftonners can also be found at http://halftonitalia.wordpress.com/

[HALFTONIRL]

Linn Hi Fi was a Humphreys boat built during 1988 in Scotland for Ivor Teifenbrum? of the company of that name to compete in Poole. She never really featured against the competition when it counted and went for the fifth reef whilst sailing in the Half ton cup in France during the 89 worlds.
Has anyone got any further information or photos of her? Possibly sold to an Italian but that maybe just a rumour.

I remember seeing her compete in the Irish Half Ton Cup ( which i believe she won). On the night-time offshore race to the Kish Light, the RNLI lifeboat had already been called out for a yacht (Enigma?) which had broken its mast and the mast was trying to punch a hole in the hull. 'Linn Hi Fi' was quite new and was being steered by Robert Dix. One of the shrouds jumper off the spreader, so they had to put a man up the mast to rectify the situation. Onece seaworthy, she headed back east , and because of her low freeboard, and a dark night, and the spray being thrown up as she planed towards to the South Bull Mark, all that could be seen was the spray being illiminated by her red and white navigation lights, moving at high speed.

[halfton]

I saw a Farr half tonner of the Swuzzlebubble vintage in Porto Ercole last year.Cannot remember her name.

The owner of Farrgo said she was the same as Swuzzlebubble-not so Farrgo was the previous design.I built one.

I recently saw a half tonner in San Bennedetto in Italy recently called Ravenaviva which looks like Wave rider with the same construction.does anyone have info on this boat or where Wave rider might be.

What is this website for the half tonners?It has everything except half tonners
NorthernD

For all the current news on the Half Ton fleet have a look ay the following link: http://www.belgi.net/halfton/

Or simply via www.halftonclasseurope.net ...

[Penno]

Was there also a 1/2 ton very with very similar lines to the 1/4 "Quest" called Rank Xerox for that event ?

The 1/4 Ton that was maxed out to rate 1/2 ton and lost its mast was MNEF renamed Discovery - eventually towed in by a Shamrock that had enough of the monster chop over the Burford bank

[HALFTONIRL]

I saw a Farr half tonner of the Swuzzlebubble vintage in Porto Ercole last year.Cannot remember her name.

The owner of Farrgo said she was the same as Swuzzlebubble-not so Farrgo was the previous design.I built one.

I recently saw a half tonner in San Bennedetto in Italy recently called Ravenaviva which looks like Wave rider with the same construction.does anyone have info on this boat or where Wave rider might be.

What is this website for the half tonners?It has everything except half tonners
NorthernD

'Waverider' is based in Nieupoort, Belgium, and has competed in all the recent Half Ton Cups except Dun Laoghaire. She seemed to be struggling a few years ago, so i believe they took out the inboard engine and propellor, and now carry an outboard. this seems to be a good strategy because propellors ( even the best folding ones) are a big drag.

[HALFTONIRL]

I saw a Farr half tonner of the Swuzzlebubble vintage in Porto Ercole last year.Cannot remember her name.

The owner of Farrgo said she was the same as Swuzzlebubble-not so Farrgo was the previous design.I built one.

I recently saw a half tonner in San Bennedetto in Italy recently called Ravenaviva which looks like Wave rider with the same construction.does anyone have info on this boat or where Wave rider might be.

What is this website for the half tonners?It has everything except half tonners
NorthernD

I saw a Farr half tonner of the Swuzzlebubble vintage in Porto Ercole last year.Cannot remember her name.

The owner of Farrgo said she was the same as Swuzzlebubble-not so Farrgo was the previous design.I built one.

I recently saw a half tonner in San Bennedetto in Italy recently called Ravenaviva which looks like Wave rider with the same construction.does anyone have info on this boat or where Wave rider might be.

What is this website for the half tonners?It has everything except half tonners
NorthernD

Best website for half tonners is HISTOIRE DES HALFS.............

[Juggs]

Swuzzlebubble in HTcup1979, offshore race

At long last a picture of the bubble, Thank you!

Still no real idea of where she is, if she exists anymore..............

Roll on Cowes and the largest meeting of Half tonners in UK waters for many years. Who's going to turn up?

[Juggs]

Stephen Jones designed back in 1977(?) a big boat for Mike Jackson(?) called Bodicea , K700. She took part in two Cup Regattas but didn't do that well! Where is she now?

[Peter Morton]

The last I heard of Swuzzlebubble was that she was in Southern Italy. It was a few years back though. Great looking boat and a good one to find for HTC. Those generation of boats are good to convert, like Espada and Anchor Challenge they are long boats.

[Juggs]

Are there any pictures or information on PINKY G3556, the 1987 George Nissen half that was sailed by Rudi Magg?

