The replica Brittannia has arrived at Cowes – read all about it on the k1britannia.org website.
For earlier posts about the new Brittannia and the original, click here.
Tag: racing yacht
Splendid 1898 racer Aoma for sale in New Zealand
THIS BOAT HAS NOW BEEN SOLD
Mike Black owner of the 1898 New Zealand classic racer Aoma has asked us to draw attention to the fact that the lovely old boat needs new owners who can restor her back to her old glory.
Built by Logan’s Aoma was one of the champion 30ft Linear Raters (other examples are Heather [renamed Ranee], Sunbeam, Petrel and Culwalla I [renamed Yuelba]), which dominated elite class racing on Sydney Harbour for years.
Constructed for the famous Sydney yachtsman CT Brockhoff, Aoma raced to her first win in her maiden race, and later won the prestigious Gascoigne Cup in 1905.
She has a triple-planked kauri hull, with the gaff rig and bowsprit typical of her era. Her hull is in great condition – it was Dynel sheathed 20 years ago and is still water-tight –
Along the way a few changes have been made; she has been adapted for the cruising life by raising her freeboard by three planks, fitting a 35hp BMW diesel, and adding wheel steering and a new coach-house. Her rudder has also been enlarged.
Aoma needs a new lease of life, maybe from a syndicate who could put the time and funds into her, and Mike is keen to see her restored to something like her original racing condition, so I don’t think he will be looking for a high price. I also gather that as a Logan boat, Aoma is regarded as part of New Zealand’s heritage and must remain in the country in the long term.
There’s more information here, and Mike can be contacted at info@blackchiropractic.com.au.
An airborne lifeboat on the Isle of Man
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Martin Birchenough’s Mk 1 airborne lifeboat
I’ve posted about Uffa Fox’s fascinating airborne lifeboats several times now (see post 1, post 2, post 3, post 4, post 5). They had an amazing story in saving downed airmen’s lives during World War II, and after the war their lovely lines enabled them to be converted into sporty big sailing dinghies. Old Uffa could certainly draw a hull!
I’m delighted to be able to post some more photos, thanks to Martin Birchenough, who lives in the Isle of Man.
Here’s what he says:
‘My airborne lifeboat was one of four Mk1 boats that were based at Ronaldsway Airport in the Isle of Man during the Second World War.
‘It ended up in the grounds of a house at Castletown near Ronaldsway where it was damaged by cattle but was rescued by an elderly chap who patched it and then painted it with bitumen and moved it to his property in Kirk Michael where it lay for some years.
‘I had reason to visit him and saw the boat, spoke about it and he said he had been trying to find a home for it for some time but no one would take it on and I eventually took it on as a restoration project.
‘It was in pretty bad shape and after scrapping the bitumen off and repairing the holes the only way to save the hull which had become springy was to use West epoxy and clad it. I obtained plans from the RAF Museum at Hendon and had the dagger board and rudder fabricated locally and It is now solid but obviously not original.
‘I have added a fore deck and gunwales and had a rig designed by Jeckells and have made a mast. I sailed it with a bit of a jury rig prior to making the mast and it went like a scalded cat – it was so quick that it was in danger of sailing itself under water while close-hauled.
‘I am hoping to have it back in the water set up for the Peel Traditional Boat Weekend in July 2011.
‘Regards, Martin’
That’s fabulous thanks Martin. If you get some sailing photos sometime I’d love to see them please!
Gavin
PS Do check out the Uffa Fox website – there’s a terrific film clip narrated by him that includes Drumbeat cracking along in a good breeze, and even a snatch of the old boy singing.