The Australian Fleet
There is an impressive array of square metre yachts in Australia and some yet to be discovered. Over the month of July we have gathered a great deal of information on the Australian Fleet and where the yachts sails from.
New South Wales which was once the hub of square metre racing still hosts a sizable fleet. These are the yachts currently sailing in NSW. Fagel Grip, Fidelis, Flamingo, KA2, Larool, Rouseabout, Scarlett O’Hara Wings, Zephyrus, and Caress in Lake Macquarie
Perth has a long history with square metre yachts.
With Flame out of action as she is undergoing restoration, it’s four yachts ready to sail in Perth.
Bacchante, Joyous, Sue Anne, The Lady in Red.
Victoria and South Australia are states with great potential and we hope to expand our knowlege of square metre or square metre inspired boats in those regions. They have a sizable Tumlaren fleet that would be good to race with.
The yachts of South Australia and Victoria,
Teal currently she resides in Melbourne and she has a new custodian.
Pastime II which is a wonderful locally built and designed yacht based on square metre lines, currently sailing out of Melbourne.
Queensland has been introduced to this wonderful class in the late 1970s through the introduction of Typhoon.
All the other vessels are out of action or have yet to be tracked down except for Pinchgut and Benchmark as they have left our fair shores.
We hope to increase our fleet numbers so if you can offer any information on square metre yachts or inspired designs we would love to her from you.
please email us at info@asqma.com
From the Archives
Working down the list of boats we start with the research of the Yacht Bacchante. We look into her early years when she first hit the waters of Sydney Harbour sailing out of the RSYS.
Visit her page to view her articles dated back to the late 1930’s
A by product of her research revealed the 30sqm Aeolus which will feature in the next (From the Archives).
I also came across this wonderful article published in April 1963.
Where are they now...
The launch of a new association heralds the beginnings of new friendships and the opportunity to talk about what we have in common, Square Metre Yachts, or Skerry Cruisers as they are often referred to.
So a search is underway. With the first 2 yachts built back in 1937, to the more recent fiberglass yachts built at the turn of the century, there is a wealth of history. These boats with their distinctive shape and flair, they are boats that will have been noticed throughout Australia.
Here is a photo of the recently launched Baccchante one of the first metre boats to be built in Australia.
This is a photo of Wings (the first Australian designed and built 30sqm) taken in the late 1930s
These are some of the names of yachts we are currently looking for…
- Snake
- Toothpick
- Swallow
- Pavane in Adelaide
If you see or have any knowledge regarding the whereabouts of these sqm yachts or any others in your area, we want to hear
from you.
The Launch of Bacchante
After a couple of years in the shed undergoing a very thorough restoration job the 30sqm Bacchante shows colours of a much more elegant light. Arguably she is the most stunning metre yacht in the Australian fleet. Absolutely superb effort Manfred.
Here she is as she once was.
A long way into her restoration
On the road in the clear blue skies of Perth.
Speechless…. More to come on the story of Bacchante as we follow her around the harbour this summer..
Save Lewan Campaign
LEWAN is a part of Australian yachting history.
“LEWAN” was one of two 30 square metre yachts to be built over 1936 and 1937, the other being “BACCHANTE” with the former being built in Tasmania and the latter in Sydney.
She was built in 1937 from Huon Pine (Length 43′, Beam 7’9″, Draught 4’6″-5′) The yacht is a Knud Reimers design and has been stored out of the water for about 15 years (estimate only).
The yacht is now for sale and needs a timely completion of her unfinished restoration process.
LEWAN was stored in an enclosed purpose built shed until 2004 while an extensive refit was undertaken.
LEWAN is now on a outdoor hard stand in country Victoria (Wangaratta, 240km from Melbourne and 640km from Sydney) and has been partially exposed to the elements.
At the time of relocation, the refit was approximately 90% complete
Most items needed to complete the refit are included.
During the refit, any damaged timbers were replaced and the hull totally refastened before being dynal sheathed and then sprayed in 2-pack. The deck was replaced with teak over marine ply and a new coach house was constructed from seven layers of King Billy Pine.
Two 10″ diameter holes were cut in the aft end of the cockpit and outboard well fitted and these need to be completed (about 85% now) and blanking bungs were also manufactured.
The Keel / Rudder (which was replaced) needs to be faired and all hull work to be completed.
The deck and coach house are completed (included custom fitted flush deck hatches and companionway hatch from Teak) and all new cockpit / cabin sole completed.
Deck fittings just need to be fitted for finish.
For the tradionalist the new coach house (designed for racing) can be revered to a traditional coach house and the outboard motor wells removed (original Huon pine plugs from the hull are included).
Included are 10-12 sails, mostly spinnakers and jibs and a good mainsail.
No mast but boom (Alspar) is made from aluminium and two spinnaker poles.
There is a lot of timber and miscellaneous bits included with the yacht as anything that look nautical related..
LEWAN comes with here own yard cradle.
Enquires
Call Michael Cormak on 0404 020 667
(Disclaimer: Information and facts provided by current owner can change at any time and serve only the purpose of a general description)