This was an earlier version fo Flyer and now named A+ which is now in Belgian hands and will be taking part in this years Half Ton Classic Cup in Cowes.

[michael.webb]

I saw Swuzzlebubble in Rhodes Harbour about 10 years ago. You could not miss it as it was the only boat with the mast leaning foward when there was nobody aboard.

[carlo]

Italian built Per Elisa 1992,

Now sailing in Falmouth (UK). Was in the yard for a respray job last winter or winter before that.

Pretty much think so! I started my career as a sailor on that boat, while it was still in Italy in 2004. Quite an extreme design, it already had changed the original sailplan for a smaller one under IMS. Anyway, not much keel, and lots of lead in the bilge. Extremely fast in light winds, but scary on anything over 20 knots. It had only two very small winches for the genoa, the runners had a strange system composed of a "fast" sheeting 2:1 and a light one 8:1 made with blocks. Again, good for light winds, but scary for breeze (consider that the boom was so long that its aft end was behind the runners, so it got stuck during jibes and tacks). The mast was so thin that if you joined your index fingers and thumbs could fit between your hands. I have only one pic, as soon as I will have time I will scan it. The design was from Ceccarelli. from the pics from his website looks like the boat has had some job done, especially over the mast. http://www.ceccarell...sign.com/?p=567

[Jaz40]

Anyone know anything about the half tonner golden shamrock?

Alive and for sale I think still in Wiclow.

Here is a picture of Golden Shamrock I took in 1982 at Cowes Marina, Isle of Wight  Golden Shamrock half tonner.jpg   570.77K   9 downloads

[Jaz40]

I have a feeling Skboo ended up on lough derg but I could be wrong. I definitely saw here in ringsend basin years ago. I think there's an old half called Juno sitting in Arklow too.
I sailed once or twice on Flash in Fenit in 2002. I think she was a Humphreys. Where did she end up?
There was a shamrock lost on the rocks around Cork Harbour years ago too. The transom hangs on the wall of the Anchor Inn in Crosshaven.

Here is a picture of Flash I took in the 1980's at Glasson Basin Yacht Harbour in it original colour scheme  Flash Half Tonner Picture.jpg   531.53K   34 downloads

[Jaz40]

Are there any pictures of Miss Piggy in her current wrecked condition that someone can post?

Was Flashback, late 80's, the old Quokka after Peter Dyer sold her? I seem to remember a messy rating protest at Torbay/Dartmouth, but I'm not sure............

Is this yacht Flashback ??

Attached Files

•  FLASHBACK half tonner.jpg   576.64K   35 downloads

[Jaz40]

Linn Hi Fi was a Humphreys boat built during 1988 in Scotland for Ivor Teifenbrum? of the company of that name to compete in Poole. She never really featured against the competition when it counted and went for the fifth reef whilst sailing in the Half ton cup in France during the 89 worlds.
Has anyone got any further information or photos of her? Possibly sold to an Italian but that maybe just a rumour.

The picture I took in Lymington in the 1980's of Linn Hi Fi

Attached Files

•  linn hi fi half tonner.jpg   583.56K   45 downloads

[Jaz40]

Does any one know who design EXTENSION ??? I think the picture was taken at Chichester yacht harbour in the 1980's
 extension HALF TONNER.jpg   521.11K   35 downloads

[Jaz40]

Any one know what design La Railleuse is the picture was take in 1982 at Cowes Marina.
 la railleuse half tonner.jpg   575.09K   17 downloads

[moody frog]

Any one know what design La Railleuse is the picture was take in 1982 at Cowes Marina.
 la railleuse half tonner.jpg   575.09K   17 downloads

Finot 3/4 ton '80, IIRC.

[USA777]

Here is a picture of the current condition of 1977 North American 1/2 ton winner "Petrified". Sailed then By Tom Blackaller. Now still in SF (Alameda) and completely rebuilt. Looks like she will be getting a new main and some updating in equipment.  Petrified 4.15.09 aft starboard.JPG   971.23K   81 downloads

[USA777]

Yet another picture

Attached Files

•  Petrified 4.15.09 port side.JPG   1005.72K   50 downloads

[some dude]

Yet another picture

Nice. Is that at Berkeley MC?

[Peter Morton1]

Juggs
Swuzzlebuble Half Ton
found it but it is looking very sorry for itself. I am told it fell over and gypsies nicked everything from rig to keel etc and trashed it.
Gunboat on the other hand is in great shape and in Italy.

