Yachts of Yesteryear to celebrate 70th Sydney Hobart in Parade of Sail

by Di Pearson RSHYR media on 21 Dec 2014 The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has received overwhelming support for its Parade of Sail, to be held prior to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on December 26, and staged in honour of the 70th Hobart and the Club’s 70th anniversary.

Up to 40 yachts will fittingly pay tribute to yachts and crews that have played a major role in the evolution of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, from its modest beginnings back in 1945 to its current status as one of this nation’s greatest sporting events.

Historic RAN vessel Hmas Advance will lead the fleet off. Two famous yachts from the inaugural race in 1945, Kathleen Gillett (kindly been made available by The Australian National Maritime Museum and to be skippered by Phil McKendrick), and Wayfarer, now owned by Peter and Gayle Smith, will lead the yachts.

Avidly watching will be the two surviving men who sailed in the 1945 race; Geoff Ruggles, who as a 21 year-old crewed or Wayfarer, and 88 year-old John Gordon, who sailed aboard Winston Churchill still actively sails an Access Dinghy on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Others joining the 38 confirmed yachts include Archina (Joe Skrzynski and Bill Ferris) from the 1945 race, Christina (David Foster) and Defiance (Nicole Shrimpton) from the 1946 race. Tiare Tomaszewski will pay tribute to her grandfather, the late great Jack Earl, owner of Kathleen Gillett and subsequently Maris, named for his daughter and Tiare’s mother.

Tiare has owned Maris for some years and is well aware of the significance of the Parade of Sail. 'We are proud to be able to take part in this historic event and to represent the family. We were originally going to be sailing to Hobart before Boxing Day and spend Christmas at sea, but fate must have stepped in and now we are happy to be able to take part,' she said.

Father Mike and twin sister Leilani will be aboard Maris with Tiare and it is hoped both Geoff Ruggles and John Gordon will be able to join in from the vantage point of a spectator vessel.

There are sure to be a few tears when John Walker’s Peterson three quarter tonner, Impeccable, sails past. Her wonderful owner died in July, and in memory of their skipper, former crew Shane Kearrns has gathered together crew from Impeccable to race Kearns’ restored S&S 34, Quikpoint Azzurro, to Hobart.

Joining the fleet too is Sean Langman’s Maluka, the grand dame of the Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet. Built in 1932 and measuring in at just nine metres, she is also the smallest and the only entry in this year’s 628 nautical mile race to take part in the Parade of Sail.

Representing boats from those early races right up to the more modern versions sailed in the Hobart over the years; it should leave a lasting impression on spectators.

The whole fleet will be dressed for the occasion and lead the yachts from a start point off Bradleys Head, on to a mark near the Sow and Pigs off Watsons Bay, and return to Bradley’s Head. All yachts will be under power.

Scheduled to start at 10.30am and conclude at 11.30am ahead of the 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race start, all participants will be clear of the starting area, but able to watch the Hobart fleet set sail from three lines when the start cannon is fired at 1.00pm.

Once the Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet has left the Harbour, Parade of Sail participants are invited back to the CYCA for a Quiet Little Drink.

A committee, chaired by CYCA Commodore John Cameron, is pulling out all stops to make the event an added highlight to the 70th Sydney Hobart race celebrations.

A full list of entries with bios and those vessels accompany the fleet is given below.


Order for the CYCA Parade of Sail

Boxing Day – Sydney Harbour


Order - Boat name - First Hobart Race

Hmas Advance - Leads the Parade

An Attack Class Patrol Boat built in 1967 in Queensland. Served extensively in northern Australian waters as an armed patrol boat. On loan from the RAN, acted as start boat for numerous early Sydney to Hobart Races. Now part of the fleet of historic vessels maintained by the Australian National Maritime Museum

1 - Kathleen - 1945

Colin Archer designed, wooden gaff-rigged yawl – 13.4m (44ft) owned and skippered in the inaugural race by artist, Jack Earl - a founding father of both the CYCA and the Sydney to Hobart Race. Kathleen became the second Australian yacht to circumnavigate the globe. Restored and gifted to the ANMM by the Norwegian Government as a Bi-centennial gift in 1976.

