Lane Cove Launches 10 New Sabots

by Andrew Glassock on 11 Oct 2008 Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club has just re-equipped its fleet of 'Learn to Sail' (LTS) boats. The project involved the complete replacement of its fleet of 10 Sabot class boats that are used for the Club’s regular 'Learn to Sail' programs and junior development programs.

Each year Lane Cove 12 Sailing Skiff Club runs two 'Learn to Sail' programs in the October school holidays, teaching about 50 young people aged 8 to 12 the basics of sailing. Graduates from the Club’s programs go on to race regularly at the Club, progressively developing their sailing skills to Zone, State, Australian and International level.

The Club has a long tradition of providing opportunities for local youth to get out on the water. Almost 50 years ago, in 1960 the Club’s first timbers Sabots were launched to start its 'Learn to Sail' programs. The original fleet was replaced with fibreglass boats in 1987 and this year’s new fleet of foam sandwich boats will be the third generation.

Numbered among the Club’s former juniors are Karyn Gojnich, who recently represented Australia at sailing at her third Olympic Games in Beijing and was on hand as the new boats were launched. Australian 12ft Skiff Champions Nick Press and Tim Barraclough are also graduates of the LTS program.

Ten new Sabots were launched on 28 September, the hulls were built by Dinghy Sports, sails supplied by Doyle Sails, spars from Goldspar, blocks and fittings from LW Riley and control lines from Liros supplied by Deckhardware Australasia. Club members fitted out the boats upstairs in the Clubhouse and rigged the masts.

The $50,000 plus project was a major one for the Club . It was only made possible through the generous support that the Club has received from its sponsors, donations from Club members and the support of the Australian Sports Foundation.

Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club is very grateful for the assistance that it has received from. L J Hooker of Lane Cove, make-U-well of Gordon, Coursemaster Autopilots of Chatswood and Dyson and Tatham Plumbing of Longueville who have each sponsored one of the new craft. Well known marine business Goldspar of Mona Vale is also a sponsor. Both Goldspar and Coursemaster were key sponsors of boats from the Club’s previous fleet.

The remainder of the new fleet was funded through donations by Club members. These donations were made to the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF) in favour of the Club’s project. The support of the ASF greatly assisted the Club in its fundraising efforts.

The second generation of LTS Sabots that the new boats have replaced are being taken by Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club to form their first Learn to Sail Fleet.

More information on Lane Cove’s Learn to Sail Program – www.lc12ftssc.org.au