Attached Files

•  image.jpg   192.46K   112 downloads

[Covey]

Italian built Per Elisa 1992,

Now sailing in Falmouth (UK). Was in the yard for a respray job last winter or winter before that.

Pretty much think so! I started my career as a sailor on that boat, while it was still in Italy in 2004. Quite an extreme design, it already had changed the original sailplan for a smaller one under IMS. Anyway, not much keel, and lots of lead in the bilge. Extremely fast in light winds, but scary on anything over 20 knots. It had only two very small winches for the genoa, the runners had a strange system composed of a "fast" sheeting 2:1 and a light one 8:1 made with blocks. Again, good for light winds, but scary for breeze (consider that the boom was so long that its aft end was behind the runners, so it got stuck during jibes and tacks). The mast was so thin that if you joined your index fingers and thumbs could fit between your hands. I have only one pic, as soon as I will have time I will scan it. The design was from Ceccarelli. from the pics from his website looks like the boat has had some job done, especially over the mast. http://www.ceccarell...sign.com/?p=567

There is a Qtr Tonner sailing in Ireland that goes by the name "Per Elisa" also and has a "Ceccarelli 92" sticker on it. That would make it longer than the HT mentioned above. Were QT and HT boats that close in size?

Edit: found the link: http://www.ceccarell...ign.com/?p=1108

[Richard 4073]

Juggs
Swuzzlebuble Half Ton
found it but it is looking very sorry for itself. I am told it fell over and gypsies nicked everything from rig to keel etc and trashed it.
Gunboat on the other hand is in great shape and in Italy.

That's really sad to see. I wonder if the hull is still intact?
A photo attached from happier days...

Attached Files

•  Swuzzlebubble_.jpg   195.69K   79 downloads

[Peter Morton1]

Richard. Sort of is the answer. The bow is broken but I think it can be saved. See attached pictue. It still has the centreboard case but now has a fixed keel.
Is that Geoff Stagg sitting on the aft deck?

Attached Files

•  image.jpg   240.38K   52 downloads

[Richard 4073]

Richard. Sort of is the answer. The bow is broken but I think it can be saved. See attached pictue. It still has the centreboard case but now has a fixed keel.
Is that Geoff Stagg sitting on the aft deck?

That boat deserves a rescue that's for sure. Interesting that the centrecase is still intact. I imagine she still has the longer sloping transom that they put on her in 1979 when her displacement was increased and the more upright version didn't work from a rating perspective.
Not sure if that is Geoff or not, but I can see why you might think it is!

[DUBLIN-13]

That per elisa half was the last built. The sizes wouldnt have been that far off. Another cecarelli quater has just come to howth. Look like its travelled through a time warp.

[Peter Morton1]

The transom was modified at some stage just after the 77 HTC I guess.

Attached Files

•  photo_3.JPG   211.6K   89 downloads

[Out law]

Italian built Per Elisa 1992,

Now sailing in Falmouth (UK). Was in the yard for a respray job last winter or winter before that.

Pretty much think so! I started my career as a sailor on that boat, while it was still in Italy in 2004. Quite an extreme design, it already had changed the original sailplan for a smaller one under IMS. Anyway, not much keel, and lots of lead in the bilge. Extremely fast in light winds, but scary on anything over 20 knots. It had only two very small winches for the genoa, the runners had a strange system composed of a "fast" sheeting 2:1 and a light one 8:1 made with blocks. Again, good for light winds, but scary for breeze (consider that the boom was so long that its aft end was behind the runners, so it got stuck during jibes and tacks). The mast was so thin that if you joined your index fingers and thumbs could fit between your hands. I have only one pic, as soon as I will have time I will scan it. The design was from Ceccarelli. from the pics from his website looks like the boat has had some job done, especially over the mast. http://www.ceccarell...sign.com/?p=567

There is a Qtr Tonner sailing in Ireland that goes by the name "Per Elisa" also and has a "Ceccarelli 92" sticker on it. That would make it longer than the HT mentioned above. Were QT and HT boats that close in size?

Edit: found the link: http://www.ceccarell...ign.com/?p=1108

The'92 refers to the year the QT Per Elisa was built and not LOA

[Covey]

I figured as much once I found the link on the Ceccarelli site. Not the normal naming convention though...

[MKF]

Morti - she is in a sad state, but please post some additional pictures...are you going to fix this one up?

Regards

MKF

[Peter Morton1]

Swuzzlebubble more pics

Attached Files

•  photo_2.JPG   117.94K   142 downloads
•  photo_4.JPG   244.86K   149 downloads
•  photo_5.JPG   239.68K   86 downloads

[usa 917]

Sad to see her look like that....