2 - Wayfarer - 1945

12.2m (40ft) Alden Bermudan wooden ketch, built for owner Peter Luke, also a founding father of the CYCA and Sydney to Hobart Race. Now owned by Peter and Gayle Smith who are restoring her to her former glory.

3 - Archina - 1945

A 15.9 (52ft) wooden hulled Bermudan ketch built in 1933for Phil Goldstein. One of the trio of inaugural race entrants that amazingly are still very much part of the Sydney yachting scene. Now owned by businessmen, Joe Skrzynski and Bill Ferris. Competed in 5 SHR’s, the last in 1994.

4 - Christina - 1946

A 33ft 5' Cutter sloop, built in 1932 by the Halvorsen brothers. Owned and sailed by dentist, Bob Bull. Handicap winner of the1946 race. Disqualified the following year after an incident off Sydney Heads. After a string of owners, now owned by David Foster.

5 - Defiance - 1946

International Class 8 metre – 49’6' wooden hulled veteran, built in 1935. Completed five SHR’s – best result third in 1946. Now proudly owned by Nicole Shrimpton

6 - Gymea - 1948

A Barber/Larson designed 33-footer built in 1938. Completed the 1947 and ’48 SHR’s with owner-skipper Geoff Carter at the helm. Now owned by Erin and Jeremy Sharp.

7 - Margaret Rintoul - 1949
47ft wooden yawl Designed by Philip Rhodes. Launched in Sydney 1949 for Mr AW Edwards. Competed in 5 SHR’s, first on elapsed time twice 1950/51 - 1951 time set a record that would stand for 7 years. Now owned by Bruce Gould and Paul Keerigan she sails regularly in classic events on Sydney Harbour.

8 - Lahara - 1951

33’4' sloop built in 1951. Came second that year in her inaugural SHR. Completed 6 SHR’s, before embarking on an extensive cruising program. Current owner Mike Warner competes regularly in Classic Fleet racing with the SASC.

9 - Wraith of Odin - 1952

57ft Alden Ketch, built in 1951 by Alf Jahnsen in Tuncurry NSW. Built for Dr Brian O’Brien, she competed in 5 SHR’s between 1952 and 1969. Sold in 1997 to current owner, Keith Glover who has completely restored her. to her former glory. Splined in 2010 by the son of the original builder, using unused original planking, cut on the same bandsaw his father used. Winner of classic events in Australia and New Zealand

10 - Laurabada - 1954

A 49ft Bermudan ketch built in 1954 by owner/skipper Ivan Holm Snr. Completed the 1954 SHR. A Queensland sailing icon, she has completed 50 consecutive Brisbane to Gladstone races – 1953/2002. Ivan Jnr and wife Anne have restored Laurabada, and are taking part in this Parade, as a stopover on their cruise to Hobart for the Wooden Boat Festival.

11 - Anitra V - 1956

38ft sloop designed and Built in 1956 by Trygve and Magnus Halvorsen. Has competed in 13 SHR’s – winning the race on handicap in 1957. Current owner, Philip Brown races regularly with the SASC.

12 - Caprice of Huon - 1957

A 13.72m (44’6') Robert Clarke designed sloop built in 1951. Competed in ‘numerous Sydney Hobarts. Best result, 1972 - second to Ted Turner’s American Eagle. Represented Australia in Admiral’s Cup. Current owner, David Champtaloup has Caprice on the market.

13 - Lolita - 1957

35ft sloop, built in 1946. Competed in 7 SHR’s. – the most memorable in 1961. Dismasted in Bass Strait, and drifting, she was eventually taken in tow by a submarine, named Trump, and arrived safely in St Helens. Owner for 52 years Nick Cassim, continues to race Lolita every Saturday with SASC.

14 - Southerly - 1958

A 35ft Charles Peel designed sloop, built in 1938, and known as 'The Great Floating Hotel' she was owned and raced for 53 years by the fabled Don Mickleborough. She competed in 14 SHR’s, with two third placings. John 'Shero' Sheridan and Rob McAuley are currently ‘caretaking’ the old girl.

