Sail Port Stephens celebrity factor - Once more dear friends

by Lisa Ratcliff on 14 Apr 2010 Once More Dear Friends, an IOR classic built by John McConaghy for Peter Kurts in the early 1980s, is one of the more famous boats contesting division one of the Commodore’s Cup at Sail Port Stephens, the week-long regatta in its third year and growing fast.

The 40 footer was actually the first yacht built by McConaghy to an Ed Dubois design for Kurts, an offshore yachting legend who named three of his five boats from Shakespearean plays.

After a succession of owners it is now the pride and joy of Roy and Jo Brough, who keep it at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club for logistical reasons but sail under the burgee of nearby Lake Macquarie Yacht Club.

'It’s great to see such a famous boat out on the track,' admits Sail Port Stephens’ principal race officer Denis Thompson, who has a close and personal link to the boat - he was working for McConaghy at the time and was part of the build team.

According to Jo Brough, who introduced her husband to the sport of sailing when they met in her teens, Once More Dear Friends was the first large composite boat to be built by McConaghy. The story goes that Kurts spotted the potential of the 18 foot skiff class of the time and simply asked McConaghy to build him a larger version.

This boat has seen some serious sea miles, proudly representing Australia at the Admirals Cup in 1983 as part of the three-boat team and taking second place twice amongst the 13 iconic Rolex Sydney Hobart's she has completed.

In fact it was when she was tied up at Constitution Dock in Hobart that Roy, who had just contested a Melbourne – Hobart race, fell in love for the second time - the first was of course with his wife, with whom he celebrated 40 years of marriage last Saturday.

Lately the boat has been contesting twilight races but referring to the fact she’s still set up predominantly as a cruiser racer as opposed to a straight out weighty, comfy cruiser, Jo laughs, 'there’s no Malaysian forest below deck. She still has the original rig and hull configuration and in fact has new racing sails in her wardrobe.'

The Broughs have entered their boat in the Sail Port Stephens regatta for the first time this year. A 10 person crew is campaigning the light blue hulled Dubois 12m around the track while Jo and Ellie, the Scottish terrier (who is usually on the boat but is sitting this regatta out) act as shore crew.

'We thought it might be a nice thing to do. This regatta is a lovely distance from Newcastle. Roy loves these types of events, both the racing and the social side,' says Jo.

And as for their beautiful 40 foot piece of sailing history, she admits they are frequently bailed up by admirers, 'everywhere we go people tell us it’s a privilege to have such a famous boat around.'


For more information, please visit: www.sailportstephens.com.au