[ecosse4me]

 bateleur 88.jpg   115.51K   45 downloads

There's a Strictly Business in Fenit but it's a 3/4 tonner. She's also for sale on apolloduck.ie. She was Bateleur 87.

Here is Bateleur 88 at the end of her first season racing....

[ecosse4me]

Linn Hi Fi was a Humphreys boat built during 1988 in Scotland for Ivor Teifenbrum? of the company of that name to compete in Poole. She never really featured against the competition when it counted and went for the fifth reef whilst sailing in the Half ton cup in France during the 89 worlds.
Has anyone got any further information or photos of her? Possibly sold to an Italian but that maybe just a rumour.

The picture I took in Lymington in the 1980's of Linn Hi Fi

how many picture do you want?
Here is one of her with the 5th reef and Miss Piggy in her origional guise as Dip in the Pink, checking the cracks in her Proctor rig at the same point where Linn Hi Fi's broke. After fighting that tripple spreader piece of proctor crap she got a French two spreader rig that she went much faster with. Last seen in the Adriatic having been painted pink.....  Untitled-1.jpg   102.28K   49 downloads

[ecosse4me]

 Untitled-1.jpg   128.69K   42 downloads
Here is another of Linn

[DickDastardly]

Juggs
Swuzzlebuble Half Ton
found it but it is looking very sorry for itself. I am told it fell over and gypsies nicked everything from rig to keel etc and trashed it.
Gunboat on the other hand is in great shape and in Italy.

That's really sad to see. I wonder if the hull is still intact?
A photo attached from happier days...

Southern Cross Cup in Sydney c 1977. I'm reminded of a famous quote, probably from Fang Kilponen after Kialoa III returned to the CYCA after a short offshore race with a large V shaped hole in the sheer line aft. "Swuzzlebubble T boned us and it's still in there somewhere"

[ecosse4me]

Linn Hi Fi was a Humphreys boat built during 1988 in Scotland for Ivor Teifenbrum? of the company of that name to compete in Poole. She never really featured against the competition when it counted and went for the fifth reef whilst sailing in the Half ton cup in France during the 89 worlds.
Has anyone got any further information or photos of her? Possibly sold to an Italian but that maybe just a rumour.

I remember seeing her compete in the Irish Half Ton Cup ( which i believe she won). On the night-time offshore race to the Kish Light, the RNLI lifeboat had already been called out for a yacht (Enigma?) which had broken its mast and the mast was trying to punch a hole in the hull. 'Linn Hi Fi' was quite new and was being steered by Robert Dix. One of the shrouds jumper off the spreader, so they had to put a man up the mast to rectify the situation. Onece seaworthy, she headed back east , and because of her low freeboard, and a dark night, and the spray being thrown up as she planed towards to the South Bull Mark, all that could be seen was the spray being illiminated by her red and white navigation lights, moving at high speed.

I remember that race well, looking for the mark off the Liffy. I think planed is an overstatement, we were no in enough control for that, it was "surfing with style"!! All the crew at the back of the boat and everything forward of the mast was under water, what joy. She was called Rank Zerox for that regatta. Beaten by Harmony.

[DickDastardly]

Richard. Sort of is the answer. The bow is broken but I think it can be saved. See attached pictue. It still has the centreboard case but now has a fixed keel.
Is that Geoff Stagg sitting on the aft deck?

I'm sure that'll buff out. Definitely a clean sheet to work off and as a piece of modern Ocean Racing history it surely begs to be restored. Put it this way, you could pick it up for a song...

[Schnick]

The boat is made of wood and is over 30 years old - it may well qualify for these 'classics' regattas that are so popular in the med nowadays?

[ecosse4me]

 Image001.jpg   116.94K   67 downloads
Here is the Dave Thomas Designed Sunny Djinn designed for the Half ton Cup in Troon. This picture was taken in Sunderland about 8 yrs ago.

[Jono]

Well it would make a change from taking the chainsaw to an existing boat in one piece!
Better send it back down to Auckland. There are plenty of empty sheds we can get it back together in. Probably the same guys who built her in the first place!
Good luck.

[Juggs]

It's great that the Bubble has finally been discovered at last. Given what he's done for quarter tonners this will be a refit to watch!

[HALFTONIRL]

Did someone say Silver Shamrock...?

This is SILVER FOAM which was owned by Brian Mc.Manus and sailed out of the RIYC. Probably one of the prettiest graphic schemes on a half tonner. She was a production Shamrock with a deck layout with one cabin window which preceeded the Club Shamrock Layout with several windows.

[DUBLIN-13]

Country girls back up for sale on apolloduck.ie at €8500

[chorus1]

There is a Farr 31 for sale in Croatia: http://www.bachyacht...imagepage-0.htm
Looks quite like a halftonner.