15 - Malohi - 1959

A 35ft Lion Class sloop, built in 1955 for Nev McEnnally. He did six Sydney Hobarts before selling to sailing legend, Syd Fisher. He did four SHR’s in her. Current owner, Maurie Evans, presently races Malohi in the SASC Classic Division.

16 - Maris - 1960

Tasman Seabird – 11.15m designed by Allan Payne, built by Jock Muir in Hobart in 1958 for the fabled Jack Earl. Completed in a number of SHR’s in the 1960. Ownership passed to Ian Kiernan in 1971. He cruised her extensively in the South Pacific and competed in 4 SHR’s. Now owned and sailed by Jack’s granddaughter, Tiare Tomaszewski in partnership with Lord Howe islander, John Green.

17 - Salacia - 1962

A 41ft designed by Sparkman and Stephens, built in Hobart by Jock Muir in 1962 for CYCA member, Bob Rusk. Purchased in 1963 by Arthur Byrne, she competed in 10 SHR’s, 1962 – ’69 and 1971 –’72. Best placings, fourth in ‘’64; fourth in ’67; third in’69. Now based in Pittwater where current owners David and Jenny Lovell have cruised and raced her for the past 28 years.

18 - Valhalla - 1965

A 37’6' Sloop – built in 1964. Competed in four SHR’s with her best placing of ninth in 1966. Very neglected, current owner, Rory O’Connor has spend years completely re-building the old girl. He now races her with the Blues Point Yacht Club.

19 - Fare Thee Well - 1965

Alan Payne designed 40 footer – built in 1964 for Russ Williams to contest the 1965 Admiral’s Cup trials. Competed in 3 SHR’s – 1965,’67 and’70. Beautifully built, in a deconsecrated church in Eagle Farm, Brisbane by 'Bluey' Williams she is now moored in Pittwater where her current owner Clive Gregory takes part in club races and classic regattas.

20 - Mister Christian - 1965

A Swanson 36 built in 1965 for the late Peter Kurts. Specially designed for the SHR, she competed five times, with a best placing of fourth. Current owners David Salter and Ben Gray campaign, with a great deal of success, Mister Christian in the SASC’s Classic Boat fleet.

21 - Carousel - 1965

A Seabird Class 35 –footer built in 1964. Competed in the SHR twice, in 1966 and ’68. Present owner David Malone is an active member of the Drummoyne Sailing Club.

22 - Fidelis - 1966

A 61 foot ‘flying machine’, built in New Zealand in 1964, designed by the German naval architect, Knud Reimers. Owner, Jim Davern sailed her to line honours in the 1966 SHR. She completed six SHR’s, plus took numerous line honour and handicap placings in Tasman and Australian offshore races. Clocked up some 200,000 nm’s cruising. Current owner Nigel Stokes has her looking good, and still sailing like a witch.

23 - Sylphide - 1967

A 30ft 7' sloop, designed by Len Randal, built by Trevor Gowland in 1963. She has competed in five SHR’s. Her current owner is Sydney-based Catherine Kay.

24 - Duet - 1970

A Swanson 36 built in 1966. Competed in Sydney Hobarts between 1968 – 1974. At one stage owned by former Commodore of the CYCA, Jo Diamond. Joe apparently sailed Duet to Noumea, where she went on the rocks and was left as a total wreck. The current owner, James Dalgleish, salvaged and rebuilt her, and sailed her back to Australia.


25 - Stormy Petrel - 1970

A Sparkman and Stephens ‘one tonner’ built in 1970 for Charles Curran. Chartered by Syd Fisher, Stormy Petrel won the 1971 World One Ton Cup Championship. She competed in 10 SHR’s, the majority with owner/skipper Charles Curran, and for 3 races with the current owner Kevin O’Shea.

26 - Suraya - 1978

A Sparkman and Stephens 37 – built and launched in Tasmania in 1967. Purchased by Carl Scriber in 1988, went on to complete four Sydney Hobarts. Best result – second in a division. Owner currently uses Suraya to cruise the east coast of Australia and to take part in classic boat regattas.

