Issue date
2016 Marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of legendary Kiwi yacht designer John Spencer. Maraetai Sailing Club, home of the Spencer-designed Jolly Boat, thought that was a good enough reason for a regatta.
"We are looking to have at least one each of Spencer's dinghies on the water", says MSC Commodore Sean McRae. "We are confident there are plenty of his boats tucked away under decks and in the back of barns and this is an ideal opportunity to haul them out, rehabilitate them, and get them sailing again. The 2-day regatta will also incorporate the 2016 Auckland Jolly Boat Champs and a function on Saturday night. If we get sufficient interest the intention is to make this a biennial event."
Spencer's designs include the Jolly Boat, Flying Ant, Cherub, Javelin and Frostply as well as 12 and 18' skiffs. We also welcome the Junior Jolly Boats, of which there are 3 at Howick Sailing Club and the other remaining boat on the Manukau somewhere, as these were sanctioned by Spencer. In collaboration with long-time friend, Peter Tait, the Firebug was created as a 2.4m dinghy for building at home with the kids and learning to sail in. Many have been built with regular racing fleets at South Island and Australian clubs. With plan numbers at 1,250 we hope to see a good turnout of 'bugs' at the event.
Depending on the interest level, we would ideally like to have Spencer keelboats racing up and down the Tamaki Straits. Spencer was internationally recognised for his radical keelers such as Infidel (now Ragtime), so it would be more than appropriate. Spencer designed a lot of runabouts, launches and bigger keelboats including the 73 -footers Buccaneer and New World. If there are any Spencer-launch owners willing to use their boats as committee boats we would love to hear from them so we can keep the event pure Spencer. Please register your keelboat or launch interest at the below contacts.
The NOR will be posted closer to the time once we have a measure of the interest level. So diarise the dates, dig out your boats and scour TradeMe!
Please contact one of the below for further information:
Sean McRae - 0273 433 866 snlc@clear.net.nz
Steve Tennent - 021 982 525 steve.tennent@xtra.co.nz
Peter Tait - Design information & plans taitfbhq@vodafone.co.nz
Maraetai Sailing Club - 09 536 6649 admin@maraetaiboatclub.org.nz