Looks like bubble !

[Covey]

Country girls back up for sale on apolloduck.ie at €8500

I saw that too. What's the history of Country Girl?

[Covey]

Country girls back up for sale on apolloduck.ie at €8500

I saw that too. What's the history of Country Girl?

I can see more info on Afloat.ie

Apparently Country Girl is a Peterson 32 from 1977...

[DUBLIN-13]

I have vague recollections of there being a country girl on the marina in howth around the mid 90s but i think it had blue stripey hull so not sure if its the same boat. Dont ever remember her being raced when i started back in 1995.

Superhero is gone to Belgium now. Half ton fleet in Dublin is dying off

[quezal1]

I have vague recollections of there being a country girl on the marina in howth around the mid 90s but i think it had blue stripey hull so not sure if its the same boat. Dont ever remember her being raced when i started back in 1995.

Superhero is gone to Belgium now. Half ton fleet in Dublin is dying off

I think Sean flood owned her many years ago

[GybeSet®]

There is a Farr 31 for sale in Croatia: http://www.bachyacht...imagepage-0.htm
Looks quite like a halftonner.

Looks like bubble !

but it is younger at 1984 and made out of the wrong material, GRP in this case

[Editor]

wow what a sad state to swuzzlebubble. i remember looking at pics of the boat when it was new in seahorse and thinkinbg it was the coolest thing ever. still kinda do.

does anyone know where some of paul whiting's boats are - newspaper taxi or magic bus?

[MKF]

wow what a sad state to swuzzlebubble. i remember looking at pics of the boat when it was new in seahorse and thinkinbg it was the coolest thing ever. still kinda do.

does anyone know where some of paul whiting's boats are - newspaper taxi or magic bus?

Had the pleasure of being in San Francisco this summer and managed to spend a little bit of time visiting her. A little bit of tender love and care and she would be very usable. I do have few pictures on an iPhone, but still after years here do not know how to post.

What was great about the bus was seeing how the design perameters used for her have become the norm. She still looks 'retro' modern. Wish I could have got the current owner to part with her, but no luck...

MKF

[Deed]

Punctillio, one of the Ron Holland - Golden Shamrock series.

Attached Files

•  PUNK 30.JPG   261.55K   9 downloads

[Peter Morton1]

There is a Farr 31 for sale in Croatia: http://www.bachyacht...imagepage-0.htm
Looks quite like a halftonner.

Looks like bubble !

You are right. The tooling from Marten who built Swuzzlebubble and Gunboat went to Italy where around six boats were built as production boats . The Marten boats were single skin Kevlar but not sure what the Italian boats were built of.
Good boat for Half Ton Racing though.

[Peter Morton1]

wow what a sad state to swuzzlebubble. i remember looking at pics of the boat when it was new in seahorse and thinkinbg it was the coolest thing ever. still kinda do.

does anyone know where some of paul whiting's boats are - newspaper taxi or magic bus?

Don't worry about Swuzzlebubble. She is on her way back to UK and will be better than new in a year or so. Photo of as she was when new.
Runaway Bus is fully restored and now sailing in UK Quarter Ton fleet. It has just been sold to Jersey. Channel Islands. Another Whiting QT Captain Moonlight is currently being restored also in UK.

 image.jpg   93.64K   36 downloads

[Chris 249]

wow what a sad state to swuzzlebubble. i remember looking at pics of the boat when it was new in seahorse and thinkinbg it was the coolest thing ever. still kinda do.

does anyone know where some of paul whiting's boats are - newspaper taxi or magic bus?

Taxi sank off Tasmania years ago when the rudder let go while hard running and tore the bottom out during the Three Peaks. If it was the beam for the top bearing that let go I can readily understand it, as I held onto it while it was being bodged up by my ex-stepfather when he owned it.

See the thread on Boat Design Forum for info on the Bus, I think.

[mrming]

Trivia, rather than useful information about Swuzzlebubble, but after she was based in Dun Laoghaire we had the guy's next boat, Lady Shamrock, a Ron Holland designed Club Shamrock. As a kid I remember there being sail bags on board with 'Swuzzlebubble' written on them.

She has since been single handed across the Atlantic and is currently in Charleston, SC: http://blog.mailasai.../syladyshamrock

[DUBLIN-13]

Thats some journey on a shamrock. When I started sailing in 94 there used to 5 or 6 shamrocks showing up for wednesday night racing. still 2 or 3 around but they only do white sails now a days. Mates dad wad on 1 for 79 fastnet got rolled & promptly headed for the nearest boozer.