27 - White Pointer - 1979

37’ sloop built in 1977 to the One Ton IOR Rule for Keith Le Compte, who still owns the boat. Competed in four SHR’s. Best result, 21st in the 1978 Race. A regular entry in the Sydney to Mooloolaba races. 15 starts to her credit. Still competes in regattas and regular cruises along the coast.

28 - Impeccable - 1981

A three quarter tonner, designed by Doug Peterson, built by Doug Brooker in 1980 for John Walker, she proved herself one of Australia’s finest and most successful small ocean racers. Owner skipper, John Walker campaigned her in at least 25 SHR’s. He still competed regularly until at the age of 86, earlier this year, he passed away. His crew are taking part in this Parade as a tribute to their old mate and skipper.

29 - Much Ado - 1982

A 34ft sloop designed by Ed Dubois built in 1982. Competed in a number of SHR between 1982 and 1986 campaigned by owner/skipper, J. A. Rickard. Changed hands a number of times. Now owned by a Sydney syndicate headed by Tony Wither.

30 - Sagacious V - 1985

A Farr 40 built in 1987 for Gary Appleby. One of the first carbon fibre yachts built by John McConaghy. Competed in 10 SHR’s – Runner up on handicap, 1989. Top finisher 1990.Represented Australia in international regattas around the globe. Current owner, David Hundt preparing her for the 2015 SHR – the 25th anniversary of its victory.


31 - Gusto - 1989

29’6’’ Cavalier class sloop, built in 1981. Competed in the 1989 SHR. Current owner, Phillip Denison.

32 - Wild Thing - 1993

A15.1m fractional sloop, designed by Australian Jim Inglis, modified by Iain Murray. Built in 1991 for Melbourne-based Grant Wharington. Competed in the 993 and ’94 SHR’s with Wharington at the helm she won the 1996 Melbourne to Osaka Double handed Race. Purchased by Geoff Lavis in 1999, a little known fact is that Wild Thing is a timber boat.

33 - Syonara - 1995

A 40ft Swanson - designed and built by Ron Swanson 1965.In 70’s and 80’s, mainly used for single handed racing and coastal cruising. Current owner, Greg Maughan, sailed her in the 1994 SHR.

34 - Krakatoa - 2001

A Young 30 built in 2000. Has competed in 2 SHR’s, 2002/03, winning trophy for fastest small boat 2002. In 2003 sailed in the Transpac race – Los Angeles to Honolulu. Current owner Don Young purchased her in 2005 and has campaigns her regularly in events on Sydney Harbour.

35 - Faster Forward - 2003

A Sydney 38, launched in 2001 as Yandoo Originally sailed as Yandoo and later as Getaway Sailing. Competed in SHR in 2002 and 2004 under charter to British sailor, Jakki Moore. Current owner, Peter Taylor will be competing in the coming Sydney Yachts National Championships

36 - Maluka - 2006

Wooden 9m Gaff Cutter built in 1933 – by far the oldest boat in the fleet. Current owner/skipper Sean Langman has taken her to Hobart four times – 2006, ‘08, ‘10 and ‘11 – each time winning the Plum Crazy Trophy - awarded to the 1sst yacht under 9.5m LOA to finish. A startling point of interest is that Maluka sailed from Sydney to Hobart in 1934 – 10 years before the first SHR! The only boat in the parade that is sailing in this year’s Rolex 70th Sydney Hobart.

sea Guardian

Formerly the RNLB R. Hope Roberts built in 1969 in Southampton UK. Brought to Australia in 1993 and renamed ANL Sea Guardian she was stationed in Wollongong and St Helens. Best known for her rescue work in the 1998 rescue of 10 yachts competing in that years horrendous SHR. In 2007 SHR she again rescued stricken competitors caught in strong winds off the Tasmania north coast.

ML 168

An RAN ‘Senior Officer’s Boat, built at Garden Island Naval Dockyard in 1937. Operated extensively on Sydney Harbour on active Navy duty.

ML 1NN – ‘Geranium’

A similar, but slightly shorter vessel to ML168. Served with distinction on Sydney Harbour. A part of the Naval Heritage Collection