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Benchmark

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Benchmark 1

Benchmark

Launch Date: Unknown

Benchmark was shipped to San Diego in 2006

She has been fully  restored at Koehler Kraft on Shelter Island.
She has had her hull  re-planked with mahogany and the new ribs are laminated with purple heart. Her engine and interior
were removed.

The current Owner Carl Koerner had this to say,

“We have removed all the equipment that has been added over the years like the Engine, fuel tank, engine bearers, prop shaft, head, plumbing, electrical system, stove, sinks and all of the front cabin, she was set up as a day sailor and we needed to remove all the excess weight and have her restored as a day sailor.

Her origins are said to be from Lake Macquarie and we suspect her to be the yacht Mavic which left Lake Macquarie in the 1960’s for Pittwater where the Snake was said to have been located in the 1960’s. Mavic was built by Les Steel sometime in the 1940’s.

A previous owner Brett McMahon purchased “Snake” in 1989, renamed her “Benchmark” and sailed her from RPEYC until 2002 when he took her to Queensland and later sold her to the current owner.

Brett McMahon had this to say about her,

“Less than 40 feet in  length, she was never as fast as Wings.
Original equipment included a roller reefing main controlled by a shaft which passed through the mast and a pair of two speed
brass winches.

In the 60’s a motor was installed and she was altered to accommodate this with the installation of a dagger rudder.”

A Classic Sailing Yacht with a large red spinnaker sail glides on the water near the shore, with trees and parked cars visible in the background.
A person sails a small white Schärenkreuzer with blue trim on a calm body of water under a clear blue sky, with buildings and other boats visible in the background.
Three people sail a classic wooden Square Metre Yacht on blue water near a city shoreline. The boat displays several flags, including the American flag, as they enjoy the sunny, clear weather.
A Schärenkreuzer sailboat is being lifted by a crane with green straps beside a quay near a large white building. Several people are standing on the quay observing the process.

Benchmark being slipped at Shelter Island

A Square Metre Yacht is being lifted by straps attached to a crane, hovering above a trailer on a quay. Two people stand nearby, and a white building and other boats are visible in the background under a blue sky.

Benchmark eased slowly into the trailer

A vintage white pickup truck is parked near a marina whilst a large wooden Schärenkreuzer sailboat is being hoisted by a crane. A man in a blue shirt and gloves stands watching. Sailboats, including other Skerry Cruisers, are visible in the background.

Class all Class!

Three people work together to move a sleek wooden sailboat, one of the classic Square Metre Yachts, on a trailer inside a large boatyard or warehouse, with other boats visible in the background.

Benchmark makes it into the work shed to begin her restoration.

A wooden boat, reminiscent of classic Square Metre Yachts, is being repaired in a garage with vertical wooden ribs installed along its hull. Tools, a stool, paint tins, and support stands are scattered around the workspace.

She has her lower planks removed to inspect the deadwood and ribs and so the can of worms is opened.

A close-up of weathered, decaying wooden beams with square cut-outs, reminiscent of old Skerry Cruisers; some beams show greenish patches and splitting from moisture exposure, evoking the history of Square Metre Yachts.

“So Carl have you heard of the 2.37 rule?”

Close-up of a Square Metre Yacht hull under repair, showing exposed wooden frames and ribs. Two measuring strips and chalk markings reading 24½ and 27” are visible on the hull surface.

The yacht is measured for replanking and replacement ribs.

A close-up view of the underside of a Square Metre Yachts hull undergoing repair, showing exposed wooden ribs and beams with structural damage and missing planks. Chains and workshop tools are visible in the background.
Two people work at a cluttered table covered with tools and supplies. One, wearing a white protective suit and blue gloves, holds a long, rectangular object whilst the other stands nearby, possibly preparing parts for Classic Sailing Yachts or Schärenkreuzer repairs.

Carl laminates a rib. Then another and another and….

A person wearing gloves and safety glasses applies a finish to a wooden board in a workshop, possibly crafting parts for Square Metre Yachts, while another works in the background. Two long wooden boards rest on a table covered with plastic.

Carl puts the finishing touches to the planking by sealing the inside surface.

Wooden boat under repair with multiple clamps securing new planks to the frame; ribs of this classic sailing yacht are visible in the background.

Benchmark makes it into the work shed to begin her restoration.

Several large cramps hold wooden boards together, with some water dripping from the boards—perhaps materials being prepared for restoring Schärenkreuzer or classic sailing yachts in a woodworking project.

A few more planks are glued and fastened into place.

A close-up view of a wooden Classic Sailing Yacht under restoration, showing exposed ribs and clamps holding pieces of wood in place in a workshop.

with the garboard planks fitted its time to inspect above the water line and the bilge area.

A classic sailing yacht, possibly a Schärenkreuzer or Skerry Cruiser, is undergoing restoration inside a large workshop, supported by scaffolding and surrounded by tools and equipment. The boat’s hull appears partly sanded, with another vessel in the background.

Planking is finished as they prepare her for paint.

View inside a wooden boat hull—possibly a Skerry Cruiser or other classic sailing yacht—showing exposed internal ribs and frame; a portable work light with a yellow lead hangs on the right, tools or equipment visible at the bottom of the frame.

She gets a new coat of paint inside…

A white Schärenkreuzer sailboat hull is under construction inside a workshop, supported by stands. The deck is partially covered with protective material, and tools and equipment are visible in the background.

Prep work on the hull is done and she is ready for her final coats…

A large white Classic Sailing Yacht is being repaired or constructed indoors, supported by stands and wooden planks. Various tools and equipment are scattered around, including a yellow box in the foreground.

Above decks is prepped and sprayed and she is almost finished… Benchmark hits the water!!!

A white Schärenkreuzer is propped up on wooden supports at a marina, with other boats and masts visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Looking fantastic..!

People stand near slipways and railway lines beside a marina, taking photos of a classic Schärenkreuzer sailboat being launched into the water. Numerous Square Metre Yachts are moored in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Always a great moment watching the launching of yacht.

A sleek white Square Metre Yacht with a polished wooden cabin is moored at a marina. A person stands on the quay beside the boat, with other boats and waterfront buildings visible in the background.

The topsides came up a treat..

A sleek white sailboat, reminiscent of Classic Sailing Yachts, with a wooden cabin is moored by a pier. A person ties blue ropes to secure the boat. The calm water and rocky embankment frame parked cars in the background.

Now that’s a photo…! nice work.

A graceful Square Metre Yacht with a large red spinnaker sail glides across the water under a cloudy sky. Several people are visible on board, leaning to one side as the boat tilts in the wind.
Three people sail a small Schärenkreuzer with a large, billowing red sail on the water, leaning to one side. A city skyline and a long bridge are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Another yacht saved and a fine achievement.

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